Qatar Property Listings Issue 3 - Summer 2017

APARTMENTS | VILLAS | OFFICES | OVERSEAS | BULK DEALS | MARKET OVERVIEW

The Pearl-Qatar The jewel in Doha’s crown

Katara

Arabic architectural delight

ISSUE THREE • Summer 2017

Qatar’s original PROPERTY listings

3

EDITOR’S LETTER This issue we focus mainly on the Pearl-Qatar, which is home to the best lifestyle in Qatar – if not the entire Arabian Gulf.

W

elcome to the third edition of Qatar Property Listings. Once again Qatar’s premium real estate company, Al Asmakh, has compiled a detailed directory of the best properties – villas, apartments, offices and mixed use – available for rental in the State of Qatar, as well as recent property market reports and associated lifestyle features.

Despite a challenging economic climate, the property sector in Qatar is experiencing a development boom, with stabilizing prices and a swathe of recently or soon to be completed construction projects due to come into the market in the near future.

Indeed, in the hospitality sector, more than 250 new hotels alone are planned. And in the housing sector, thanks to increased stock meeting growing demand (Lusail north of Doha will see more than 22,000 new residences, for example), and government and private sector investment, the overall industry is as strong as ever, making right now a great time to find the perfect rental or investment property.

This issue we focus mainly on the Pearl-Qatar, which is home to the best lifestyle in Qatar – if not the entire Arabian Gulf – and in the rental market, features an affordable range of luxurious accommodation from one to five bedroom apartments.

In our market report on page 58 we delve deeper into the comparative property attributes of The Pearl-Qatar, and in our feature on page 16 we focus on the building design attributes and incredible amenities of each of The Pearl’s districts, from the community space of Medina Central, to the more exclusive areas such as Costa Malaz. In On the Street on page 16 we also highlight some of the exciting new retail outlets and eateries in The Pearl’s Medina Central and Porto Arabia districts.

In our other features in this edition of Qatar Property Listings, on page 7 we explore the visual and touristic attractions of Germany, the 2017 Qatar Year of Culture partner, and much closer to home, on page 20, we take an architectural tour of the Katara Cultural Village, which draws aesthetic inspiration from both the Arabic and Islamic worlds as well as from Roman, Greek and Turkish influences, among others.

As Qatar’s leading and most professional property consultancy, Al Asmakh is perfectly positioned to assist with any real estate information you might require, so please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated personnel with regard to any inquiry you might have concerning The Pearl-Qatar – or any other property or development featured in this issue of Qatar Property Listings.

Fadi Barakeh General Manager Al Asmakh Real Estate Development Company

CONTENTS 4

CONTENTS 7

14

Travel in Germany

On The Street

16

20

The Pearl-Qatar

Katara Cultural Village

APARTMENTS | VILLAS | OFFICES | OVERSEAS | BULK DEALS | MARKET OVERVIEW

thE PEarl-Qatar The jewel in Doha’s crown

ISSUE THREE • summEr 2017

20

COVER STORY

Katara

Arabic architectural delight

ISSUE THREE • summEr 2017

Qatar’s original ProPErtY listings QPL 02 Cover Editable.indd 1

4/23/17 11:14 AM

The Architecture of Katara: Where Local Meets Global

www.alasmakhrealestate.com PuBlIShED By The Marketing & Communications Department Al Asmakh Real Estate Development Company Al ASmAkh REAl ESTATE DEvElOPmEnT COmPAny P.O. Box 15068 Doha, Qatar Tel: +974 4448 5111 Fax: +974 4435 4728 FIREFly COmmunICATIOnS P.O. Box 11596 Doha, Qatar Tel: +974 4434 0360 Fax: +974 4434 0359 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise without the prior permission of the Marketing and Communications Department, Al Asmakh Real Estate Development Company. All content is believed to be factual at the time of publication.

Rental and purchase prices can be subject to change. The publisher does not endorse any advertising or advertorial content for third party products. Photography/image credits and copyright, where not specifically stated are that of Shutterstock, Firefly Communications and/or Al Asmakh Real Estate Development Company.

CONTENTS 5

Qatar Property Listings is the first of its kind in Qatar, bringing you a comprehensive listing of the different property types available to let or to buy in Qatar that fall under the Al Asmakh Real Estate Development Company (AREDC) umbrella. In these listings, readers can find both apartments and villas that are available to rent in Qatar as well as apartments that are available to buy. For the business set, the listings also includes available bulk deals and offices to let. The informative real estate market overview reports included in this publication give a solid insight into Qatar’s real estate sector so you can explore the marketplace equipped with some of the most recent facts and figures available.

APARTMENTS

FOR REnT

MIXED USE

VILLAS

FOR REnT

OFFICES

FOR REnT

Regency 1, The Pearl-Qatar

28 Apartments for rent

54

Mixed Use

46

Villas for rent

56

Offices for rent

DESTINATION

7

DESTInATIOn GERmAny: A GUIDE TO EUROPE’S BEATING HEART FOR SEVERAL YEARS QATAR MUSEUMS AUTHORITY HAS CELEBRATED A YEAR-LONG CULTURAL ExCHANGE PROGRAMME wITH ANOTHER COUNTRY – MARKED BY FESTIVALS, ExHIBITIONS AND OTHER EVENTS – TO CONVEY QATARI CULTURE TO A GLOBAL AUDIENCE AND TO PROMOTE CROSS-NATIONAL MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION. wITH PREVIOUS CULTURAL ExCHANGES wITH COUNTRIES AS DIVERSE AS JAPAN, THE UK, BRAzIL, TURKEY AND CHINA COMPLETED SINCE 2012, GERMANY HAS BEEN SELECTED AS THE PARTNER COUNTRY FOR 2017. HERE wE TAKE A LOOK AT wHAT IT HAS TO OFFER....

Germany’s iconic Television Tower punctuates the skyline of its fascinating capital city, Berlin.

DESTINATION

8

L

ocated in the heart of Western Europe, Germany is one of the modern world’s great economic and political powers, and in many respects it sets the tone for the entire continent. Grand in scale and size, it covers an area of more than 350,000 square kilometers, has a population of about 82 million and is – after the United States – the world’s secondmost popular immigration destination. The country’s landscape takes in everything from the beaches of the North Sea to the tranquil gardens around Lake Constance, with the mighty River Rhine and the magnificent Black Forest (Schwarzwald) in between. While its major political and cultural centres remain Berlin and Munich, Germany’s history is rich and varied, with several attractions in its many modern cities and old villages.

Interior of the Reichstag Building, Berlin.

TRAvEl

For visitors who are interested in arts and culture, Germany has much to offer, with a wealth of museums, monuments, castles and cathedrals dotted across the national map.

As soon as you arrive in the country, you will find that the cultural stereotype of the fussy, pedantic German perfectionist only tells a small part of the whole story. This is, after all, Das Land der Dichter und Denker (The Land of Poets and Thinkers). Those writers, philosophers, artists, composers and kings have left an unmistakable mark, and if you’re planning a trip to Germany you should prepare to be pleasantly surprised by the country’s vibrant history and personality.

Here are just a few of the must-see attractions to include in your German vacation itinerary.

ACCOmmODATIOn, ATTRACTIOnS AnD RESTAuRAnTS ThE BRAnDEnBuRG GATE

This 18th Century neoclassical monument is Germany’s signature landmark. One of eight Berlin Wall crossings, the gate linked East and West Berlin during the Cold War, and has since come to represent the unification of Germany, and of Europe as a whole.

BERlIn WAll mEmORIAl

The central memorial site of the Cold War barrier that divided Germany is located in the heart of Berlin, extending 1.4 kilometers along the former border strip. This is the last remaining piece of the infamous Berlin Wall, which fell during the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990.

COlOGnE CAThEDRAl

Germany’s most visited landmark, the Kölner Dom (situated in Cologne, in Germany’s far west) is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. While its religious significance as a Roman Catholic place of worship is unmistakable, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site it is open to visitors of all faiths.

RESTAuRAnT BAREISS

As one of Germany’s signature restaurants, Restaurant Bareiss in Baiersbronn (in southern Germany) boasts three Michelin stars, and a menu to match its formidable reputation. Expect neo-classical cuisine in the French and Southern German tradition.

Web: www.bareiss.com

mERCEDES-BEnZ muSEum

With famous marques like Audi, BMW and Volkswagen, Germany is one of the undisputed leaders in global automobile manufacturing. The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart showcases the history of the Daimler brand

and the global auto industry, in a remarkable double helix building.

For visitors who are interested

mAnnhEIm PAlACE

in arts and culture, Germany

This magnificent Baroque palace, located in southwestern Germany, now serves as both a university and a museum.

Its enormous courtyard and total floor area of six hectares makes it one of Europe’s largest palaces. It’s certainly one of the continent’s most impressive.

SChlOSShOTEl kROnBERG

This English-style country mansion, once the private residence of a German empress, boasts a sumptuous Gothic exterior and plush, country-style rooms. Located near to Frankfurt in the Hesse region, the hotel sits at the foot of the forest-covered Taunus mountain range.

Web: www.schlosshotel-kronberg.com

has a wealth of museums, monuments, and castles. The country’s landscape covers everything from the North Sea to lakes, rivers and the magnificent Black Forest.

DESTINATION

9

ZuGSPITZE

This snow-capped mountain peak is perched precisely 2,962 metres above sea level in the Eastern Alps, on Germany’s southern border with Austria. It is Germany’s highest point, and a spectacular reminder – amid all the art and culture – of the country’s geographical splendour.

BunDESlIGA FOOTBAll

Among modern Germany’s signature experiences, live football (soccer) is hard to beat. Perennial champions Bayern Munich play their home matches in the impressive Allianz Arena, while fellow Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund play at the Signal Iduna Park. The game itself is sure to be entertaining, but the fans – bedecked in team colours – are a wonderful added attraction.

hERRnSChlÖSSChEn hOTEl

This romantic hotel dates back to the 11th century, and is rated among Germany’s most popular. Much of that popularity has to do with its location, in the charming Bavarian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The town has remained virtually unchanged since the middle ages, and to visit is to be transported to another era entirely.

Web: www.hotel-rothenburg.de/en Tel: +49-(0)9861-873890

Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart.

With a reputation that dates back to the 16th century, the famous Auerbach’s Restaurant in Leipzig, eastern Germany, offers wonderful traditional Teutonic fare.

By ThE numBERS

33 000 000

International visitors to Germany in 2014. Most came from neighbouring Netherlands (4.2 million) and Switzerland (2.8 million).

75%

Percentage of visitors who, according to the German National Tourist Board, visit Germany to experience its culture. Other reasons cited included the countryside (59%) and cities (59%).

155km

Total length of the Berlin Wall, until it was demolished during the reunification of West and East Germany in 1990.

DESTINATION

10

ThE REIChSTAG BuIlDInG

Housing the German Parliament, the Reichstag Building was designed by Paul Wallot and built southeast of the meander of the Spree. After ten years of construction work, the final stone was laid by Kaiser Wilhelm II on 5 December 1894. The six-story complex in the style of the Italian High Renaissance covers an area of about 13,290 square meters, and its four towers are 40 meters high.

The large glass dome at the very top of the Reichstag has a 360-degree view of the surrounding Berlin cityscape.

hEIDElBERG

If Rothenburg feels too ‘touristy’ for you, consider Heidelberg.

The venerable local university dates back to the year 1386, and the town itself has retained much of its Baroque charm.

The Altstadt (historical city centre) includes the old Schloß (castle), which offers incredible views over the town and its undulating Neckar river.

ThE TABlE (kEvIn FEhlInG)

Another of Germany’s three-Michelin-star restaurants, this one in the northern port city of Hamburg is home to one of the country’s hottest current chefs. The dining experience is truly one of a kind, as you sit at a long, curved table while the chefs combine the finest international ingredients before your eyes.

Web: www.thetable-hamburg.de Tel: +49 (040) 22867422

mInIATuR WunDERlAnD

A marvel for the child that lives inside all of us, this is the world’s largest model railway exhibition. It has nine sections in total, with miniature models and landscapes depicting the Alps, Scandinavia, Switzerland, America and more… including, of course, the Wunderland’s host city, Hamburg.

