Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) is the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project, that will revive the old commercial district with a new and modern architectural design inspired by traditional Qatari heritage and architecture.
MDD will regenerate the traditional commercial centre, bringing new vitality to Doha’s downtown. MDD is strategically located in the heart of Doha, the ambitious and thriving capital city of Qatar – only minutes away from Souq Waqif, Doha Corniche, Amiri Diwan, Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), the iconic skyline of Al Dafna’s commercial towers, the financial district across Grand Hamad Street, and even Hamad International Airport (HIA).
Utilising the latest in sustainable technologies, MDD will adhere to the highest standards in green building. The strategic objective of the MDD project is to reverse the pattern of development in Doha, which has tended towards isolated land use, reliance on car transportation and energy hungry structures. The mixed-use development, which comprises more than 100 buildings, is fitted with the largest number of photovoltaics (PV) solar panels in Qatar, solar water panels and overhangs designed to shade the surrounding sidewalks. The entire project featres sustainable designs that consume fewer resources, generate less waste, cost less to operate and achieve a reduced carbon footprint.
The QAR20 bn project nears completion, currently in its last and fourth phase. MDD spreads over 319,200 sq m and consists of 100 commercial and residential buildings, 5-star hotels, 800 housing units, a medical office building containing clinical, and administrative spaces, and four various museums. It also includes underground parking for around 10,000 cars.
Msheireb Museums (MM) was one of the first developments to open in MDD. The museum, which opened in 2015, consists of four heritage buildings – Mohamed bin Jassim House, Radwani House, Company House, and Bin Jelmood House, telling stories of human perseverance and hard work, and how domestic family life was transformed in Doha before and after the discovery of oil in the country. The museum uses modern technology to narrate and share some of the ‘great tales’ of Qatar’s past and continue to document oral history from people who want to share their stories.
Just opened
Alwadi Hotel Doha MGallery by AccorHotels: Rich in a cultured blend of Qatari heritage and contemporary design, the new 5-star boutique hotel offers spacious luxurious rooms and suites, sumptuous restaurants and exceptional bars, a high-end equipped gym, a refreshing pool and a soothing spa. The centuries-old and iconic Souq Waqif lies adjacent to the hotel and is easily accessible via a pedestrian underpass.
Culture blends with contemporary design in each of the 213 rooms and suites equipped with their unique cocoon MyBed™ concept. The intricately designed rooms feature elements of the bespoke Mashrabiya, oriel windows enclosed with carved wood, especially designed for this hotel.
Those with an eclectic palate will find great pleasure in their fine local cuisine, international classics, gourmet snacks and tapas across their three restaurants, two bars and lobby lounge.
Mandarin Oriental, Doha: An intimate and stylish urban retreat located in the centre of MDD. The hotel blends chic and contemporary design with touches of Qatari heritage, bringing new levels of luxury to Qatar.
Designed by the world-renowned David Collins Studio, the hotel’s 128 rooms, 30 suites and 91 serviced apartments fuse an elegant, contemporary design with subtle elements of traditional Qatari heritage. The hotel’s nine dining outlets offer an inviting culinary experience, introducing unique flavours from destinations around the world, as well as focusing on classic local dishes and delicacies.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Doha occupies 3,030 sq m and features six private treatment rooms, a couple’s suite, two VIP suites, and extensive heat and water experiences which includes two indoor pools. Featuring the latest in gym technology, the fitness & wellness centre includes mixed and female guest only areas, as well as three multi-purpose studios designed specifically for pilates, yoga, Queenax, TRX and FunXtion experience. Two temperature-controlled rooftop pools offer views of the city and private cabanas for guests to enjoy the sun.
Featuring a ballroom, which can seat up to 400 guests for banquets, along with seven additional function rooms, the hotel is the ideal venue for events with its central location.
Msheireb Metro Station is one of the world’s largest metro stations, where three different lines will have an interchange point through which football fans will pass as they move between stadiums in 2022. Msheireb Station is the hub or heart of the Doha Metro and will be the main interchange station with the Red, Green and Gold lines all connecting at this point.
Msheireb Station connects passengers to all the proposed stadiums linked by Metro sites. Rapid progress is being made in the construction of the station, which is now open on the Doha Metro Red Line South. The network will be fully operational in 2020, covering a distance of 80 km, of which 63 km will run underground.
Opening soon
Galleria Mall, also known as La Galleria, is expected to open in MDD in 2019. With over 100 stores spread across four levels of shopping, dining, leisure and entertainment, Galleria Mall is anchored by a luxury cinema, an all-encompassing supermarket and an exciting kid’s edutainment centre. In addition, its west wing offers residences and offices above the shops.
MDD will be home to the first Monoprix in Qatar with the SMART Retail Solution at the soon-to-open Galleria Mall. Monoprix Msheireb will launch, for the first time in the region, one of the most advanced retail software solutions for an enhanced customer service including its famous Concierge and the Shop & Go concepts. Monoprix Msheireb will offer an extensive organic range of 12,000 items sourced internationally, as well as a new dine-in Qatari-food concept, sushi bar, and pasta and pizza corner.
MDD will also be home of JuniverseTM, an innovative theme park for children that will be the first city in space. The park will offer an engaging and dynamic learning experience to inspire, educate, and entertain children aged 4 to 17. With over 50 attractions and rides, children will learn to perform a variety of challenging role-playing activities such as growing and harvesting their own food, conducting medical surgeries and many others. In addition, adults will enjoy team building activities and programmes. JuniverseTM will include multiple food and beverage outlets, retail stores and various attractions, utilising leading-edge technology to completely revolutionise entertainment for young people.
MDD will have to the first HSBC digital branch in the country, HSBC Msheireb. Set to open in October 2019, HSBC’s new digital bank is the first of its kind for the group and the fourth retail branch in Qatar. HSBC Msheireb will implement a series of digital services to make customers’ banking journey smoother and more convenient.
Msheireb Properties digital and smart-focused developements within MDD aligns with their commitment to offer unique experiences and concepts at the world’s smartest and most sustainable fully-built city district, and Doha’s new city centre.
Author: Ola Diab
This feature is an editorial from the ‘Discovering Qatar’ section in the latest issue of Marhaba – Issue 75, which comes out in August 2019.
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