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Reclamation works are already well underway for Ithmaar Development Company's flagship development, Dilmunia, a $1.6 billion man-made health island that will transform the north east coast of Bahrain. The ambitious project is set to revolutionise health care in Bahrain, turning the kingdom into a hub for international health tourism.
Dilmunia will feature state-of-the-art facilities such as a diagnostic centre, nutrition and diabetes centre, cosmetic surgery, aesthetic medicine centre, women and children's centre, alternative medicine centre and sports medicine centre.
The project will highlight holistic well being through its wellness centres and a range of five star deluxe spas and boutique hotels, as well as provide facilities for residential clusters, commercial facilities and recreational amenities.
Highlighting its commitment to strengthening its leading role in the kingdom's leisure and tourism industry, Ithmaar Development Company is also currently developing a 44-storey, $175 million hotel/office tower project located in the kingdom's upmarket Seef District. The hotel will be a luxurious family-oriented property, which will be the first of a chain of hotels that Ithmaar Development Company and its parent company Ithmaar Bank will develop within and outside the GCC countries.
Established in 2006, Ithmaar Development Company, the development arm of Bahrain-based Ithmaar Bank, has quickly established a reputation for introducing, unique, world class developments to the region's real estate sector. With a project portfolio valued at $3.3 billion, Ithmaar Development Company's projects span the hospitality and medical sectors to residential and commercial properties.
The company recently added to its portfolio of developments, announcing the launch of a 44-storey building and a mixed-use freehold and serviced apartments project at the recent Cityscape Dubai 2008. 'Light of Bahrain', a mixed-use freehold and serviced apartments development in a 44-storey iconic structure as well as 'Reflections of Bahrain', a development project that will include a 240-room four star business hotel, restaurants and a retail arcade will be built near the Shaikh Hamad Causeway that links Muharraq to Manama.
Both projects are currently, in the concept stage with their project objectives set and components agreed upon. Detailed architecture designs are to commence once the planning co-ordination is completed and design consultants are appointed.
Ithmaar Development Company has a growing reputation for pioneering opportunities that benefit the local community and economy at large - the company is a founding shareholder of the proposed BD300 million Naseej, the region's first fully integrated infrastructure and real estate development company that will service the entire value chain of the real estate and construction industry.
Main features of health island
The island will be divided into clusters, each focusing on different aspects of healthcare, wellness, residences and recreation:
Medical cluster
There will be a 358-bed wellness hospital catering to medical aesthetics, nutrition, diagnostics, alternative medicines and sports medicines. In addition, a 216-bed children's and women's hospital will cater to a range of maternal and paediatric care.
Hotel cluster
There will be three five-star boutique hotels each comprising of 60-70 villas and suites. Each hotel will be inspired by a particular theme - French, Chinese or Thai. There will also be a Middle Eastern and Turkish inspired four-star hotel comprising of 110 rooms with a commercial podium.
Exclusive villas
There will be 38 large lagoon-view villas, 36 spacious garden-view villas and 44 sea-view villas.
Residential condominiums
There will be approximately 202 waterway residences enclosed in six to eight storey buildings; 424 pier-side residences spread over five to seven storey buildings and 154 luxury condominiums set in nine storey buildings.
Quayside residences
There will be 312 quaysides residential units housing three to four storey buildings.
Mixed use apartments and condominiums
270 units of low rise canal-view condominiums all with commercial podiums and a total of 160 guestrooms catering to serviced apartments are planned.
Canal and retail activities
There will be two to four-storey buildings for supermarkets, commercial and retail outlets, a Cineplex, arcade and waterfront restaurants. There will also be two to eight-storey buildings for an administration block, commercial activities and retail outlets.