AuERBAChS kEllER

With a reputation that goes back to the 16th century, this famous restaurant in Leipzig, eastern Germany, offers wonderful traditional cuisine. Try the potato-sauerkraut delights of the Saxon farmer pan, and smile as you learn that this restaurant was one of the key settings in the classical tale of Faust.

Web: www.auerbachs-keller-leipzig.de Tel: +49(0)341-21610-0

PERGAmOn muSEum

Situated on Berlin’s famous Museum Island, the Pergamon houses full reconstructions of monumental buildings from the ancient Middle East and Turkey – including the spectacular Ishtar Gate, which once served as the doorway to the inner city of Babylon, and was long considered one of the early Seven Wonders of the World.

Germany the second most popular migration destination in the world. The country welcomes skilled professionals, and its high standard of living and relatively low unemployment rate make it an attractive new home for many. There are, naturally, some cultural oddities. While Germans are known for being ordered and structured, the country also enjoys several festivals, like the Bavarian Oktoberfest celebration.

ARChITECTuRE

lIvInG In GERmAny

Some 65 million of Germany’s total population of 82 million are German; the rest are immigrants and expatriates, making

Germany possesses a diverse range of architectural styles, from Gothic to Baroque to Classical to Modern.

Centuries of division and fragmentation meant that

GERmAny PACkAGES 5 DAyS/ 4 nIGhTS BERlIn hOTEl SWISSOTEL

FRAnkFuRT

munICh PER PERSOn 3840

SOFITEL BERLIN KURFURSTENDAMM

4760

EUROSTARS

5120

hOTEl

PER PERSOn

hOTEl

PER PERSOn

SHERATON WEST PARK

4440

BRISTOL

3770

HILTON MUNICH PARK

4600

WESTIN GRAND

4250

EXCELSIOR

4980

JUMEIRAH

5050

TERmS: Rates are per person sharing in QAR including hotel accommodation based on 2 people sharing in a double room and roundtrip economy class air tickets. Rates do not include airline taxes and visa charges. Terms and conditions apply.

Contact Regency Travel for more details: Phone: +974 4434 4444 Email: regency@qatar.net.qa / sales@regencyholidays.com Website: www.myholidays.com

Germany has spent much of its history as a loose assembly of kingdoms and principalities – so there is no singular ‘German’ style of architecture. The best term one might hope for is ‘European’… but if you place Neuschwanstein Castle, the Allianz Arena, Mannheim Palace and Cologne Cathedral alongside each other even this term is not much use at all. Best, then, to enjoy the sights and styles as they come.

BuIlDInGS TO knOW GREEn ClImATE FunD hEADQuARTERS

The GCF Secretariat in Bonn, in western Germany, was designed in 2012 by architectural LAVA (Laboratory for Visionary Architecture). Inspired by its Rhine Valley setting, the building has sweeping curvilinear forms, natural light wells and rooftop gardens, with its three-level structure complying with the latest energy standards.

SOny CEnTRE BERlIn

Located at the capital’s Potzdamer Platz, this Jahn-designed building complex was constructed in 2000 at a total cost of EUR 750 million. Its aesthetic has been described as ‘cyberpunk corporate urban’. To any first-time visitor, it looks like the future.

DESTINATION

11

Picturesque medieval Rothenburg.

GERmAn vISTA 8 DAyS/ 7 nIGhTS STARTInG FROm uSD 1,599 (QAR 5,825) PER PERSOn Berlin–Dresden–Rothenburg–neuschwanstein–munich DAy 1: Arrive in Berlin, Germany

Berlin

Time to rest or to start exploring

Potsdam

the German capital. You’ll be met

GERMANY

by your tour director and you and your travelling companions will head for a welcome dinner at your hotel.

Dresdan

Weimar

DAy 2: Berlin

Rothenburg

Sightseeing with a local guide

Romantic Road

in the once-divided metropolis includes the elegant Ku’damm,

Dachau

the recently restored Reichstag,

Munich

Charlottenburg Palace, a picture

Neuschwanstain

stop at monumental Brandenburg Gate and the Holocaust Memorial,

Oberammergau

and the 210-foot Victory Column in the vast Tiergarten park. See the

Kaiser

Wilhem

Overnights

Start City

End City

Memorial

Church with its bomb-damaged tower, drive along Unter den Linden boulevard, and pass the State Opera House and Checkpoint Charlie.

DAy 3: Berlin–Dresden Arrive in Dresden, former capital of Saxony. Visit the Zwinger Palace Courtyard to admire its impressive architecture; the magnificent baroque Semper Opera and the newly rebuilt Frauenkirche.

DAy 4: Dresden–Weimar–Rothenburg In Weimar, follow your tour director for a pleasant walk through this pretty town. See the houses where great poets such as Goethe and Schiller lived and the theatre where the Weimar Constitution was drafted. A highlight is an overnight stay in medieval Rothenburg.

DAy 5: Rothenburg–neuschwanstein Drive along the scenic Romantic Road past small villages and towards the Bavarian Alps, where two of Bavaria’s most famous castles are situated. Stay overnight in a charming hotel beautifully located between Hohenschwangau Castle, where King Ludwig spent much of his youth, and

nEuSChWAnSTEIn CASTlE

Neuschwanstein Castle, which you will visit with a local guide.

While Germany’s cutting-edge modern structures are certainly exciting, this 19th century palace still holds the world’s imagination.

Commissioned by the eccentric Bavarian King Ludwig II, its hilltop setting and Romanesque towers made it the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle.

DAy 6: neuschwanstein–Oberammergau–munich

GARDEnS TO knOW

DAy 7: munich

InSEl mAInAu

This “flowering island” in southern Germany’s Lake Constance contains 500 species of deciduous and coniferous trees, many of which are exotic. The Italian Rose Garden is the real attraction, though, with its geometric layout, sculptures and fountains, and its 500 rose varieties.

TIERGARTEn

This urban park in central Berlin used to be a hunting ground for local nobility. Today its 210 hectares make it one of Germany’s largest urban gardens, with wide lawns, small ponds, English gardens and the Berlin zoo.

EnGlISChER GARTEn

Covering 3.7km2, Munich’s famous public park is larger than New York’s Central Park, and stretches from the city centre to the city limits. Its name, which means ‘English Garden’, comes from its wide open spaces and informal landscaping.

Arrive in Oberammergau and see the theater where the Passion Play is held, then, continue to Munich, Germany’s ‘Secret Capital’. Your orientation drive features the Olympic Stadium. Also see the Königsplatz, and visit Marienplatz with its Old and New Town Halls and the Gothic Frauenkirche.

Today is your chance to join an optional excursion to spectacular Berchtesgaden and Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest (weather-permitting). In the evening, a farewell dinner at a lively Biergarten is the best way to celebrate the success of your trip.

DAy 8: munich Your vacation ends with breakfast on your last morning.

Package inclusions: Hotel accommodation with breakfast, airport transfers and excursions as mentioned in the itinerary.

Terms: Rate is quoted in US Dollar per person. Prepaid gratuities and trip protection not yet included. Children ages 8 to 17 at the time of departure are allowed if accompanied by an adult. Airline ticket, round trip airport transfers and visa are not included. Seats are subject to availability and subject to change at the time of confirmations. Terms and conditions apply.

Contact Regency Travel for more details: Phone: +974 4434 4444 Email: regency@qatar.net.qa / sales@regencyholidays.com Website: www.myholidays.com.

QATAR LIFESTYLE

14

ON THE STREET

QATAR’S REPUTATION AS A CULTURAL AND LIFESTYLE HUB IN THE MIDDLE EAST CONTINUES TO GROw. FROM HIGH-END BOUTIQUES TO TRENDY NEw RESTAURANTS AND wORLD-RENOwNED ART ExHIBITIONS, THERE’S NO SHORTAGE OF THINGS TO DO OR PLACES TO SEE AROUND THE CITY. CHECK OUT THESE LIFESTYLE PICKS FOR THE LATEST COVETED PRODUCTS, MOUTH-wATERING RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS, AND MORE.

Tangia moroccan Restaurant wyndham Grand Regency Tel: 4434 3333

If you want to sample some of the best traditional recipes from Morocco, then look no further than Tangia.

Try:

The famous Couscous Mechoui. Served in a colourful tagine, it is worth ordering for the presentation alone. The meat on the slow roasted lamb shoulder, marinated in a melody of herbs and spices, literally falls off the bone. Served with fluffy couscous, stuffed dates and seasonal broth, enjoying this dish while being serenaded by the rhythmic melodies of live traditional Moroccan music will transport you to the narrow streets of Fez!

le Silla

6 La Croisette, Porto Arabia Tel: 4440 95230 While it’s relatively player on the fashion scene (the brand was created in 1994), Le Silla has already established its footprint as one of the world’s most fashion-forward footwear brands. Step into their boutique, and choose from their eye-catching range of elegant sandals, pumps and boots.

Burj Al hamam

1 La Croisette, Porto Arabia Tel: 4440 95238 A household name in the region, Burj Al Haman offers authentic Lebanese cuisine, packaged in an unmistakable atmosphere of fine dining. Enjoy cold mezza options like hummus, tabbouleh, fattoush and moutabal; hot mezze like shish taouk and kofta; seafood delicacies like shrimp or lobster; and famous pastries like the distinctly Levantine knafeh and halawat el jibn. The spacious restaurant at The Pearl-Qatar offers the added bonus of providing spectacular views over the Porto Arabia Marina.

A’la

30 La Croisette, Porto Arabia Tel: 4446 85597 While it’s marketed as a Turkish restaurant, A’La is far more than that: it’s a culinary journey across the Arab world, from Anatolia to the Balkans to the Caucasus, via Mesopotamia and the Arabian Peninsula. This allows A’La to put a broad regional twist on classic Turkish cuisine, taking in favourites like tirit (tharid), tandir (tandoor) and baklava.

Order: Iskender Kebap No Turkish meal is complete without a nod to the kebab. This lamb option – invented by the famous Iskandar Efendi in the 19th century – is the pick of the bunch.

QATAR LIFESTYLE

15

Isla

2 La Croisette, Porto Arabia Tel: 4449 61974 World-renowned chef Richard Sandoval has rewritten the rule book of modern Mexican cooking, and Isla is the result. Sandoval’s genius lies in taking everything authentic about Mexican food (the cantina-style dining, open fire pits and grab-and-go convenience), and infusing those traditional recipes with modern Asian ingredients. It’s sit-down street food, with a fresh, new interpretation.

Eggspectation Madina Centrale Tel: 4504 09900

This Canadian franchise describes its dining concept as ‘le cirque des œufs’ – or ‘the egg circus’. It’s certainly an entertaining concept, with an egg-focused breakfast menu laying the foundation for its American lunch and dinner.

Order: Eggs Benedict Stand-out dishes include crepes, soups, salads, sandwiches, omelettes, pasta and steak, but the star ingredient is, of course, the noble, humble egg.

Ascots & Chapels

10 La Croisette, Porto Arabia Tel: 4400 27989 A British luxury couturier with a heritage dating back to 1871, Ascots & Chapels create fine, personalized and bespoke garments for the discerning gentleman.

Every piece of clothing is hand-crafted from the finest quality fabric, and with almost 70% of every suit manufactured in the United Kingdom, you’ll enjoy the best of British sartorial elegance, interwoven with world-class quality. Drawing on that global footprint, Ascots & Chapels now allows suits to be ordered in Doha and picked up or altered at the store in Mayfair, London.

violette

Medina Centrale Tel: 4444 45565 Belgian chocolate gets a delicate and delicious handmade spin, with surprising flavour infusions like karak cream, almond cream, mango puree, cheery jam and bubble gum. Enjoy sugar-free bars, truffles and roches. Treat yourself to menu options like rahash (milk chocolate filled with halawa), karak white (white chocolate filled with feuilletine and karak cream) and fraise (white chocolate filled with cornflakes and strawberry cream.

