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Bahrain Bay is located on the main island of Bahrain (26°14'43.97"N 50°34'55.73"E) and 6.8km (15 minutes) from Bahrain International Airport.

Overview

Google Earth view of Bahrain Bay from 3,000 feet Bahrain Bay is a $2.5 billion sophisticated, luxurious seafront development which was launched in 2006. Surrounded by alluring shallow waters which form the bay, the structures stand on reclaimed land covering an area of 1.35 km2. The property traverses the most magnificently picturesque and year-round calm seafront with its permanently crystal blue waters. (Picture)

Well known for the world’s tallest tower Burg Khalifa, Bahrain Bay was also designed by the internationally renowned American firm Skidmore Ownings and Merrill. The master plan notion being concentric circles appearing as ripples from the central anchor structure. The unit’s well thought out positioning and alignment ensures clear visibility from each location.

Situated on coastal land adjacent the original business and political area in the heart Bahrain’s capital city Manama, Bahrain Bay offers spacious, state-of-the-art high-rise office and residential units along with major five-star hotels which are set in their own exclusive domains within the complex. Attractive landscaping has facilitated wide open public boulevards with waterfront recreational facilities and amenities which conveniently surround some of the tallest office buildings in Bahrain.

Completed in 2012 and sporting several flyovers, Bahrain Bay is linked to the main multi-lane carriageways of the city by the purpose built ‘North Manama Causeway’. Taking the name of and characteristic of a thoroughly modern metropolis, this is a raised 6 lane highway some 4 km in length which loops around the bay. This carriageway has wide exits and entrance ramps along its route which connect to the various areas of Bahrain Bay. The main road leads to the North and West highways at one end (Al Fateh Highway) and the nearby landmark (expanding) Bahrain Financial Harbour, the east and south bound routes (King Faisal Highway) and the old central Manama ‘souk’ at the other.

Although linked by roads and walkways, water taxis are planned for shoppers wishing to visit other parts of Bahrain Bay or indeed The Avenues hyper mall just across the bay.

As with other famous go-to waterfront developments around the world, when fully developed with side displays and attractions Bahrain Bay will have its own distinctiveness and a public awareness as a major attraction both locally and as a tourist destination. Another major asset complementing the overall appeal of the location, is a hypermall situated within strolling distance. As envisaged, Bahrain Bay is rapidly evolving to be a fully self-contained entity offering all aspects of a cosmopolitan, multi-faceted facility and the first of its kind in the country.

Infrastructure: October 2011 saw Bahrain bay taking shape and becoming a noticeable reality. All reclamation had been completed with all infrastructure foundation, and 3.3 km of key walls in place. A district cooling facility with chilled water connects to all land parcels.

Telecommunications facilities were channelled early in the project with fibre dominating the carrier. Any future requirements are well catered for with all current and future developments instantly connected with redundancy built in.

A 66KV primary substation with five small 11KV substations have been designed and constructed to power the entire project with redundancy built in. This and two sewerage pumping stations complete the utilities infrastructure.

During its development, Bahrain bay made strenuous efforts to safeguard environmental well-being, both to a regional and international level and continues to do so as a matter of course. All third-party developers must strictly adhere to the vision in terms of construction, placing great importance on the aesthetic coherence and standard of quality. A full-time Technical Interface Office (TIO) manages current and future panning reviews, advising and ensuring compliance to the master plan as well as any governmental liaison or formal legal requirements such as licensing

A Public Venue: The Promenade is a waterfront wide walkway that partly encircles the Four Seasons Hotel island includes a bridge that connects the North and South islands of Bahrain Bay intersected by a water canal. In 2017 the Promenade was opened to the public as it hosted the second edition of Bahrain Food Festival; a three week community event that gained immense popularity and set the scene for the future making Bahrain Bay’s Promenade as a go-to venue of choice. Bahrain Bay has also become a venue of choice for big shows. Already, the magnificent setting has seen performances by international artists Sir Tom Jones, UB40, Omar Kamal. Each year, the Bahrain Spring of Culture festival promotes several famous names across a wide genre of music and Bahrain Bay is set to host many future shows, since it has the vast space, stunning backdrops and extremely uncluttered access and parking. In recent times, Bahrain Bay has also drawn interest of visiting tourists from inbound cruises for its unique display of architecture.

