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Doha Festival City breaks ground to launch construction.
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| 21 Oct 2011 |
Bawabat Al-Shamal Real Estate Company (BASREC) has announced the commencement of construction for their super-regional retail and entertainment destination, Doha Festival City. Al-Futtaim Group, Qatar Islamic Bank and other investors formed a joint venture for this iconic project that is set to become a leisure and entertainment destination in the State of Qatar and the region.
Doha Festival City is located just north of downtown Doha on Al Shamal Road, one of the main arterial routes to the city centre, connecting Doha with Bahrain via the "Friendship causeway". With its strategic positioning, the super-regional complex is ideally equipped to meet the retail and entertainment needs of not only Qatar, but also neighbouring GCC countries.
IKEA, part of the Al-Futtaim Group, will be developed under the first phase of construction and the 32,000sqm store is due for completion in Q4 2012. The remaining elements of Doha Festival City are due for delivery in Q4 2014.
Developed on land covering 433,847 square metres with 260,000 square metres of gross leasable area, Doha Festival City is designed by DP Architects with Arab Engineering Bureau appointed as Project Architects, MACE International as Project Manager and EC Harris as quantity surveyor and cost consultant.
Further, the General Contractor package for IKEA has been awarded to the JV between QACC (Qatari Arabian Construction Co) and Amana Qatar Contracting Co with the MEP package awarded to Hamad and Mohammed Al-Futtaim Engineering. Ammico Contracting Co is undertaking the excavation and Redco International will be supplying the precast concrete elements.
Along with IKEA, other leading international and local brands are expressing strong interest in this iconic development. Doha Festival City will also offer an entertainment and leisure complex, automotive showrooms and international hotels.
The interior design of Doha Festival City is inspired by nature and the elements of wind, water, wood and earth. Within the retail loops there will be four distinct interior zones – Water Concourse, Garden Promenade, Rainforest Boardwalk and Fashion Galleria.
Leading the team at the groundbreaking was Greg Douglas, Development Director Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate and Jihad Zarkout, Senior Executive Manager (BASREC) signifying the official start of construction of Doha Festival City.
Greg stated: “We are delighted that Doha Festival City has begun construction which celebrates the collaboration between our JV partners. Doha Festival City is an innovative concept that will greatly appeal to visitors and the local residents of Doha. With the project’s easily accessible location and the extensive offerings, we believe Doha Festival City will be one of the most advanced entertainment, retail and hospitality complexes in the region”.
Jihad added: "Doha Festival City is the outcome of our shareholders’ willingness to contribute in the promising future of Qatar and the unlimited support of the Government, not to mention the enormous efforts by a dedicated team".
About Doha Festival City
Doha Festival City is a QAR 6 billion 433,847 sqm state of the art super regional mixed use iconic destination, owned and developed by Bawabat Al-Shamal Real Estate Company WLL. Al-Futtaim Real Estate Services, Qatar Islamic Bank and private investors form this joint venture.
This landmark destination will offer entertainment, hospitality, automotive showrooms and more than 400 unique shopping and dining outlets, all interconnected under one roof making Doha Festival City one of the most sought-after destinations. With a total of 260,000+ sqm of GLA, the interior design is inspired by nature and the elements of wind, water, wood and earth. Within the retail loops there will be four distinct interior zones – Water Concourse, Garden Promenade, Rainforest Boardwalk and Fashion Galleria.
Doha Festival City is located on the northern highway linking Doha International Airport with the proposed Bahrain Causeway and includes a full retail centre, an entertainment park, automotive showrooms and a hospitality offering. The project has been designed with the visitor in mind, separating each individual area into its own uniquely identified space, transporting consumers from the world of waterslides and roller coasters, into a retail area populated with diverse international brands.
Ensuring a seamless integration of this one-of-a-kind development has been achieved through an expertly designed infrastructure system, accentuated by an existing 6-lane highway that will increase the flow of traffic to this iconic destination with more than 8,500 car parking spaces. With its strategic positioning, the mega complex is ideally equipped to meet the retail and entertainment needs of not only Qatar, but also Bahrain and neighbouring GCC countries.
Construction for the project, the first of its kind in the country, began in October 2011. Phase one - IKEA, will be completed in Q4 2012 with the remaining phase in Q4 2014.
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