Work on the $320 million Marina West development – Bahrain’s largest gated beachfront high-rise residential and lifestyle community located on its west coast – has gathered speed with piling operations in full swing and work on the superstructure of the buildings set to begin soon.

Work on developing the initial concept into a fully detailed design with working drawings is reaching an advanced stage and significant progress on the project will soon be evident, following the award of the design-and-build contract to leading construction firm Al Hamad Construction and Development in June last year.
Located in Budaiya village, Marina West comprises 11 ingeniously designed residential towers that will range in height from 20 to 32 floors, and encircle the 75,000 sq m gated community. The towers will feature around 1,280 luxury apartments, simplexes, duplexes and penthouse suites and a number of townhouses once the development and construction programme – currently well under way – is expected by December 2009.
Marina West, which boasts a unique beachfront lifestyle, will comprise a built-up area of 350,000 sq m including residential, retail and leisure space. The project is under the management of Mahmood Janahi, managing director of Marina West Real Estate, who oversees all aspects of contracting, sales, architecture, and overall quality control. The project developer is ReeMoon Consulting Company – the real estate development arm and subsidiary of AAJ Holdings with proven expertise in master planning large-scale projects such as the Bahrain Financial Harbour and the Blue City in Oman.
The towers afford residents azure sea views stretching across the Gulf to the west and panoramic views across the date groves to the skyline of Manama to the east. Each tower will feature high-tech elevators and spacious reception areas, while the residences will each have central air-conditioning, television, radio, telephone and internet connections. Residents will also enjoy close proximity and easy access to the community’s numerous amenities and services.
Piling work on the foundation of the Marina West development began in May last year and was subcontracted to Kary Foundations. This phase of construction formed part of the second of five overall phases. The piles ranged in diameter from 600 mm to 1,000 mm and this phase equates to some 12 km of drilling, with over 6,000 cu m of earth removed from the site.
The third phase includes the construction of the superstructure of the towers, while the fourth and fifth phases encompass the construction of a two-storey ‘podium’ structure to provide car parking and commercial premises, and the completion of the marina and all remaining external works, respectively. This phase will also include a full range of leisure, recreation and entertainment facilities in addition to the Marina and a private beach.
“Al Hamad has a very strong reputation within the Bahrain construction market and a track record that instils trust. Not only does Al Hamad bring to Marina West its local experience and expertise gained on several of Bahrain’s landmark development projects, but also its regional experience of more than 20 years,” says Ahmed Janahi, chairman and chief executive officer of AAJ Holdings Company, the real estate company behind Marina West.
“The construction sector in Bahrain currently presents a host of opportunities and we see Marina West as being pivotal among these. We are indeed excited to be progressing on the ground and developing the premium unique gated beachfront residential community in the kingdom and of course, to be working with the visionary personalities behind this development,” says Nashat Sahawneh, chairman of Al Hamad.
The elegantly appointed towers of Marina West will feature attractive balcony facades, impressive common areas and a host of luxury fittings. Water features and landscaped gardens add to the aesthetic charm and appeal of Marina West. Inside, the homes range from 92 sq m for a one-bedroom simplex to 329 sq m per floor (approximately) for a four-bedroom duplex.
Residents will enjoy a west-facing, beautifully landscaped private beach, fringed by palm trees and accessed through a boardwalk, the adjacent marina (provision) as well as a host of food and beverage outlets and other facilities. There will be landscaped gardens incorporating safe play areas for children, along with barbecue and seating areas, as well as boardwalks and water features. Among the leisure facilities will be swimming pools, tennis courts, cycling tracks and fitness facilities.
Marina West will also have more than 7,000 sq m of retail, recreational and leisure facilities including restaurants, cafes, boutiques and convenience store.
There will also be ample parking facilities – 2,000 spaces for residents and visitors – along with high-tech security systems and services, which will ensure limited and preferential access for tenants and their guests.
Marina West has also roped in Asteco Property Management as the sales and marketing agent, which in turn has entered into a strategic partnership with AAJ Holdings to provide consultancy and act as both the leasing and sales agency for the development.