Msheireb Properties claims top spot at Tarsheed Awards

Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation and Qatar’s leading sustainable developer, were presented with an award at the fifth anniversary of the National Programme for Conservation and Energy (Tarsheed) at a ceremony held at Kahramaa Awareness Park, Doha.

Launched as part of Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation’s (KAHRAMAA) National Programme for Conservation and Energy, the Tarsheed Awards’ ceremony is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al- Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar and was attended by His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. The annual Tarsheed Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts and regional professionals.

Winning the Best Conserving Building Award in the Government category of the Tarsheed competition, the Cultural Forum building is located at Msheireb Properties’ flagship project, Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD). With aims to have the largest concentration of gold and platinum LEED certified buildings – Msheireb Downtown Doha is set to be the world’s first sustainable regeneration project.


Receiving the awards, Mr. Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi, CEO, Msheireb Properties said: “We are extremely pleased to receive acknowledgment for our commitment to sustainable urban regeneration which translates our endeavours to support the plans of sustainable development as stated in Qatar vision 2030. Msheireb Downtown Doha is emblematic of our mission to build sustainable modern communities that change the way people think about urban living.”
He continued: “Our groundbreaking project is aiming to adopt methods which reduce the consumption of energy in the buildings. The project has already broken records, proudly boasting the largest number of buildings to have achieved Gold and platinum LEED certification. Msheireb Downtown Doha is a blueprint for other developers in the region and from around the world to respect the environment, preserve cultural traditions and improve the quality of life for communities. “
The Culture Forum was honoured for its energy and water saving features, use of non-potable water, rainwater recovery and on-site renewable energy generation. Its energy efficient building design includes improved building envelopes of walls and windows, recessed windows, energy recovery to the outside air entering the building, optimised ventilation using carbon dioxide (CO2) detectors and a high efficiency district cooling plant. The overall energy savings for the Cultural Forum is 25.2 percent.
Sustainability is central to Msheireb Downtown Doha, in terms of both the conservation of natural resources and the quality of its design. Building design included thicker walls, and orientation that enables building to benefit from the shade of adjacent buildings, which cools the local environment and reduces air-conditioning requirements. While adoption of the latest technology enables Msheireb Properties to produce renewable energy, monitor electricity use, and make the most efficient use of water. Translating in reduced emissions, energy and water savings and minimised waste.
The objectives of the 4th annual Tarsheed Conserving Building Competition, led by KAHRAMAA are to motivate developers to adopt building conservation practices and encourage them to embrace energy conservation strategies that work towards Qatar’s National Vision 2030.

Msheireb Museums showcase a new exhibition in collaboration with UCL Qatar’s Masters Students titled ‘Back to Msheireb: Shared Streets – Shared Stories’

Doha, 4 April 2017: An exhibition that interprets the vibrancy of Qatar’s historic Msheireb district as a center of commerce opened 4 April 2017 at Msheireb Museums in Msheireb Downtown Doha. Entitled ‘Back to Msheireb: Shared Streets – Shared Stories’, the exhibition is organised by students of UCL Qatar, as part of their yearly UCL Qurates initiative of the Masters in Museum and Gallery Practice programme. The exhibition will remain open until 27 July 2017 at Mohammed Bin Jassim House in Msheireb Museums.

“This student-led project is a crucial, assessed component of the master’s programme, which seeks to bridge the gap between museum theory and practice. The project affords our students – who are undergoing rigorous graduate training to further professionalise or to enter the museum profession, in Qatar or abroad – the unique opportunity to implement knowledge acquired on the programme, working collaboratively with a museum. The staff’s dedication to the project, and their commitment to student learning and to their continuous professional development, has been pivotal in making the project a mutually rewarding and successful experience,” said Dr Sam Evans, Director of UCL Qatar.

