25 November 2006
The ambitious Al Areen development will make a previously remote area of Bahraini desert a commercial and residential hub boasting the very best in retail and luxurious accommodation rivalling Dubai's famous Burj Al Arab.
That was the picture painted yesterday by the development's marketing officer, speaking to the Tribune at the Al Areen stand at BIPEX 2006.
Musaab Al Otaik was talking potential investors through a model of the ambitious Sarab development - a huge feature at the north of the Al Areen site which will feature a huge mall including food court and cinemas, a residential complex and a 300 room Sarab hotel.
BIPEX marks the first public display on behalf of Sarab Al Areen - and Al Otaik said the reaction of visitors to the stand showed the development was a timely addition to Bahrain's retail scene. He said: "As a first appearance for the Sarab Al Areen project, the commercial buildings and residential buildings, this is a good experience for us.
People want to know about prices, when we are going to open, when they can visit. They are sick and tired of Seef and this area - this is a new destination, and a huge destination. You are not just going for the mall - you are going to the mall, and the resort and so on; so it's not a one-hour trip. It's a whole day."
He added: "The shopping mall - the Sarab area - is going to start construction in March 2007 - and it's going to take two years, maximum.
"This is a high-end shopping mall with international standards and international brands only. There will be a section specifically for shops which sell gold and jewellery. It is a unique design.
"There will be a food court and cinemas and a space for special events which has been designed to be cooled by wind and water. If it was open this month it would be very good for people to walk all around and to have a very nice time."
He revealed that a marketing study for the development was currently underway and that soon international retailers would be courted to become part of the project. But while Bahrainis will have to wait until 2009 to sample the impressive attractions of the Sarab section of the Al Areen development, Al Otaik reaffirmed that other key parts of Al Areen would be completed as early as next year.
He said: "Most of the questions are being asked about the Banyan Tree spa. This is the biggest spa resort in the Middle East. It is going to be similar in prices, services and its general level to the Burj Al Arab tower in Dubai.
"It will cost BD700 per night in the low season and BD1000 per night in the high season - so it's going to be very exclusive. It is going to be operated by Banyan Tree - a well known spa and resort in Thailand and will be opening in January 2007.
He added: "When we tell people it is going to be open in January they are astonished. The Lost Paradise of Dilmun - the water park is about 80 per cent done and will open in march next year after the resort. So these two parts are finalised.
"The other parts of Al Areen project will take time."
The ambitious Al Areen development will make a previously remote area of Bahraini desert a commercial and residential hub boasting the very best in retail and luxurious accommodation rivalling Dubai's famous Burj Al Arab.
That was the picture painted yesterday by the development's marketing officer, speaking to the Tribune at the Al Areen stand at BIPEX 2006.
Musaab Al Otaik was talking potential investors through a model of the ambitious Sarab development - a huge feature at the north of the Al Areen site which will feature a huge mall including food court and cinemas, a residential complex and a 300 room Sarab hotel.
BIPEX marks the first public display on behalf of Sarab Al Areen - and Al Otaik said the reaction of visitors to the stand showed the development was a timely addition to Bahrain's retail scene. He said: "As a first appearance for the Sarab Al Areen project, the commercial buildings and residential buildings, this is a good experience for us.
People want to know about prices, when we are going to open, when they can visit. They are sick and tired of Seef and this area - this is a new destination, and a huge destination. You are not just going for the mall - you are going to the mall, and the resort and so on; so it's not a one-hour trip. It's a whole day."
He added: "The shopping mall - the Sarab area - is going to start construction in March 2007 - and it's going to take two years, maximum.
"This is a high-end shopping mall with international standards and international brands only. There will be a section specifically for shops which sell gold and jewellery. It is a unique design.
"There will be a food court and cinemas and a space for special events which has been designed to be cooled by wind and water. If it was open this month it would be very good for people to walk all around and to have a very nice time."
He revealed that a marketing study for the development was currently underway and that soon international retailers would be courted to become part of the project. But while Bahrainis will have to wait until 2009 to sample the impressive attractions of the Sarab section of the Al Areen development, Al Otaik reaffirmed that other key parts of Al Areen would be completed as early as next year.
He said: "Most of the questions are being asked about the Banyan Tree spa. This is the biggest spa resort in the Middle East. It is going to be similar in prices, services and its general level to the Burj Al Arab tower in Dubai.
"It will cost BD700 per night in the low season and BD1000 per night in the high season - so it's going to be very exclusive. It is going to be operated by Banyan Tree - a well known spa and resort in Thailand and will be opening in January 2007.
He added: "When we tell people it is going to be open in January they are astonished. The Lost Paradise of Dilmun - the water park is about 80 per cent done and will open in march next year after the resort. So these two parts are finalised.
"The other parts of Al Areen project will take time."
© Bahrain Tribune 2006