QATAR LIFESTYLE

16

The Pearl-Qatar: The jewel in Doha’s crown Over the past few decades, Qatar’s real estate development has transformed the country. Despite the ongoing dip in oil prices, Qatar plans to spend more than QAR 45 billion on new projects this year. And while Doha’s commercial districts such as West Bay provide Qatar its iconic, albeit newfound skyline, realties such as The Pearl-Qatar add a distinct flavor to the nation’s architectural wealth. Indeed The Pearl, as it is colloquially known, arguably offers a stunning combination of the traditional and modern, combined with a quality of life that can be found nowhere else in Qatar.

QATAR LIFESTYLE

The Pearl-Qatar today stands as a shining example of Qatari innovation and architectural ingenuity and is one of the country’s most sought after mixed-use urban developments.

A

17

lthough the first development of its kind in Qatar – wherein artificial islands created through reclaimed land are developed for mixed-use purposes – other Gulf countries had already implemented similar ambitious real estate projects. Kuwait’s Green Island was the first in the region, while The Palm Jumeirah in the United Arab Emirates is perhaps one of the most well known worldwide.

The unique flavor of The Pearl-Qatar, however, eclipses these. With some of its precincts nearing completion, The Pearl-Qatar project is being developed over a total reclaimed area of 400 hectares, featuring a variety of Riviera-styled environments across its 12 zones. Construction on the island began in 2004, across a coastline spanning more than 30 kilometers.

Apart from The Pearl-Qatar’s distinct construction styles, the development boasts a cluster of some of the tallest buildings in the Middle East, as well as one of the largest integrated district cooling plants in the world.

The development also takes advantage of the Envac underground vacuum waste management system, which can handle up to 135 tonnes of waste per day, with two waste collection stations, making The Pearl-Qatar one of the scheme’s largest projects worldwide and the development a leader in sustainable living.

The Pearl is also unique in its position as it is Qatar’s first international real estate development open to foreign investment. With luxurious retail outlets and premiere residential units and great lifestyle, The Pearl-Qatar today stands as a shining example of Qatari innovation and ingenuity and as one of the country’s most elegant, mixeduse urban developments.

PEARlInG ORIGInS

The Pearl-Qatar’s name has its origins prior to 1940s, when, alongside fishing and trade, pearling used to be one of the main sources of income for the people of Qatar. However, following the discovery of Dukhan oil field in 1939, the country began its long road from being transformed into a desert backwater to the world-renowned prosperous state of today.

With more oil field discoveries, the hydrocarbon sector’s direct impact on the economy compared to the low margins and high degree of labor involved in pearl diving, the practice gradually faded as a mainstream occupation. However, pearling still holds prestige for Qataris, as a symbol of their national heritage and pride and the name of The Pearl-Qatar is thus reminiscent of the country’s strong association with its surrounding seas.

The Pearl-Qatar boasts one of the largest integrated district cooling plants in the world and the Envac underground vacuum waste management system, making it a leader in sustainable living.

QATAR LIFESTYLE

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Major attractions for residents of The Pearl-Qatar include restaurants, shops and wide precincts, offering an unrivaled lifestyle in the State of Qatar.

According to DDG, architect and master planner of this district, “Medina Centrale’s interior site, inward facing posture and mixed-use character establish a definitive sense of place and make it an ideal community gathering space.”

In fact, the location of The Pearl-Qatar was once a site used by the pearling industry before the coastline was created. This cultural connection extends beyond The Pearl-Qatar’s name when one looks at the aerial view of the island. Structurally the lagoons resemble giant pearls surrounded by a string of smaller pearls running through the edges of the coastline.

The fact that The Pearl-Qatar carries strong nuances of Qatar’s pearling heritage also aligns it with Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030) that aims to reach a balance between modernization and preservation of traditions. Other aspects of QNV 2030 that The PearlQatar aims to cover include the provision of ‘improved standard of living’. With modern technologies such as district cooling, public WiFi, and its exclusive mobile app, The PearlQatar exceeds average construction standards in Qatar and arguably offers a unique lifestyle and extremely high standard of living for its residents that cannot be found anywhere else in Qatar.

DIvERSE PRECInCTS

Aiming to eventually accommodate a residential capacity of 45,000, The Pearl-Qatar is among a few real estate properties open for foreign ownership under Qatar’s Foreign Ownership Law. Despite a slight decline in the construction market during 2016, the developer behind The Pearl-Qatar, United Development Company (UDC), reported a three-fold profit worth QAR 119.2 million in Q3 2016, showing the success of The Pearl-Qatar as a sought-after real estate development.

With rents stabilizing in Qatar in 2016, occupancy rate of residential units across The Pearl-Qatar reached a high of 90 percent during the second half of the year. These high figures partly owes to The Pearl-Qatar’s multicultural design, with architectural inspirations coming from all over the world, attracting a variety of investors.

Indeed, to address the diverse preferences and needs of a wide selection of foreign investors, The Pearl-Qatar presents an assortment of 12 precincts, each adding a distinct architectural flavor to the island development. Among the highlights is Qanat Quartier, inspired by Venetian architecture. With a built-up area totaling more than 460,000 square metres (sqm), this part of The Pearl-Qatar houses 1032 residential units in 32 apartment buildings and 200 townhouses and villas, connected by pedestrian-friendly bridges and canals.

The precinct of Viva Bahriya blends modern construction with Moroccan style, across

PARAmOunT RESIDEnCES, ThE PEARl-QATAR Brought to you by Al Asmakh Real Estate Development Company and set in Porto Arabia at the Pearl-Qatar, a new development at the highest end of the market encompasses the glamour of Hollywood with a touch of California cool: Paramount Residences Doha, The Pearl.

Comprising 196 luxury residences, ranging from one to three bedroom The Pearl Sales apartments and four penthouses, thepearlsales@alasmakhrealestate.com Paramount Residences Doha, The +974 7077 4774 Pearl features signature elements of Paramount Hotel & Resorts Our agents throughout, from the bold yet subtly • Iryna Lobasiuk designed lobby and artistically iryna@alasmakhrealestate.com designed luxurious residences, down +974 3383 5931 to the ultimate details of back painted • Irina Constantinescu glass décor, opulent retro faucets, irina.c@alasmakhrealestate.com and handcrafted, exquisitely finished +974 3399 6884 wardrobe interiors.

The sleek, minimal finish in the kitchens is designed to be seamless and stylish when it’s the backdrop to an intimate soiree – yet effortlessly functional and practical.

With the residents’ private movie-screening room, pool with cabanas, state-of-the-art wellness and fitness center, coffee shops and kids’ studio club, the stage is set for you to enjoy your exclusive lifestyle.

Properties are freehold and open to all for ownership. Please contact us for more details.

QATAR LIFESTYLE

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On the outer fringes of The Pearl, many residences offer direct coastal access or even private beachfronts, elevating these locations as the most exclusive properties in Qatar.

its townhouses and 28 towers. The Moorish influence in structures here is evident through curves integrated into the construction designs, such as horseshoe arches over the entrances of some of Viva Bahriya’s towers, a feature distinctive of Moroccan architecture. There are also domelike structures topping these towers, affirming Viva Bahriya’s unique and refined design.

Popular for its harbor with luxury yachts, Porto Arabia is one of the most developed precincts of The Pearl-Qatar.

According to KEO Consultants, the company behind the engineering and architectural works of Porto Arabia’s first phase, the apartments, town homes and penthouses of this precinct “embrace a promenade akin to those found in the South of France” and boost The Pearl-Qatar ‘s rich range of visual aesthetics.

With a relatively lower ratio of residential units, Medina Centrale works as the hub of retail and recreation activities.

Containing more than 70 restaurants and retail outlets, the precinct is home to entertainment centers such as Novo Cinema, Cool de Sac, Megapolis and the recently-launched Souq Al Medina. According to DDG, architect and master planner of this district, “Medina Centrale’s interior site, inward facing posture and mixed-use character establish a definitive sense of place and make it an ideal community gathering space.”.

The district of Abraj Quartier is also unique, featuring two 42-story towers, the tallest structures in The Pearl-Qatar.

With the height of 201 metres each, they are also two of the nine tallest buildings constructed in the Middle East during 2016, according to a report by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.

Offering a higher degree of exclusivity and independent lifestyle on the outer fringes of The Pearl, many of the units offer direct coastal access and in areas such as the Beach Villas, offer private beachfront access, elevating these residences to being among the most premium properties available in Qatar. The foremost attraction of Costa Malaz, Kempinski Marsa Malaz, features a built-up area of 81,250 sqm. The outline of this hotel, according to its design firm Arab Engineering Bureau, represents the historical trading

and cultural links between the great Ottoman and Venetian civilization. Alternatively, the villas in Costa Malaz are intended to be inspired by Polynesian-styled architecture.

Finally there is Floresta Gardens, which has the structure of the Roman coliseum as the masterplan, its grand houses positioned in a tier-like formation around the central stage or arena, which in this case would be the clubhouse. The property’s Mediterranean style architecture is planned to be enhanced by its Italian-inspired fresh food market.

In the future, progress at The Pearl-Qatar will include the construction of nine palatial villas on nine exclusive islands in Isola Dana, named after “the world’s most rare and valuable perfect pearls”. Unlike other parts of The PearlQatar that have design symmetries based on influences from architecture across the world, these nine islands can be custom-designed as per the choice of their investors.

RECEnT DEvElOPmEnTS

While most parts of Viva Bahriya, Porto Arabia, Qanat Quartier and Costa Malaz are complete, many areas of The Pearl are still awaiting progress. UDC has recently announced contract awards worth USD 191 million (QAR 695 billion) for the construction and infrastructure work of Al Mutahidah Towers – foundation for which has been laid this year – and Giardino Village. In February this year, UDC and Ooredoo also announced the availability of public WiFi that would be accessible by anyone visiting The Pearl-Qatar with a compatible device. The development comes with the deployment of enhanced Internet coverage.

In December 2016 and January 2017 alone, The PearlQatar saw the launch of more than 30 restaurants and retail outlets, enhancing the island’s immense scope for business investment, especially after Prime Minister and Interior Minister HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani’s proposal to ease licensing procedures for The Pearl-Qatar business investors. Initiatives such as these will only ensure faster uptake of the island’s many precincts, and further satiate international investors’ ever-growing appetite for this elegant island development, one that is truly the jewel in Doha’s real estate crown.

With its luxurious retail outlets and premiere residential units, The Pearl-Qatar today stands as a shining example of Qatari innovation and ingenuity.

Popular for its harbor with luxury yachts, Porto Arabia is one of the most developed precincts of The Pearl-Qatar.

The Pearl-Qatar in numbers

400 hectares Total area of land reclaimed

32 km

Length of The Pearl-Qatar’s coastline

12

Number of precincts in The Pearl-Qatar

90%

Occupancy rate of residential units, as of 2016

45,000

Residential capacity of The Pearl-Qatar once completed

QATAR LIFESTYLE

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Katara’s ampitheatre takes architectural cues from the great Greek ampitheaters and coliseums of ancient Rome but also contains regional influences in its design aesthetic.

THE ARCHITECTURE OF KATARA: WhERE lOCAl mEETS GlOBAl UNTIL QUITE RECENTLY, QATAR wAS DEFINED ARCHITECTURALLY BY SOME OF ITS OLDEST AND MOST PROMINENT BUILDINGS, SUCH AS THE SHERATON DOHA AND GENERAL POST OFFICE. HOwEVER, IN RECENT YEARS A SURGE IN CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY HAS ALSO INCREASED QATAR’S APPETITE TO ABSORB DIVERSE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS FROM ALL OVER THE wORLD INTO ITS DEVELOPMENTS, AND TO INCORPORATE THESE ALONGSIDE QATARI, ARABIC AND ISLAMIC BUILDING STYLES. NOwHERE IS THIS MORE APPARENT THAN IN THE KATARA CULTURAL VILLAGE.

QATAR LIFESTYLE

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ncreasingly, Doha’s skyline bears a close resemblance to those of metropolitan areas such as New York City or Shanghai. The evergrowing strip of buildings along the Corniche not only shows the city’s contemporary architecture but also Qatar’s rapid economic boom marked by the influx of expatriates and increased business opportunities.

