Villamar At The Harbour, Bahrain

I have no doubt that the best place to live in Bahrain will be Villamar, located at the spectacular Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH) in Manama, the capital of Bahrain. This $650Million Mega Residential Project being developed by Gulf Holding is one of the most exquisite residential developments I have seen anywhere in The Gulf! It is on par with the best being offered in Dubai and Abu Dhabi!

"We are extremely pleased with the launch of Villamar at the Harbour, the first residential development within BFH and therefore a milestone achievement. We congratulate Gulf Holding Company for delivering such a stunning world-class residential product within the overall design philosophy of BFH," said Mr. Esam Janahi, Chairman of Bahrain Financial Harbour.

Located on a site of over 32,000 square meters, Villamar will contain 2 different residential offerings:

> The Glass Towers. Three towers from 47 to 57 floors that, like all of Bahrain Financial Harbour, look like something from 200 years in the future! The towers have a gentle twist to them and are completely covered in blue-green glass to reflect the natural colors of Manama Bay. The towers face the sea to provide wonderful views for residents.

> The Floating Villas. These stunning villas make up the perimeter of the development. The villas rest on elevated towers 4 storeys high and have been designed to be "Villas In The Sky." These unique floating four and five bedroom residences feature double-height living spaces, balconies, and terraces with superb views of the boardwalk and the sea.

Another feature of Villamar is The Podium. The Podium is a series of landscaped terraces dropping towards the sea and featuring landscaped parks, pools and water walls. A health club and spa is located on the uppermost terrace providing unobstructed sea views. Parking for 1,800 cars is provided discreetly within the podium terraces.

Villamar will also have a Boardwalk that will be a major public attraction, featuring indoor and outdoor cafes, restaurants and boutique retail spaces. The experience of the Boardwalk includes shaded and air-cooled walkways, dancing water features and landscaped plazas.

"Bahrain has emerged as one of the most attractive real estate markets for investors in the region. Looking into the future it is very clear that the Bahrain Financial Harbour will be the focal point of the financial services industry in Bahrain and as such properties within it will be amongst the most prime real estate in the country. There is a clear need to provide residential accommodation of this quality within easy reach of the offices and facilities of BFH. We see this model operating successfully in other international financial centres such as Canary Wharf in London, ” said Mr. Faisal Al Mutawa, Chairman of Bayan Investment Company, a major shareholder of Gulf Holding.

There are many fine residences in Bahrain. Sukoon Tower, Amwaj Islands and Bahrain Bay to name just a few. However I feel that Villamar is truly the "Best of the Best" that Bahrain.... or anywhere else in The Gulf, has to offer!

This link takes you to the Villamar website:

http://www.villamarharbour.com/main.html

...and this link tales you to the Bahrain Financial Harbour website:

http://www.bfharbour.com/html/index.php

Dubai Festival City

Dubai Festival City (DFC), being developed by Al-Futtaim Group, is a $5Billion mixed use Mega Project spanning 1300 acres and stretching 3 kilometers along the Dubai Creek. DFC has been designed to be a fully integrated and self contained waterfront "city within a city" community. DFC will offer the finest in residences, shopping and entertainment, upscale offices, hotels and even schools...all in one convenient location only 5 minutes from Dubai International Airport.

> City Living. DFC will be home to over 50,000 and will offer all kinds of residences from luxurious high rises and townhouses to more affordable homes for working professionals. Residences include:

**Marsa Plaza,
**Al Badia Residences,
**Al Badia Hillside Village,
**Al Areesh Club.

> Shopping and Dining. DFC offers a wide variety of shopping and restaurant choices including:

**Festival Waterfront Centre with 550 stores, 90 restaurants, and a mutliplex cinema,
**Dubai Gold Marketplace,
**Canal Walk featuring 40 restaurants,
**Festival Marina-- the yachting hub of DFC with over 100 berths as well as fine dining and shopping,
**Waterfront Pavilions offering unique shopping, dining and entertainment features,
**5-Star Concierge Service.

> Entertainment. DFC will offer a large variety of entertainment options:

**Al Badia Golf Course and Club. Managed by Four Seasons and designed by Robert Trent Jones ll,
**Bowling City. Bowling is booming all over the Middle East and DFC will have one of the best bowling centers in the UAE,
**Festival Marina will offer all kinds of yachting events,
**Grand Cinemas-- twelve screen cinema complex,
**Non-Stop Events. There are always a multitude of events going on at DFC.

> Hotels / Hospitality. DFC will offer some of the finest accommodations in Dubai:

**Four Seasons Dubai Festival City,
**W Dubai Festival City,
**Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City,
**Intercontinental Dubai Festival City,
**Intercontinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City.

> Offices. DFC will offer enough office space for 50,000 personnel. The offices will be located in:

**Al Badia Business Park,
**Marsa Al Khor Business Park,
**Festival Tower.

> Marsa Automotive Park. A boulevard devoted to the automotive industry featuring showrooms with the following brands: Lexus, Toyota, Honda, Dodge, Volvo, Jeep and Chrysler.

Dubai Festival City is one of the finest mixed use Mega Projects being developed in the UAE. It will attract visitors from all over the Middle East and other parts of the world to the superlative lifestyle that Dubai has to offer!

