The masterplan of the development.
Surging forward
01 February 2006
Construction work on some of the major components of the $1 billion The Wave project, including land reclamation and the golf course, is expected to start by the third quarter of this year, paving the way for the development of a major beachfront residential community of world-class, freehold homes and hospitality options.
Currently, designs are being finalised and tender documents being readied in preparation to launch site work next month, according to a spokesman for the project.
The mega integrated resort and beachfront residential development which is set to occupy a 2.5 million sq m area in the heart of the natural growth corridor of the Oman’s capital Muscat will encompass infrastructure development and site improvement, a signature 18-hole green golf course skirted by many retail and retail outlets, a 300-berth marina, 1,200 rooms in four luxury hotels, villas and apartments offering some 3,000 residences, retail and restaurant outlets, and a host of other facilities.
Designed to be a master-planned integrated community, The Wave aims to offer much more than just an exclusive retreat for discerning residents, featuring an ingenious mix of modern-day amenities with the themed residential and commercial clusters depicting the rich culture and traditions of the Sultanate.
Just a few miles away from Muscat’s Seeb International Airport and covering 7 km of prime beachfront, the resort and residential offering will be completed in two phases. The first stage will see the launch of major construction activity at the site, including work on harbour walls, land reclamation and site preparation, together with utilities and the work for the golf course.
About 80 per cent of the project will be developed on natural beachfront and 20 per cent will be on reclaimed land. The overall project will take six years to complete.
The scope of work is being managed by US-based Turner International, the project and construction manager, which is working hand in hand with a team of architects and engineers that has been assigned the task of taking care of various elements of this premier development.
The Wave is the first-ever international venture in Oman, which has positioned this oil-rich Arabian Gulf state among contenders like the UAE and Qatar who are seeking international investments in their upmarket property projects. The project is a joint venture of Oman’s Waterfront Investments, which includes the government of Oman, the National Investment Funds Company (which represents the Omani Pension Funds and State General Reserve Funds) and the UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim Investments (Mafi), known for its experience in spearheading successful shopping, entertainment and leisure developments throughout the region, including Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates.
The masterplan for the development has been carried out by OBM International, whom the developers have also retained as architects to design the individual townhouse and apartments in the marina village.
OBM International, a specialist firm in residential and resort masterplanning, is based in the US, Caribbean and Western Europe. Lead architects for the project is WS Atkins, which has a wealth of construction and design experience and projects such as the Burj Al Arab of Dubai in its portfolio.
Golf course
Construction work on the championship golf course – the first sea-facing course in the Sultanate – is scheduled to begin this summer, following the appointment last month of golfing legend Greg Norman as the designer.
To be built on 800,000 sq m, this golf course will include a two-level golf and country club equipped with sports, banquet and conference facilities, a teaching academy and a driving range.
Speaking on Norman’s appointment, Abdulla Abbas, chairman of the board of directors of The Wave, Muscat and president of Muscat Municipality, said: “Partnering with a legend like Greg Norman will help us shape world-class golf in the Sultanate and the region. At our course, we plan to offer The Wave, Muscat residents and users an incredible facility unmatched in the region, unveiling a true golf resort experience. To have Greg Norman behind the planning is the icing on the cake.”
Norman’s environmentally-sensitive approach to golf course design, will lead to the preservation of a nature preserve and the utilisation of treated sewage effluent (TSE) water for irrigation.
This 18-hole green golf course will be a full par 72 links-style course and provide panoramic ocean views to the north and mountain views to the south.
Upon completion, the golf course will have a state-of-the-art recreation centre with a full-fledged gymnasium and swimming pools and joggers’ tracks for the residents to enjoy lush greens of signature course.
Marina
The marina, which is a focal feature of the development, is a true depiction of Arabian culture and signifies the traditional architectural beauties of old Oman. It will be fully equipped, offering complete refuelling and boat-lift services. A sailing academy and water sports centres will be part of the new development besides the dry storage facilities for small boat owners, based at the eastern end of The Wave.
Hotels
A signature boutique hotel with striking Omani heritage-style architecture will be positioned at the point of the harbour entrance, offering expansive panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf. The harbour front will be home to the Marina Promenade hotel. A beachfront hotel will be located just east of the village, offering its guests an exclusive sun-kissed beach and central locality. Finally, a golf hotel will be located adjacent to the golf course and offer magnificent views over pristine fairways, lakes, trees, and the ocean.
Residences
Echoing the traditional streets of Oman’s yesterday, The Wave’s intimate meandering passages open to magnificent ocean vistas,
The homes at The Wave, Muscat will comprise of luxury apartments, townhouses, as well as garden, lakefront, island and beachfront villas. There will be no high-rise towers and the project has been master-planned paying particular attention to creating a relaxing and comfortable environment with walking tracks, public open spaces and water views. All residents will live within a few hundred metres of the beach or prime waterfront areas.
The first set of homes to be built at the development will include some 100 townhouses, 100 garden villas, and 25 waterfront villas. This first residential release is expected to be offered this month (February 27). The intention is to progressively release similar number of units over the construction period of the development. Residential components of The Wave are expected start appearing along the shoreline by early 2007, with developers expecting the first residents to move in by the end of 2007 or early 2008 – at which stage the golf course and marina are also likely to be fully operational.
The masterplan has laid special attention to enhancing the scenic beauty of the development through extensive landscaping which makes the low-rise concrete structures, merge seamlessly in the surroundings.
According to the masterplan, the Waterfront Village – when finished – will house one, two and three-bedroom luxury apartments themed around traditional Omani architecture. The apartments would be built around courtyards with easy beach access, and feature massive balconies, and outdoor living areas and covered parking facilities.
Exclusivity has been the basis for all design concepts in the residential clusters and that is the reason why no two adjacent houses in this freehold project would resemble each other. The developers have brought in a team of six top architects who have been assigned the task of maintaining the individual characteristics of the low-rise housing.
Townhouses at the Wave will comprise large two, three and four bedrooms plus living areas with small private gardens.
However, the garden/waterfront and the beachfront villas are the premier properties at The Wave. The garden and Waterfront villas have a total built-up area ranging from 275 sq m to 450 sq m while the beachfront villas are 450 sq m or 800 sq m. With double garages and servants quarters, modern fitted kitchens and luxury baths, the high-end villas make a statement of their own and are a reflection of serenity and luxury.
Offices
The development will also offer 40,000 sq m of prime office space in low-rise freestanding buildings located beside the green golf course, beachfront resort and spa, and convenient neighbourhood shopping. The offices will have extensive parking facilities and can benefit from easy entry from the main road, and good proximity to Oman’s central university, IT Park, banks, and the country’s business community.
Under the Sultanate’s new foreign ownership laws, foreigners are entitled to own freehold properties on The Wave, Muscat, thus offering a wide variety of highly attractive investment options to both Omanis and non-Omanis.
 |
