UDC launches Tower31 at Porto Arabia
United Development Company, owner and developer of The Pearl-Qatar, has launched Tower31, one of its central towers located at Porto Arabia’s exclusive entrance.

Tower31, which will comprise one to three-bedroom apartments and four luxury penthouses, will offer several features that include gyms, spas and massage centres, as well as a swimming pool and a vast parking area.
The apartments of Tower31 will be equipped with sophisticated smart home automation systems, which will allow residents to control most of the household equipment and appliances, change room temperatures, open curtains and turn off lights via internet.
KEO to design Seef District
First Bahrain Real Estate Development Company (First Bahrain) has appointed KEO International Consultants (KEO) to spearhead the master plan and design of its signature $450 million development. Located on a 21,000 sq m plot in Seef District, the development will feature a hospitality complex including a Sharia’a-compliant four-star hotel and serviced apartments along with office and residential towers. KEO has designed many of the region’s most esteemed projects, including the masterplans for Mohamed bin Zayed City and Emerald Gateway in Abu Dhabi, along with the design of Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi and The Pearl-Qatar.

BWTC shortlisted for top award
The Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) designed by Atkins, has been short listed for the 2007 EDIE Award for Environmental Excellence in the category of Sustainable Construction.
The awards, which recognise the achievements of developments focusing on environmental protection and improvement, provide public recognition for the individuals and companies who have attained the highest standards within the design and construction industry.

Tawzea wins Saudi water contracts
The Saudi Organization for Industrial Estate and Technology Zones (SOIETZ) has entered into a contract with the International Company for Water Distribution (Tawzea) under which the latter will manage water services projects benefiting three industrial cities.
The projects, which is a first for the Middle East, are unique as they provide comprehensive water services while meeting all the environmental and water needs of the industrial cities through ROT (rehabilitate, manage and transfer) contracts, says a report. The two ROT projects will include the provision of potable water facilities in Jeddah’s First Industrial City; and the provision of sewage, irrigation and industrial water for Riyadh’s Second industrial city. The contract will also include a BOT (build, operate and transfer) project for potable, sewage, irrigation, and industrial water in Gassim’s First Industrial City.

Work begins at Sunset Hills
Infrastructure works have commenced on the $100 million Sunset Hills development project, coming up within the $1.3 billion Al Areen project in Bahrain, following the early completion of preliminary works on the project.
The 50-50 joint venture between Abu Dhabi Investment house (ADIH) and Kuwaiti investment firm Sorouh Investments, has successfully completed enabling works and site leveling, paving the way for next phase, said a spokesman for the project.
Scheduled for completion in 2009, Sunset Hills occupies an area of 200,000 sq m situated at the southern gateway of Bahrain’s landmark Al Areen Development.
When completed, it will house 300 real estate units, including villas, town houses and luxury apartments. Multipurpose buildings are also planned for the development.