Durrat Al Bahrain, the Kingdom’s largest planned luxury mixed-use residential, commercial and resort development – today unveiled its vision for the creation of the project’s Commercial Crescent. The commercial Crescent is designed to serve as the heart of the US$3 billion waterfront resort city currently under development.
After the convening of a competition in which leading international architectural designers and planners were invited to participate, a world-renowned Australian firm, Woods Bagot, was selected to put forth a dynamic concept for the development of the project’s Commercial Crescent.
The vision presented by the firm combines the unique features of Durrat Al Bahrain, leveraging the water views and natural beauty of the surrounding environment for the benefit of all investors, residents and the many commercial ventures that will become part of the Durrat Al Bahrain community.
Plans introduced by Woods Bagot are based on a number of beautifully elegant and distinctively powerful drivers expected to make the Crescent a vibrant hub of urban living and commercial activity whilst preserving the serenity of the Durrat Al Bahrain lifestyle.
Key among the design elements are breathtaking views, tranquil gardens, a thriving promenade and piazza, public beaches and a creek and canal waterway paradise -- all of which will be lined with dozens of shops, restaurants and cafes.
Other conveniences such as a large-scale modern shopping mall, Arabic souq, local markets, health centres, spas, schools and a glorious mosque have also been planned so to create an active community atmosphere in the heart of the Crescent.
The Crescent will be divided into six distinctive zones that will have their own theme and feel whilst flowing into Durrat Al Bahrain’s overall concept and design. Each zone will offer a myriad of lifestyles with residential spaces comprised of modern office and apartment complexes, high-rise tower apartments and smaller luxury villas all located within minutes of the vibrant and all inclusive urban setting.
Serving as the pinnacle of the Crescent will be a number of monumental structures including the 300-metre-Durrat Central Tower. The Tower will be located right at the centre of Durrat Al Bahrain and will be both an icon for the development as well as the Kingdom of Bahrain.
With the introduction of the unique vision for the Crescent and the bustling community it will create, investors and commercial companies from all around the world are now being invited to invest in this unique and developing resort city centre. The Commercial Crescent is expected to become one of the top retail and commercial destinations for a multitude of visitors and tourists as well as residents of Durrat Al Bahrain themselves.
The Crescent’s zones will consist of many unique plots of varying sizes; however, each has been established to ensure maximum benefit and investment value for both residential and commercial buyers.
Commenting on plans for the Crescent, Mr. Jassim Al Jawder, CEO of Durrat Al Bahrain, said: “The announcing of the Commercial Crescent is a critical step in the development of the multifaceted Durrat Al Bahrain lifestyle, which will combine the serenity of resort living with urban energy. With the introduction of plans for the Crescent, we are now offering investors another unique value proposition and an opportunity to become part of this truly remarkable project, which set to introduce a new lifestyle concept in the Kingdom and in the region as a whole.”
Durrat Al Bahrain is a world-class development that offers a lifestyle experience unrivalled in the Middle East. The project’s masterplan has been built on Bahrain’s rich natural beauty and traditional
affinity with the land and sea combined with every conceivable modern amenity.
In addition to the Commercial Crescent, the development of Durrat Al Bahrain unique features include six Atoll Islands, five Petal Islands, a stand alone-island set to house a five-star family hotel and resort, a state-of-the-art marina and a world class 18-hole golf course, all of which is being developed in phases.
It is expected that the project will be completed in its entirety by late 2009 and, at full capacity, will accommodate more than 50,000 full time residents and receive around 4,500 visitors a day.
About Durrat Al Bahrain
Durrat Al Bahrain is owned by the Durrat Khaleej Al Bahrain Company, in which the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Kuwait Finance House (Bahrain) each hold a 50 percent stake. Durrat Al Bahrain, a 20 square kilometre area of pristine waters and untouched beaches, once complete, is expected to be approximately the size of Manama, Bahrain’s capital city.
The overall master planner/architects of the project are W.S. Atkins, the renowned engineering design and consultancy. The project/development manager is KMC Bovis, a joint venture between the Kuwaiti Manager Company and Bovis Lend Lease.