Here is a DFC video from YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1X8rtHEZjs

This link takes you to the DFC website:

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/

Sky Tower, Reem Island, Abu Dhabi

Sky Tower, being developed by Sorouh, is located in the Gate District of Shams Abu Dhabi on Reem Island. Sky Tower will be one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world when finished, rising to a height of 300 meters/74 storeys. According to Sorouh:

'The Sky Tower creates a new perspective on life, with spectacular panoramic views of the Gulf and Abu Dhabi Island. This striking 74-storey elliptical edifice combines residential and commercial space assembled vertically around a central core. Clean modern lines and quality finishes define the interior spaces, while state-of-the-art amenities underwrite the lifestyle offering. Residents and workers are assured of a space that sets the ultimate standards in luxury and convenience.'

Sky Tower will have 3 separate areas: Residential, Business and Retail:

> RESIDENTIAL

The top 34 floors of the tower, starting at the 41st, will all be residential. Apartments will be offered in a choice of 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedrooms. For those who want the ultimate in Reem Island luxury, 3 and 4 bedroom duplex penthouses will also be offered. There will be 8 express elevators in Sky Tower that will do nothing but serve the residential units! Residents also have their own private lobby. A wide variety of amenities include:

**Fully-Equipped 180,000 sqft Fitness and Leisure Center,
**Spa with sauna, steam room, and massage rooms with separate male and female areas,
**A 10,000 sqft Gymnasium containing state-of-the-art equipment,
**3 Tennis Courts,
**2 Squash Courts,
**70m Infinity Pool,
**Lap Pool,
**Sun Deck,
**Party Room,
**Yoga Lawn.

> BUSINESS / OFFICE SPACE

All of the offices will be luxurious with floor to ceiling windows giving panoramic views. The technology will all be state-of-the-art and the highest quality materials are used artistically throughout to convey superior levels of elegance and urban sophistication. This is going to be one of the most prestigious office locations in Abu Dhabi.

> RETAIL / ENTERTAINMENT

Sky Tower will contain a 130,000 sqft shopping and entertainment district centered on an atrium linked internally to the level 1 lobby and to the street. This district will offer:

**Fine Dining Restaurants,
**Cafes,
**Gourmet Food Market,
**Bakery,
**Hair & Beauty Salon,
**Pharmacy,
**Travel Agent,
**Real Estate Agent,
**News Stand,
**Book Store,
**Dry Cleaner.

Mounir Haidar, CEO of Sorouh, said this about Sky Tower:

"The Sky Tower offers a unique combination of facilities that will enable it to support all the essential needs of its occupants on site. This distinguishes it from other major projects in the region."

Sky Tower will be one of the iconic landmarks of Reem Island. It will be one of the most prestigious locations to live and work in all of Abu Dhabi.

This link takes you to the Sky Tower section of the Sorouh website:

http://www.sorouh.com/Developments/OurProjects/Developments/3/Default.aspx

...and this link takes you to the Gate District at Shams Abu Dhabi website:

http://www.sorouh.com/microsites/gate/main.html

Jazan Economic City, Saudi Arabia

Jazan Economic City (JEC) is a Mega Project being developed by MMC and Saudi Binladen Group. The City will be built in the Province of Jazan which lies in the south west section of Saudi Arabia. Jazan has a population of approximately 1.2 million and covers an area of 40,000 sq km. It is ideally situated on the southern Red Sea Coast with a coastline of almost 300 km and in close proximity to the main east and west sea trade routes to Europe, the Far East and the Arabian Gulf.

According to JEC's developers: 'JEC will be wholly dedicated to pioneering further development of Saudi Arabia’s economy and her people. The proposed city of the future offers a timely opportunity to nurture non-oil based industries and to build and expand on new industries relevant to the Kingdom’s needs and aspirations.'

JEC will be divided into 4 distinct areas as follows:

1.) Heavy Industries;

- Power Plant
- Port
- Aluminum Smelter
- Refinery
- Dry Dock

2.) Secondary Industries;

- Silicon Processing
- Tech/Agritech Park
- Textiles
- Pharmaceuticals
- Food Processing
- Chemicals and Plastics
- Secondary Manufacturing
- Construction Materials
- Metal Fabrication

3.) Human Capital;

- Commercial Business District
- Education Area
- Recreation and Sports Facilities
- Convention and Exhibition Area
- Civic Administration
- Grand Mosque

4.) Lifestyle;

- Hotels and Leisure Developments
- Marina
- Residences

When I take a look at this project in its entirety I see that JEC is one of the most well balanced and well thought out Saudi Mega Projects I have seen to date. More facts on JEC from the developers:

> JEC represents one of the most important hubs on the coastline of the Red Sea, strategically in close proximity to local and international markets. Accordingly, this provides opportunities for better trade relations between Asia and Africa, offering valuable opportunities for investment and facilitating sea navigation and cargo shipping.

> JEC will draw more than a hundred million Saudi Riyals worth of private investment from the various sectors in the Economic City, consequently also contributing to 500,000 direct and indirect jobs.

> A large portion of the residential area lies on the periphery of the Gulf Coast, and the developers have designed residential marina housing, which will contribute to providing opportunities for the development of the real estate and encourage the luxurious lifestyle of the residents.

> JEC offers various lifestyle accommodations for its employees, hosting nearly 250,000 residents, which will in turn, vitalize residential and real estate development, especially near the education and health services vicinities.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is rapidly expanding and developing world class Mega Projects. Jazan Economic City will contribute greatly to the economic growth of this great Arab Nation!

This link takes you to the JEC website:

http://jazanecity.com/en/index.asp