High-value, strategically located properties in the heart of Old Muharraq are being opened up for investment as part of a major push to turn the historic district into a vibrant economic, cultural and tourism destination.
The Muharraq Municipal Council has urged Bahraini entrepreneurs to seize the opportunities emerging from the Muharraq City Development Plan, while calling for the relocation of service-oriented businesses such as garages, welding workshops and vehicle repair centres away from the area.
The council unanimously approved the proposal yesterday, led by chairman and area councillor Abdulaziz Al Naar, covering the historic zone between the extensions of Shaikh Hamad Avenue, Shaikh Isa Avenue and Crown Prince Avenue.
Mr Al Naar said the move was aimed at giving the old city a new lease of life while protecting its architectural character.
“We want Old Muharraq to become a destination where heritage, business and tourism work together. Service activities such as garages and vehicle repair workshops have a place, but they should not dominate an area that is being carefully developed as a historic and tourism destination and should move elsewhere,” he said.
He encouraged Bahraini entrepreneurs, particularly young business owners, to consider the new investment opportunities being created under the development plan.
“There is a real opportunity here for Bahraini entrepreneurs to become part of the future of Muharraq. We want to see businesses that complement the identity of the area, create jobs and bring people back into the heart of the old city,” Mr Al Naar added.
The move comes as the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry and the Eskan Bank begin opening heritage properties to private-sector investment under environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.
Housing and Urban Planning Minister and Eskan Bank chairman Amna Al Romaihi said the investment opportunities had been designed ‘to deliver sustainable economic value while protecting Bahrain’s architectural and cultural heritage’.
“Responsible private-sector investment can give these buildings a new purpose and create vibrant destinations that strengthen community ties, support tourism and contribute to long-term economic growth,” she added.
The investment portfolio covers heritage properties within the Muharraq City Development area and along the 3.5km Pearling Path, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Potential uses include boutique hospitality, cultural and creative spaces, craft shops, cafés and restaurants, co-working spaces and community initiatives.
The minister said the wider development programme is already making significant progress. Construction of the first phase, covering six farij neighbourhoods, had reached 73 per cent by June. The first phase includes 300 new and restored housing units, while 239 properties had been acquired as part of the project.
The scale of the transformation is considerable.
Plans include 16 heritage buildings associated with the Pearling Path, 72 green urban spaces covering 12,000 square metres, the planting of 100,000 trees, development of 48km of movement corridors, and seven multistorey buildings providing 20,000sqm of parking.
The Eskan Bank has also emerged as an early private-sector partner, acquiring 10 heritage properties for operation and development in ways suited to the needs of the local community.
Mr Al Naar said the municipal proposal to move service outlets was part of the same broader vision.
“The objective is not simply to move businesses. It is about improving the appearance of Old Muharraq, protecting its heritage character and creating an environment capable of attracting visitors, entrepreneurs and investment,” he said.
“With heritage buildings being repositioned as cafés, restaurants, boutique hotels, creative spaces and shops, we believe the historic heart of Muharraq can become an economic engine once again, this time with its past serving as the foundation for its future.”
The proposal has been referred to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak to forward to Ms Al Romaihi.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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