Construction starts on first marina in Lusail City in Doha

Construction work has begun on the first marina in the Lusail City development in Doha, it was announced on Monday.

Mourjan Marinas IGY began work on the first marina on Monday and expects construction to be completed in time for Qatar National Day in mid December.

The company will design, construct and operate all the marinas in the development and has already begun leasing berths to the public.

The marina will also include 96 modern floating marina berths, suitable for yachts of 10m to 40m in length, three on-water lounge areas, a shisha café, a juice bar and a family lounge area.

‘‘We are delighted to have started the construction of this marina which will combine elegantly designed facilities with world-class services to become one of the region’s premiere berthing facilities,” said Matthew Bate, director of operations for Mourjan Marinas IGY.

Situated along the coast just north of Doha, the first marina will be the first of a series planned in Lusail City, added Bate.

In September, Lusail Real Estate Development Co, an arm of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, said it expects the project to be completed within a decade.

Infrastructure for Lusail City, which will accommodate 200,000 people, will be in place by the third quarter of 2015. Its buildings and homes, most being constructed by outside developers, may be finished five years later, Magdy Youssef, a company director, told reporters in Doha last month.

Lusail City was first announced five years ago and its infrastructure is estimated to cost around $7.4 billion. A total of 75 percent of the city’s land has been sold to developers so far, Youssef added.

The district will include 37 sq km (14 sq miles) of residences, offices and hotels, as well as three marinas and an offshore island with 500 villas, Youssef said.

Lusail plans to develop four high-rises in the centre of the city, Youssef said. Work on one of the towers, which will have 55 floors, will begin next year.

Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries can own properties in Lusail, while others can lease them for 99 years, Youssef said.

Lusail Real Estate is part of Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Co, the development arm of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund.

(Additional reporting by Bloomberg)