For Qatar, accommodating its rising population and meeting the demands of being a key financial center in the Middle East also came with the demolition of some areas of old Doha. Residential and commercial developments located in the heart of Doha such as Msheireb and Mansoura are now being developed to meet the needs of modern city planning.

Nevertheless, many attempts are also being made to preserve Qatar’s traditional construction designs. Interestingly, some new developments have been consciously inspired by old Arabic architecture while housing modern construction technologies. In this realm, Msheireb Downtown Doha and Katara Cultural Village are two major regeneration projects. Yet while both aim to promote Arabic and Islamic architecture, Katara goes one step further. Together with local architectural trends, this cultural project also represents a renaissance of architectural styles from several locations.

Established with a vision to place it “a world leader for multicultural activities”, Katara Cultural Village aims to promote Arabic cultural heritage while embracing and sharing cultural values of other communities from other parts of the world. In this vein, the development is a true reflection of Qatar – a country rich with diverse nationalities, each bringing its own cultural flavor to the country. This all-inclusive approach of Katara extends beyond the art activities it hosts, and is also embodied in its very architectural details. From traditional Arabia to ancient Rome, buildings and structures across Katara present an assortment where local meets global.

21 In terms of basic design features such as minarets, lanterns and arches, the Golden Masjid – another mosque within Katara Cultural Village – bears resemblance to The Masjid of Katara. The two, however, differ noticeably in how they look, primarily because of the choice of exterior finishing materials. Unlike The Masjid, adorned with shades of blue and purple, the Golden Masjid, as the name suggests, is covered with golden chips, giving a shimmering gleam to the mosque and its minaret and echoing similar styles apparent in Gulf-adjacent countries such as Iraq and Iran.

AmPhIThEATER

In many ways, Katara’s self-proclaimed “gem of the cultural village” - its amphitheater - presents an intersection where East meets West. Inspired

by Greek amphitheaters, the structure is designed open with arches tinged with Islamic style of architecture. In this sense, the amphitheater rightly aligns with Katara’s aim to promote and share local and foreign cultures, while also preserving the local heritage.

Tracing its origins, the structure of an amphitheater has its roots in particular in ancient Rome’s Coliseum. The arenas with surrounding seating tiers around were used for games and gladiatorial fights. Considering the practicality of such a design for large audiences, it is understandable why contemporary sports venues and theatres follow a similar structure. One of the earliest examples of amphitheaters dates back to around 80 BC, still existing in the Italian city of Pompeii.

ThE mASjID OF kATARA AnD GOlDEn mASjID

While Tudor-style arches have also been used in traditional English construction, arches are also of course a common feature of Islamic architecture, with most mosques incorporating it irrespective of their location. As such, four-centered arches are abundantly integrated in the design details of The Masjid of Katara. Other features that make this Masjid a piece of Islamic architectural art are the intricate decorative work done in blue, turquoise and purple; the three domes distended from the roof; rounded and lancet arches; a courtyard outside; a Mihrab inside and the minaret.

Unlike the traditional practice, however, this minaret is not attached to the mosque and stands separately right next to it. Featuring two projected galleries, the minaret represents various traits of Islamic art, such as calligraphy on its top part and Arabesque patterns throughout this partly cylindrical tower. Adding an exclusively Qatari touch to this mosque are lanternlike lamps mounted in between the arches through the length of the Masjid.

The architectural influences of Katara Cultural Village are a fascinating blend of Islamic, Arabic and other influences, exemplified above in its public art and the Masjid of Katara and Pigeon Towers, right.

Katara Cultural Village aims to promote Arabic cultural heritage while embracing and sharing cultural values of other communities from other parts of the world and also represents a renaissance of architectural styles from several locations.

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ThE OPERA hOuSE

Looking at the design of Katara’s opera house, one can only think of the world’s most popular auditoriums, such as the Royal Albert Hall in London. Boasting a seating capacity of 550, the Katara facility rivals any modern opera house, with advanced acoustic systems to enrich the music experience. What makes it unique however, is the assimilation of Arab-styled details in this otherwise European architectural inspiration.

From the inside, the structural concept of The Opera House follows all common principles of a theater design, with multiple-level balconies, galleries and a large audience chamber. However, the choice of colors and patterns used in the interiors of the hall are obvious reminders of their local cultural connection. Similarly, arches surrounding the geometric pattern across the vaulted ceiling of the house as well as the finely etched patterns across the walls fencing the balconies are all reminiscent of Islamic architecture.

This integration of Islamic architecture here is far more pronounced in the exterior of the facility. While the façade as a whole looks close to a fort-like structure, the details of its arches confirm its Arab heritage. The presence of large equilateral pointed arches along with smaller round arches on top adds a distinct local flavor to The Opera House’s design. Similarly, logs of wood protruding out at various parts of the building also corroborate the facility’s Arab identity.

PIGEOn TOWERS

Within Katara Cultural Village stand three wellphotographed pillar-shaped structures perforated with holes and wooden sticks. Seemingly working as pieces of art constructed to enhance Katara’s aesthetic appeal, the domes are in fact working Pigeon Towers, featuring holes to nest birds. An extra layer of mud or straw provides insulation,

Features that make the Katara Masjid a piece of Islamic architectural art are the intricate decorative work done in blue, turquoise and purple, rounded and lancet arches, a Mihrab inside and the separate minaret.

Established with a vision to place it as “a world leader for multicultural activities”, Katara Cultural Village aims to promote Arab cultural heritage while embracing and sharing cultural values of other communities from the rest of the world.

Katara’s amphitheater presents an intersection where East meets West.

Inspired by Greek amphitheaters, the structure is designed open, with arches tinged with Islamic architectural style.

QATAR LIFESTYLE

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By The numbers

32,700 square meters The total area of Katara Gardens

430

The seating capacity of Katara’s Drama Theatre

550

The seating capacity of Katara’s Opera House

2

The number of Masjids: the big Masjid, where Friday prayer is held and the Golden Masjid for regular prayers

1.5 km

The length of the private beach at Katara

Established with a vision to place it as “a world leader for multicultural activities”, Katara Cultural Village aims to promote Arab cultural heritage while embracing and sharing cultural values from other parts of the world.

ThEATER, GAllERIES AnD GARDEnS

Perforated with holes for nesting and featuring protruding wooden sticks for perches, the much-photographed Katara Pigeon Towers act as refuge for local and migrating birds.

keeping the temperature moderate for migrating and local birds all year round.

Novel as they may seem, pigeon towers have been a long-established, albeit rare of late, architectural structure found in many parts of the world. Also known as dovecotes, the structures were originally built to house birds as a source of food.

Arthur Owens Cooke, author of A Book of Dovecotes, has detailed the presence of pigeon towers, also known as Columbariums, in Rome, France, Scotland, England and

Wales. These dovecotes gradually started to diminish with agricultural development resulting in the availability of beef and mutton throughout the year. For years, remains of many dovecotes stood uninhabited or used for other purposes.

Ayhan Bekleyen of Dicle University, Turkey, reports that about 91.5 percent of these bird-housing structures have disappeared in the last four decades.

Though not a common phenomenon as it was in Medieval Europe, pigeonaires have also been reported in parts of America, Iran and Turkey. Research work by the students of University of Tarbiat Modares Jalal Ale Ahmad St, Iran, document that while pigeon towers have also existed in Iran, their purposes were dissimilar. The structures were used for breeding the birds, whose droppings were collected once in a year for their use as fertilizers. Ostensibly, the presence of pigeon towers in Katara is a conscious attempt to preserve an otherwise diminishing architectural practice.

With a total seating capacity for 430 people, Katara’s Drama Theater follows a modern theatrical design, with added localized details. Some such features include a combination of various types of arches – round, shouldered, and trefoil arches, among others – highlighted across the walls of the hall. The ceiling on the other hand is designed with a galactic pattern, to offer an open-air experience.

Close to the theater are Katara’s galleries and halls open for art and multicultural activities. While the facilities promote diversity, their exterior designs are specifically Arabic with fabric shades typical of the Gulf region, narrow waterways along the length of the arcades, and artificial lanterns installed throughout the walkways.

Across these developments is the green space allocated for Katara Gardens. Stretching across a total area of 32,700 square meters, the garden is home to seasonal plantations, from Washington palm to tropical Bwansiana tree. Added to these are local plants specific to the region, once again reminding of Katara’s vision to be a hub of multicultural activities and influences.

Some newer developments at Katara include Katara Plaza, which comes as part of the developer’s five-year strategy plan to evolve the village into a cultural project that is also economically viable, by including commercial developments such as malls and restaurants.

As one strolls through the streets and alleyways of Katara Cultural Village, the words of the respected British architect Norman Foster echo through one’s mind. “As an architect, you design for the present, with an awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown.”

Katara cultural village has emerged as Qatar’s response to promote multicultural unity in diversity as the country’s population continues to grow. The Katara Cultural Village succeeds in its ambition to preserve the Arab and Islamic identity of Qatar, alongside international influences, and as it develops, will continue to provide the ideal space to blend further local, regional and international architectural flavors within its visual feast.

QATAR LIFESTYLE

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DEvElOPmEnT BOOm: STRONG OUTLOOK FOR DOHA HOUSING AND REAL ESTATE wiTh mORE ThAN 22,000 NEw RESidENCES ARE uNdER CONSTRuCTiON iN gREATER dOhA, mOST ExpECTEd TO bE COmplETEd by 2018, ThE CiTy iS uNdERgOiNg A dEvElOpmENT bOOm. ThE mAjORiTy ARE lOCATEd iN ThE NEwly dEvElOpEd pARTS Of ThE CiTy, SuCh AS luSAil, ThE pEARlQATAR ANd OThER AREAS NORTh ANd SOuTh Of ThE CApiTAl. REAl ESTATE pRiCES ARE AlSO STAbiliziNg AT fAR mORE ACCEpTAblE lEvElS COmpAREd TO ThE high pRiCES RECORdEd TwO yEARS AgO, ANd ThiS bOdES wEll fOR ThE SECTOR iN gENERAl.

ThE OuTlOOk

A

longside the housing developments, the volume of real estate projects in the leadup to the 2022 FIFA World Cup continues to gather pace, with 250 properties planned or underway in the hospitality sector alone – most of which will be hotels featuring more than 90,000 rooms.

A further 55,000 rooms will also be built in other real estate projects.

Expenditure on commercial properties is also expected to remain high. In the near future, the growth corridors located north and south of Doha will witness greater urban migration, due to the development infrastructure projects in these areas, together with the expansion of the city’s urban sprawl and the increasing presence of service amenities, such as shopping malls and transport sector facilities. Overall, this part of the Qatari real estate market remains buoyant due to the increased demand for housing units.

Moreover, ongoing 2022 World Cup projects, as well as those related to the Qatar National Vision 2030, are expected to add momentum, as large companies continue to enter the Qatari market, thereby significantly increasing demand for housing units in order to accommodate their employees.

Stabilizing market

Property prices are now beginning to reach acceptable levels compared to the high prices recorded two years ago, which is an additional factor supporting the strong market. In addition to the increase in demand, increased liquidity in the sector – whether from government expenditure on development projects or from real estate development companies or real estate investors – underpins the robust state of the industry.

The average prices of residential apartments in the 18 usufruct areas of Doha averaged QAR 1 million for single-bedroom apartments; QAR 1.3 million for two-bedroom apartments; and QAR 1.4 million for three-bedroom apartments.

QATAR LIFESTYLE

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By ThE numBERS

22,000

The approximate number of new residences planned for Doha

2018

The year these projects will be complete

250

Properties planned or underway in the hospitality sector

90,000

The number of rooms these will feature

QAR 1.4 million

The average price for three bedroom apartments in Doha

QAR 22,000

The maximum price per square foot for a three bedroom apartment in The Pearl-Qatar

Indeed, the diverse nature of all of these developments combined will support continuous growth of the real estate sector in Qatar, including projects in new areas with integrated developments, such as tourism, hospitality, and residential and educational cities. As a result, real estate companies are expected to post exceptional results in the first quarter of 2017, due to improved operating profits generated by the increase in rental incomes in particular. The real estate and construction markets are also performing well, driven by demand for luxury properties by individual investors, especially in the Pearl-Qatar and Lusail projects.

