A multi-billion riyal mixed-use project that comprises 80,000 residential units for low-income workers is coming up at the eastern side of the Industrial Area for a first-phase opening scheduled for the third quarter of this year.
Called West End Park, the project, managed by Century 21 Qatar, is expected to be completed by the end of 2014.
Mana Ibrahim al-Mana, chairman of Century 21 Qatar, told reporters yesterday that West End Park would have a hypermarket, four cinemas, an amphitheatre, malls, exhibition halls, a cricket stadium, retail shops and a sports club. “The first phase will open in the third quarter of this year and the whole project, including its recreational and sports facilities, will be completed by the end of 2014 .”
Al-Mana said the complex was open to people from all parts of the world.
The 670,000sq m recreational areas will be used to host cultural shows and celebrations. It is considered one of the largest such facility that caters to low-income workers in the region .
The amphitheatre alone can seat 14,485 people. The cricket stadium has a capacity of 13,000 while each cinema has a seating capacity of about 500.
West End Park’s 10,000sq m paved open air space can be used to host exhibitions and events like a weekend market and community garage sale. A year-round calendar of activities will be created.
“We have labourers from several Asian countries. We also have Arabs,” al-Mana said. Most of the workers come from India, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
He noted that the project, when completed, would be a tourist destination where visitors could experience “a taste of Asia in Qatar”. The company is fully supporting the country’s 2030 Vision and plans for the World Cup by building a first-of-its-kind project.
The complex’s food outlets and boutiques are expected to open by the end of 2013. A clinic will be ready in the first quarter of next year. All these structures are in various stages of completion in the Park now.
“Qatar has a holistic vision for sustainable development which benefits citizens, foreign workers and tourists,” al-Mana said.
In his presentation, Century 21 senior project consultant Ahmed al-Shaer said the Park would be accessible through public transport like buses, taxis and the yet-to-be-built metro rail.
The Park is 10 minutes drive away from Wakrah and 15 minutes from the new Hamad International Airport.
The complex’s parking area could accommodate at least 3,000 vehicles.
Asked about the rents of the residential units, al-Mana said it would be “reasonable and affordable”, without giving any details. “Users have to pay for the utilisation of the facilities but the rates would be minimal , intended to meet maintenance and management costs.”
He said the project would be finished in four stages: the first phase includes the 10,000sq m hypermarket, a clinic, money exchanges and banks; the second includes a shopping centre; the third the Sports Zone and the fourth the residential area.
http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/354120/80%2c000-residential-units-coming-up-for-low-income-expatriates
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