any photos of the interiors at all or up to date on the glass going in

havent you seen the pictures posted by massilia rbj ??? it has some information with pictures :D

oh sorry my computer didnt show any pics of the interiors ( not the plans of the apartments). I presume you have photos of the interiors or didnt you read my last post properly ????????????????????????????????? ( more ? than you)

iu was refering to the glass update... sheeesh !

you mother father !

:rofl::rofl:

^^ lol ? wats so funny ??? its just one of my expressions like ToOoT :D:D:D i like changing dirty words to ...well nothing lol :lol:

Thank God they changed the design. I was looking around and found this:

http://atitech.ca/products/workstation/casestudy/architecture/images/Qatar_Bay.jpg

this makes 0 sence to me.....what si this, and where is it.....and what si this highway.....? i am reallly confused.....even though i love the design......

^^ again with the mothering and fathering ! its the old design for lagoon plaza , in west bay , that bridge is going to the pearl and the other road going to doha , no confusion , me too sadsly it wasnt chosen but i would love to see it bieng built next to it !!!!

Lagoona to target discerning shoppers

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/images/magazines/retail_news_middle_east/2007_09_01/fullsize/lagoon_full.jpg

Lagoona mall, a 127,000 sq m mall being developed in Qatar, will raise the stakes in the country's burgeoning retail sector. The project, which is being developed by Qatari company Darwish Holding, will have a focus on higher-end brands and aims to become a major destination for consumers in Qatar. Ronald Dinelle, the project's general manager, tells Retail News Middle East about the mall and how it will stand out from its rivals.

Where will Lagoona mall be and what is the idea behind the project?

We planned Lagoona to be a retail experience that is far beyond the ordinary. It is our strategic move to bolster our core mission of promoting lifestyle-shopping experiences.
Lagoona is situated at the heart of Doha's West Bay area, the country's most cosmopolitan vicinity. Lagoona is nested between the iconic Zigzag towers, the West Bay Residential Lagoon development and the districts of Lusail and the Pearl. Lagoona is a 127,000 sq m, two-level lifestyle shopping centre with 53,000 sq m of retail shopping. One of Lagoona's unique features is a 20,000 sq m landscaped European piazza, featuring 5,000 sq m of fine dining which will be home to 20 restaurants with outdoor patios overlooking the piazza. The mall is due to open by the end of 2008.

How many outlets will the mall have?

Lagoona will have over 170 retail shops offering an ample variety of gifts and fashion brands. It will bring together a unique collection of the world's signature brand names such as Rolex, Zegna, Brioni, Sony, Bose, Apple iPod, Corneliani, Moreschi, to name a few.

How much is being invested in the project?

While I can't comment on exact investment figures at this point, I can say that Lagoona is part of a multi-million dollar project that is undeniably at the height of luxury shopping, bringing home experiences, facilities and services that are unavailable anywhere else in Qatar and that are thoroughly in line with the country's needs and expectations.

Why did you decide against having a hypermarket at the mall?

They're certainly well represented in Doha already - there are hypermarkets in several of the other shopping centres and not too far from where we are. We have a very tight sight with only 53,000 sq m of retail so we want to maximise the retail opportunity and the fact that we are putting these 20-24 restaurants in really became a focal point. We have spoken to well over 200 retailers already who are very interested in the Lagoona project. Now it's a matter of getting back to them and coming up with the merchandise mix and getting the leases done.

What long terms plans do you have for the Lagoona brand?

We'd like to see the Lagoona brand grow. Perhaps in a few years there will be a Lagoona Bahrain, or a Lagoona Abu Dhabi, so we'd like to take this concept and grow it. Doha is on the edge of a large boom. It's a very forward, progressive and comfortable place to live and it really is growing in leaps and bounds.

nice ! :banana: source: http://www.arabianbusiness.com/499218-lagoona-to-target-discerning-shoppers

pop onto youtube copy and paste watch?v=Wic80R8QlFE into the search section, there is a waterboarding video with the zigzag towers in the background. Dont ask me how we find this stuff but it looks good. I presume one of you computer whizz kids will be able to do a direct link

easy as pie ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wic80R8QlFE

thank you pie man

Courtesy by robstation at flickr.

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/103/20976627557806e7d076bei8.jpg

woo hooo aron you made my day light :D, though its already night in here lol :lol:, i mean look at the glass ! and the mall !!!! even grand hyatt !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

merci thaaron

Lagoona Mall to bring new luxury retail benchmark to Qatar



Published: 29 November 2007





QATAR. Having glamour, affluence and high-living as core trademarks, Lagoona is nested between the world’s tallest Zigzag towers, the opulent West Bay Residential Lagoon Development and the prestigious districts of Lusail and The Pearl.