Transactions and prices

The volume of real estate transactions saw marked increases in Q1, both in terms of values and in the number of real estate transactions, according to data from a January bulletin issued by the Real Estate Registration Department at the Ministry of Justice. The number of real estate transactions in the first week of January alone reached 85, and the value of sale and mortgage transactions reached QAR 1.233 billion.

While the Doha and Al Rayyan municipalities saw the largest volume of trading activity, the average number of transactions implemented per day amounted to about 17. There was great variation concerning the prices of square feet for the lands on which transactions were carried out during the third week of January for example, with the average prices of per square foot ranging from QAR 1,900 in Al Mansoura, Bin Dirham and Umm Ghuwailina, to QAR 260 in Al Khor.

PRICES AT A GlAnCE Apartments

The average prices of residential apartments in the 18 usufruct areas of Doha averaged QAR 1 million for single-bedroom apartments; QAR 1.3 million for twobedroom apartments; and QAR 1.4 million for threebedroom apartments. These prices differ according to the area, finishings and where the apartment is situated within the building.

The average price per square metre of apartments in West Bay’s Zig Zag Towers is estimated at QAR 12,000, with the cost of each increasing in relation to the location of the apartment in the towers and the views from within.

The sale price of new apartments in the Pearl-Qatar project is between QAR 13,000 and QAR 22,000 per square metre, also depending on location and view.

villas

As with apartments, prices of residential villas vary by region. The average price in Doha, Thumamah, Airport (Rawda) and Ain Khaled is estimated at around QAR 4 million for a surface area of 400 to 500 square metres.

This price also applies to the villas in Al Gharafa, Al Luqta, Al Rayyan, Umm Salal and Izghawa.

For the same floor area, prices of villas decrease as one heads north towards Al Khor, Al Thakhira and surroundings, settling at around QAR 2.2 million.

With many attendant amenities, such as a marina (under construction, right) and stadium, Lusail north of Doha is a focal point of the residential real estate developments that will see more than 22,000 new residences in the market in the near future.

By Feras Al Khatib, Head of Sales at Al Asmakh Real Estate Development (k.feras@alasmakhrealestate.com).

PRICES PER SQuARE FEET FOR ThE lAnDS In DOhA On WhICh REAl ESTATE TRAnSACTIOnS WERE CARRIED OuT DuRInG WEEk 3 OF jAnuARy 2017.

Due to the development of infrastructure projects in the greater Doha area, together with the expansion of the city’s urban sprawl and the increasing presence of service amenities such as shopping malls and transport sector facilities, overall the city is undergoing a major development boom at present.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Al mansoura: QAR 1,900 Bin Dirham: QAR 1,900 umm Ghuwailina: QAR 1,900 Al najma: QAR 1,850 Al matar Al Qadeem: QAR 1,200 Al Wakra (per commercial square foot): QAR 1,800 Al Wakra (buildings area): QAR 900 Al Wakra (villas area): QAR 295 Al Thumamah: QAR 520 Al maamoura: QAR 495 Al Gharafa: QAR 460 Al Aziziyah: QAR 450 Al kharaitiyat: QAR 435 Al Rayyan: QAR 420 Al kheesa: QAR 380 umm Salal mohammed: QAR 365 Al luqta: QAR 345 umm Salal: QAR 300 Al Wukair: QAR 295 Al muaither: QAR 275 Al khor: QAR 260

ApARTmENTS | villAS | OffiCES | OvERSEAS | bulk dEAlS | mARkET OvERviEw

QATAR’S ORigiNAl pROpERTy liSTiNgS mAgAziNE lOOkiNg fOR pROpERTy iN QATAR? lET ThE fOllOwiNg liSTiNgS pAgES fROm Al ASmAkh REAl ESTATE dEvElOpmENT COmpANy (AREdC) hElp wiTh yOuR SEARCh.

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 28

REGEnCy PEARl 2, ThE PEARl – QATAR Fully furnished, studio apartment, 1 bathroom, living and dining area, open kitchen and centralized A/C. Fully furnished, 1 bedroom and 1 bedroom with office, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Reserved covered parking.

AmEnITIES Fully equipped gym, outdoor swimming pool, kid’s pool, jacuzzi, kid’s play room, entertainment area.

Price: QAR 10,750 – 13,750 Bed: Studio 1 Bath: 1

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance, concierge. nEARBy Medina Centrale.

Cristina Palilio +974 3385 4323 thepearl.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 29

Price: QAR 16,500 – 19,000 Bed: 2-3 Bath: 2-3

Cristina Palilio +974 3385 4323 thepearl.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy PEARl 2, ThE PEARl – QATAR Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Reserved covered parking.

AmEnITIES Fully equipped gym, outdoor swimming pool, kid’s pool, jacuzzi, kid’s play room, entertainment area, men & women’s salon.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance, concierge. nEARBy Medina Centrale.

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 30

REGEnCy PEARl 1, ThE PEARl – QATAR Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Fully furnished 2 bedroom apartments.

Type A with 1 bathroom and 1 guest toilet and Type B with 2 bathrooms and 1 guest toilet. Both types have living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Fully furnished, 3 bedroom apartment, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Reserved covered parking.

AmEnITIES Outdoor swimming pool, fully equipped gym, children’s play area, entertainment area, jacuzzi.

Price: QAR 11,000 – 16,500 Bed: 1-3 Bath: 1-3

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance, concierge. nEARBy Ferrari Roundabout.

Alexandra Jankovic +974 5587 8193 thepearl.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 31

Price: QAR 19,000 – 21,000 Bed: 1-2 Bath: 1-2

REGEnCy PEARl 1, ThE PEARl – QATAR, DuPlEX Fully furnished duplex, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

AmEnITIES Outdoor swimming pool, fully equipped gym, children’s play area, entertainment area, jacuzzi.

Fully furnished duplex, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance, concierge.

Reserved covered parking.

Alexandra Jankovic +974 5587 8193 thepearl.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

nEARBy Ferrari Roundabout.

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 32

QAnAT QuARTIER, ThE PEARl – QATAR (93 APTS) Semi-furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, open kitchen, balcony and centralized A/C.

Price: QAR 9,500 – 13,750 Bed: 1-3 Bath: 1-3

Semi-furnished, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Semi-furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 or 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. AmEnITIES Direct access to the private beach.

Alexandra Jankovic

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

+974 5587 8193 thepearl.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

QAnAT QuARTIER, ThE PEARl – QATAR, DuPlEX (93 APTS) Semi-furnished duplex, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, storage room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Semi-furnished duplex, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, storage room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

Price: QAR 14,000 – 22,000 Bed: 2-5 Bath: 2-5

AmEnITIES Direct access to the private beach.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Semi-furnished duplex, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, storage room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Semi-furnished duplex and triplex, 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, storage room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

Alexandra Jankovic +974 5587 8193 thepearl.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 33

ZIGZAG TOWER Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, open kitchen and centralized A/C.

Price: QAR 12,000 Bed: 2 Bath: 1

Reserved covered parking.

AmEnITIES Swimming pool, gym, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Alexandra Jankovic +974 5587 8193 thepearl.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

umm BAB TOWER Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

Price: QAR 14,000 – 22,000 Bed: 2-4 Bath: 2-4

Fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, maid’s room, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Fully furnished, 4 bedroom duplex, 4 bathrooms, 2 guest toilets, maid’s room, 2 living rooms, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Basement parking.

AmEnITIES Indoor swimming pool, fully equipped gym, coffee shop, laundry, children’s play area.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Isabelle Familiaran +974 5554 0779 westbay.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 34

BEvERly hIllS TOWER, WEST BAy Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance, concierge.

Price: QAR 12,500 – 16,500 Bed: 1-2 Bath: 1-2

nEARBy City Center.

Reserved covered parking.

AmEnITIES Swimming pool, fully equipped gym, biggest spa in Qatar with treatment rooms, massage center, children’s play area, children’s swimming pool, sauna, steam room, coffee shop, beauty salon for men and women.

Isabelle Familiaran +974 5554 0779 westbay.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 35

Price: QAR 12,500 – 16,500 Bed: 1-2 Bath: 1-2

BEvERly hIllS TOWER, WEST BAy Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Reserved covered parking.

Isabelle Familiaran +974 5554 0779 westbay.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

AmEnITIES Swimming pool, fully equipped gym, biggest spa in Qatar with treatment rooms, massage center, children’s play area, children’s swimming pool, sauna, steam room, coffee shop, beauty salon for men and women.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance, concierge. nEARBy City Center.

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 36

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE TOWER, WEST BAy Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Reserved covered parking.

AmEnITIES Swimming pool, fully equipped gym, children’s play area, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi.

Price: QAR 13,000 – 16,500 Bed: 1-3 Bath: 1-3

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance, concierge. nEARBy City Center.

Isabelle Familiaran +974 5554 0779 westbay.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 37

DOhA PlAZA Fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, closed kitchen and centralized A/C.

Price: QAR 10,500 Bed: 3 Bath: 2

AmEnITIES Entertainment room.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Sakkeer Palakkal +974 3310 2646 alsadd.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

2) REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – Al SADD 1 (115 APTS) Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, open kitchen and centralized A/C.

AmEnITIES Swimming pool, fully equipped gym, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room.

Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, open kitchen and centralized A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 8,500 – 10,000 Bed: 1-2 Bath: 1-2

Sakkeer Palakkal

Reserved parking.

+974 3310 2646 alsadd.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – Al SADD 2 (53 APTS) Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Reserved ground and basement parking.

AmEnITIES Fully equipped gym.

Price: QAR 9,000 – 10,000 Bed: 2-3 Bath: 1

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Sakkeer Palakkal +974 3310 2646 alsadd.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 38

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – Al SADD 3 (66 APTS) Fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Ground and basement parking.

Price: QAR 10,000 Bed: 3 Bath: 2

Sakkeer Palakkal +974 3310 2646 alsadd.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – Al SADD 4 (49 APTS) Fully furnished, 2 and 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Fully furnished, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

Sakkeer Palakkal +974 3310 2646 alsadd.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

Reserved parking.

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – Al SADD 5 (lA PAlACE 4) Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Fully furnished, 2 and 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

AmEnITIES Fully equipped gym.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Sakkeer Palakkal +974 3310 2646

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – Al SADD 6 (lA PAlACE 5)

Ground and basement parking.

Price: QAR 7,500 – 10,000 Bed: 1-3 Bath: 1-2

alsadd.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

Ground and basement parking.

Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

Price: QAR 9,000 – 11,000 Bed: 2-4 Bath: 2-3

AmEnITIES Fully equipped gym.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 9,000 Bed: 2 Bath: 1

Sakkeer Palakkal +974 3310 2646 alsadd.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – Al SADD 7 (60 APTS) Fully furnished, 1 and 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Ground and basement parking.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 7,500 – 9,000 Bed: 1-2 Bath: 1

Sakkeer Palakkal +974 3310 2646 alsadd.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 39

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – Al SADD 8 (lA PAlACE 7) Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

AmEnITIES Partially equipped gym.

Price: QAR 9,000 – 10,000 Bed: 2-3 Bath: 1-2

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Ground and basement parking.

Sakkeer Palakkal +974 3310 2646 alsadd.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – Al SADD 9 (40 APTS) Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 9,000 – 10,000 Bed: 2-3 Bath: 1-2

Fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Ground and basement parking.

Sakkeer Palakkal +974 3310 2646 alsadd.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – Al SADD 10 (35 APTS) Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 9,000 – 10,000 Bed: 2-3 Bath: 1-2

Fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Ground and basement parking.

Sakkeer Palakkal +974 3310 2646 alsadd.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – Al SADD 12 (77 APTS) Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C. Ground and basement parking.

AmEnITIES Fully equipped gym.

