Construction work was launched early this year on a major luxury holiday resort being developed by Qatar National Hotels Company in Doha’s Ras Abu Aboud area.

Known as the Al Sharq Village and Spa, this unique “boutique” luxury five-star resort sprawls over a 82,165 sq m plot between Doha Club and Doha Marriott Gulf Hotel, says Ibrahim M Jaidah, managing director of Arab Engineering Bureau, which carried out its design.
Blending traditional architecture and modern facilities in a unique Qatari village style of architecture, the resort will include 160 luxury rooms, a Six Senses spa, traditional Qatari suqs and a food, beverage and entertainment area, he adds.
The complex, with a total built-up area of 37,170 sq m, will comprise a main building housing the reception area, ballroom, function rooms, restaurant, cafe and some shops. Guestroom buildings are spread around the site with amenities such as a swimming pool, snack bar, specialty restaurant, and the spa, all located within the complex.
The buildings rest on a raft foundation while a special finish will be used to ensure that each traditionally-styled structure appears to be an intrinsic part of an old Qatari village.
Work started in early January under a QR195 million contract ($53.6 million), which will due for completion by June next year.
Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB) is the architectural and structural consultant on the project while DiLeonardo International is responsible for the interior design and Al Khatib & Cracknell is handling the designs for the landscaping.
AEB is also involved in a number of other projects, among the most prominent ones are the Alfardan Towers and the Qatar Insurance Company (QIC) office tower, both in the West Bay area of Doha.
Excavation work is currently under way for the Alfardan Towers, which comprises two towers: a 26-storey office building and a 40-storey apartment block, offering a total built-up area is 110,116 sq m. Each tower has two basement levels providing car parking areas. Construction Development Company is working under the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the building, which is due for completion in October 2006.
The client is Alfardan Real Estate Company, while the consultants include AEB (architectural), Dar Al Handasah – Shair and Partners (structural) and Tekem (services).
Meanwhile, raft foundation work is in progress on the 20-storey office tower for Qatar Insurance Company.
The unique circular shape of the building has presented a number of challenges, according to Jaidah. The building, being constructed at a cost of QR82 million, has required deep excavation in hard rock and dewatering and because of the congested nature of the 4,900 sq m site – with towers on both sides – a secant wall has required. The main contractor on the project is Gulf Housing and Construction, which is expected to complete it by July 2006.
Established in Doha in 1966, AEB also has a branch office in Abu Dhabi.
With a staff strength of 215 employed at both its offices, AEB provides a wide range of services including architectural, interior, structural and town planning and urban designs, project management, building services, quantity surveying and historical research.   
Among the other major projects it has been involved with including the Barzan Tower, Gulf Tower, Diplomatic Club, Shaqab Institute for Girls, Qatari embassies worldwide, and several offices and apartment towers in the West Bay area of Doha.