Anchor and primary developments:

Soon after reclamation, the International investment bank Arcapita was the first developer to commence building construction. Also designed by Skidmore Ownings and Merrill, the imposing predominantly glass Arcapita Headquarters is a unique rectangular structure which sits upon two low concrete arches which are described as ‘a sculptural plinth that represents rolling waves.’ As well as being the Arcapita Headquarters, the total office space of 18,500 sqm currently houses several prominent semi-governmental institutions which includes Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the Bahrain Tender Board, Osool, Amlak and the Economic Development Board of Bahrain.

2015 witnessed the public opening of the Kingdom’s first 68 floor Four Seasons Hotel which stands on its own island. This is a very recognizable towering ‘H shaped’ landmark offering spectacular views in each of its 273 extra-spacious hotel rooms which includes 57 suites

Having decided to re-locate its Head Quarters; in 2016 The AlBaraka Banking Group purpose built offices were completed. The unique building consists of two towers linked by a bridge, each 9 floors above ground, plus a mezzanine level. It has 4 levels of basement parking and ample ground level spaces. The Gross Development Area (GDA) is 38,540 sqm.

The second high-rise structure to open in 2017 is the United Tower, a remarkable twisting tower of which the lower 14 floors will house the 260 room Wyndham Grand Hotel. The spiral tower rises 50 floors in total with state of the art office space available for lease on the remaining 36 floors. As with all the structures in Bahrain Bay, the United Tower stands clear of other buildings and thus easily identified from distance.

The first construction of residential sections of Bahrain Bay also began in 2017, with the ‘Waterbay’ project, which is due for completion in 2018.

This is one of the many luxury and prestigious developments Bin Faqih Real Estate company are committed to around the Island. The project consists of three unique buildings, each 10 stories high and each identical taking the shape of a ship’s bow. The project will incorporate all amenities expected of high-end residences, such as a theatre, nursery, swimming pools and gyms. A free limousine service within a 3 mile radius of Bahrain is also considered.

2017 also saw pilling worked commence for the new AXA Insurance Gulf Headquarters. The building itself will be 32m high with 7 storeys above ground level with four basement levels for car parking for employees and visitors. A large internal atrium and terraces at each end is envisaged. The preliminary concept design has been prepared for AXA by Spanish Company Design Plus Art (DpA) and the Bahrain office of Italian company Enrico Mari Grego Architects (EMGA) has been appointed as Architect of Record and Design.

Other projects finalized with construction imminent are the Wafra Tower by Wafra Real Estate Group;

Golden Gates by Ajmera Mayfair Realty Group a joint venture between two Indian property houses Ajmera Group and Mayfair Housing and Rolex Tower by Nama International Real Estate.

Future developments:

Bahrain Bay public areas will progress as developments materialize. Sidewalks will be landscaped and a new concept for Bahrain implemented, that being public arts of calligraffiti on utility buildings by the ElSeed. Permanent food and beverage facilities will materialize as the market dictates.

The list of other third-party developers who have purchased land parcels at Bahrain Bay include:

Salhia Real Estate – A Kuwait-based real estate company specializing in high-end commercial property development.[7]

Barwa Real Estate Group – A Qatar-based property developer constructing a 240-room hotel complex set to host the 'Shaza' five-star hotel chain.

Khaleej Capita – A Qatar-based investor is building a 45-storey mixed-use tower including a leading hotel global brand name.

Damac – A Dubai-based real estate developer of private, residential, leisure and commercial projects; developing a residential tower project at Bahrain Bay.

Arjaan Rotana – A hotel and serviced apartments chain with over 70 properties across the Middle East.

Ossis Property Developers – A Bahrain-based real estate developer; developing a flagship commercial and residential twin-tower project titled Crystal Bay

Al Jomaih Group an investment company based in Saudi Arabia

Al Oula Holding Company a real estate developed from Saudi Arabia

Awards:

Bahrain Bay has won several awards since its inception, including two Arabian Commercial Property Awards in association with Bloomberg Television for Best Mixed Use Development Arabia and Best Mixed Use Development Bahrain in 2010. That year the project went on to be nominated in the Best Mixed-Use development global category. It received the International Arch of Europe by Business Initiative Directions in 2007 (a vanity award), and was nominated in the Master Plan Award category of the 2011 Cityscape Global Awards.

Administration:

Bahrain Bay comes under the jurisdiction of the Capital Governorate. Gagan Suri is the current Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Bay Development, the Bahrain shareholding company that manages the project.