The Pearl Island
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The Pearl-Qatar in Doha, Qatar is a multi billion Dollar artificial island spanning nearly 4-million square meters. Creating over 32 kilometers of new coastline, the island is Qatar’s first international real estate venture, and will be home to over 40,000 residents in more than 15,000 dwellings within 12 precincts by 2010.
Developed by United Development Company (UDC), the island is located 350 meters offshore of Doha’s West Bay Lagoon area and is only 25 kilometers away from Doha International Airport. The Pearl-Qatar is one of the largest real estate developments in the country and the first to offer freehold and residential rights to international investors.
The Pearl-Qatar project will offer residents a secure and exclusive island retreat which brings the ambience and lifestyle of the Mediterranean to the heart of the Persian Gulf. The island is at the heart of Doha’s development boom as commercial, retail and residential communities move north to the West Bay district of the capital city.
The location of the Island: 25°22′7″N 51°33′5.7″E / 25.36861°N 51.551583°E
Main features
- Convenient location in the new center of Doha
- 100% freehold residential rights to international investors.
- Self-sufficient residential resort.
- 12 distinct precincts.
- Facilities include schools, clinics, recreation and shopping areas.
- four five star hotels.
- 15,000 residential units which can accommodate up to 40,000 residents.
- 3 marinas with combined moorings for 800 boats.
- District cooling.
- Riviera themed residences, including luxury apartments, villas, townhouses, and penthouses.
- Many services for residents including entertainment, dining, retail and education.
- 4-lane highway linking The Pearl to the West Bay area of Doha.
- Flexible financing Options.
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History and ties with the sea
Qatar has strong historical and cultural ties to the sea. Pearl fishing was the traditional mainstay of the Qatari economy until oil and gas took over in the mid 20th century. Although pearling is obviously no longer the key driver of the economy, it has left a legacy of skills, stories, music, art, and poetry that is a sources of identity and pride for Qataris today. It represents a major aspect of history that has value as a distinguishing feature of Qatar and can be used in theming and marketing the island.
Qatar is central to one of the fastest growing regions of the world which has a population in the order of 214 million (i.e. the GCC nations plus Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon). Further to the east are Pakistan and India with another 1.1 billion people.
Through its economy (hydrocarbons primary) Qatar has strong global connections beyond this region to East and South East Asia, Europe and to North America and is now becoming strongly recognised globally. Consequently, although the market is large and growing rapidly, competition within the Gulf for the product proposed by The Pearl-Qatar is very strong. It is the intention of UDC to make the Pearl-Qatar a unique living and cultural experience that integrates the best of Qatar’s past and present. A primary objective is to incorporate a diversity of high quality living environments from high-end luxurious villa living with private sandy beaches to fashionable apartment style accommodations with sweeping views of the sea. Capitalizing on a pristine environment that includes an immense amount of water frontage and lush landscaping, the island will host a range of first class retail, leisure and tourist facilities. Diversity in accommodation types and experiences has been a key objective in the master planning effort for the Pearl-Qatar.
The overall objective in conceiving of, and planning for, The Pearl-Qatar, is that it will be unlike any other place in the Middle East. When completed it will be considered the premier residential, shopping and tourist location in the region.
Design of the island
The name of the island is derived from the style which the artificial island takes, as it takes the shape of a string of pearls. The design of the island draws from various elements such as the Arab Maghreb, the Mediterranean, and also Venetian characteristics and style. And with over 2,000,000 square feet (186,000 m2) of retail and commercial facilities, The Pearl-Qatar also offers shopping and entertainment services.
Ownership for foreigners
The Pearl-Qatar is Qatar’s first international real estate venture and one of the largest real estate developments of its kind ever undertaken in the country. Designed to be a destination of natural beauty and cosmopolitan ambience, The Pearl-Qatar is the first development in the region to guarantee 100% foreign ownership of the actual freehold.
12 distinct districts
The four-phased multi-use development comprises 12 distinct themed districts implemented over a five year period, and will also include five-star hotels, marinas, a yacht club, schools and other services as well as residential property and retail, restaurant and lifestyle amenities.
- Porto Arabia
- The epitome of Riviera Arabia living, and home to The Pearl-Qatar’s main harbour, Porto Arabia comprises towers and townhouses in a one of the Islands most location. The Island’s first phase is set around a colourful waterfront – La Croisette – a lively 2.5 kilometre pedestrianised concourse lined with shopping and dining features, its architecture inspired by the French, Italian and Spanish architecture.
- Viva Bahriya
- Viva Bahriya is The Pearl-Qatar’s second harbour and will be a relaxed, family-oriented environment that’s only moments from the buzz of neighboring precincts. Architecturally themed to echo the design and architecture of the Maghreb – with Moroccan-styled townhomes and apartments exuding Latin Mediterranean themes, Viva Bahriya features a combination of residential, recreation and community facilities.
- Medina Centrale
- Medina Centrale is the Town Centre of The Pearl-Qatar, and is planned to offer a different residential, shopping and leisure experience, the design of this precinct is influenced by the ambience of the Mediterranean. A traditional design combining the old-look style with modern convenience dedicated to serve as a high-quality community environment.
