Gulf Construction Online - A ‘Wave’ of prosperity

Oman

The marina ... under construction.

A ‘Wave’ of prosperity

01 February 2009

The $2.5 billion Wave Muscat project – which at last count had earned 11 international and regional awards in different real estate categories – is pressing ahead on all fronts while ensuring that strict quality controls are maintained in its construction.

Work is in progress on the various components of the mixed-use, fully master-planned community, including the marina and the residential units, with close to 800 properties currently under construction and around 5,000 men on site, The Wave Muscat CEO Nick Smith tells Gulf Construction.
In fact, the first 50 villas on the development have already handed over to their owners; the arms of the marina have been completed and the main access way to the site is now open.
Smith indicates that excavation is under way on the lakes and waterways and lake lining is in progress and the outer reef breakwater is now visible above the sea level while preparations are being made to launch work on the golf course.
Occupying a total area of 2.5 million sq m alongside over 6 km of natural beach and 15 minutes away from the centre of Muscat, The Wave Muscat is the first integrated tourism complex in Oman and offers 100 per cent freehold status. The development features a signature 18-hole Greg Norman golf course, a 300-berth marina, three luxury hotels (including Fairmont and Kempinski), over 4,000 residential units in a mix of apartments, villas and townhouses in addition to a vibrant marina village and boulevard area with retail and commercial facilities.
This project is being developed by a joint venture comprising Oman’s Waterfront Investments (representing the government of the Sultanate of Oman), National Investment Funds Company (representing Omani Pension Funds), and the UAE-based Majid Al Futtaim Group.
Commenting on the progress of work in the marina vicinity, Smith says: “The massive engineering project of the construction of the arms of the Marina at The Wave, Muscat has been completed on schedule. Presently, construction is under way on the outer marina walls and the reef breakwater, while preparations are being made to start work on the inner marina walls.”
The work is being carried out by contractor SNE, while Atkins is the consultant for the project’s entire marina works. The marina consultant is Septech Emirates.
The marina will have a yacht club, which will offer service and lift facilities for boat owners as well as fuelling facilities. The eastern end of the development will also have a dry storage facility for small boat owners, while a sailing academy and water sport centres have been planned.
The Wave, Muscat has followed international best practice and regulations in designing and building the development, aiming to provide the safest possible environment for its residents.
Smith elaborates: “Seafront developments face challenges that need to be dealt with threats from rising sea levels, global warming and climate change being concerns on everyone’s mind when purchasing a waterfront home. At The Wave, Muscat, we have applied stringent rules and have incorporated long-term plans in the preparation and design stages to mitigate the impact of these issues.
“We have implemented detailed risk management plans, which have gone beyond the traditional EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) studies and recommendations, which keep us abreast of possible impacts of environmental change. The construction at the marina is an example of The Wave, Muscat going above and beyond the standard design practices in order to give our residents complete peace of mind and ensure the longevity of the project.”
The primary protection to the marina and development will be provided by the offshore reef breakwater. This structure is 2 km long, located 1 km seaward of the marina and will comprise more than 1 million cu m of rock materials and about 18,000 individual concrete armour units called Core-Loc. The Core-Loc units weigh 12 tonnes each. The heavier 16.5-tonne units are used at the ends of the breakwater, which are subjected to more severe conditions during a storm. The finished height of the breakwater will be +7.5m above chart datum (CD).
During storms, sea swell will be transmitted through the rock structure of the breakwater together with waves generated by over-topping of the breakwater and diffraction (the motion of the waves bending around obstacles) round the ends of the breakwater.
The marina and development will be protected from these swells and waves by the east and west revetments. These structures are 0.7 km and 1.0 km long respectively and will be +5.9 m above CD comprising rock armour of up to 8-tonne size.
The marine structures have been designed considering wave and wind events that are likely to occur once in 250 years, which could result in a significant wave height of 5.95 m at the breakwater. Seismic events and the future rise in sea level have also been accounted for in the design.
Commenting on the lifestyle the marina offers, Smith observes: “Living around a marina area is looked upon as one of the most-sought-after lifestyle options. The meticulously-planned marina at The Wave, Muscat offers residents the exhilarating vibrancy of a chic urban lifestyle together with the advantages of living by the marina at the heart of town in Oman’s first masterplanned community.”