Over the last few months, this year’s group of students have had the opportunity to explore and conduct curatorial research around Msheireb Museums’ collection of objects and oral history archives, curating a temporary exhibition that complements the scope of the permanent galleries in the Mohammed Bin Jassim House.
Located within the Heritage Quarter, a historic area of Msheireb Downtown Doha, Mohammed Bin Jassim House is one of four heritage houses which has been restored to create a trusted cultural destination that enriches the community. Rooted in history, these reconstructed buildings and gallery spaces allow the community to engage in the significant aspects of Qatar’s past and memories of life before the country’s rapid economic development.

Mr. Hafiz Ali, Director of Msheireb Museums said: “We are delighted to include such a carefully curated exhibition which documents the city’s history and progression and allows us to preserve and share these stories with the community. Msheireb Museums are honored to provide a platform that nurtures our future leaders’ development, enhances the cultural scene of our city and enables people to learn more about Qatar’s rich heritage.”


The increase in economic wealth and employment opportunities in Qatar led to a growth in foreign populations from countries such as India, Pakistan, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and the Philippines from the 1970s. Msheireb became the popular destination for shopping, and a hub for small local communitybetween the 1980s and 2000s – long before the wider “mall culture” spread throughout the country – and allowed the meeting of diverse cultures, tastes, languages, and traditions.

‘Back to Msheireb’ presents a selection of found objects and oral histories of
personal memories of this former commercial neighborhood through an installation of pop-up stores inspired by the eclectic and often quirky character of this part of Doha.

Dr. Serena Iervolino, Programme Coordinator at UCL Qatar said, “I am delighted to have worked in partnership with Msheireb Museums on this year’s UCL Qurates initiative. Together with the other Museum Studies faculty, Dr Catharina Hendrick, I have had the pleasure of seeing a particularly skillful group of students blossoming throughout the project. Working in a mature and collaborative manner, the students have developed and delivered an exhibition of professional standards. Today I am proud to acknowledge and celebrate with colleagues their significant team achievement.”

Since the inception of UCL Qatar in 2012, the students of Masters in Museum and Gallery Practice programme have collaborated with Qatari cultural institutions to create and develop temporary creative exhibitions.

Visitors are encouraged to share their photos of the exhibition on social media using #UCLQurates #BacktoMsheireb. For museum hours and more information, visit www.uclqurates.squarespace.com and @UCLQurates on Facebook.

Msheireb Properties awards joint venture contract to Teyseer Contracting Company and Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC)

Doha, 2nd April 2017: Msherieb Properties, developer of Msherieb Downtown Doha and Qatar’s leading sustainable real estate developer, announced today it has awarded the contract for major construction work of Phase Four to Teyseer Contracting Company and Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC).

Spread over 132,000 square meters of gross floor area Phase Four is the last phase to complete Msheireb Downtown Doha. Featuring the development’s tallest building, Phase Four will consist of a major public plaza and 11 mixed-use buildings, which include commercial offices, residential and retail space, 5-star hotels, medical office building containing clinical and administrative spaces, and six car parking basements. This vibrant area will also offer residents and tenants access to Msheireb station, the largest Doha Metro station, which marks the crossing of Qatar Rail’s three metro lines, the Red, Green and Gold Lines.

The award of the last and fourth phase of Msheireb Down Town is the last contract that has been issued to complete constructing the project, enabling Msheireb Properties to realise their vision of transforming Qatar’s urban landscape. The newly appointed partners, in collaboration with Msheireb Properties, are ensuring that Msheireb Downtown Project stands up to the demands of modern life and the testing conditions that our local environment presents, providing an exciting new way to live and work.

 

Mr. Ali Al Kuwari, Chief Officer for Design and Delivery at Msheireb Properties, commented, “We are delighted to working with Teyseer Contracting Company and Consolidated Contractors Company. Their wealth of expertise, local knowledge, and commitment to Qatar’s 2030 vision provide us with the confidence that together we will deliver the highest quality of standards, and create an iconic project that enhances the city’s urban landscape.”

