The Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) has awarded two major consultancy contracts for the first phase of its ambitious RO500-million ($1.3 billion) Mina Al Sultan Qaboos Waterfront project.

HD23 – a joint venture between Nadia Al Lawati, an Omani architect and owner of 23 Degrees North, and Harper Downie – has been named lead consultant and master planner, while the UK’s Foster and Partners along with the German-Omani Hoehler and Al Salmy will be the architectural consultants.

The entire project design will be completed in Oman, led by Al Lawati. 

Among other appointments, Blizzard Brothers has been selected to manage the first construction activity of Suq Al Mina, which will be a core public aspect of the development.

Mina Al Sultan Qaboos Waterfront  will be developed in four phases.

Phase One, set to be developed at a cost of $390 million, will transform the current commercial Port Sultan Qaboos area into a major tourism-based development, once its completed by 2020.

It will include business and residential zones, destination mall, six hotels, recreation amenities, tourist attractions, as well as docking facilities for cruise liners and yachts.

Suq Al Mina will be home to more than 80 local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), shops, restaurants and cafes. It is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2017 and will be situated alongside a still functioning harbour for cruise ships and yachts.