MANARA Development has finalised the masterplan for the BD378-million ($1 billion) Nurana waterfront project off Bahrain’s northern coastline.

Nurana, which spans 2 million sq m of waterfront land, overlooking the Bahrain Fort, comprises a mix of coastal villas, water-view apartments and retail, entertainment, tourism and office amenities. The project represents a world-class business, lifestyle and tourism destination that when complete will generate hundreds of jobs and contribute to the local economy. The project will be developed by Manara, the real estate company owned by Al Salam Bank Bahrain.
Copies of the design have been forwarded to the Northern Municipal Council for approval, while an environmental impact assessment has been submitted to the Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry
The developer will have to meet certain conditions to get the project off the ground and get the nod from councillors.
These could include charitable payments of BD80,000 to help the nearby communities of Jid Al Haj, Janusan, Karranah and those living near Bahrain Fort. Residents are also demanding a public coastline, a walkway and a jetty for fishermen, in addition to a sports hall for Karranah villagers and houses. The developer will also have to provide fair compensations to fishermen affected by the mass reclamation that would be required. Residents are also demanding that developers leave space for a public coast, a walkway and a fishermen’s jetty, besides giving job priority to the village’s youngsters within the project. They also want 200 houses built and distributed among the village’s residents currently on the Housing Ministry’s waiting lists.
The developer, who has agreed to build many roads to ease traffic congestion in that area, had already agreed to execute a number of demands, but some others were still under negotiation.