Mr. Osama Al Jarbi, the general manager of Consolidated Contractors Company said, “The joint venture of Teyseer Contracting Company, TCC and Consolidated Contractors Company, allow us to enhance our services and contribute towards a world class destination that improves the aesthetics of the city and makes living and working more convenient and comfortable. On this occasion, we have the honour to partner with Msheireb Properties and we are commit to delivering exceptional quality of work and utmost professionalism, which all parties have become distinguished with.”

Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) is a pioneering project developed to revive the old commercial centre of the city of Doha by bridging the past with its cultural ties and ancestry, with the demands of a modern day city. The development aims to build sustainable and innovative initiatives that enrich communities and individual lives, promote environment friendly living and rediscover and implement heritage and culture.    

Msheireb Mosque at Msheireb Downtown Doha receives ‘Abdullatif Alfozan Award for Mosque Architecture’

Doha, Qatar, 15th March, 2017: Msheireb Mosque, located in the heritage quarter of Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD), has been awarded the prestigious ‘Abdullatif Alfozan Award for Mosque Architecture’ which honors mosques in the GCC for their sustainability and architectural features.

Msheireb Mosque has won the award, thanks to its adoption of new technologies and meticulously planned architectural features that helped it to surpass 122 other mosques nominated for the award. The design of the building is based on traditional Qatari mosques, which have for centuries used orientation, shading, natural ventilation and water to create comfortable environments for prayer and worship.

The building has received the Gold LEED accreditation for its effective energy conservation, along with the quality of its design. It incorporates a tailored daylight design, to create dynamic sun patches inspired by Qatari motifs within the main hall during prayer hours, and needs no artificial lighting during daytime hours. Embracing key principles of Islamic art, geometric patterns and designs, Msheireb Mosque fuses modernist ideas with a historically familiar arrangement of Islamic volumes, spaces and thresholds.

Eng. Abdulla Hassan Al Mehshadi, Chief Executive Officer at Msheireb Properties, said, “We are honored to receive the ‘Abdullatif Alfozan Award for Mosque Architecture’ which recognises the architecture of the mosque and its sustainable features. The award underlines Msheireb Properties’ commitment towards sustainability and demonstrates our support of the main pillars of Qatar Vision 2030. It also demonstrates our success at combining new technology and traditional architectural language to create modern buildings that are sensitive to their surroundings and enhance the local landscape.”

Eng. Ibrahim Al Jida, Chief Executive Officer at Arab Engineering Bureau, the executive architectural and engineering office of the project said: “We are delighted to have won the Al Fozan award. Msheireb Mosque and its courtyard have been built to create an urban oasis, a peaceful place to pray away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby streets. Wherever possible, we have utilised the country’s unique environmental conditions, such as year-long sunshine, to create an aesthetically pleasing place of worship and at the same time conserves energy and resources.”

With its new design and architecture concept, Msheireb Mosque was inaugurated in Ramadan 2016. The mosque is located within Phase 1 of Msheireb Down Town, and spread over an area of 1,400 sqm. Easily accessible from around the Msheireb neighbourhood and the adjoining souq area, the mosque has prayer halls for both men and women and accommodates 600 worshippers. It also has a dedicated parking area and lifts from the basement.

 

Msheireb Properties awards car parking management contract to Mawaqif Qatar

Doha, Qatar, 25, February, 2017: Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation, has awarded Mawaqif Qatar (QDVP PQSC) a contract to operate and manage car parking at Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD), an urban regeneration project set in the heart of the city.

The deal, signed by Mr. Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi, Chief Executive Officer, Msheireb Properties and Mr. Gilles Guillochon, CEO of Mawaqif is an extremely important milestone, comprising the integration and future management of one of the world’s largest underground car parks in the world – providing over 10,000 car parking spaces over 6 basements to residents and visitors of Msheireb Downtown Doha.

