Loading ...Foster+Partners to master plan The Blue City |
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MUSCAT -- Al Sawadi Investment and Tourism (ASIT)Al Sawadi Investment and Tourism (ASIT)
has appointed Foster+Partners to develop the master plan for Al Madina A'Zarqa (The Blue City), the most significant metropolitan development in Oman. One of the foremost architectural firms in the world and designers of iconic structures such as Millau Viaduct in France, Swiss Re Headquarters in London, Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok airport and the Hearst Tower in New York, Foster + Partners are tasked with developing the master plan for the city with a focus on delivering the modern essence of Arabia, building on strong Omani heritage and history without compromising on modernity and quality."Al Madina A'Zarqa (The Blue City) is one of the most significant construction projects in Oman if not the Middle East," said Anees Issa al Zadjali, Chairman, ASITASIT
. "This metropolitan development will serve as an incubator of change for Oman, raising its international credentials as a place for tourism, investment and living where the true essence of Arabia is preserved, honoured and respected." "This is a challenging yet rewarding brief," said Gerard Evenden, senior partner, Foster + Partners. "The scheme for Al Madina A'Zarqa (The Blue City) offers an exciting opportunity to create a new model for living and a new destination for Oman.It also brings with it tremendous responsibility - to its future community, to the ecology of the area and to the productivity of the region. With its compact grain and defined courtyards, The Blue City is informed by Omani architectural traditions and modern needs. Designed to grow organically over time, the master plan is richly layered with a careful mix of education, knowledge and light industries that will be the lifeblood of this year-round community on the Arabian Sea."
Chris Steel of Hamptons International, sales agents for the residential elements of Phase 1 of the project comments: "Whilst the general real estate market has been buzzing with the sound of new developments for some months, Al Madina A'Zarqa (The Blue City) has been quietly but diligently preparing itself for the market. Working closely with Foster + Partners to finetune the master plan, significant progress has been made in ensuring that all aspects of economic development are addressed, with discussions ongoing for hotels, education establishments and other important commercial developments.
"We are, over the next few days, bringing to the market a select number of premium residences that we at Hamptons believe will amaze and inspire the general population. The developers, despite significant demand from overseas buyers, have instructed us that initial sales are to be offered first to Oman residents, including nationals and expatriates, as a way of ensuring that the city commences its life as a 'city of the people, for the people of Oman'. We look forward eagerly to announcing the date of sales launch."
The Blue City project is the largest development in Oman and is supported by integrated tourism legislation on freehold property ownership that recognises inheritance laws from the purchasers' country of origin. The project will create an entirely new city of more than 250,000 people and represents an estimated $15 - $20 billion total investment.
By Staff Reporter
© Oman Daily Observer 2007
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