DOHA: The Pearl Qatar, an ambitious multi-billion dollar rediscovered island spanning nearly four million square meters, continues to amaze and inspire people from around the world being an architectural and engineering marvel others thought at first as just a dream.
Come 2013, the dream will be totally a reality as it would be completed and operational for over 52 nationalities to enjoy.
"In The Pearl Qatar, you live your dreams. It's a very visionary, progressive and ahead of its time project" said Hala Nasreddine, Corporate Communications Manager, United Development Company (UDC). UDC is a leading shareholding company working with global partners which is responsible for developing the mammoth The Pearl Qatar project.
"Many organisations around the world have lauded the island as one of the architectural and engineering wonders and Heads of State and First Ladies think of it as a fairytale. They speak to us how they can adopt our model to their countries," said Nasredddine adding engineering students around the world also come to the island to see how it was engineered amid a difficult environment.
"It's putting Qatar on the map and we're very happy for that. Some fashion companies have chosen The Pearl Qatar for their launch contributing to the image of Qatar at the global level, making it a future fashion destination of the world."
Next week, engineering students from Sweden is visiting the island to speak with engineers and managers to see how it has been designed in such scale, magnitude and excellence, said Nesreddine.
With over 32km new coastline, the island is Qatar's first international real estate venture and will be home to over 40,000 residents in more than 16,000 dwellings within 13 inspiring precincts.
One of the major attractions in The Pearl is the retail precincts which provide upscale shops, restaurants and entertainment centers and facilities.
"There are three retail precincts which have their own themes. One of them is the Porto Arabia which covers 200,000 sq.m., with the first phase already in operation. It consists of 385 retail shops including fashion, jewellery and fine dining," explained Farid Hamze, Retail Leasing Officer, The Pearl Qatar, adding it is the high-end destination in the island.
Hamze said the Medina Centrale with an area of 600,000 sq.m is set to provide cinemas and supermarkets among others while the Qanat Quartier, will be the cultural destination with its impressive design allowing people to enjoy parks and art galleries.
"The whole idea of the Pearl Qatar is to attract as many people as possible from Qatar and the region and other parts of the world as well with its high-end shops and fine dining restaurants from countries such as Spain, Italy and the States," said Hamze.
The idea is creating a self-sufficient island for residents at The Pearl Qatar giving them all the best things life can offer within their reach.
This up-market multi-cultural residential community offers residents a secure and exclusive island retreat that brings the ambience and lifestyle of the Mediterranean to the heart of the Gulf featuring smart and environment-friendly technology.
Nasreddine said The Pearl Qatar is an ideal island resort lifestyle.
"When you come home from work it's like you're in a holiday. No need to travel miles away to have a holiday destination. At The Pearl Qatar, you'll have all-day-long year round holiday island destination," she said.
By Raynald C Rivera
© The Peninsula 2010
