Athree-tower complex, which will boast the tallest residential towers in Bahrain, is set to begin its ascent this year in the centre of the capital Manama.

Comprising two 50-storey skyscrapers and one 40-storey luxury block, the Abraj Al Lulu project is claimed to be the first of its kind to offer apartments on a freehold basis in the heart of the city.
Situated next to the city’s prominent landmark - the Pearl Roundabout - the BD95 million ($252 million) development will have more than 860 apartments and 12 ‘villas in the sky’ (duplex penthouses).
“What makes Abraj AI Lulu special is its unique location in the centre of Manama with amazing views, close to the Seef Mall, Bahrain World Trade Centre and Bahrain Financial Harbour,” says Hatim Dadabhai, director of the Dadabhai Group, a promoter of the project. “The project will be constructed to high standards and is designed to resist seismic and wind loads.”
Work has already been launched on the project with piling works currently under way on site.  In addition, site offices have been established and all heavy machineries, such as excavators, shovels, mobile cranes and piling rings, have been mobilised on the 17,160 sq m site.
A total of 519 cast-in-situ piles are currently being driven to a depth of 30 m by Bahrain Foundations Construction Company (BFCC). The piles range from 800 mm to 1.2 m in diameter (five 800 mm, 38 of 900 mm, 102 of 1 m and 374 of 1.2 m).
“We have already conducted a number of analyses including those to study wind-tunnelling effects and seismic resistance,” says Pranay Thacker, director of Dadabhai Construction, the client’s representative.
Following completion of the piling work - which is expected by the end of this month (January) - the main contractor Al Hamad Construction and Development Company will commence work on the construction of the substructure and structure. The reinforced concrete buildings - dressed in curtain-walling - will have slipformed cores and cast-in-situ and precast hollowcore slabs with shear walls as well as post-tensioned members in the podium. The entire substructure will be waterproofed. The curtain-walling comprises doubled-glazed and tempered glass.
Commenting on the development, Dadabhai says: “The project is the brainchild of leading local entrepreneur Mohammed Dadabhai, who has got together a group of leading businessmen and investors from Bahrain, Saudi and the UAE to set up the Pearl Development and Real Estate Company to spearhead this pioneering project.
 “We have been conceptualising this project for the past 18 months and we soon expect it to be a reality. This development will be the first of a number of other freehold properties we are planning.”
The two 50-storey twin towers - known as Gold Pearl and Silver Pearl - will each have 360 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.  There will be 10 apartments per floor from levels One to 17 and around eight per level from 17 to 50.
The 40-storey Black Pearl will comprise spacious three and four-bedroom apartments and have its own indoor swimming pool on the 36th floor, with a rooftop deck, health spa, coffee shop and indoor and outdoor recreational facilities.
The 12 villas - four at the top of each of the three towers - measure 348 sq m and offer an ultra-modern lifestyle including sophisticated Smart Home and intelligent technology.
The three towers, offering a total built-up area of 200,000 sq m, rise above a four-level podium, which has parking spaces for 1,200 cars. The 6,000 sq m rooftop of the podium will feature a large swimming pool, a toddlers’ pool and sundeck in a landscaped area, surrounded by a host of recreational facilities including two international-size tennis courts and three squash courts.
The towers will be equipped with state-of-the-art amenities including a health spa, a gym fitted with Technogym equipment from Italy, a barbecue kitchen, cinema lounge, internet cafe, laundromat, and allocated parking space for each apartment, among other facilities. 
Each tower - which features balconies on the main and side elevations - will have a modern double-height reception with a waiting lounge and will be served by four high-speed elevators.  Each apartment is equipped with a Jacuzzi and spacious shower columns and high quality fittings.
“Our focus has been on supplying quality materials. Hence, the sanitary ware and fittings will come from reputable European and American brands while doors will have high-quality finishes. The living rooms feature parquet flooring from Germany.  In addition, extensive use has been made of glass,” says Thacker.
He continues: “We are also setting up four or five types of mock-up apartments, which will be ready by mid-year.  These will depict various interiors to offer flat owners the option of going in for fitted out apartments.”
Other facilities include high-speed internet facilities, an advanced security system, Smart Home technology for the penthouses and state-of-the-art closed circuit television system and access to satellite TV.
The structure will include a number of safety features conforming with Civil Defence requirements. The electromechanical services will be monitored by a building management system.
The freehold apartments project will cater to the needs of local and GCC nationals as well as expatriates, who can avail of the benefits of a self-sponsorship residency visa for a period of five years, renewable upon presenting a valid apartment ownership deed.
The development includes some 550 sq m of commercial space, which can be utilised for essential services such as a supermarket.
The project is conceptualised by Habib Modara Art and Architecture together with renowned architects Jafar Tukan as advisers on the detailed architecture and interiors. Jafar Tukan is the winner of the notable Aga Khan Award for architecture in 2001 who is also involved in many prestigious projects such as Amman Hilton Hotel and Jordan Gate project in Jordan and Makkah General Hospital in Saudi Arabia. Consultants include Cowi Almoayed Gulf (structural) and Gemac (mechanical and electrical), Ernst & Young is the project auditor, and Trowers & Hamlin is the legal advisors. In addition, IBA (Ian Banham and Associates) has been appointed as adviser on the electromechanical aspects and BWS (Baker Wilkins and Smith) as advisers and the cost consultants.
Advisers and consultants will soon be appointed for the glazing and curtain-walling.
“Already 50 per cent of the space has been sold out even before the structure has risen above the ground,” Dadabhai points out.
Work on the project is due for completion by March 2008.