Gulf Construction Online - Pearl of a plan

Qatar Review

Plan of the Pearl of the Gulf.

Pearl of a plan

01 March 2004

Qatar’s United Development Company (UDC) is set to launch a new $2.5 billion project which will offer buyers of any nationality the opportunity to own freehold property on an artificial island.

The 400-hectare Pearl of the Gulf island is to be built off the shoreline of Doha Bay.
Work is scheduled to begin next month on the structure of the island and marketing will also commence shortly with first occupancy targeted for 2006.
Designed for a residential population of around 30,000, the masterplan for The Pearl of the Gulf envisages the construction of more than 7,600 high-quality dwelling units.
There will also be three luxury hotels with a minimum of 900 rooms; four marinas to accommodate up to 700 boats; 60,000 sq m of retail and restaurant space; community and entertainment centres; parks; and a number of private schools.
UDC emphasises that “through the process of an international design competition, a masterplan and an environmental impact study has been prepared by international consultants; the island has been positioned with the greatest respect to the marine environment and topography in order to achieve both environmental integrity and construction practicality. We will be working with nature and not against it.”
The island is to be built 350 m offshore, close to the prestigious man-made West Bay Lagoon area of Doha.
Emphasising its prime position, UDC points to its proximity to an 18-hole championship golf course and a nine-hole academy course just three km away at The Doha Golf Club. Doha’s central business district, foreign diplomatic missions, government ministries and the international airport are all between 10 and 25 km away.
The Pearl of the Gulf will have three large bays, maximising available water and beach frontage. Ten separate precincts – each with its own character – will be linked to neighbouring precincts and to Doha. Proposed housing units include villas, apartments, condominiums and penthouses.
UDC is the country’s largest private-sector shareholding company. It signed an agreement with the Government of Qatar in April last year, under which the company would be granted freehold title to the island, together with the right to sub-divide and re-sell that property. In turn, the Government has given a commitment to put all the necessary mainland infrastructure links in place, and supply the required utilities, to enable the first private and commercial occupation by September 2006.
According to UDC officials, the project is being developed on a fast-track basis with full government support. They point out that the masterplan and environmental-impact-study have already received official approval and that a financial advisor will be appointed shortly.
The feasibility study for the project has already been completed and the detailed design for the marine works is due for completion by the end of this month (March). Detailed infrastructure and landscaping design has already been tendered and the infrastructure and landscaping construction packages will be awarded once work begins on the island structure.
The developers describe The Pearl of the Gulf as “much more than an island construction project; it involves the creation and maintenance of a whole new multi-culture residential and commercial community”. One that, they say, “will be separate, yet well-integrated with Qatar’s and Doha’s thriving open economies” and the country’s growing reputation as a regional and international MICE (meetings, incentives, convention and exhibition) destination, as well as a centre of excellence for education, medical facilities, sporting events, cultural and tourist activities.
The developers see investor opportunities as falling into several categories. Individuals wishing to purchase residential property for their own use; individuals and corporations interested in developing residential and commercial properties for sale or rent; corporate investors in the hospitality and leisure industry; and those offering specialist services such as waste handling systems, telecommunications, information and security systems, operation and maintenance activities.
UDC welcomes all enquiries and investment proposals through its managing director Khalil Sholy.