WITH infrastructure works nearing completion and the Arcapita headquarters building now well up on the horizon at Bahrain Bay, the $2.5-billion waterfront district is poised to see further developments unfold as investors begin work on their projects.

The stunning landmark district is taking shape on a reclaimed site near the iconic Bahrain World Trade Centre off the northeast shore of Manama and will comprise commercial, residential and retail spaces. The project is being developed by Bahrain Bay Development, supported by Arcapita, an international Bahrain-based investment bank and a local investment consortium.
The masterplan of the development, created by New York-based Skidmore, Ownings and Merrill (SOM), is centred on a unique concept of an island connected by two bridges, forming an inner harbour.
With work is well under way on Arcapita headquarters, the master developer is now focusing on the designs of the centrepiece of the project, the country’s first Four Seasons hotel, which is being redesigned to ensure that it complements its surroundings. The Arcapita headquarters will offer 18,000 sq m of office space housed in an iconic, elongated, modern design.
The Four Seasons hotel will be placed on the centrally-positioned island, forming a focal feature towards which all the other components are oriented.
As a developer committed to implementing world-leading best practice, Bahrain Bay Development is offering its land parcels to third-party developers with fully completed infrastructure including road, water, power, district cooling, sewage, storm drainage, irrigation networks and telecommunications networks.
The project has already attracted international investors such as the Singapore-based CapitaLand – which is pursuing its first GCC venture, Raffles City Bahrain, – and the Ajmera Mayfair Group from India, which plans to build a 59-storey residential tower known as Palace Apartments on the canal (see separate reports).
Other investors from France, the US, Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have also committed to the project.
Commenting on the project, Bob Vincent, CEO of Bahrain Bay, says: “Bahrain Bay is changing the model of development in the Gulf. We are offering our developers a ready-to-go package, allowing them to benefit from time and cost savings. Our ability to offer land parcels with a fully integrated infrastructure platform means that, as masterplanners, we are able to manage the development of Bahrain Bay more efficiently, ensuring that the project meets its timing and costing targets.”
This strategy, he says, offers developers significant time and cost benefits, as well as certainty of supply. Developers are able to commence projects in the knowledge that infrastructure will not have to be retro-fitted, which often causes delays and cost increases to projects.
“With the support of our contracting partners, our developers will also benefit from the fact that our infrastructure will offer some of the latest energy-saving technology, meaning lower total cost together with long-term benefits for the environment of Bahrain,” he says.
The master developer’s infrastructure strategy also means that future residents of Bahrain Bay will benefit from living in a community whose amenities are supported by the latest in infrastructure technology.
“Bahrain Bay’s ‘Smart City’ infrastructure will offer residents an environmentally-sustainable community that monitors and manages energy and utility services in the most efficient manner. In addition, Bahrain Bay, as a community for the 21st century, offers its residents a state-of-the-art information communication and technology network that will deliver high-speed internet and on-line services, security, local area network options and community interfaces to every building,” adds Vincent.
The BD22-million ($58.35 million) infrastructure contract was carried out by Ahmed Mansoor Al A’ali (AMA), the leading regional infrastructure group.
AMA has created more than 6 km of road network, over 4.5 km of storm drainage and a 5 km telecommunications installation system.
AMA is also building the four main bridges of Bahrain Bay, all of which connect the key components of the project and the Manama shore.
As part of its sustainable strategy, Bahrain Bay has created its own district cooling plant, which will deliver energy-efficient, reduced-cost air-conditioning to every building in the community. “The plant, to be operated by Bahrain Bay Utilities, will also feature a fully integrated sewage treatment plant that will provide high quality treated water for distribution through Bahrain Bay’s irrigation network. The use of treated water for irrigation will ensure a sustainable community and result in significant savings for the management of water,” Vincent continues.
Contemporary in design and modern in its sensibility, Bahrain Bay uniquely combines its diverse components and contrasting elements into an authentic and welcoming destination. Bahrain Bay will be created as a complete community of residents, businesses and visitors from all over the world, offering a range of high-quality development opportunities for developers to participate in creating residential, commercial and retail offerings around the anchor developments.
Targeted for completion in five to seven years, the project is designed to accommodate more than 25,000 people.