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Top 5 dream neighbourhoods to live in Qatar
Dream of waking up to azure waters or on a floating island? From slick urban communities to idyllic waterfront neighbourhoods, here’s our pick of Qatar’s most exciting developments.
1. WEST BAY
Enjoy access to the hottest shopping, buzzing nightlife and the most pristine beaches in Doha. Peering out over the blue Arabian Gulf, the bustling West Bay community located within walking distance from the iconic Corniche and the City Centre Mall offers you many lifestyle options, from high-rise apartments to luxurious waterside villas. Transforming Doha’s coastline by offering residents and visitors the ultimate luxury and lifestyle experience, West Bay’s one of the country’s most glamorous addresses. No wonder then, the community has consistently secured a spot amongst the
top 10 most searched communities at propertyfinder.qa in 2013.
2. THE PEARL, QATAR
It’s hard to imagine a place where sweeping city views and urban vantage points come together better than on The Pearl. Nicknamed Doha's “Riviera Arabia,” the community occupies a prime location on the coast of Doha’s West Bay. It also houses the world’s longest waterfront luxury retail walkway, the 3.5 km. marina-front pedestrian boardwalk “La Croisette”, which features international hospitality brands and high-end boutiques. If the feeling of sandy shores, the sound of the ocean or the serenity of waterfront living are the backdrop to your dream home, The Pearl is a fitting destination.
3. ORYX ISLAND
Qatar recently unveiled plans to build a huge artificial island off the coast of Doha with five temporary floating hotels and three permanent hotels to house 25,000 soccer fans during the 2022 World Cup. Developed by Barwa Real Estate, the island will join 13 other artificial islands. Named Oryx Island, this two million sq. m. development will feature an open-air theatre pavilion, water parks, restaurants and hundreds of beachfront condos and villas. Valued at USD 5.5 billion, the floating island that takes the form of an Oryx – a striking white antelope – will also house cruise ships, electric vehicles, water taxis and ferries to transport football fans to various sport venues.
4. LUSAIL CITY
A new coastal city under construction north of Doha, Lusail City will comprise 19 districts featuring residential, commercial, hospitality and retail opportunities in addition to schools, mosques, medical facilities and sport, entertainment and shopping centres. The futuristic city also boasts a light rail network, a water taxi transportation system and a cycle and pedestrian network. Already welcoming its first residents, Lusail City is expected to be fully ready by the end of 2014. The Lusail Iconic Stadium, with a capacity of 86,250, will host the opening and final matches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
5. MSHEIREB DOWNTOWN DOHA
The world's first sustainable downtown regeneration project, this QR 20 billion project will feature retail spaces, hotels and apartments. The buildings within Phase 1A were installed in late 2013 with 2,072 photovoltaic panels feeding a total of 463.4 kWp (kilowatts at peak power) of electricity directly into the electrical grid of the development. With an array of open squares and plazas, the entire development when completed, is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 110,000 tons per year.
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