The Pearl Island (Arabic: جزيرة اللؤلؤة, romanized: jazirat alluwlua) in Doha, Qatar, is an artificial island spanning nearly four square kilometers. It is the first land in Qatar to be available for freehold ownership by foreign nationals.[4] As of 2018, there are 27,000 residents.
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The Pearl Island
جزيرة اللؤلؤة | |
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The Pearl Island The Pearl Island | |
Coordinates: 25°22′7″N 51°33′7″E | |
Country | Qatar |
Municipality | Ad-Dawhah |
Zone | Zone 66 |
District no. | 765 |
Area | |
• Total | 13.9 km2 (5.4 sq mi) |
• Land | 4 km2 (2 sq mi) |
Population (2018) | |
• Total | 27,000 |
• Density | 1,900/km2 (5,000/sq mi) |
[3] | |
Website | Official website |
Once fully completed, The Pearl will create over 32 kilometers of new coastline, for use as a residential estate with an expected 18,831 dwellings and 45,000 residents by 2018.[5] Developed by United Development Company and planned by architecture and design firm Callison, the island is located 350 meters offshore of Doha's West Bay Lagoon area. The artificial peninsula was built by the firm DEME Group, and was completed before the start of the Asian Olympic Games taking place in Doha in 2006. The reputable international marine expert engineer Jasper Verstreepen was part of the project team.
In 2004, when the project was first revealed, the initial cost of constructing the island stood at $2.5 billion.[6] It is now believed the project will cost $15 billion upon completion.[7][8]
The name "The Pearl" was chosen because the island is being built on one of Qatar's previous major pearl diving sites. Qatar was one of the major pearl traders of Asia before the Japanese introduced cheaper more affordable pearls just before Qatar's oil boom. The Pearl Island helps to represent Qatar's rich past in the pearl industry. The Pearl is said to resemble a string of pearls.
The Pearl is divided into 12 districts (also referred to as precincts), each of which has a distinct architectural style.[9] The districts are:
Residential development on the island is intended to incorporate various national and international themes, including aspects of Arabic, Mediterranean, and European culture. There are twelve precincts that make up The Pearl Island.
Total number of towers will be 31 with a total of 4,700 apartments.[22] The address format is Unit 1234, 1 Porto Arabia. Some references use PA-1 for convenience.
Tower Number | Parcel | Tower Name | Developer | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1[23] | One | UDC | Complete |
2 | 2A | Two / Fardhan[24] | UDC | Complete |
3 | 2B | UDC | Complete | |
4 | 3A | California | UDC | Complete |
5 | 3B | Florida | UDC | Complete |
6 | 4 | UDC[25] | Complete Summer 2009 | |
7 | 5 | UDC[26] | Complete | |
8, 9, 10 | 6A,C,D | Sabban | Sabban[27] | Complete |
11 | 7A | United[28] | UDC | Complete |
12 | 7B | UDC | Under construction. Structure complete. | |
13 | 8A | The Land[26][29] | Complete | |
14 | 8B | Tuscan | The Land[26][29] | Complete January 2011 |
15 | 9A | Monaco | The Land[26][29] | Complete |
16[30] | 9B | Tuscan / VIP[31] | The Land[26][29] | Complete September 2010 |
17 | 10A | Monaco | The Land[29] | In construction. Outside almost complete. |
18 | 10B | Tuscan | The Land[29] | Complete |
19 | 11A | La Riviera | First Qatar[32] | Complete |
20 | 11B | Monaco | The Land[29] | Complete |
21 | 12 | Jumanah Tower 2 | Al Bandary Real Estate | Complete |
22 | 13A | UDC[33] | Concrete structure almost complete (Feb 2013). | |
23 | 13B | UDC | Concrete structure almost complete (Feb 2013). | |
24 | 14A | Denata / Denat Qatar | Capital Investment / Asteco[34][35] | Complete |
25 | 14B[36] | H.H.Shk.Srour Bui Mohamed Al Nahyan, Mr. Ali Ibrah | Complete | |
26 | 15A[36] | H.H.Shk.Srour Bui Mohamed Al Nahyan, Mr. Ali Ibrah | Complete | |
27 | 15B | The Land[37] | Complete | |
28 | 16A | Jumana | Salam Bounain[38] | Complete |
29 | 16B | 29 | Complete | |
30 | 17 | Burj Elegante | Complete July 2012.[39] | |
31 | 18 | 31 | UDC[26] | Complete |
There will be 29 towers total. The address format is Unit 1234, 1 Viva Bahriya, with VB‑1 being the shorter, convenient version.