Mawaqif Qatar will offer more than just parking space management at Msheireb Downtown Doha; car parks will not be standalone facilities, but part of the mobility chain, digitally integrated to enable MDD to become a smart city. Mawaqif Qatar’s mission is to bridge the gap between the cars and the smart city, delivering the highest standard of customer services. With a wealth of global experience behind them via Indigo of France and locally through their experience of managing and operating the country’s prime car parks, they have the proficiency to operate and maintain the parking facilities at MDD and to sustain reliable operating conditions based on high-end supervision digital solutions, using a remote management approach.

Mr. Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi, CEO of Msheireb Properties commenting on the agreement said, “Our partnership with one of the Middle East’s leading traffic and car park management companies is very important to us. It enables us to design and operate a 5-star car park, offering our community a first class parking and visitor experience. A project of this magnitude requires a specialised skill set, industry experience and innovative ideas to ensure it is perfectly managed. We are delighted to have partnered with Mawaqif Qatar for this hugely significant component of the MDD offering. We look forward to celebrating many more milestones, continuing to forge new partnerships to add value to the community, delivering the essential services to the people of Qatar, for the future of Qatar.”

Mr. Gilles Guillochon, CEO of Mawaqif said:”We are honoured to partner with Msheireb Properties and bring our specialized knowledge and expertise into this transformative development. We aim to enhance customer experiences, by ensuring a smooth flow of traffic with efficient systems, and well maintained parking areas. The visitor experience has always been a top priority for us, and we strive to deliver exceptional services, matching the vision of Msheireb Properties.”

Msheireb Properties aspires to transform the urban landscape, creating an iconic landmark that respects the environment and local surroundings, preserves cultural traditions, and enhances the quality of life for communities. The developer’s flagship project, Msheireb Downtown Doha, that is now available for phase 1 leasing will offer a lively urban neighbourhood featuring premier office space, retail services, leisure facilities, luxurious townhouses, upscale apartments, hotels, museums, civic services, cultural offerings and entertainment areas.

Msheireb Properties employees celebrate National Sports Day

Doha, 16, February, 2017: Msheireb Properties, developers of the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project, and a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for education, science and community development, hosted a fun and engaging sports programme for all its employees, in support of Qatar National Sports Day.

All staff, including the company’s construction workers, and their families were invited to take part in host of entertaining activities and sports events which included jousting gladiator duels, basketball, table tennis, Zumba, yoga, inflatable sumo wrestling, tug of war, dart ball, and kabaddi. Held at Msheireb Downtown Doha’s Heritage Quarter, the day saw hundreds of employees come together to enjoy a little healthy competition to take home an array of trophies and prizes, which included sportswear and vouchers.

Commenting on the success of this year’s National Sports Day activities, Noora Al Rumaihi, ‎Manager of Communications and Public Relations at Msheireb Properties stated, “Our staff are an important asset to the company, their hard work and commitment enables us to reach our goals and deliver the vision we have for changing the lives of the local community. Therefore, it’s important that they are healthy, happy and have good relationships with their coworkers. We believe that team building days such as these not only help us operate like an inclusive family, but work towards inspiring our staff to think about their own health and fitness and work towards improving their wellbeing.”

Underlining the vision and objectives of Qatar’s National Sports Day, Msheireb Properties enabled employees to embrace the benefits of healthy lifestyle and constructed dedicated sports and games facilities on site and arrange for the transportation of all volunteers, workers and colleagues to ensure everyone could join in the celebrations and energise their fitness goals.

Qatar National Sports Day is a public holiday held on the second Tuesday of February every year. Since its inception in 2012, the day has aimed to promote sports and educate the residents of Qatar about the ways they can reduce health risks associated with an inactive lifestyle. It’s also an opportunity to bring communities closer together based on the sporting principles of inclusion, unity and participation.

