Closely following the successful launch of freehold towers around the Porto Arabia – the main marina of The Pearl-Qatar – project promoter United Development Company (UDC) has released the second wave of harbour-side homes in ten, 20-storey towers.

The towers will offer residents two spectacular views – one overlooking Porto Arabia, which will be an international yachting hub with berthing for 400 vessels, and the other the 2.5 km La Croisette boulevard, which skirts the marina and will be a centreplace destination for diners and shoppers.
“These will be among the most fashionable tower apartments in the Arabian Gulf and certainly the region’s most glamorous address,” says Nick Bashkiroff development director of UDC.
The towers containing upscale apartments, luxury penthouses and elegant adjacent town homes will be ready for occupation late 2006/early 2007 and the range of one, two, three and four-bed luxury apartments – most with sweeping sea or picturesque views – come in six architectural styles: Monaco, Tuscan, Provencal, Florentine, Catalan and Andalusian, which have been conceived to reflect The Pearl-Qatar’s Riviera Arabia positioning, he says.
“Each of the island’s 10 districts is themed to reflect a Mediterranean lifestyle in the heart of the Gulf,” says Bashkiroff.
Designed by Seattle-based Callison Architecture, Porto Arabia will feature luxury interior designs, utilising the finest of craftsmanship and materials from around the world.
In all, some 30 towers will surround Porto Arabia, which will also have 60,000 sq m of upscale retail and restaurants.
“It will be a true leisure destination, the lively hub of The Pearl-Qatar, with homes for those who aspire to a Mediterranean lifestyle in a unique setting,” says Bashkiroff.
The Pearl-Qatar, which has positioned itself as the ‘Riveria Arabia’, is set to rank among the most glamorous addresses in the Middle East with its Mediterranean-styled architecture, spectacular views and world-class marinas. The $2.5 billion offshore, man-made island, covering 400 hectares of reclaimed land, is Qatar’s first international real estate venture, the largest real estate development in the country and the first to offer freehold and residential rights to international investors. It will create over 30 km of new coastline.
The four-phase development comprises 10 distinct districts to be developed over five years and will eventually house over 30,000 residents in an up-scale, multi-cultural residential community. The first investors are expected to take up residency in early 2007. The districts will house three luxury hotels, three marinas, with combined mooring for over 700 boats, and 60,000 sq m of luxury retail and restaurant space.
The Pearl-Qatar is being built 350 m offshore the West Bay Lagoon area of the country’s capital, Doha. Whilst offering an exclusive retreat, the island will also be closely integrated with, and have easy access to, the capital’s thriving community.
Dredging work for The Pearl-Qatar is currently under way; the completed project build-out is due for completion in 2009.
“The project represents the corner stone of the scope and objectives of UDC, which has successfully launched other major projects in Qatar in order to play its role in the speedy and impressive development process that we have been witnessing over the years in the cultural, educational, social, econ- omical and architectural sectors.
The island will cover an area of four million sq m and will include residential villas, townhouses and apartments.
“It is worthwhile mentioning that extensive studies were carried out before the decision was taken to proceed. Those studies covered the technical, economic and environmental aspects of the project. They clearly proved the practicality, viability and feasibility of the project. They gave us full confidence and determination to proceed ensuring good returns for our investors at the same time,” said Al Sholy.
He explained that UDC has also issued a contractors’ prequalification tender for the execution of infrastructure work across the whole of the island and for the high rise residential towers and associated parking, townhouses and shops surrounding Porto Arabia.