The Pearl-Qatar is a luxury mixed-use real estate development being built on a 400-hectare man-made island north of Doha’s West Bay area. It is being developed in phases by the local United Development Company, Qatar’s largest private shareholding firm. It is the first project in the country to offer freehold property ownership to foreigners. Owners are also eligible to apply for residency permits.

Real estate on The Pearl-Qatar development is considered among the most desirable in Doha

The development is intended to have 10 distinct, themed districts when complete and will add 32 kilometres of coastline to Doha. Some 19,000 housing units will be built in total, including luxury villas, town houses, penthouses and apartments.

The Pearl-Qatar will also include three marinas, at least three five-star hotels and 2 million square metres of high-end retail, leisure and restaurant space.

In 2004, the US’ Callison Architecture was appointed lead consultant and design architect for masterplanning, design and construction services for the $2.5bn first phase of The Pearl-Qatar project. The first residents moved into the French Riviera-inspired Porto Arabia district in 2009. It comprises 31 towers and 4,800 residential units. On completion, the entire island is expected to house 45,000 residents.

The other districts include the Moroccan-style Viva Bahriya for families, the beach area Costa Malaz, the town centre Medina Centrale, and the Italian-themed Qanat Quartier.

Real estate on The Pearl-Qatar development is considered among the most desirable in Doha. This is reflected in the sales and rental property prices, which are the highest in the city. In the development, Viva Bahriya is the costliest district.