Lagoona - planned to open in the latter part of 2008 - is a 127,000 square metre professionally-planned two level lifestyle shopping centre with 53,000 square metres of retail. One of Lagoona’s many unique features is a 20,000 square metres fully landscaped landmark European Piazza, featuring 5,000 square metres of fine dining home to 20 restaurants. Each will have an outdoor patio overlooking the Piazza. Convenience is enhanced by great access and parking for over 2,000 vehicles.

Lagoona is planned to be a retail experience that is far beyond the ordinary. It is Darwish Holding’s strategic move to bolster its core mission of promoting lifestyle shopping experiences. Lagoona is being developed by Dar Investment and Development and is leased and managed by Darwish Holding for an initial period of 30 years.

Traced back to over five decades of solid heritage, Darwish Holding equipped the organization with a deep-rooted knowledge of market expectations coupled with international, all-encompassing experience in retail.

Darwish Holding is a prestigious group owned by Abdullah Darwish, Chairman and Saoud Darwish, Vice Chairman and Deputy Managing Director. It has under its leadership seven core businesses: Darwish Commercial, Darwish Real Estate, Darwish Investments, Darwish Industries, Darwish Business Services, Darwish Ventures and Darwish Retail Services. Darwish Mall Management has the task of providing prime retail space and providing support services necessary to create a world class shopping destination, with Lagoona being a new solid testament to that.

With over 170 retail shops offering an ample variety of gifts and fashion brands, Lagoona is looking to set an unparalleled benchmark in the retail industry in Qatar. In addition to offering the finest world-class services, standards and amenities, Lagoona is aimed at creating a pulsating, vivacious community and a unique shopping ambiance.

At Lagoona, every corner is endowed with enough style and glamour to enthrall the senses of Qatar’s fashionistas. With an array of stores characterised by aesthetically-minded interiors, the mall offers magnificently designed areas with Moroccan style marble, slate and stone flooring throughout shopping centre. The mall’s rest stop areas offer hotel style upholstered seating over carpet inserts and decorative lighting. With translucent glass floor inserts, custom designed clam shaped skylight with illuminated pearl chandelier in domed ceiling, Zigzag skylight features and mother of pearl domed ceiling with luminous cove, Lagoon’s iconic unique architecture is visible from everywhere in the new West Bay Lagoon residential development area.

Easily accessible through two major roundabouts of Doha leading directly into the shopping centre, Lagoona features two large, especially designed retail and promotional transportation courts.

Lagoona is part of a multi-million dollar project that is undeniably at the height of luxury shopping, bringing home experiences, facilities and services that are unavailable anywhere else in Qatar and that are thoroughly in line with the country’s needs, wants, and expectations.

Its rich characteristics are up to par with international five star destinations which turn luxury into a fundamental right. It is home to the globe’s most celebrated, signature brand names such as Rolex, Zegna, Brioni, Sony, Bose, Apple iPod, Corneliani, Moreschi.

Lagoona is setting itself to be the country’s gathering location of the most affluent individuals of Qatar. With 300,000 shoppers spending over QAR 50 million (US$13.7 billin) in just ten weeks of Summer, according to a recent study done by one of the Middle East’s leading retail software suppliers LOGOSOFT, the country’s capital is set to turn Qatar into the region’s trendiest fashion hotspot.

http://gallery.mac.com/chrisparky/100008/IMG_2663/web.jpg

^^ post them please :D

On the above photo to the right of the tower as you look at it there are a few white huts on a piece of land. Last time I was in Doha that was mud etc. Does anyone know what they are going to do to it. A nice footbridge from the lagoon plaza over the water and some good resturants with and coffe places over looking the canal would be acceptable

^^ yeah it was a dry desert but its possible that your thought happens i would enjoy it it would be fun :D

Courtesy by robstation at flickr.

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/103/20976627557806e7d076bei8.jpg

Amazing pic, thanks for posting.
The Grand Hyatt is going well too!
I loved the round shaped trees in the parking plot!! :cheers:

really awesome. Can't wait to move in :D:D:D:D:D:D

wow very nice I see the Curtainwall is now on the 12 Floor.

Very Qick:bash: and nice Units:tiasd::badnews:

From Fatboyke in flickr.com

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/4100/2210173662caafacc996bd6fo8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
By Halawala (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/Halawala)

cool

It appears from the map of the proposed metro in doha that there will be a station at lagoon plaza. that should send prices rocketing

^^ in what way ? the metro is built by another company (UPDA) while lagoon plaza is not it dosent have anything to do eith the prices.....