 

All staff, including the company’s construction workers, and their families were invited to take part in host of entertaining activities and sports events which included jousting gladiator duels, basketball, table tennis, Zumba, yoga, inflatable sumo wrestling, tug of war, dart ball, and kabaddi. Held at Msheireb Downtown Doha’s Heritage Quarter, the day saw hundreds of employees come together to enjoy a little healthy competition to take home an array of trophies and prizes, which included sportswear and vouchers.

Commenting on the success of this year’s National Sports Day activities, Noora Al Rumaihi, ‎Manager of Communications and Public Relations at Msheireb Properties stated, “Our staff are an important asset to the company, their hard work and commitment enables us to reach our goals and deliver the vision we have for changing the lives of the local community. Therefore, it’s important that they are healthy, happy and have good relationships with their coworkers. We believe that team building days such as these not only help us operate like an inclusive family, but work towards inspiring our staff to think about their own health and fitness and work towards improving their wellbeing.”

 

Underlining the vision and objectives of Qatar’s National Sports Day, Msheireb Properties enabled employees to embrace the benefits of healthy lifestyle and constructed dedicated sports and games facilities on site and arrange for the transportation of all volunteers, workers and colleagues to ensure everyone could join in the celebrations and energise their fitness goals.

Qatar National Sports Day is a public holiday held on the second Tuesday of February every year. Since its inception in 2012, the day has aimed to promote sports and educate the residents of Qatar about the ways they can reduce health risks associated with an inactive lifestyle. It’s also an opportunity to bring communities closer together based on the sporting principles of inclusion, unity and participation.

 

Novo Cinemas to open brand-new entertainment destination at “Msheireb Downtown Doha”

Doha, Qatar 29 January 2017: Msheireb Properties and Novo Cinemas, a subsidiary of the prestigious Elan Group, signed an agreement to open a new innovative cinema complex, bringing the region’s cinematic industry leader to Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD), the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project.

Novo Cinemas at Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) offers an unparalleled movie experience, with standard state-of-the-art screens as well as the new VIP 7-Star offering. The luxury 7-Star experience includes a private VIP lounge, personal butler service, fine dining menu selection and fully reclining automated seats. With three prime locations already operational in Qatar, including the state-of-the-art 19 screen Megaplex in Mall of Qatar, the cinema at MDD confirms Novo’s position as market leader in Qatar.

Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, Chief Executive Officer, Novo Cinemas commented: “As we continue to expand our presence in the Middle East, Novo Cinemas in Msheireb Downtown Doha will be a unique addition to our collection. The venue will maintain Novo Cinemas’ pioneering standards with integration of the latest in cinema technology, providing an unparalleled entertainment experience for visitors. We look forward to developing a cultural and innovative cinema space for this revolutionary neighbourhood with the help of Msheireb Properties.”

Novo Cinemas, Msheireb Downtown Doha is part of a large regeneration plan to revive the old commercial district in a modern, yet traditionally Qatari manner. The renovated social and civic hub in the city centre will provide Qatari residents with an exciting neighbourhood to live, work, shop, visit, and enjoy activities with family and friends.

Mr. Abdulla Hassan Al Mehshadi, Chief Executive Officer at Msheireb Properties, said: We are extremely pleased to welcome Novo Cinemas to our flagship project, Msheireb Downtown Doha. Partnering with this pioneering industry leader allows us to bring our vision of a dynamic destination to life, and support our work to revolutionise the way people work, live and thrive. Enriching the lives of the community and its individuals is of paramount importance to our development and we are confident that Novo Cinemas premium cinematic experience will reflect our aims to deliver exceptional entertainment.”

By blending Qatar’s heritage with modern technology, and its focus on sustainability and harmony within the environment, the project aims to build a communal space that reflects the culture and aspirations of the people of Qatar. Novo Cinemas will be the exclusive cinema provider in the development, bringing an unparalleled entertainment experience to the community.