Price: QAR 7,500 Bed: 1 Bath: 1

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Sakkeer Palakkal +974 3310 2646 alsadd.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 40

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – Al SADD 13 Fully and semi-furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, living room, dining room, open kitchen and split A/C. Parking.

Price: UF – QAR 6,000 SF – QAR 6,500 FF – QAR 7,000

AmEnITIES Fully equipped gym.

Bed: 1 Bath: 1

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Sakkeer Palakkal +974 3310 2646 alsadd.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – Al SADD 14 Fully furnished, 2 and 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 9,000 – 10,000 Bed: 2-3 Bath: 2

Ground and basement parking.

Sakkeer Palakkal +974 3310 2646 alsadd.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

GulF RESIDEnCE 8 (44 mAnSOuRA) Unfurnished, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 7,500 – 9,000 Bed: 2-3 Bath: 1-2

Fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C. Ground and basement parking.

Cherry Palilio +974 3356 7156 doha.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

GulF RESIDEnCE 9 (mAnSOuRA 12B) Fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 9,500 Bed: 3 Bath: 2

Ground level parking.

Cherry Palilio +974 3356 7156 doha.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 41

GulF RESIDEnCE 10 (nOvOTEl) Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living room, dining room, open kitchen and centralized A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 8,500 Bed: 2 Bath: 1

Sakkeer Palakkal +974 3310 2646 alsadd.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

GulF RESIDEnCE 13 Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

Cherry Palilio +974 3356 7156 doha.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

Ground level parking.

GulF RESIDEnCE 16 (56 umm GhuWAlInA) Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

rice: QAR 8,500 – 9,000 Bed: 2-3 Bath: 2

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 5,750 Bed: 1 Bath: 1

Cherry Palilio +974 3356 7156 doha.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

GulF RESIDEnCE 17 (70 umm GhuWAlInA) Fully furnished, 2 and 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 7,000 – 8,000 Bed: 2-3 Bath: 2

Cherry Palilio +974 3356 7156 doha.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

GulF RESIDEnCE 18 (88 umm GhuWAlInA) Fully furnished, 1 and 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 7,500 – 9,500 Bed: 1-2 Bath: 1

Cherry Palilio +974 3356 7156 doha.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 42

GulF RESIDEnCE 19 (67 umm GhuWAlInA) Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, living room, dining room and closed kitchen.

AmEnITIES Fully equipped gym.

Price: QAR 5,500 Bed: 1 Bath: 1

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Cherry Palilio +974 3356 7156 doha.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

GulF RESIDEnCE 20 (21 umm GhuWAlInA) Fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 9,000 Bed: 3 Bath: 2

Sakkeer Palakkal +974 3310 2646 alsadd.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – mShEIREB 1 Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, living room, dining room, open kitchen and centralized A/C. Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, closed kitchen and centralized A/C.

AmEnITIES Indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, fully equipped gym, billiards, sauna, steam room.

Price: QAR 7,500 – 10,000 Bed: 1-2 Bath: 1

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Ground and basement parking.

Anastasiya Babiy +974 5570 1724 musherieb.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – mShEIREB 2 Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and centralized A/C. Fully furnished penthouse, 1 and 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, large living room, dining room, terrace, kitchen and centralized A/C. Ground and basement parking.

AmEnITIES 2 swimming pools, jacuzzi, kid’s pool, fully equipped gym, sauna and steam room.

Price: QAR 8,000 – 12,000 Bed: 1-2 Bath: 1

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Anastasiya Babiy +974 5570 1724 musherieb.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 43

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – mShEIREB 3 Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, open kitchen and centralized A/C. Ground and basement parking.

AmEnITIES Indoor swimming pool, fully equipped gym, sauna and steam room, snooker room.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 6,500 Bed: 1 Bath: 1

Anastasiya Babiy +974 5570 1724 musherieb.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – mShEIREB 4 Fully furnished, 1 and 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, open kitchen and centralized A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 7,000 – 9,000 Bed: 1-2 Bath: 1

Anastasiya Babiy

Ground and basement parking.

+974 5570 1724 musherieb.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – mShEIREB 5 Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, open kitchen and centralized A/C.

AmEnITIES Outdoor swimming pool (rooftop), fully equipped gym, sauna and steam room.

Ground and basement parking.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 7,500 Bed: 1 Bath: 1

Anastasiya Babiy +974 5570 1724 musherieb.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – mShEIREB 6 Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, living room, dining room, open kitchen and centralized A/C.

AmEnITIES Outdoor swimming pool (rooftop), fully equipped gym, sauna and steam room.

Fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, closed kitchen and centralized A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

+974 5570 1724

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – mShEIREB 7

Reserved covered parking.

Anastasiya Babiy musherieb.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

Ground and basement parking.

Unfurnished, 3 and 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, closed kitchen, balcony and centralized A/C.

Price: QAR 7,500 Bed: 1 Bath: 1

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 8,500 – 10,000 Bed: 3-4 Bath: 3

Anastasiya Babiy +974 5570 1724 musherieb.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 44

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – mShEIREB 9 Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, living room, open kitchen and split A/C.

Price: QAR 5,500 – 10,000 Bed: 1-3 Bath: 1-2

Fully furnished, 2 and 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, closed kitchen and split A/C. Ground and basement parking.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Anastasiya Babiy +974 5570 1724 musherieb.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE - mShEIREB 10 Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, living room, open kitchen and split A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 5,300 – 8,850 Bed: 1-3 Bath: 1-2

Fully furnished, 2 and 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, closed kitchen and split A/C. Ground and basement parking.

Anastasiya Babiy +974 5570 1724 musherieb.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

3) REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – mShEIREB 11 Fully furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, living room, open kitchen and split A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 7,500 – 12,000 Bed: 1-3 Bath: 1-2

Fully furnished, 2 and 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, closed kitchen and split A/C. Ground and basement parking.

Anastasiya Babiy +974 5570 1724 musherieb.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

ApARTmENTS-FOR RENT 45

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – AIRPORT 1 Fully and semi-furnished, 1 and 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C. Fully and semi-furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C.

AmEnITIES Swimming pool, fully equipped gym.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 7,000 – 9,500 Bed: 1-3 Bath: 1-2

Cherry Palilio +974 3356 7156 doha.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – AIRPORT 2 Fully and semi-furnished, 1 and 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C. Fully and semi-furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C.

AmEnITIES Swimming pool, sitting area.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 8,000 – 9,000 Bed: 1-3 Bath: 1-2

Cherry Palilio +974 3356 7156 doha.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

Price: QAR 5,000 Bed: 1 Bath: 1

63 OlD SAlATA (STuDIO TyPE) Fully furnished, 1 bathroom, living and dining area, kitchen and centralized A/C. Ground and basement parking.

AmEnITIES Fully equipped gym.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Anastasiya Babiy +974 5570 1724 musherieb.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

AIn khAlID GATE Luxurious, fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, laundry room, open and closed kitchen, centralized A/C.

AmEnITIES Swimming pools, jacuzzi, modern gym, sauna and steam room, tennis court, squash room, coffee shop, children’s play area.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

BEvERly hIllS Al RAyyAn 1 (Al BEDAIyA RESIDEnTIAl COmPOunD) Fully furnished, 2 and 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large sitting and dining room, kitchen, centralized A/C and balcony.

AmEnITIES Swimming pools, jacuzzi, gym, sauna and steam room, tennis and basketball courts, squash room, billiards, supermarket, coffee shop, children’s play area.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 11,000 – 11,500 Bed: 2 Bath: 1

Hajer Tebai +974 5561 7926 ainkhaled.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

Price: QAR 11,000 – 12,500 Bed: 2-3 Bath: 2

Mary Langoey +974 6602 1766 alrayyan.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

villAS-FOR RENT 46

AIn khAlID GATE Fully furnished 4 bedroom compound villas, 4 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, maid’s room, 2 living rooms, dining room, open kitchen, centralized A/C and backyard area with private swimming pool.

AmEnITIES Club house 1: Costa Coffee, Mysoon Restaurant, swimming pools, outdoor and indoor jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, modern gym, movie theater, beauty salon, billiards room, outdoor tennis court, indoor squash room, children’s play area.

Club house 2: Outdoor mini basketball/ football court, indoor kid’s zone, indoor game room, library, function rooms and banquet hall.

Price: QAR 20,000 Bed: 4 Bath: 4

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance, mosque, supermarket, laundry shop, nursery school, car wash service. nEARBy Al Jazeera Petrol Station, Salwa Road.

Hajer Tebai +974 5561 7926 ainkhaled.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

villAS-FOR RENT 47

Price: QAR 16,500 – 20,000 Bed: 4 Bath: 3

Svitlana Semchuk +974 3352 1713 alwaab.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

BEvERly hIllS GARDEn 1 TyPE A – Luxurious, semi-furnished 4 bedroom compound villas, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, maid’s room, spacious living room, dining room, kitchen, split A/C, shaded car park and backyard.

TyPE B, C – Luxurious, semi-furnished 4 bedroom compound villas, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, maid’s room, spacious living room, dining room, kitchen, split A/C, shaded car park and backyard. Type C villas come with private swimming pool.

AmEnITIES Outdoor swimming pools, children’s pool, children’s playground, billiards room, squash court, cinema room, gym, tennis and basketball courts, sauna, jacuzzi, laundry, beauty saloon.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance. nEARBy Post Office, Doha College, Villaggio Mall.

villAS-FOR RENT 48

BEvERly hIllS GARDEn 2 Semi-furnished, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, maid’s room, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C.

AmEnITIES Fully equipped gym, private swimming pool and jacuzzi in each villa.

Price: QAR 20,000 Bed: 4 Bath: 3

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Svitlana Semchuk +974 3352 1713 alwaab.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

villAS-FOR RENT 49

BEvERly hIllS GARDEn 4 Fully furnished, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen, maid’s room and split A/C.

Price: QAR 16,000 Bed: 4 Bath: 3

AmEnITIES Big swimming pool, children’s play area, conference room, gym, sauna, jacuzzi, theatre, billiards, squash court, tennis and basketball courts.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Svitlana Semchuk +974 3352 1713 alwaab.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

BEvERly hIllS GARDEn 5 Fully and semi-furnished, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, 2 living rooms (upstairs and downstairs), dining room, kitchen, maid’s room and split A/C.

Price: QAR 19,000 Bed: 4 Bath: 3

AmEnITIES Private outdoor swimming pool.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Svitlana Semchuk +974 3352 1713 alwaab.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

BEvERly hIllS GARDEn 7 Semi-furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, big hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, maid’s room and split A/C.

Price: QAR 16,000 Bed: 3 Bath: 3

AmEnITIES Swimming pool, fully equipped gym, tennis court, billiards.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Svitlana Semchuk +974 3352 1713 alwaab.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

villAS-FOR RENT 50

BEvERly hIllS GARDEn 8 Types A, B – Semi-furnished, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, big hall, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C, spacious seating area with balcony, backyard and shaded car park. Type C villas come with private swimming pool and gym.

AmEnITIES Swimming pool, seating area.

Price: QAR 14,000 – 17,000 Bed: 4 Bath: 3

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Svitlana Semchuk +974 3352 1713 alwaab.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

BEvERly hIllS GARDEn 9 Semi-furnished, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, big hall, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C.

AmEnITIES Swimming pool, sitting area, gym.

Price: QAR 16,000 Bed: 4 Bath: 3

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Svitlana Semchuk +974 3352 1713 alwaab.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

BEvERly hIllS GARDEn 10 Fully furnished, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, laundry room, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

AmEnITIES Big swimming pool, sauna and steam room, children’s play area, cinema room, gym, billiards, squash court, tennis and basketball courts, multipurpose hall.

Price: QAR 15,000 Bed: 4 Bath: 3

Svitlana Semchuk +974 3352 1713 alwaab.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

BEvERly hIllS GARDEn 14 Fully and semi-furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen, maid’s room and split A/C. Fully and semi-furnished, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen, maid’s room and split A/C.

AmEnITIES Big swimming pool, gym, sitting lounge, billiards room, indoor squash court.

