Around BD7million has been invested so far in creating Bilaj Aljazayer, a soft sand public beach and safe sea swimming paradise on the south-western coast of Bahrain.
The project, covering a total area of 3km x 1km, will be open in time for the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix which attracts thousands of motorsport fans from around the globe.
“The public beach is a significant project, it’s sizeable with plenty of potential and its upgrading will be something that will truly impact Bahrain as a tourist destination,” said Amin Alarrayed, chief executive of Edamah, the real-estate arm of the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat.
“You’ll suddenly have a beach that is accessible to all. We are basically on the way to creating a beach town. You will have amenities, food and beverages and services. Entertainment too! A beach operator will provide water sports and other kinds of activities to keep the children busy.”
A full master plan is being worked on in association with Foster and Partners, the acclaimed British international studio for architecture and integrated design, a practice led by its founder and chairman, Norman Foster, who has been involved in creating many high-profile projects.
“Phase 1 will be delivered in line with the F1 in March. We have created a proper ‘swimming beach’ so you can now enjoy Bilaj without the rocks that used to cut your feet. You can actually enjoy a swim and come back to a superb sandy beach,” said Mr Alarrayed.
A series of groynes, man-made structures designed to trap sand as it is moved down the beach by drifting currents, have been strategically placed. They will maintain a wide area of beach and help reduce erosion.
“They break waves and will also create less turbulent water for swimmers,” explained Mr Alarrayed. “We’ve upgraded facilities such as showers, as well as improving security and maintenance. It will be much cleaner and safer.”
The area has also been landscaped with palm trees and greenery and a wooden boardwalk, on the understanding that not everyone will want to dive into the sea.
It’s ‘all about families’ who can enjoy strolling together alongside the beach to soak up a peaceful seaside ambience. “It’s going to be beautiful,” he added.
There will be trucks serving popular street food for visitors, and tenders for spots around the beach area have been opened.
“We need to ensure we provide equal opportunity and are open to entrepreneurs and international franchises – we don’t want to limit it, but open doors and say ‘look, if you are interested’, there are lots of locations, people are always hungry and this is a great opportunity.
“In the past, if you wanted a meal it was very difficult; you had to drive to outlets down near BIC, but now we will have F&B choices close to the beach itself.
“That’s all part of Phase One and will ready for F1, as part of that festivity – that vibe.
“The initial spend on Phase 1 is about BD7million. A lot of money went into improvements – it’s a kilometre long, so you can imagine, there was a lot of material needed, plus landscaping and making the boardwalk – all to benefit the public.”
It’s also, in business terms, necessary ‘seed money’ investment to highlight Bahrain around the world as a ‘beach holiday destination’ for the first time.
“For us payback from our initial investment comes in Phase 2 and Phase 3,” said Mr Alarrayed.
“We have already started talking to hotels and hotel operators, asking them to ‘come check us out’. We can say ‘this is where you need to have your hotel because people love our beach’,” said the CEO.
“So we are going to have some nice boutique hotels around the beach. That will be part of Phase 2. We also want proper restaurant choices too.
“Although we have to wait for hotels to be built, you’re talking two or three years - not that long.
“Initially, we want two boutique hotels but eventually may have more than that.
“Phase 2 could take us to between BD30 and BD50million, you are talking about hotels and you have to build them.
“We may do the first one or two and, what should happen then, is that the market takes up the rest and you end up with a project of huge value.”
One plot of land in the master plan had been designated for a private beach with its own seafront. “That could be something significant going forward,” said Mr Alarrayed.
“Initially we will seed it with one or two hotels and the ‘market’ should take it up beyond that. Market drivers need to be there to support the hotels. You don’t want to build them on the basis of how many we think we may need, the market will determine that.
“The key thing is that the very flexible master plan will accommodate them. Hotels are a key part of this.
“Phase 3 will include residential options. People may want plots designated for condos, apartments, possibly small villas, then you start to look at the project more like a beach town, a community.
“It’s a big project and we can support this vision even if we’re looking 20 years ahead. Phase 3 means we start to talk about residential components that would be taken up by ‘third party’ developers. That’s when we start to make real money, because we are leasing out plots to third parties.
“But firstly, we want to have a first grade beach accessible to the public. This is what Bilaj will be.”
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