The new Novo Cinemas Multiplex at Msheireb Downtown Doha is due to open within The Galleria, a retail destination that Msheireb Properties envisage as ‘Home to Qatar’s New Lifestyle’. This unique shopping mall set within the city’s revitalised urban downtown area, is easily accessible from surrounding pedestrian and driving routes and together with Novo Cinemas, it will offer residents and visitors a premium entertainment destination, right in the heart of the city.

Msheireb Downtown Doha will increase Novo Cinemas’ brand footprint to a total of 175 screens across the region. By 2018, Novo Cinemas aim to have 7 IMAX screens, including 3 IMAX Laser and the largest IMAX Laser in the Middle East, helping them attain a total of more than 220 screens by the end of 2018.

Msheireb Properties partners with Al Meera to create a new shopping experience

Doha, January 15, 2017: Msheireb Properties and Al Meera Consumer Goods Company (Q.S.C) signed a partnership that will bring the country’s leading retail brand to Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD).

The new Al Meera store will be located at Galleria Mall which forms a major part of the retail offering at Msheireb Downtown Doha.and consist of 100 shops in the vibrant mixed-use community development at Msheireb Downtown Doha, that has been meticulously planned to revitalise Doha’s central urban area. The Galleria will comprise an anchor supermarket (Al Meera), multi screen cinema. The mall will also feature dedicated entertainment zone for children, involving both educational and physical activities where children of all ages will be entertained in a safe and friendly environment.

Msheireb Downtown Doha project offering over 300 retail shops, more than 100,000 square meters of leasable commercial space over 17 grade-A office buildings with 24/7 property management services, a luxury department store, fine dining restaurants, premium hotels, government buildings, four heritage houses, and stylish homes, Msheireb Downtown Doha is set to transform the way we live and work.

The iconic development features a pioneering sustainability design to offer residents and visitors a premier shopping experience with shaded walkways and clean efficient energy that creates the perfect climate to shop and relax.

Commenting on the occasion, HE Sheikh Thani Bin Thamer Al Thani Chairman of Al Meera, said: ” Al Meera’s Msheireb Branch is a new, unique vision of its kind. It is the fruition of years of experience that Al Meera has gained in the model design of the company’s commercial branches, which goes in harmony with the nature of the place and its surroundings. This is the reason behind the design being influenced by the characteristics of the ‘Msheireb Downtown Doha’ project, as one of the most important architectural projects in Qatar, which the concerned authorities were keen on it being a mirror that reflects the essence of the country’s spirit. On this premise, the Msheireb branch design is an attractive blend of the modern Qatari architectural art’s adherence to the authenticity of Qatari culture, as well as its openness to contemporary art trends.”

He added: “Al Meera’s Msheireb branch, will be divided into several sections, of which the first section will be dedicated to the supermarket space, in addition to a space for organic products in the second section, while the third section will be devoted to a coffee shop for organic products. The branch will be equipped with the best technological solutions that follow international standards, paying attention to the smallest details in its advanced lighting systems, and features the best forms of presentation and storage – through the use of racks and shelves with an attractive design to help customers in a quick and easy selection of products, so as to preserve and maintain products, while making the shopping experience fun and exciting.

We are pleased to be serving another segment of the Qatari community, embodying our motto ‘Your Favourite Neighbourhood Retailer’, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 for the development of the various regions of the country.”

Speaking about the new partnership, Mr. Abdulla Hassan Al Mehshadi, Chief Executive Officer at Msheireb Properties, said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Al Meera to Msheireb Downtown Doha. We believe together we can offer visitors and residents an unrivalled experience that seamlessly connects work, life and play. Al Meera’s values reflect our own goals to make a positive impact on our local community, and we look forward to working closely together to make a vital contribution to our country’s vision of a diversified economy.”

Msheireb Downtown Doha, a transformative revitalised urban regeneration project in the heart of Doha, is now open for commercial, retail and residential tenants. This ground-breaking QR 20 billion community initiative covers more than 31 hectares, and its vision to create sustainable modern communities that offer a wealth of residential, commercial and retail prospects.