Rediscovered Island emerges offshore Qatar

Reclamation work on The Pearl-Qatar, the US $2.5 billion man-made island being built offshore the Qatari capital of Doha, is running a month ahead of schedule. First signs of the rediscovered island emerging from the sea are now clearly visible from the city’s prestigious West Bay Lagoon area.

The first phase of reclamation work, which began in April this year, is due for completion this month with some 4 million cubic metres of sand having been lifted and 1.7 square metres of land being reclaimed.

The Pearl-Qatar, an upscale, mixed-use project, the country’s first international real estate development, the largest real estate project in the country and the first in Qatar to offer freehold and residential rights to international investors, is rediscovering an ancient pearl-diving reef.

“Progress has been swift largely due to the shallow waters in the area,” explained Abdul Rahman Abdulghani, Chairman, Qatar Dredging Company Q.S.C., which was awarded the 21-month contract to reclaim 998 acres of land which will make up The Pearl-Qatar.

Qatar Dredging’s contract with United Development Company (UDC), the promoter and developer of The Pearl-Qatar, includes all reclamation work and revetment for shore protection and quay walls.

The Pearl-Qatar is being reclaimed to 2.5 metres above sea level and in all, some 14 million cubic metres of sand being lifted for the project.

“Early completion of this first phase will shortly allow piling contractors on-site to drive piles for the first seven of the 21, 20-storey towers which will surround the island’s main marina,” said Nick Bashkiroff, Development Director, The Pearl-Qatar. 

“The project’s name and location, on the site of this former pearl diving site, leverages Qatar’s traditions and strong historical and cultural ties with the sea.”

The first phase of the marina is due for completion in late 2006 when the first investors are due to take up residency on this Riviera-style island. In all, some 30,000 residents are expected to eventually live on The Pearl-Qatar in an up-scale, multi-cultural island retreat.

The four-phase development comprises 10 distinctly themed districts to be developed over five years and will include luxury hotels, four marinas with combined mooring for over 700 boats, and 60,000 square metres of luxury retail and restaurant space.

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