Erga Group to lead consortium of international consultants to develop the master plan and urban planning for the prestigious project
Manama, Bahrain: In a significant move that will expedite the development of the US$750 million Al Areen Desert Spa & Resort (Al Areen) project, and support the Government of Bahrain's strategic drive to promote family and health tourism in the Kingdom, a consortium of development partners led by the renowned Lebanon-based Erga Group, was today appointed for the Master Planning and Urban Design for the prestigious project.
At a high-profile media event organized in Bahrain today to present the master-plan and various elements of Al Areen, senior officials of the Al Areen Desert Spa & Resort Holding Company further said that the project was on a fast implementation track with several other key development and investment related announcements scheduled for release in the next few months.
Encompassing an area of 2 million square meters, Al Areen is located in the southern part of the Kingdom on a tranquil and secluded hilltop rising from the desert. The aim of the project is to create an authentic desert experience, which will incorporate a unique first-of-its-kind spa resort, themed residential communities, hotels, a thrilling water park, and commercial & entertainment facilities.
Addressing the press conference, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Ali, Chairman of the board of Al Areen Desert Spa & Resort Holding Company said: "Al Areen, the first development of its kind in the region, has been conceived as an unparalleled destination for relaxation and rejuvenation facilities, coupled with a host of tourism and leisure activities, hospitality services, and residential units with modern amenities and infrastructure."
"In keeping with the unique nature of the project, we were looking at associating with like-minded entities that would be able to transform our vision into a functioning reality. We believe that the Erga Group, with its solid background in the realization of several prestigious developments in the region and Europe, will be able to effectively lead this consortium of development partners for this project," he added.
For Al Areen, the Erga Group and its international partners Borja + A4 (Chili), Ian Hogan (UK) and Francois Gauthier (France), will provide a complete solution - from the initial concept, master planning and feasibility, to schematic and detailed designs, tendering, site supervision as well as post-contract problem solving.
Addressing the press conference, Mr. Esam Janahi, Vice Chairman, Al Areen Desert Spa & Resort Holding Company, added: "On behalf of Al Areen, it gives me great pleasure to welcome our new partners aboard this project, which is now entering a critical phase of its implementation. We are confident that this partnership will result in a unique and unparalleled development that will set new standards for excellence not only in Bahrain but also within the region."
Mr. Janahi also added: "Al Areen represents a strategic diversification for GFH and is an important constituent of our portfolio of projects in Bahrain and the region. Since its formal launch in January last year, the project has evoked considerable response from potential investors and development partners. In the coming several months we will make several other milestone announcements about the project which will further galvanize its development, which is on track to be fully completed by 2008."
The project was officially launched in January 2004, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdulla Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Governor of the southern province of Bahrain.
In April the same year, the Bahrain Ministry of Finance and National Economy (MOFNE), and GFH announced the setting up of a holding company for the project with an issued capital of over US$128 million (BD 48.4 million).
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Elie Gebrayel, Managing Director of Erga Group said: "Al Areen is inspired by innovation, and promises to be a one-of- its-kind resort in the Middle East. We are keen to commence work on a venture of such an impressive scale, and are indeed pleased to join hands with the region's leading investment bank for its implementation."
The Erga Group is widely known for delivering successful projects on time, having undertaken 1,000 projects in Lebanon and the Middle East. Besides its basic services, it also provides post-contract services in connection with project management, contract administration and quality control in accordance with the highest international norms.
The Al Areen project, which is a 25-minute drive from the city center of Manama and a 35-minute drive from the Bahrain International Airport, is comprised of four major components - a world signature spa resort, themed hotels, residential communities, commercial and entertainment facilities, and a world class water park. It will be strategically located within the Al-Areen Wildlife Sanctuary adjacent to the Bahrain International Circuit.
The spa resort, the heart of the Al Areen project, will be developed as a pioneering development in Bahrain and the region, on an area of 85,000 square meters at an investment of US$50 million. It will combine the most modern spa treatments and services with the essence of ancient culture and hospitality, offering an array of therapeutic packages.
The residential communities will encompass various internationally themed neighborhoods consisting of residential villas and low rise apartment buildings distributed over different clusters, meticulously designed to revive the beauty and grandeur of traditional, regional, and international architecture. Built on gradually decreasing elevations within the different clusters, the residential community will be set amidst gardens and walkways overlooking the desert landscape and the Al Areen Wildlife Sanctuary. The luxurious villas will vary in size and can be customized to meet the requirements of the buyers.
