With reclamation complete on The Pearl-Qatar, a $2.5 billion mixed-used island located at Doha’s waterfront, construction work is in progress on several towers that are being built by a number of investors.

The first residents of the prestigious project are expected to move in by the end of this year.
The project also recently marked the completion of flooding of its three marinas – the Porto Arabia, Viva Bahriya and Costa Malaz. The three marinas can now accommodate more than 750 boats.
United Development Company (UDC), owner and developer of the project, has signed a joint venture agreement with Spain’s marina management and operations company Ronautica to establish Ronautica Middle East, which will operate the marinas.
Two years after reclamation work started, The Pearl-Qatar has emerged as the largest island in Qatar’s waters. During this time, 400 hectares of new land have been created with a 32-km shoreline, (also see separate report on page 116) three coves, and navigable canals, in addition to numerous other features. Qatar Dredging Company (QDC) officials said about 15 million cu m of land had been excavated and reclaimed to create the island.
The Riviera-style man-made island is Qatar’s first international real estate venture, one of the largest real estate developments in the country and the first to offer freehold and residential rights to international investors. It will be home to thousands of residents in more than 15,000 dwellings within 11 precincts by 2010. The four-phase development will house three luxury hotels, three marinas, with combined mooring for over 750 boats, and more than 2 million sq ft of luxury retail, recreation and restaurant space.
Built 350 m offshore the West Bay Lagoon area of the country’s capital, Doha, the island will offer an exclusive retreat with easy access to the capital’s thriving community.
All the towers in Porto Arabia – the first district to be launched in the development – have all sold out and UDC has now launched sales for the Viva Bahriya district, the second phase of the mega project. The district is home to The Pearl-Qatar’s second largest marina and boasts breathtaking oceanfront views and family orientated entertainment, among its long list of amenities.
Among other recent significant developments at the mega project was the signing up of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts to open a new property in the Porto Arabia district. The new 300-room hotel will be located on a 72,000 sq m plot.

Porto Arabia
Porto Arabia is the largest of The Pearl-Qatar’s marinas and captures the vibrant sophistication of the Riviera. Beautiful apartments, penthouses and elegant town homes embrace a promenade akin to those found in the South of France. Distinct districts within Porto Arabia offer investors a choice of locations – from a lively piazza, a festive peninsula or a unique, secluded ‘island-within-an-island’ getaway. The Four Seasons hotel will operate from the central island.
The district features a 2.8-km pedestrian area, La Croisette, which will resonate with the sights and sounds of modern marina life, ranging from fine dining to café culture, elegant retail showrooms to lively street markets.
Among the leading developers that have invested in Porto Arabia is The Land Investment and Real Estate Development Company, which is developing nine residential towers at the district, involving an investment of more than QR2.7 billion. The project comprises Riviera-style buildings housing 209 luxurious apartments . The first two of these towers will be ready for occupancy by early next year. The Land last year awarded the Qatar branch of Al-Arrab Contracting Company (ACC) of Saudi Arabia the main contract to build seven of the 20-storey residential towers.
Another leading developer First Qatar Real Estate Development Company has launched a three-phased project at The Pearl-Qatar and has awarded Projacs a 55-month project management contract while EHAF Consulting Engineers has the contract for redesign and project supervision of all phases of the First Towers.
First Qatar has signed major agreements with companies for its First Tower-Porto Arabia, which consists of a high-rise residential tower with 20 residential floors that will rest on top of a six-storey podium for car-parking and ancillary facilities on Pearl Qatar. The First Tower will sit on 5,640 sq m of reclaimed land. Piling works for the tower was completed by Swissboring International late last year and Qatari Arabian Construction Company (QACC), a subsidiary of Lebanon’s Arabian Construction Company is set to commence construction of the tower.
“We will deploy our latest cutting-edge construction techniques and services to demonstrate our capabilities as a total solutions provider for the construction industry,” says QACC managing director Omar Mikati.
Other developers include Sabban Property Investments (SPI), which has launched construction of the QR1 billion Sabban Towers (see separate article) and Global Investment House, which is investing an estimated $120 million on the construction of a 24-storey high-rise residential tower building in the Porto Arabia district, covering a total development area of 5,640 sq m.

Viva Bahriya
The second largest of the marinas, Viva Bahriya will consist of 29 buildings and will be completed by mid-2009. It features a family destination of Northern Mediterranean ambience surrounding an enchanting harbour and is a short walk away from promenade of Porto Arabia. Moroccan-styled town homes and apartments with their Moorish elegance offer striking views as they cascade towards the beach. Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the landscaped marine promenade, access to a wide range of water sports and a variety of gastronomic and shopping opportunities. A well-sited five-star hotel will add to the district’s year-round amenities and life style
“Viva Bahriya is yet another beautiful district on the island that offers Riviera-style living and perfectly located within walking distance of great shopping, dining and family entertainment services,” says Salim Abdul Rahim, general manager of sales for The Pearl-Qatar.
Among the first developers at Viva Bahriya is Qatar Coral, which is building two residential towers in the district.
Other districts of The Pearl-Qatar include
• Costa Malaz Sanctuary Coast, which will feature individual villas on larger-than-average plots, all arranged to overlook an extensive harbour;
• Isola Dana Pearl islands, which are independent islands, offering one of the world’s most exclusive addresses. Isola Dana islands are set some way apart from The Pearl-Qatar to afford considerable privacy and discreet independence. Palatial homes will adorn these exquisite locations.
• The Quartiers, including the Abraj Quartier, which features high-rise towers that make a definitive statement of cosmopolitan style in a more secluded setting, located away from the busy port; and Qanat Quartier, which will have beautiful townhouses with lush private gardens;
• La Plage Villas, which will offer individual dwellings arranged in three areas; and
• Bahri Villas, which are luxurious, contemporary island-style villas. Each property stands alone in semi-tropical gardens, hugging the sea. All villas border private beaches.
A joint venture of Qatar District Cooling (Qatar Cool) and UDC has been charged with the responsibility of keeping the island cool. As per the terms of a recently awarded contract, the partnership will be responsible for the construction of a plant to provide 120,000 tons of refrigeration through district cooling.
The Pearl-Qatar has also awarded a multi-million-dollar contract to Parsons International Limited – the Middle East arm of the US-headquartered infrastructure development and programme management leader – to carry out the detailed engineering design of The Pearl Qatar’s roads, infrastructure and landscaping.
Parsons International Limited also produced an environmental impact assessment (EIA) of The Pearl Qatar, which has been submitted to The Supreme Council For The Environment and Natural Resources in Qatar.