Residential component
Development of the residential component of the project, which commenced in 2007, is presently going on in full swing. Essentially, construction of residential and resort elements commenced from the main entrance road progressing in an easterly direction, while the component to the west of the main entrance road will be undertaken thereafter.
The residential segment, once completed, will feature 4,000 units, including 438 townhouses, 901 villas with gardens, and 2,922 apartments around the marina village.
Smith indicates that work is under way on sectors one to four of the villa and townhouse phases, with 413 villas and 197 townhouses presently under construction. At the same time, the 178 apartments within Almeria South and North are also under construction and due for completion by the end of this year.
The property sizes vary from 200 to 750 sq m. The villas are offered in three- to five-bedroom options from three separate architects and enjoy canal and park views while all are within a few hundred metres from the beach.
The townhouses are available in two to four-bedroom options and feature traditional Omani architecture with modern interiors while the apartments are offered in a choice of one to four-bedroom units.
The villas, townhouses and apartments have been masterplanned by OBM International, with Atkins as the detail designer, Tombaiza, Santinin and Triad as the villa concept designers, Landscape Designs responsible for the landscape design and Lloyd Northover involved in the signage and way-finding. Al Turki Enterprises is the contractor for the villas, apartments and infrastructure, while Carillion Alawi is carrying out the construction of the townhouses and Eight Services is responsible for the landscaping works.
A highlight of the homes at the Wave Muscat is that they integrate the traditional Omani flair and use of space (such as private versus public domains) with western construction standards, technology and contemporary styles.
Says Smith: “Most of the designs of our villas and apartments at The Wave, Muscat have incorporated the needs of the people and the trends of the times which are leaning more towards open living. Families are now communicating in a much more casual way and this is reflected in our design layouts. Our Triad, Tombasis and Santini villas offer the customer choices which are reflective of these features.
“Moreover, the natural beauty of Oman has been a source of inspiration to many interior designers and we have incorporated earthy colours that you see in the desert with the orange and greens of the date plantations in the interiors of our apartments and townhouses. We have also tried to provide ample natural light and the properties have been provided an outside space, whether it’s a veranda or a balcony. This open-style living concept is much appreciated by our GCC, western and local customers alike.”
Other initiatives being undertaken is analysing and developing the residential and retail strategies for the village area. Along with exclusive apartments and villas, the marina village area will overlook the marina, offering residents and visitors access to a range of retail outlets. Sailing enthusiasts and water-sport lovers will be able to enjoy the facilities around the marina area all year round.
The project also has extensive retail and commercial facilities as well as a neighbourhood shopping centre featuring a small supermarket and service retail. In addition, there will be three hotels developed. The Fairmont and Kempinski Hotels are already on board and have signed hotel management agreements with The Wave, Muscat. Work on the Fairmont resort, is expected to commence soon. BBG undertook the concept design for the hotel.
Golf course
Mobilisation work is now in progress for the commencement of construction of the signature 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course. Spread over approximately 800,000 sq m, the golf course will also include a golf and country club equipped with sports, banquet and conference facilities and a golf academy. Tenders have been prepared to appoint the concept designer for the golf clubhouse while the areas adjacent to Fairmont Hotel and the golf course are being masterplanned.

Green initiatives
Considerable importance has been given to “green” initiatives in the design and development of The Wave, Muscat. These include energy-efficient modules for construction structure, adopting best practice principles in creating green spaces, innovative approaches to landscaping techniques and planning and adopting sustainable techniques for recycling water.
In keeping with Oman’s reputation for being environmentally conscious, a detailed EIA has been prepared, detailing the project’s execution methodology and mitigation plans.
International recognition
The Wave, Muscat has been accorded the ISO 9001:2008 certification for excellence in customer service, making the company the first property developer in Oman to win such accreditation. The company has a well-documented quality management system in place that addresses the new standard ISO 9001:2008.
Confirming the company’s commitment to quality practices, The Wave, Muscat has secured several awards for its development expertise, locally and internationally.
One of the UK’s leading international property magazines, Homes Overseas, recently honoured The Wave, Muscat with five awards, all recognising the contribution that the development is making in changing the real estate landscape in Oman. These included the gold award for best development in the Middle East, silver award for best luxury development, best marina development, off-plan top twenty award and the readers’ choice award.
This win follows closely on the heels of the CNBC Arabian Property Awards held in Dubai, where the project received six awards, including two five-star awards in the categories of best marina development and best architecture. The architecture award was the “best of the best” and a certificate of excellence was given at the international awards held in Florida, the US, last November. For the second successive year The Wave, Muscat received awards in the category of best development, best website design, best interior design and best golf course design.
“Once complete The Wave, Muscat would be a world-class tourist and residential development which respects the culture and heritage of Oman, exceeds the expectations of our customers whilst optimising the financial, business and social returns of our stakeholders,” Smith concludes.