Local developer Dohaland is expecting construction work on phase 1b of its QR20bn ($5.5bn) Musheireb project to begin by the end of 2011.

Speaking at MEED’s Qatar Projects 2011 conference, Issa Al-Mohannadi, chief executive officer at Dohaland, said the developer expected contractors to begin work on the next phase of the urban regeneration project before the end of the year.

Phase 1b will involve the construction of a multi-use cultural forum, offices, hotel and serviced apartments, shopping district, townhouses, school and a mosque.

MEED reported in early January that the developer had shortlisted contractors that it will invite to bid for the project and that contractors expected to receive tender documents by the end of February (MEED 7:1:11).

In April 2010, Dohaland awarded a QR1.6bn contract to the joint venture of South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering & Construction Company and the local HBK Contracting Company to build phase 1a of the development (MEED 26:4:10).

The initial phase involves the construction of the Diwan Amiri Quarter, which includes the Diwan Annex, Amiri Guard and the National Archive, plus a heritage quarter, that includes the Eid prayer ground and four heritage houses.

In March, Cat International Qatar, part of Lebanon’s Contracting & Trading (Cat) was awarded an estimated QR530m ($146m) infrastructure deal for phase 1a. Germany’s Bauer was awarded the enabling works package for the first phase.

The Musheireb project will be completed in five phases, with phase 1 due for completion by 2012, and the entire project to be completed by 2016.

Formerly known as the Heart of Doha, the 750,000-square-metre Musheireb development is one of the largest real-estate schemes in the capital. It will be built behind the Emiri Diwan administrative centre on Doha corniche.

The project manager is US-based Turner Construction International.

Dohaland is part of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science & Community Development.