Msheireb Downtown project ‘on schedule’

The QR20bn, 31-hectare Msheireb Downtown Doha project, which aims to revive the old commercial heart of the city through a new architectural language based on community living, is right on schedule.“The first phase is due for completion in the fourth quarter of 2012  and the last phase in 2016,” developer Msheireb Properties’ projects director Mohamed al-Marri said yesterday on the sidelines of the first ever media tour on the site.Msheireb means ‘a place to drink water’ in Arabic. Construction started 18 months ago at the mixed-use development site adjacent to the Emiri Diwan, the redeveloped Souk Waqif and the historical Al Koot Fort.Featuring more than 100 buildings, with a combination of commercial and residential properties, retail, cultural and entertainment areas, the project will blend traditional Qatari heritage and aesthetics with modern technology and focus on sustainability and harmony with the environment.“We have requests from people, who used to live in the project area, mostly for commercial properties,” al-Marri revealed.About 900 residential units, including nearly 30 standalone villas, meant for Qataris and expatriates are among the highlights of the project targeting Gold rating under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system of the US Green Building Council, with several buildings aiming for a Platinum rating.As many as 5,000 workers are presently engaged in construction round-the-clock, six days a week and their number is expected to reach 20,000 within a year. The first phase (phase 1A) consists of the Emiri Diwan Quarter, which in turn comprises the Diwan Annex, Emiri Guard building, the Qatar National Archive and four heritage houses (Bin Julmood House, Company House, Mohamed Bin Jassim House and Al Radwani House) that are to be restored and turned into museums.The Diwan Annex is the administrative headquarters of the Emiri Diwan. The Emiri Guard building, with a partially open roof, will provide accommodation for the guards. Phase 1B/1C, which is comprised of offices, Qatari town houses, apartments, amenities, hotels, civil buildings, schools, cultural centre and mosques, is slated for completion in the third quarter of 2014.Phase 2, scheduled for completion in early 2015, mainly comprises retail, offices, apartments, amenities, cinemas, departmental store and hotels.Phase 3, set for late 2015 completion, mainly consists of retail, offices, apartments, amenities, urban spa, day-care centre and hotels.Phase 4, which is the final phase, is expected to be completed in 2016. The main features are retail, offices, apartments, amenities, post office, medical clinic and hotels.The commercial and governmental offices account for 280,000sqm or 36.9% of the total project area, followed by retail (94,000sqm or 12.3%), hotels (117,000sqm or 15.4%), residences (222,000sqm or 29.2%), and community and cultural areas, school, mosque, museum (47,000sqm or 6.3%). Parks and open spaces will cover an area of more than 120,000sqm.Located in the Mohamed bin Jassim district (central Doha), the Msheireb Downtown Doha project is bordered by Al Rayyan Road to the north, Jassim bin Mohamed Street to the east, Msheireb Street to the south, and Al Diwan Street (part of A Ring Road) to the west.