One of the prime developments of the Al Areen project will be Bahrain's first world class water park, 'The Lost Paradise of Dilmun' to the northern edge of the development - facing the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) and overlooking the Al Areen WildLife Sanctuary across 81,000 square metres. The park will be designed to recreate Dilmun, Mesopotamian and Macedonian ruins, ancient artifacts and replicas of real historical sites.
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Notes to the Editors:
Al Areen Desert Spa & Resort
The US$750 million Al Areen Desert Spa and Resort coming up on a tranquil and secluded hilltop south of Manama is promoted by Bahrain-based Gulf Finance House B.S.C, one of the leading providers of Islamic investment services. It is being developed as a singularly unique development which will enhance the regional prospects and potential of tourism, and promote Bahrain's reputation as a friendly destination for family and health-oriented tourists. The development is a 35-minute drive from the Bahrain International Airport and 25 minutes away from the city centre of Manama and is adjacent to the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), where Middle East's first ever Grand Prix was held last year. It is located near the Al Areen Wild Life Sanctuary- away from the city of Manama, in the midst of all-round greenery. Al Areen will offer an array of amenities ranging from a variety of therapeutic relaxation and rejuvenation facilities, tourism, leisure and sports activities, hospitality services and themed residential communities with cutting-edge infrastructure. There are four major components to the project - the Spa Resort and residence, a Themed Hotel and a Residential and Commercial Village comprising five different themed residential communities and a public area with different entertainment facilities and a world class Water Park. The Spa Resort is the central component of the project. Coming up on 85,000 square metres, it will offer an array of health, spa and therapeutic facilities spanning from the Indian Ayurveda to Roman Baths.
Erga Group:
Erga Group was founded in 1980 and now it is one of the leading global architectural and engineering consulting firms. It has a major presence in Arab countries and Europe and during the past 25 years, the Lebanon-based Erga Group Overseas has undertaken over 1,000 projects in Lebanon and the Middle East. The company has a reputation of delivering successful projects on time and focuses on a multi-disciplinary approach. The Erga team comprises of more than 160 qualified staff which includes experienced architects, designers, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, interior architects, planners, project managers etc. Erga's philosophy is to provide global, diversified solutions and services from initial concept, master planning and feasibility, to schematic and detailed design, tendering, site supervision and post-contract problem solving. In addition to these basic services, Erga also provides post-contract services in connection with Project Management, Contract Administration, and Quality Control, in conformity with the highest international norms.
Gulf Finance House B.S.C
Established five years ago, Gulf Finance House B.S.C (GFH) has rapidly earned a reputation as a leading-edge player in Islamic banking. GFH has a paid-up capital of $135 million and authorized capital of $300 million. It is committed to the Islamic Sharia philosophy of wealth management and this directs its innovation and shapes the structure of its investment products. GFH is dedicated to providing clients with carefully selected investment opportunities that balance risk with reward. It leads the drive to establish an Islamic investment banking industry that dovetails with regional development. Consequently, GFH has since inception striven to offer investment opportunities in the countries where it operates so as to further their economic and social development. It aims to capitalize on the increasing willingness of Islamic investors to back local and regional business projects and opportunities and to take advantage of the wave of reforms initiated by GCC governments to diversify and liberalize their economies. This is balanced by enabling clients to diversify risk by offering them investment opportunities outside the region. This philosophy is reflected in GFH's investment portfolio that includes major projects such as Bahrain Financial Harbour, Al Areen Desert Spa and Resort, Legends in Dubailand, Lebanon's Arab Finance House, Gulf Development Real Estate Company in Kuwait, Solidarity -Takaful life assurance, annuity savings, and short-term insurance; Bahrain's Royal University for Women and menaJet - low-cost airline for the region.
For further details contact:
Arun Rangachari/ Ali Smadi
Percept Profile Gulf
+9714 3446373 (T)
+9713 3429158 (F)
E-mail: info@perceptprofilegulf.com
Nouf Saleh Al-Pachachi
Gulf Finance House B.S.C.
+973 17538538 (T)
+973 17530475 (F)
E-mail: nalpachachi@gfhouse.com
© Press Release 2005
