THE first of the anticipated total of 13,000 tenants are set to take up residency shortly at the QR1.6-billion ($439 million) Barwa Village project, a distinctive low-rise development that is receiving its final touches.

Located 10 km south of Doha International Airport close to the main Doha-Wakra Highway at Ras Abu Fontas, and just 20 minutes from the centre of Doha, Barwa Village is yet another mega development by Barwa Real Estate, a leading local developer with an extensive portfolio of local and international projects.
Work on the project started in July 2008 and is practically complete and waiting to be connected to the country’s power network, a spokesman for the developer tells Gulf Construction.

Spreading over a total site area of 393,021 sq m and with a footprint area of 73,000 sq m, Barwa Village is a masterplanned development that demonstrates Barwa’s commitment to ensure that communities located outside Doha get the same quality of life as those living in the centrally-located areas.
The stylish, modern development comprises 18 “L”-shaped low-rise residential buildings providing a mix of apartment lifestyle options, including 96 studios, and 262 one-bedroom and 100 two-bedroom apartments, in addition to 918 retail outlets to cater for the requirements of tenants and visitors. The residential and commercial units are designed for the rental market.
The commercial outlets occupy the ground and mezzanine levels while the residential apartments are on the first level. All shops and flats are provided with telephone and internet lines and central TV antennae.

Barwa Village carefully balances the needs of residents, the surrounding area and the various communities of Qatar. “Every detail has been considered to ensure Barwa Village encourages social interaction and a modern, healthy lifestyle and gives residents every opportunity to create a community spirit that enhances the quality of life within the development,” says the spokesman.
Another highlight of the development is its focus on environment-friendliness, with more than 30 per cent of its area given to public green areas, helping minimise carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Hence the project has a total landscaping area of 320,021 sq m.
The development doesn’t allow high-rise buildings, which will help reduce traffic congestion. Hence, the residential buildings comprise a ground, mezzanine and upper level at the most, while civic buildings (schools, nurseries, clubhouse, administration building and a mosque) will have ground plus two storeys. Only the shopping plaza is taller with ground and three upper levels.

A total of 4,100 parking spaces are available, including dedicated areas for people with special needs.
The self-contained development features all necessary amenities such as banks, a post office, a medical centre and civil service facilities. The key buildings within the complex include a 6,000-sq-m international standard school, including two nurseries, to cater for 900 students; a 4,000 sq m shopping plaza, incorporating a hypermarket on the ground level, retail units on the first floor and food-courts and children’s entertainment area on the second floor; two office buildings, each with a built-up area of 850 sq m; a health club for men and women including a swimming pool; and two mosques each with a capacity of 450 worshippers and with accommodation for the imams.
Medical facilities will be provided at the brand new Al Wakra Public Hospital currently being constructed for Hamad Medical Corporation close to the development.

The development will be serviced by a sewage treatment plant (STP), a central gas station, and a primary power station along with 13 substations. In line with its focus on a healthy lifestyle and comfort of residents, the village is provided with cycle tracks and shaded car-parking slots
A team of architects, designers and consultants were assembled to ensure that Barwa Village met the exacting standards the developer insists on. Barwa itself was the masterdeveloper and was responsible for the infrastructure works with Marbu (design and build) and UDC (architects) taking the remaining building works under contract.
Barwa Village is one of the leading real estate developer’s line-up of groundbreaking projects which also include Urjuan, Barwa Housing Programme, Barwa Financial District, Barwa Al Baraha, Barwa Al Doha, Barwa Commercial Avenue, Barwa Al Khor, Barwa Al Rayyan, and Somerset Corniche.