Tower Number | Tower Name | Developer | Status |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Construction not started | ||
2 | |||
3[40] | Imperial Ruby | Durrat Al Doha / QIB[41] | In construction |
4[40] | Imperial Diamond | Durrat Al Doha / QIB[41] | In construction |
5[40] | Casablanca | Durrat Al Doha / QIB[41] | Complete January 2018 |
6[42] | Imperial Opal | Durrat Al Doha / QIB[41] | In construction |
7[42] | In construction | ||
10 | Bilal Pearl Suites | AHB[43] | Complete December 2011[44] |
11 | Imperial | UDC[37] | |
12[45] | The Land | ||
13 | The Land | ||
14 | The Land | Complete | |
15 | The Land | ||
16 | The Land | Construction not started | |
17 | Imperial | Qatar Airways | |
18 | Asteco[46] | Complete Autumn 2011 | |
19 | Regency Pearl IV | Al Asmakh Real Estate | Opened January 2019 |
20 | Turquoise[47] | Complete | |
21[48] | Imperial Emerald | Durrat Al Doha[41] | Complete |
22 | VB22 | Qatar Coral[49] | In construction. Expected June 2013. |
23 | VB23 | Qatar Coral[49] | In construction. Expected June 2013. |
26 | Regency Pearl V | Al Asmakh Real Estate | Complete |
27 | UDC | Complete | |
28 | UDC[50] | In construction | |
29 | Costa del Sol | UDC[51] | Complete May 2011[52] |
The Pearl Island's "Venice-like community" has an extensive canal system, pedestrian-friendly squares and plazas and beachfront townhouses. The first residents started to live in Qanat Quartier in 2012.[53] When complete there will be:[54]
Designed by Serendipity By Design LLC a Master Planning, Architecture and Interior Design consultancy based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
This precinct is located by the entrance of The Pearl Qatar, and will have 7 towers[56] including the tallest buildings planned for the development, at 40 storeys high.[57]
There will be more than 13 islands when construction is completed. The largest of the islands will feature a range of luxury villas, apartments, three five-star hotels and over two million square meters of international retail, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment facilities. Eight other private islands will be for sale to private owners with the opportunity to build upon them whatever they wish.
The Central Authority Directorate (TCAD), which provides services like property registration and residency permits, opened on 3 December 2011.[58]
The Pearl Island is home to a wide selection of dining outlets covering the full range of cuisines from South American to French/Lebanese through to casual options such as Alison Nelson's Coffee Bar. Time Out Doha Awards 2012: Midori, the Japanese restaurant in Porto Arabia, took out Best Newcomer in the awards. Pampano, also operated by Hospitality Development Company (HDC), a fully owned subsidiary of United Development Company (UDC), the master developer of The Pearl Island, received the "Highly Commended" certificate in the Best South American category.[59]
Porto Arabia Restaurants:[60]
The Pearl Qatar is also home to a number of cafés, lounges, bakeries and confectioneries
The island is home to many renowned luxury brands
Marsa Malaz Kempinski is the largest hotel in The Pearl, and is located on its own islet. The hotel features 281 rooms, a 1,100 m2 ballroom and conference halls. It has a beach with provisions for water sports and swimming, a 3,000 m2 spa and tennis facilities. Boat tours are offered by the hotel.[61] Seven restaurants are located in the hotel.[62]
Nikki Beach Resort and Spa was to be located at the end of Porto Arabia. The original completion date was scheduled for July 2012, but construction was stopped due to an alcohol ban. As of 2017 no progress had been made. Taliamare Beach Club is at the Qanat Quartier beach. It opened in 2017.
Modes of transport varies from precinct to precinct. Golf carts are heavily used in Porto Arabia and Medina Centrale, while boat taxis are available in Porto Arabia and Qanat Quartier. Limousines are available in Porto Arabia, Medina Centrale, Qanat Quartier and Viva Bahriya.[63]
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