Price: QAR 17,000 – 18,000 Bed: 3-4 Bath: 2-3

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Svitlana Semchuk +974 3352 1713 alwaab.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

villAS-FOR RENT 51

nOuR Al WAAB Unfurnished, 7 bedrooms (3 with balconies), 7 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, 2 living rooms, elevator, laundry room, storage, kitchen with hall, maid’s room, driver’s room outside, front and back yards.

Price: QAR 40,000 Bed: 7 Bath: 7

AmEnITIES Private garage with a space for 3 to 4 cars, private swimming pool.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Svitlana Semchuk +974 3352 1713 alwaab.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

DOhA GARDEn Semi-furnished, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, maid’s room, living room, dining room, big kitchen and split A/C.

Price: QAR 16,000 Bed: 4 Bath: 3

AmEnITIES Swimming pool, lounge, partially equipped gym, children’s play area.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Svitlana Semchuk +974 3352 1713 alwaab.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

BEvERly hIllS GARDEn 16 Unfurnished, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, maid’s room, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C.

Price: QAR 18,000 Bed: 4 Bath: 3

AmEnITIES Swimming pool, gym, children’s play area, billiards room, tennis court, sitting lounge.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Svitlana Semchuk +974 3352 1713 alwaab.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

villAS-FOR RENT 52

BEvERly hIllS GARDEn 11 Fully furnished, 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, spacious living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C.

AmEnITIES Swimming pool, gym.

Price: QAR 15,000 Bed: 5 Bath: 4

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Cherry Palilio +974 3356 7156 doha.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

BEvERly hIllS GARDEn 12 Fully and semi-furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C.

AmEnITIES Swimming pool, gym.

Price: QAR 13,000 – 14,000 Bed: 3 Bath: 2

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Cherry Palilio +974 3356 7156 doha.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

BEvERly hIllS GARDEn 13 Semi-furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C.

AmEnITIES Swimming pool, fully equipped gym, sauna, billiards.

Price: QAR 16,000 Bed: 4 Bath: 3

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Cherry Palilio +974 3356 7156 doha.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

hyATT REGEnCy Semi-furnished, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, dining room, storage room, closed kitchen, split A/C and backyard.

AmEnITIES Outdoor swimming pool, gym, tennis court, children’s playground.

Price: QAR 17,000 Bed: 4 Bath: 3

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Cherry Palilio +974 3356 7156 doha.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

villAS-FOR RENT 53

Price: 16,000 Bed: 4 Bath: 3

BEvERly hIllS Al RAyyAn 1 Luxurious, fully furnished, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, spacious living room, dining room, laundry room, kitchen and centralized A/C.

AmEnITIES 2 swimming pools, gym, children’s play area, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, rooftop tennis and basketball courts, squash court, billiards room, cinema, multipurpose hall, supermarket, laundry and coffee shop.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

ASmAkh GARDEn Fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Mary Langoey +974 6602 1766 alrayyan.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

Price: QAR 11,000 Bed: 3 Bath: 2

Mary Langoey +974 6602 1766 alrayyan.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

Al ShAFI COmPOunD - RAyyAn Semi-furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room, kitchen and split A/C.

AmEnITIES Outdoor swimming pool, fully equipped gym, multipurpose hall, changing rooms.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 10,000 Bed: 3 Bath: 2

Mary Langoey +974 6602 1766 alrayyan.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

STAnDAlOnE vIllAS - ABu hAmOuR Semi-furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, 2 large living rooms, spacious kitchen and big backyard.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 13,500 Bed: 3 Bath: 2

Mary Langoey

Covered parking.

+974 6602 1766 alrayyan.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy RESIDEnCE – mARkhIyA 1 Fully furnished, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet, living room, dining room and split A/C.

AmEnITIES Outdoor swimming pool, billiards room, tennis court.

Covered parking.

SERvICES 24 hour security, maintenance.

Price: QAR 16,000 Bed: 3 Bath: 2

Mary Langoey +974 6602 1766 alrayyan.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

mixEd uSE

54

REGEnCy lOGISTICS PARk Located in Bu Fesseela, Regency Logistic Park features 194 studio apartments and 68 one bedroom apartments; labor accommodation in line with State of Qatar’s local laws and regulations - 560 rooms in 7 buildings; 43 shop units; open yard; ventilated, air conditioned, chilled & freezed warehouses.

FEATuRES Staff accommodation.

Warehouses.

Shops.

AmEnITIES Mosque, community center.

SERvICES 24 hour security. nEARBy Umm Salal wholesale market, Woqod Petrol Station.

Rami El-Fares +974 5550 8595 f.rami@ alasmakhrealestate.com

mixEd uSE

55

Al ASmAkh COmPlEX Located in Doha’s Industrial Area, Al Asmakh Complex features 19 staff accommodation buildings, warehouses and a commercial atrium with shops and offices.

FEATuRES Staff accommodation.

Warehouses.

Shops.

Offices.

Wassim Adnan +974 5586 3164 wassim@ alasmakhrealestate.com

AmEnITIES Swimming pool, landscaped area, outdoor barbecue, football field, multipurpose hall.

SERvICES 24 hour security, concierge. nEARBy Industrial Area Road, Porsche Service Centre, Quik Fit Center - Teyseer, Watan Petrol Station, Al Attiyah Souq, Dragon Mart, Grand Mall Qatar, Labor Department Office.

OffiCES-FOR RENT 56

BEvERly hIllS TOWER, WEST BAy Commercial office spaces available in tower with 32 floors and 6 basements, 2 pantries, storage rooms, VIP washroom, male and female washrooms, lobby and fire lobby.

AmEnITIES Fitness center, restaurant, kid’s area, prayer room, staff snack center, staff changing room, mail receiving room, lounge, ATM. nEARBy West Bay, QP District.

Price: 160-170 QAR per sqm Space: 660-708 sqm per office Parking: 474

Isabelle Familiaran +974 5554 0779 westbay.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

OffiCES-FOR RENT 57

REGEnCy BuSInESS CEnTER – 2

Price: 120 QAR per sqm

Commercial office spaces available in tower with centralized A/C, toilet and pantry.

SERvICES Common area cleaning, fire sprinkler safety system. nEARBy Corniche Street, Museum of Islamic Art.

Cherry Palilio +974 3356 7156 doha.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

REGEnCy BuSInESS CEnTER – 3

Price: 120 QAR per sqm

Commercial office space available in tower with centralized A/C, toilet and pantry.

SERvICES Common area cleaning, security with CCTV, fire sprinkler safety system. nEARBy Grand Hamad Street.

Cherry Palilio +974 3356 7156 doha.leasing@ alasmakhrealestate.com

M A R K E T O V E R VI E W

59

REAl ESTATE 2017: Q FROM THE PEARL-QATAR, TO WEST BAY, AND BEYOND

Qatar ProPerty Listings AnAlySES QATAR’S RESIDEnTIAl, hOSPITAlITy, RETAIl AnD COmmERCIAl REAl ESTATE mARkETS

dESpiTE ThE CuRRENT RESTRAiNTS Of QATAR’S hydROCARbONdRivEN ECONOmy, ThE dOmESTiC REAl ESTATE SECTOR iS ENjOyiNg pOSiTivE gROwTh, dRivEN by impRESSivE NEw pROjECTS ACROSS ThE bROAdER dOhA AREA. A ClOSER lOOk AT mARkET TRENdS, ACROSS ThE COmmERCiAl, RESidENTiAl, hOSpiTAliTy ANd RETAil SECTORS, SuggEST iNTERESTiNg TimES AhEAd. will dEmANd kEEp pACE wiTh ThE gROwTh iN Supply? will ThE pRivATE SECTOR fill iN ThE gAp lEfT by gOvERNmENT budgET ShORTfAllS? ANd whAT mighT ThE fuTuRE hOld fOR ThE COuNTRy’S pROpERTy mARkET?

By Feras Al Khatib, Head of Sales at Al Asmakh Real Estate Development (k.feras@alasmakhrealestate.com).

atar’s real estate sector is currently witnessing a remarkable boom, characterized by the creation and development of new large scale projects across Doha and its environs.

Projects such as The Pearl-Qatar are supporting the recovery and growth of this sector, according to the latest Al Asmakh Real Estate and Development report.

Of course, the story of Qatar’s property sector is inexorably tied to the story of the broader Qatari economy – and to the state of the hydrocarbons sector in particular. With oil prices continuing to fluctuate, there have been further reductions in government spending, and an accompanying drop in demand for new office lettings as government departments, semistate bodies and oil and gas companies withdraw from the office market. (Notably, these bodies accounted for 65% of Grade A office lettings in West Bay alone between 2009 and 2014.) In the private sector, demand for office accommodation is concentrated around requirements for less than 250 square metres (sqm), often from Doha-based companies who are looking to downsize.

While certain projects have been postponed over the past 24 months, most of Qatar’s major infrastructural projects are continuing as planned. This has helped to maintain economic growth, with the current cost allocation of projects that are underway standing at QAR 261 billion (excluding projects in the energy and private sectors).

A new National Development Strategy for Qatar, which will cover the years 2017 to 2022, will be released soon, and is expected to acknowledge the budgetary constraints as well as the need for greater coordination within the government. It will also empower the private sector to make up for the shortfall in what has, for many years, been largely a government-driven economy.

Adding to this picture is Qatar’s continued population growth, which has brought with it a strong demand for residential property catering to the lower- to middleincome demographic. Meanwhile, the combination of new apartment building completions and reduced demand (most notably on The Pearl-Qatar) has seen an increase in the availability of prime residential accommodation. The increase in vacancy has caused rents to stabilize – and, in some cases, decrease – for prime apartments and for villas in residential compounds.

kEy FIGuRE

QAR 261 billion The current cost allocation of government-funded projects that are underway in Qatar excluding the energy and private sectors.

mARkET OVERVIEW

60

RESIDEnTIAl MARKET

The supply of residential real estate in Qatar struggled to meet demand between 2011 and 2015, as the population increased from 1.7 million to 2.4 million during that period.

The resulting shortage of available accommodation pushed rents upwards – both in the apartment and villa markets – with annual growth of between 5% and 10% per annum seen throughout Doha’s residential market.

The Pearl-Qatar remains one of Doha’s most The overall population increased by 7.6% in the sought after residential addresses.

12-month period leading up to the end of December 2016, but this growth is largely attributed to an influx of lower-paid construction workers. During the same period, the hydrocarbon and government sectors have endured extensive redundancies, resulting in a reduced demand for good quality residential accommodation in Doha. This has had a negative knock-on effect on the residential property market, shifting the demand to low-cost and labour accommodation, and away from high-end or mid-sector housing.

The reduced demand – coupled with an increase in the supply of prime and secondary housing units – saw rental levels fall in many residential neighbourhoods over the first nine months of 2016. However, rents stabilized to some degree in Q4, driven by an increase in demand for apartments and villas in the more peripheral suburbs like Ein Khaled, Abu Hamour and Muaither, where good quality modern buildings

PRImE APARTmEnT SuPPly By DISTRICT, nO. OF APARTmEnTS 45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0

2012

2013

2014 Diplomatic District

2015

2016 Pearl

2017 Lusail

2018

2019

2020

Msheireb

Recent oil price increases have restored a measure of economic confidence to Qatar after a difficult period of uncertainty.

mARkET OVERVIEW

61

APARTmEnT REnTS, ThE PEARl-QATAR, QAR/mOnTh 21,000 19,000 17,000 15,000 13,000 11,000 9,000 7,000 5,000

2011 2012 One Bed

2013 2014 Two Bed

2015 Q4 2016 Three Bed

are being developed and leased at lower rents than are available in Doha’s more central neighbourhoods.

Most of Doha’s high-end apartments are located in The Pearl-Qatar, Zigzag Towers and West Bay – all areas which have evolved over the course of the past seven years or so to cater to the premium segment. Most of these properties are rentals, available as fully furnished properties.

The average monthly rental of a fully furnished apartment in a prime area, such as the Pearl-Qatar and West Bay, is estimated at about QAR 13,500. The sale price of new apartments in The Pearl-Qatar, meanwhile, is quoted at between QAR 12,000 and QAR 22,000 per square meter.

