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A new leisure destination hotspot is currently under construction in the heart of Zallaq with the aim of offering families and health enthusiasts a botanical garden and springs, top retail outlets and restaurants, as well as dedicated cycling tracks to enjoy.
The BD6 million Zallaq Springs project, developed by Al Zallaq Real Estate Company, was inspired by Japanese Zen-like gardens to offer people from across the island a relaxing and an entertaining place to play and be entertained.
Spread across an area of 25,338sqm with a spacious car park too, the developers promise that this waterfront enterprise will be the first of its kind in the kingdom and is being created with both the community and visitors in mind.
Shaikh Salman bin Khalid Al-Khalifa, chief operating officer of Al Zallaq Real Estate Company, said: “Zallaq is a growing and thriving development. Zallaq Springs is fortunate that it lies adjacent to The Gardens at Zallaq project which has around 300 residents eager to spend quality time within the surrounding area.”
He added that the developers reached out to residents close by and those living in Hamad Town, Riffa and Riffa Views to take into account their desires. “Also, the students at the University of Bahrain and the Royal University of Women expressed an interest in having cafes and restaurants located in a serene landscape in which they could lead their busy student lives and also rejuvenate their spirits in a healthy and green environment.”
He believes another core audience to the project will be the ever-growing athletic community who regularly visit the Zallaq area for its space and safety to engage in sporting activities. “They have expressed a need for bike trails, sidewalks, more tracks and facilities designed in line with amateur athletes and Ironman training, for example,” he explained.
“The community has spoken and we have listened. We have studied the needs of a cross-section of people and will offer places for people to work and study with a stunning view in a peaceful and calming environment. We also will feature a walkway path where athletes can train within a breathtaking botanical environment and we are developing facilities that accommodate parking for cycles and shower rooms for Bahrain’s cycling community to freshen up.
“It is a perfect wellness destination to de-stress and focus on the body, mind and soul. We look forward to welcoming everyone this time next year to experience it all themselves.”
Zallaq Springs is set to house 19 retail shop units and 10 restaurant concepts, including a drive-through café. Construction of the project started in February and the building structures are almost ready.
Landscaping is in its development stages and once completed is set to include 3,342 aquatic plants, 3699 shrubs and 110 trees. It is likely to be completed by next May with the development being unveiled to the public in September.
There will be a boardwalk area for possibly staging small events and a potential seating area.
The highlight will be water springs and the restaurants and coffee shops will be surrounded by manmade ponds covering 3,399sqm. According to the developers, there will be thousands of aquatic plants, such as water lilies and lotuses, and the water will attract flamingos, ducks and swans. The birds will be locally bred, nurtured and preserved by Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve.
Shaikh Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Khalifa, chairman of Zallaq Springs, added: “This project will be an ideal location to celebrate the diversity of Bahrain’s habitat of flora and fauna. We wish to cultivate a place for avid bird-watchers too as our country is home to a variety of indigenous bird species. Also, the Zen-inspired gardens will house moss, shrubs and an array of flowers and hundreds of trees.
“Our intention is to become the preferred destination for communities of Bahrain and for tourists visiting the country and for health conscious individuals.”
