Work is continuing at a rapid pace on the Amwaj Islands project, a group of man-made islands less than 2 km off the coast of Muharraq which – once complete – promises to offer a combination of world-class residential neighbourhoods, commercial districts and spectacular resorts.
The $1 billion project, which will have a unifying architectural theme, smart city environment, a fast new road network, medical and educational facilities, and all the sports and entertainment amenities required in today’s hi-tech lifestyle, will usher in a new standard of living in Bahrain, says a spokesman for the developer.
“Almost all of the major infrastructure contracts are in full swing now or nearing completion, and the buildings are well under way in a number of locations around the island,” says Kareem M Shamma, project manager with Ossis Property Developers, the developer. “We are proud to say that we are delivering this formidable project on time, and we look forward to receiving our first residents this year.”
The commercial heart of the islands is centered on a lagoon, work on the wall of which is nearing completion, with the casting of concrete bollards to the top of the quay wall, as the final touch. The area immediately behind the wall will accommodate a landscaped promenade that will offer panoramic views across the lagoon, which will be ringed by stylish waterfront cafes and restaurants.
Design work is also under way on a marina and construction is expected to start in the third quarter of this year. Ossis is in the final stages of negotiating with investors regarding the development of the islands’ first exclusive shopping centre and food court which will be located on the marina.
The masterplan for the Theme Island is also complete with the work expected to commence early this year.
The company has also developed an Education Island and construction of the first school, Chwaifat School, with a capacity to accommodate more than 2,000 students has commenced. The school is to be completed in time to received students for the next academic year.
The construction of a breezy 17 km landscaped walkway boulevard facing the sea has already commenced and is expected to be complete by mid-2005.
Artificial reef domes have been installed around the project to provide alternative breeding grounds for marine life.
Components
The 30 million sq ft Amwaj Islands will include the following components:
• Al Marsa: ready-built canal-front villas;
• Zawaya: Beautiful houses perched over the water’s edge;
• Gateway: Spectacular apartments at the doorstep of the project;
• Saraya Al Bahar: Designer villas on common or private beach;
• Tala: Town-houses, villas and apartments in an exclusive gated neighbourhood setting, overlooking the tranquil Amwaj lagoon; and
• Meena 7: Stylish apartments on the seafront in the heart of the trendy Al Marsa village.
• Al Fanar Resort: hotel and recreational area to the west of the islands, which includes a 100-berth marina and retail centre.
The islands also includes a number of developments such as the Amwaj Plaza which are being developed by private investors.
“The infrastructure and other services for these units is expected to be ready by April,” says Shamma.
Al Marsa Floating City: The project – designed by Bernard Spoerry – includes around 215 waterfront villas/chalets and flats covering an area of 53,430 sq m located in the Floating City, which is designed to have a series of canals.
Work is currently under progress on the capping beams to the top of the sheet piling which form the canal walls. The excavation of navigable canals has also commenced.
The project is being developed by a joint venture of YBA Kanoo, Shamil Bank and Al Saraya Properties.
There are 13 villa and flat-type designs to choose from, having varied floor areas and bedrooms, ranging from a studio flat to a five-bedroom villa with garden, swimming pool, and boat shelter.
Tala Island: Located at the heart of Amwaj Islands and shaped in an elongated curve, Tala Island will stretch over an area of around 110,000 sq m. It will be strategically located close to all other aspects of the total development inclusive of marina, hotels and theme islands.
It will include 88 villas and townhouses on the beach.
Construction work on the project started with the award of the piling contract to international geo-technical contractor Keller Grundbau last July.
The project is being developed by Tala Island Development Company, a joint venture between Al Khaleej Development Company (Tameer) and Ossis Property Developers. Overall completion of Tala is scheduled for 2007.
Architectural consultant for the apartment blocks and villas is Davenport Campbell.
Meena 7: The Meena Towers are condominium apartments consisting of seven towers, housing 230 apartments offering one to four bedrooms and penthouse suites.
These condominium buildings boast a Middle Eastern touch and provide a picturesque view of the open sea on one side and Al Marsa Floating City on the other.
Designed for people looking to reside beside the sea, Meena 7 offers the latest amenities and facilities – including a state-of-the-art health club, spa, swimming pools, landscaping and all other amenities required for a comfortable lifestyle. It also includes a floating restaurant, fast food restaurants, banks, suq, and a shopping mall.
Al Fanar: In the next few months a host of new building projects will be commencing at Amwaj Islands. “Most of these will be privately owned developments, but one or two will be developed directly by Ossis. In particular, we expect to be commencing the construction of the first of the four and five-star hotels at the Fanar Resort within the next six months,” says Shamma.
The architect/engineer, international hotel operator, and contractor have all been appointed, and design work is now under way, he says.
The first four-plus star beach hotel will have 300 rooms and a spacious banquet hall
Ossis Property Developers has awarded Davenport Campbell the contract to design two hotels on the Fanar Beach. Construction of the BD25 million project is expected to start shortly for completion within two years.
Access
The opening of the new Shaikh Khalifa Bridge connecting Amwaj Islands to Manama has made the islands easily accessible for visitors. “In addition, local contractor AA Nass has been working at a commendable pace to complete the Amwaj Islands bridges on target, in the first quarter of this year,” he says.
AA Nass was awarded the contract for the construction of the nine bridges early last year. The main islands will be linked with four pre-stressed concrete road bridges, spanning the lagoon openings, and a further bridge will take traffic across the entrance to the central lagoon in the commercial district.
Four more humpback bridges will be erected in the Al Marsa, to carry vehicles over the canal network there. Work on the contract, which was awarded last June, is scheduled for completion by March.
Ismail Khonji and Associates provided the designs for the bridges, while Parsons is providing technical office back-up and site supervision.
MEP services
The installation of electricity networks within the island network has made good progress and Alkomed is on target to meet the schedule. A large number of the secondary substations are now constructed, and cable laying is in progress throughout the islands. The Ministry of Electricity and Water has connected 66 kV cables up to the Amwaj primary station.
The installation of transformers in the 66 kV primary sub-station at the Theme Island was completed last June. Habib Ali Awachi completed the civil works for the primary electricity sub-station.
Delta is well on target with the civil works (chambers, ducting, distribution enclosures, etc.) for the islands ‘fibre optic telecommunications network. The contract for the associated fibre supply and installation contract to allow the provision of the basic voice, video and data services is to be awarded shortly.
Tabet is currently installing an innovative vacuum sewerage collection system at Amwaj. The system includes a vacuum interface chamber that draws off the collected sewage through a network of vacuum lines to one of small number of vacuum stations, where the sewage is then pumped on to the main treatment plant, which will have an initial capacity of 2,500 cu m per day. Zohal is currently installation the sewage treatment plant.
