Msheireb Downtown

Msheireb Downtown project is a mixed-use development project¹ revitalizing the old commercial heart of Doha. The project is situated near Souk Waqef, Amiri Diwan (Qatar’s seat of government), and just minutes away from Hamad International Airport. It is designed to be one of the most sustainable and smart districts in Doha, aspiring to emerge as a new destination for living², leisure, and business³. The project adopted traditional Qatari architectural language with modern technology⁴, aiming to preserve both environmental sustainability and Qatar’s cultural identity. The goal is to “bring people back to their roots⁵, rediscover a sense of community and togetherness.” Msheireb Downtown is part of Qatar National Vision 2030ⁱ ” to transform Qatar into a country capable of sustaining its own development and providing a high standard of living for generations to come”⁶.

To implement the project objectives, a master plan⁷ was proposed for an area of 0.31 square kilometer⁸. The plan is composed of five main quarters forming a mixed-use district⁹. Specifically, it includes over 800 residential units, 193,000 sqm commercial space¹⁰, more than 300 retail shops, 4 hotels, 4 heritage house museums, 1 school and 3 mosques, with parking spaces for over 10,000 vehicles. In terms of mobility, the project was designed as a walkable district with streets planned to provide shade from the sun and capture cool breezes from the Gulf¹¹. A tram system powered by clean energy, along with dedicated bicycle and pedestrian lanes, are also included to facilitate accessibility and connectivity between all quarters within the district.

In terms of sustainability, the development is designed to reduce energy usage by 30% through enhanced building envelope efficiency¹². It heavily utilizes renewable energy, with over 6,400 rooftop solar panels installed to generate electricity. Non-potable water consumption is reduced by 70% of the city’s total consumption^{13 14}. Smart infrastructure systems are also incorporated, such as automated waste collection system that separates recyclables¹⁵. The entire development is LEED Gold or Platinum certified, meeting stringent sustainability benchmarks.

The project is initiated by the real estate company Msheireb Properties¹⁶, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for education¹⁷, sciences and community development; which specified the master plan¹⁸ for the project done by a team of 4 companies comprised of Arup (lead consultant), AECOM, and Allies and Morrison^{19 20}. The project is funded by Qatar Foundation with an approximate cost of billion US$5.5 billion^{21 22}.

The project was constructed between 2010 and 2021 in four phases by several contractors²³ as follows:

• The first phase is composed of three parts 1A/B/C²⁴.
• Phase one A [2010]: It is implemented by Qatari Arabian Construction Co WLL (QACC)²⁵, comprises the Diwan Amiri Quarter, Msheireb Prayer Ground, the Amiri Guard building, mosque, the Qatar National Archive, and the Msheireb Museums.
• Phase one B: It is implemented by Carillion and Qatar Building Company (QBC)²⁶, this phase consists of business and retail spaces, townhouses, apartments, civic buildings, a school.
• Phase One C: It is implemented by Brookfield Multiplex Medgulf WLL²⁷, and it was built in the same time with phase 1B.
• Phase two: It is implemented by Arabtec²⁸, includes a supermarket, office space, apartments, a hotel, and the Galleria, which has a movie theater and kid’s entertainment.
• Phase three: It is implemented by Obayashi Corporation and HBK Contracting²⁹, A mostly residential neighborhood with apartments, a hotel, shops, restaurants, and commercial spaces in addition to a luxurious department store and other amenities.
• Phase four [2021]: It is implemented by Teyseer Contracting Company and Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC)³⁰, includes Sahat Al Nakheel, which occupies up a large portion of the development’s last phase and will serve as Msheireb Downtown Doha’s primary transportation hub.