Following the completion of dredging and reclamation on the SR1.5 billion ($400 million) Durrat Al Khobar, construction work is under way on the bridges that connect the various islands of this exclusive residential, tourist and recreational city taking shape in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

The 1.5 million sq m project in Al Khobar is, in fact, the second phase of a mega residential development known as Al Harbash Al Tatweer project, being developed and managed by Al Harbash and Partners Company for Real Estate Investment and Development. The first and third phases of this project – which cover a total area of 4.1 million sq m – will comprise land parcels that will be provided with all the basic infrastructure, and utilities, while the second phase – the Durrat Al Khobar – is being developed as a self-contained city.
The main construction contract for the Durrat Al Khobar project was awarded to Saudi Binladin Group while Huta Hegerfeld Saudia is responsible for the dredging, reclamation and marine works. Associated Consulting Engineers International (Ace) has been entrusted with the architectural design and supervision.
“We have completed about 70 per cent of the infrastructure works, having already finished the dredging and shoring works. Construction is currently under way on the seven bridges that connect the various islands of the development, while work is also in progress on the installation of potable water networks,” says Mohammed Al Masri, a spokesman for Saudi Binladin Group.
Located about 17.5 km from the Aziziyah roundabout along the Half Moon Bay and overlooking the Arabian Gulf, this contemporary residential city is envisaged to be a one-of-its-kind project with a full range of amenities and services.
Owned by Durrat Al Khobar Company for Tourism and Recreational Resorts, the complex features residential units – ranging in design and size from studio apartments, chalets, duplexes, villas and palaces – each with its own private beach. Residents will have access to a variety of family amenities such as sports courts, parks, a selection of restaurants, local and international cafes, shopping malls, a marina club and yacht berth, along with a variety of water sports, as well as a medical centre and a mosque.
The project will also include what is expected to be the largest aqua park in the Middle East as well as a five-star hotel and fitness centres.
The project site has been divided into three distinct areas:
The public services and facilities areas: This area, extending from the project’s main gate to the entrance to the residential area, is open to the public including visitors to the Half Moon Bay beach, thus boosting the touristic appeal of the region.
Al Harbash has paid great attention to ensure that the main entrance to this mega city will have a dramatic impact to all visitors. Set in lawns and extensive greenery, the 90 m-high entrance structure will feature two gates – each 50 m high and 6 m and 30 m long.
The facilities will include the aqua park that measures close to 45,000 sq m, the five-star hotel covering a 22,650 sq m site, a 19,220 sq m shopping mall featuring international brands, a hypermarket, a series of international fast-food outlets and coffee shops, health club and separate skating rinks for men and ladies and also the only medical centre in the entire Half Moon Bay area, says a spokesman for Arkan Real East Marketing, which is handling the publicity and marketing of this mega project.
Other facilities include mosques, schools and a project management centre for direct communication with customers.
Tourist residential area: The residential areas of Durrat Al Khobar will be developed along seven finger-like projections that have been dredged from the sea. The projections are connected to each other by means of 56 m by 20 m suspended bridges, which facilitate the circulation of water within the bay areas and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the project,” adds the spokesperson.
The 1,500 m-long and 56 m-wide main boulevard, which runs from the 9,500 sq m main roundabout at the entrance down the spine of the development linking all the islands via the bridges. Within the islands, the boulevard branches into 45 m-long and 27.5 m-wide streets that will be well landscaped, and feature pedestrian pavements and visitor parking areas either side. Each finger-like projection terminates in a green island consisting of rest areas and children’s playgrounds covering 3,460 sq m.
The world-class infrastructure at the Durrat Al Khobar city will also comprise a sanitary drainage system and water treatment plant, electrical power transformer stations, sweet water network with pumps and storage tanks, landscaping works and marine causeways, among other facilities.
“Great effort has been exerted to ensure the privacy and exclusivity of each villa,” says the spokesman.
These residential complexes will be designed in a variety of styles to suit the clients’ tastes. They include:
• Venice apartments, which have two bedrooms;
• Oasis and beach apartments (two and three storey);
• Oasis and beach apartments (four-storey);
• Beach apartments and studios;
• Sondus chalets – 10 units categorised as A;
• Sondus villas – two duplex units categorised as B;
• Marjan villas – C (duplex);
• Marjan villas – D (single unit);
• Andalusia villas (three models):
• Al-Hamra Palaces (five models): These luxury residences will be located within the Palace district, which will be among the most exclusive residential areas overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The palaces are expected to be owned by dignitaries, royalty and elite clientele from Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Gulf countries. The expansive palaces, each with its own private mooring area and beachfront, will be built using the highest qualities of construction materials and will offer the owner total freedom in designing the interior space.
Marina City: This area will accommodate the business centre, international restaurants and coffee shops, a diving and fishing club and a mooring berth for yacht and marine speed-boats.

Infrastructure
The Durrat Al Khobar project envisages a variety of infrastructure development works such as excavation, landfill and marine; dredging and marine channels works to depths ranging between 2 to 6.5 m; rock protection; land and beach levelling works; marine bridges and causeways; roads, asphalting and pavements works; main gate and some secondary gates; external perimeter fences around the entire project site.
The project will feature a complete range of utility infrastructure including a desalination plant; sewage treatment plant, tanks and pump stations; fire protection and fighting, stormwater drainage, potable water, telecommunications and irrigation systems; electricity grid, transformers and power plants; standby power plant for the sanitary drainage plant; connection of all electrical, water, sanitary drainage and telephone systems to the boundaries of each individual lot.
It will be extensively landscaped to include features such as fountains, works of art and monuments.
Al Harbash is working together in unison with the contractors, infrastructure specialists, marketing and other companies to in-corporate the highest engineering and international design standards to complete a project of this magnitude.