- Qanat Quartier
- Qantas Quarter is one of The Pearl-Qatar's most distinct precincts. With its Venetian character, Qanat Quartier is will be planned around Venetian-style water canals and pedestrian-friendly squares and plazas. The concept is to create a waterfront village reminiscent of the best of Venice and Amsterdam.
- The Villas
- The Villas refers to some of the most private accommodation available at The Pearl-Qatar. Readily accessible, each villa has been positioned to take full advantage of its absolute beachfront location. Offering discreet island living, the Villas will also offer commanding views across the water to the city of Doha and its mainland beaches.
- Abraj Quartier
- With its own dedicated beach and landscaped gardens, Abraj Quartier is designed to suite those seeking more spacious surroundings. Located at the gateway to The Pearl-Qatar, these residences enjoy superb views across the azure waters of the Persian Gulf to the mainland.
- Costa Malaz
- With Polynesian architecture and landscaping which evoke tropical island life, Costa Malaz is an oasis of calm and quiet luxury in an area of outstanding beauty. Setting new standards for exclusive health and wellness retreats, this sanctuary features luxury family beach villas on generous plots.
- Fanar Fayrouz Villas
- Fanar Fayrouz Villas enjoys spacious opulence and incredible views across the Persian Gulf – including spectacular sunrises. Warm breezes and uninterrupted vistas make Fanar Fayrouz Villas another truly delightful area, a place to comfortably create the ultimate beachfront home.
- Giardino Villas
- With its landscaped parkland and picturesque lakes, Giardino Villas is a highly-prized residential district. Spacious homes nestle in beautifully arranged gardens shaded by trees, and colorful foliage contrasts with panoramic marine and mainland views. A wealth of clubhouses, sports and walking tracks are easily accessible.
- Perlita Villas
- Immediately to the south of Medina Centrale lies Perlita Villas, a mixed villa and townhouse development in a secluded, natural setting. Lush landscaping and saltwater lakes provide beautiful aspects and numerous opportunities for many forms of recreation.
- Floresta Townhouses
- Arranged around a central parkland area, these properties enjoy easy access to the beaches and facilities of the bays fringing The Pearl-Qatar Island. A true garden-meets-the-sea precinct, it is characterized by quality properties on a grand scale, accommodating even extended families in comfort and style.
- Isola Dana
- The jewels in The Pear-Qatar’s crown, each of these nine independent private islands features its own beach and protected harbor. Amongst the world’s most spectacular addresses, Isola Dana presents absolute inspirational living in palatial villas, each accessed via its own causeway.
Retail offerings
The Pearl–Qatar will have an eventual two million sq feet of high-end retailing, leisure, lifestyle and restaurant areas and will attract top name brands and upmarket retailers. More than 65% of the retail space is expected to be signed for over the next few months by top brand names and other international groups are also expected to establish a presence in this new shopping venue, which will offer a wide choice of fashion, jewellery, accessories, sports equipment and much more.
Hospitality
Hospitality is one of the most defining virtues of the Qatari society and this culture was in the very heart and soul of the development vision. Hospitality on The Pearl-Qatar covers three main areas to include restaurants & bars, exclusive boutique hotels & up-market beach clubs, as well as entertainment and leisure. The Pearl-Qatar will strongly enhance lifestyles and living experiences in Qatar and the Middle East and will offer a refined environment for the relaxation and enjoyment of the community at large.
The Pearl has allocated land for specific developments by hotel owners and operators. Large hospitality developments — such as the recently announced Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts on Porto Arabia — are privately owned. The plan will also include high-end boutique hotels, resorts and destination spas, which will add tremendous value to residents of the various areas on TPQ. The boutique-style developments will most probably be managed by signature operators. There is an international trend towards a much more personalized style of accommodation and exclusivity in niche markets and The Pearl–Qatar is on its way to innovate within that trend.
Dream beach clubs will also be developed on The Pearl. Those clubs will span from the super-exclusive and trendy beach experience to the more relaxed upscale family destination beach club.
The smart island
The Pearl-Qatar is set to be one of the most technologically advanced real estate projects in the world. The strategy of the development was to maximize the Integration of complex ‘world class’ technology systems and to provide the best information and services to the customers. This will be a ‘world first’ and is unique in a Mega Project, such as The Pearl Qatar.
The island will be home to a full range of diverse technological services and solutions supported by a robust infrastructural backbone, thus creating a dynamic ‘Smart Island’ for integrated systems.
The Island’s concept for a ‘Smart Island’ will include the latest technology in advanced security systems for audio, video and data. Building Management Systems, Metering, and Energy Monitoring. Services will range from smart-card system technology, to user friendly home entertainment systems such as high-definition video-on-demand.
Residents will also be able to access broadband wireless internet from all across the island, making it one of the largest WiFi and WiMax networks in the world.
Internet access at The Pearl-Qatar will be one of the fastest and the most reliable in the region. Bandwidth will be much faster than broadband access on the mainland and anywhere else in the Middle East.
Environmental assessment
The development has been undertaken with the greatest respect for the existing topography and marine environment. A stringent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project has guaranteed that all construction has been done in an environmentally sensitive way. A diverse marine habitat is now being created that will have a positive effect on bird life and the marine environment.
See also
External links
- The Pearl-Qatar - Official Website
- The Pearl-Qatar - Profile of the project
- United Development Company - Owner and Developer of The Pearl-Qatar
- Google maps satellite view of The Pearl-Qatar