The development of Lusail, the biggest project by Qatari Diar in the country, has metamorphosed in the last couple of months from the stage of conception to one in which the outline of the upcoming districts have started taking shape. Lusail is a mixed use residential, retail, leisure business project slated for completion in 2010 and designed to house over 200,000 residents. The project is being developed in packages so that the units can be handed over to buyers on time, according to Qatari Diar officials. These packages include the development of a variety of infrastructure like Lusail highway, the marina bridges, the golf courses and recreational area, seven major inter-changes, the islands and whole of the Lusail landscape. Development Manager of Lusail, Fatma Fakhroo, told a news conference yesterday that the project has been designed to be a natural extension of the city of Doha and can be accessed from any direction, being set close to Qatar University and the existing Golf Club which are within limits of central Doha now. The 2.5km long and one kilometer wide Marina District was the first Lusail development to be released for sale to developers which was sold out within a few days. A mixed-use residential and commercial area, the district will comprise high end homes, retail shops, hotels, housing at least 27,000 people who will live there and another 45,000 who would come to work. "Our role here is to develop the infrastructure and sell the land to allow various developers to come and fashion their own design but that which fits within the general appearance of Lusail and this is coordinated by us," said LAC Director Magdy Youssef. Lusail will also boast a marina where 1,000 boats can berth. A further 400 boats will be able to berth at the harbor bay. "Together, the three marinas of Lusail would create the biggest marina in the whole of the GCC with over 1,400 boats. We have already completed feasibility and technical studies for these marinas," said Youssef. The other significant aspect of Lusail is the Entertainment District which has been sold to an investor. The original idea was to create an entertainment district for the whole of Qatar. Developers hope the district would attract people from the whole region and overseas. It will comprise some 11 hotels, two theme parks and shopping centres. The district will also contain two beaches and will be very well connected by road and water with the rest of Lusail. Spreading over 1.6 square kilometers will be Fox Hills Lusail which will accommodate most residents of the project with 38,000 to 39,000 people living in medium rise- four and five storey- buildings. Fox Hills will be divided into two areas, totaling 370 plots. The northern area has been sold in consolidated zones of 10 or more plots to major developers, whereas the southern one is sold as individual plots. The district will boast a golf course and waterfront view. As Lusail's centerpiece, it will combine commercial, residential and civic facilities. Other districts to come up at Lusail include, a commercial waterfront, an area offering restaurants and shops, and upscale residential area at the Residential Waterfront District and Lusail Towers.

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