Quoted rents at the premium end of the market fell yearon-year to 5% to 10% lower than Q4 2015, largely as a result of the exodus of white collar workers. However, apartment prices in The Pearl-Qatar have witnessed remarkable stability since the beginning of Q4 2016, and this stability is expected to continue throughout 2017. The supply of new residential accommodation has increased in recent months, and this trend is also expected to continue throughout the year as several apartment projects reach completion.

On The Pearl-Qatar alone, the supply of apartments is expected to increase significantly as new towers in both Porto Arabia and Viva Bahriya near completion. Local investors make up the majority of purchasers, where second-hand units typically trade at between QAR13,000 and QAR15,000 per square meter, and new units can achieve in excess of QAR17,000 per square meter. The sale price of new apartments in The Pearl is currently between QAR 12,000 and QAR 22,000 per square meter.

A recent Al Asmakh Real Estate and Development report predicts that the stability in apartment prices in The PearlQatar will continue throughout 2017, given the completion of shopping facilities and other infrastructure projects.

The report indicated a strong demand for residential units in The Pearl-Qatar driven by the attractive combination of residential accommodation and commercial locations.

On completion, The Pearl-Qatar will feature about 25 restaurants and 25 coffee shops, together with supermarkets, a petrol station, cinema and other services. The Pearl project will ultimately consist of about 19,000 housing units, as well as seven hotels (all 4- and 5-star properties), and will feature nearly 300 land pieces to create customised luxury villas with private beaches.

The Al Asmakh report expects the development of the Lusail Expressway to further boost demand for property in this part of Doha. With a cost of more than QAR 3.5 billion and an expected completion date of Q4 2017, the Lusail Expressway project is one of the largest and most important projects implemented under Ashghal’s Expressway programme.

Lusail Expressway will extend over 5.3 kilometres along the current Lusail Street from the south of the Arch roundabout to the north canal crossing, and will provide a vital link between Lusail and Doha’s city centre. The expressway will consist of four lanes in each direction, with two additional lanes to ease the traffic flow between the intersections/interchanges.The project includes three major intersections: The Arch intersection, Al Qassar intersection, and the Lake intersection.

Where next for Qatar’s residential property market?

Recent oil price increases, boosted by OPEC’s agreement in November 2016 to control oil production, restored a measure of economic confidence to Qatar after a difficult period of uncertainty. This renewed optimism may lead to an increase in demand for apartment and villa units, but it is unlikely that rents will increase again in the short term due to the pipeline of new supply that is likely to come to the market leading up to 2018.

AvERAGE APARTmEnT SAlES PRICES, PEARl-QATAR. QAR/SQ m

ThE PEARl-QATAR mAIn DISTRICTS

The Pearl Qatar is divided into five main districts, here are some interesting facts and figures for each:

Porto Arabia • • • • • •

31 Mediterranean-style towers with a total of 4,800 units 437 townhouses 1,000,000 square feet of leasable retail and commercial spaces 2.5 kilometer corniche – ‘La Croisette Boulevard’ 320 retail units 850 berth marina

Medina Centrale • • • • •

700,000 square feet of quality retail 538 residential units A lively environment, perfect for celebrations and events Numerous parks and open spaces Internationally celebrated and recognized casual dining outlets

Viva Bahriya • • • • •

Beachfront condominium living 29 Moroccan-inspired towers Moroccan-styled townhouses with direct water views 103 berth marina Exclusive marina club

Qanat Quartier • • • •

Canals reminiscent of Venetian waterfront living 300,000 square feet of ‘festival’ shopping Stylish townhouses and apartments Marina with 117 moorings

Abraj Quartier • 16,000 • • •

14,000 12,000 10,000

Abraj Quartier consists of seven towers: five of 36 storeys and two of 42 storeys Mixed-use Distinct state-of-the-art architecture The Pearl Towers developed to accommodate high quality office space with eight level parking podiums

8,000 6,000

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

2016

Lusail Expressway.

Qanat Quartier.

mARkET OVERVIEW

62

hOSPITAlITy MARKET

Q

atar’s hotel performance declined in Q4 2016, continuing a trend in the sector for the past two years. The fall in occupancy rates is a result of both an increase in the supply of rooms, and a drop in tourist numbers. Overall, just over two million tourists visited Qatar between January and September 2016, with GCC visitors making up 50% of those numbers.

At the same time, the Qatar Tourism Authority’s (QTA) 2015 annual report recorded that the supply of hotel rooms and apartment hotels in Qatar surpassed 20,700 in December 2015, representing an increase of 30% in just 24 months. A further 1800 additional rooms were added to the market in 2016, the most recent being the Al Rayyan Hotel at Mall of Qatar, and the Curve in West Bay, both of which opened in December. Statistics released by the Ministry of Development Planning & Statistics (MDPS) for the first nine months of 2016 indicated that occupancy rates had fallen to 61%, representing a drop of 14% from 2015.

Doha currently has 125 hotel and hotel apartment establishments, with 88% of hotel rooms and more than 70% of establishments categorized as either 4- or 5-star. Almost 25,000 new hotel rooms and hotel apartments, in 64 buildings, are currently at various stages of construction in Qatar – and, if completed on schedule, Qatar’s total supply of hotel rooms and hotel apartments could increase to more than 47,000 rooms by 2020.

The State is obligated to provide more than 60,000 hotel rooms for the FIFA 2022 World Cup, but the sheer quantity of stock in the pipeline is cause for concern. Qatar could soon face an oversupply within the sector, particularly in the 5-star category.

Clearly, Qatar will have to focus on developing its tourism industry in the coming years.

The Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy Plan 2030 has already set out a program to invest USD 45 billion in tourism projects over the next 14 years, with the aim being to attract more tourists from outside the Doha currently has 125 hotel and hotel apartment GCC, and to increase overall establishments, with 88% of hotel rooms and more than 70% annual arrivals to 7 million of establishments categoriszed as either 4- or 5-star. by 2030.

kEy FIGuRE

125

nO. OF hOTEl/hOTEl APARTmEnT ESTABlIShmEnTS By RATInG 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 2009 2-star

2010

2011 3-star

2012

2013 4-star

2014

2015 5-star

Q4 2016

mARkET OVERVIEW

64

COmmERCIAl MARKET The total supply of office buildings in West Bay currently stands at approximately 1.63 million sqm, of which about 0.24 million sqm is available to rent.

T

he belt-tightening in Qatar’s overall economy has been felt most keenly in the commercial office market. Between 2008 and 2014, nearly 70% of office lettings in West Bay were to government or hydrocarbon-related companies.

Recently, the low oil price has forced cuts to budgets both in the government and in the hydrocarbons sector, resulting in a dramatic drop in demand for office space.

To complicate matters further, several office buildings in West Bay were completed between 2013 and 2015, but were not released to the market as the developers hoped for lease deals with government bodies. When those budgets were cut, and activity in the commercial property sector dried up, that available space was put on the market – leading to an increase in the supply of available accommodation. The total supply of office buildings in West Bay currently stands at approximately 1.63 million sqm, of which about 0.24 million sqm is available to rent. This is significant, because West Bay’s 1.63 million sqm makes up about 40% of Doha’s total purpose-built office supply of 4 million sqm.

Grade A offices in West Bay currently command between QAR 130 and QAR 200 per sqm per month, depending on size and quality. Higher rents can still be demanded for smaller units in a small selection of prime buildings, but rents of between QAR 130 and QAR 170 per sqm are more typical for larger office floorplates.

Meanwhile, rents in areas like Old Salata, Al Sadd, Airport Road and C/D Ring Roads command between QAR110 and QAR150 per sqm per month, depending on factors like the age of the building and the quality of the internal finishing.

WEST BAy OFFICE vS AvAIlABIlITy, 2009-2016, (000m2) 1800

30%

1600

25%

1400

20%

1200 1000

15%

800

10%

600 400

5%

200 0

0% 2009

2010

2011

2012 Diplomatic District

2013

2014

2015

Q2 2016

Availability

The total supply of office buildings in West Bay currently stands at approximately 1.63 million sqm, of which about 0.24 million sqm is available to rent.

mARkET OVERVIEW

65

Despite the recovery in oil prices the office

PRImE OFFICE REnTS By DISTRICT, QR/m2/mOnTh

rental sector will have to rely more and more on private sector demand to occupy

300

the new offices.

250 200 150

100 50 0 2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Q2 2016

Diplomatic District - Prime

Airport Road

Diplomatic District - Average

C/D Ring Road and Al Sadd

Up to 2 million sqm of new office accommodation is planned for Qatar over the course of the coming decade, with the most significant developments in the Lusail Marina District, Energy City, West Bay and Msheireb. Analysts expect this to increase vacancy rates (and potentially lower rents), unless both the public and private sectors see a significant uptake in demand over the next five years.

For now, the positive news is that the commercial retail sector saw its first significant demand from the hydrocarbon sector since 2014, when Qatar Petroleum and Total sought 15,000 sqm of office space in late 2014. However, it is not expected that new public sector office demand will immediatley return to pre-2014 levels, despite the recovery in oil prices.

Instead, the sector will have to rely more and more on private sector demand to occupy the new offices.

kEy FIGuRE

2 million sqm

New office accommodation is planned for Qatar over the course of the coming decade, with the most significant developments in the Lusail Marina District, Energy City, West Bay and Msheireb.

Grade A offices in West Bay currently command between QAR 130 and QAR 200 per sqm per month, depending on size and quality.

mARkET OVERVIEW

66

RETAIl MARKET T

he big news in Qatar’s retail sector recently was the opening of Qatar’s largest retail mall, Mall of Qatar, in December 2016. This increased the supply of organized retail mall accommodation by 30%, taking it to about 838,000 square meters distributed over a total of 15 malls.

Nine other new retail malls are currently under construction in Doha and surrounding areas, and several international brands have already agreed lease terms on new developments like Mall of Qatar, Doha Mall, Doha Festival City and Place Vendome, leading to expectations of strong occupancy rates in these new malls as and when they open. When the new malls are complete the overall supply of accommodation in retail malls will reach about 1.85 million square meters – a quantity which will no doubt have an impact on the dynamics of Qatar’s retail market.

For now, though, Qatar’s retail real estate market continues to perform strongly, despite a reported 10% to 15% year-on-year fall in retail sales. Qatar’s strong retail trade has been driven by the increasing population as well as the State’s relatively high levels of disposable income. In 2015 the World Bank estimated Qatar’s GDP Per Capita to be USD 143,788 – making it the highest level of disposable income per capita in the world.

Naturally, the recent economic slowdown has caused a dip in retail spending, but retail rents and occupancy levels have not been impacted. Retailers are typically subject to five-year lease terms, forcing them to take a longer-term view of the prevailing economic climate. There is strong demand from retailers who are either looking to enter the Qatar market or to expand their existing presence – and this, coupled with high occupancy levels in all existing malls – has pushed a growth in retail rentals over the past year.

ORGAnIZED RETAIl SuPPly By

hEADlInE RETAIl REnTS,

yEAR, 000m²(GlA)

QR/m²/mOnThS

2500

300 250

2000

200 1500

150

1000

100 50

500

0 0

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 201620172018

The showroom market takes up more than 800,000 square meters of leasable area on Salwa Road and Barwa Commercial Avenue, with rentals here ranging from QAR 120 to QAR 170 per sqm. Elsewhere, rentals in prime retail malls range from QAR 260 to QAR 300 per sqm per month for standard line units, while larger stores have been known to secure rents of between QAR 170 and QAR 220 per sqm per month.

On a positive note, rental activity on The Pearl-Qatar has also increased, with more occupier demand coming from food and beverage outlets than fashion retailers as it has in the past.

Place Vendôme is an upcoming luxury mall and mixed-use development in Qatar’s Lusail City.

2009 2010 20112012 2013 20142015 Q2 2016 Shopping Mall Showroom

kEy FIGuRE

838,000

There is 838,000 square meters of mall space in Doha, distributed over a total of 15 malls.