Inspired design, cutting-edge technology and eco-friendliness — meeting the expectations of a demanding clientele is testing the ingenuity of the real estate market

Simply paving a street, supplying it with utilities and lining it with houses is no longer going to cut it in today’s highly competitive property industry. Today, rather than a residential development, people talk about a ‘leisure destination’, or a ‘lifestyle community’, or even ‘signature estates’. This is because, to attract the high-income buyers, property developers need to offer something more — something above and beyond simple bricks and mortar.

This has led to the proliferation of several mixed-use ‘mega-projects’ around the island that incorporate residential, retail, leisure, educational and even medical services to provide a ‘destination-lifestyle’ encompassing all aspects of everyday life.

“The property development market in Bahrain is experiencing a major boom,” says Rashad Janahi, managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment House. “Demand for freehold developments is on the increase in all areas around the kingdom, giving various options to different market segments. Numerous new developments, whether for leisure or living, are currently being implemented across not only the kingdom, but all around the Middle East.”

A vast development that is taking place in the South of the island of Bahrain is the Al Areen project. Designed to provide an ‘oasis’ in the desert, the project will eventually become a town in and of its own right. One of the individual developments currently taking shape in the area is Sunset Hills.

“Sunset Hills is located at the southern gateway of Al Areen,” explains Rashad. “The land is designed for residential use with an element of retail to serve the local community. The development will enjoy marvellous views of the sun setting over the desert.”

Earth-Friendly “Sustainability is currently very big. When finished, the Durrat North Horn will be the first LEED certified development in Bahrain. Everybody is thinking and talking about LEED certification these days,” says Maan Alsalloum, studio leader in architecture for WS Atkins, Middle East and India. We have already started to see green technology being implemented in buildings, most visibly perhaps with the wind turbines at the Bahrain World Trade Centre, which are expected to generate up to an average of 15% of the building’s energy needs. Another development in Bahrain to apply for their LEED certification is the Amwaj Gateway residential project, which has used new technologies in water recycling, energy-control and temperature-management to achieve its ‘green’ status. “Other examples of green technology that we will start to see incorporated into developments are photovoltaic, or solar panels, which generate electricity from sunlight and are especially useful in this part of the world. Then there are living, or green roofs, which use grass and soil as a substitute to manmade thermal insulation, and green walls are vertical landscaped walls which provide visual relief and thermal insulation. “We are also beginning to see shredded rubber bring used on roads to cut down on noise made by passing cars, which also reduces the amount of waste rubber that is dumped in the environment or burned, and this is just one example of recycled building material usage that is becoming increasingly prevalent.” According to Maan, when it comes to green development, “More and more clients are asking for it, so designers and architects should have an awareness of it. In 20 years time, it will be standard and will find its way to most building regulations.”

And, following the trend, it will also feature a health club, stunning pools, and a retail component, as well as begin strategically located near the beach, Bahrain International Circuit, and the Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park.

“Sunset Hills will provide a quality of living that residents are not able to enjoy in the urban/city life. It is perfect for those looking for a peaceful, quiet and healthy atmosphere, which is what high-end home-buyers expect,” adds Rashad.

As a result of the ongoing development, other projects which have gone on sale in the area are in high demand. The Downtown Al Areen commercial development has already sold out the first two phases of the project, the second within just a week of the first!

Another example of the mixed-use mega-project is Amwaj Islands. There are a number of residential developments on the islands, such as Amwaj Gateway, Tala Islands and Al Marsa Floating City, among others. However, on the islands you will also find commercial developments such as the Lagoon Bahrain and the Dragon, as well as office developments, a shopping mall, a marina, a leisure park, a clinic and an international school.

The general principle behind it is that you never have to leave the islands for the congested capital area unless you want to, especially if you happen to work on them too.
Even projects that are principally residential are not exclusively so. For example, Riffa Views is a residential development that is built on the concept of a ‘golfing community’. The three Signature Estates — the Oasis, Lagoons and Park Estates — are spread out around the 18-hole PGA golf course

However, in addition to the golf club, there is also a country club, a mall, a spa, a school and a tennis training facility. All these amenities are value added extras that you can enjoy along with your home. You are not just buying a property — you are buying into a lifestyle!