Sorry ..... anywhere there is a metro, train station built the property prices in that area always rise because of the improved transport links. According to the map there will be a station at lagoon plaza which will go straight to the new airport and the city area. Excellent location and now excellent transport links will see prices go up

@qatar_son, he means that it will increase the prices of properties in the area because of the stop. (i.e. convenience) Since this is a thread abou thte lagoon Plaza thats why he mentioned the tower itself.

He right though. Many people would want to live in an area with easy access to transport.

@rbj, sorry for restating what you already explained. Just wanted to emphasize a bit ^_^

Acctully amnesia and rbj i whant to regret what i said about the station and the realation to prices... yes now i see it there is the station connecting the city with lagoon plaza and lagoona shopping mall and vice versa the tower and mall owner is probably happy that his land will have a lightrail stop right next to it :D

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/4570/raillagoonor2.png (http://imageshack.us)

now people can go anywhere easier and faster from and to Lagoona mall ! and towers...

btw the next (and last) stop in front of lagoon plaza station is the lusail marina station....

which i think it should be ending in al-khor :D with a station in barwa's project and another in the central area.

Is there an official website for the metro. Also does it mention where the stops will be or are we just estimating

No ! check the Doha 2016 Bid File for all the information about Doha between 2008-2016 trust me you will know everything ! it has information, maps, pictures etc.

http://www.gamesbids.net/library/applicant_files/2016/Doha2016Questionnaire.pdf

excellent thanks. I am even warming to Doha getting the games although I still think a joint effort with dubai in 2020 is more likely. but good luck anyway

any pics I hear the glass is nearly complete on one side

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

Thanks Avid!!

http://gallery.mac.com/chrisparky/100008/IMG_2663/web.jpg

http://gallery.mac.com/chrisparky/100008/IMG_2669/web.jpg

http://gallery.mac.com/chrisparky/100008/IMG_2681/web.jpg

http://gallery.mac.com/chrisparky/100008/IMG_2682/web.jpg

http://gallery.mac.com/chrisparky/100008/IMG_2688/web.jpg

http://gallery.mac.com/chrisparky/100008/IMG_2689/web.jpg

http://gallery.mac.com/chrisparky/100008/IMG_2690/web.jpg

http://gallery.mac.com/chrisparky/100008/IMG_2691/web.jpg

^^ WoW masha'allah great photos adiv, Suzan :D

it really shows that the area will look great

thanks v much. excellent pics, will keep an eye on the website

Will keep going down there. The glass seems to have slowed down somewhat recently. Maybe they have run out and are waiting another shipment ?.

Who knows


But progress is continuing on the inside, and its almost completely topped out.

Keep an eye on my pics in the coming months.

^^ Thanks Avid for those wonderful photos!. Something I dont like particularly in this building is the white cheatline separating the sloped sections. If the sections were all glass instead it would look better.

Its not white its aluminum they just have not removed the plastic yet. These aluminum strips are in all the original renders and designs

^^ it is ? i didnt notice thanks for pointing it out but they better remove the white covering fast because it looks ugly !!!

very slow ^^

http://gallery.mac.com/chrisparky/100008/IMG_2663/web.jpg

Hello aviduser,

what do you mean with problems with the fabricator or Installation Team?????

All ready installed more off 4100 Elements!

And you speaking the cladding has slowed down??????

http://gallery.mac.com/chrisparky/100008/IMG_2663/web.jpg

few model snaps I took yesterday.

http://iloveqatar.net/forum/file.php?26,file=107

http://iloveqatar.net/forum/file.php?26,file=108

http://iloveqatar.net/forum/file.php?26,file=109

wow the building seems huge, you took the pictures from the realestate exhibition right ? it seems cool, the palm towers one right next to it seems nice to, Thanks amnesia

It really made me angry that the Palm model was SOOOO dusty. I was thinking.. wtf... we're paying millions and you can't even remove the dust? lol
The Dubai models were even worse, like the models were made of dust lol.

dusty ? weird..... but still its bettersee them then nothing btw lol at the dubai stuff haha

By heavyfish in flickr

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/9072/232731342873dac19fdboqp4.jpg

Work is really moving on rapidly! However, the government really needs to look into the infrastructure leading up to the Pearl and these massive development. The greenery is also important.

to speed up the installing.I think now is running:horse:

But i see the towers still not ready the I Beams looks out on the top

no Concrete:bash:

Work is really moving on rapidly! However, the government really needs to look into the infrastructure leading up to the Pearl and these massive development. The greenery is also important.

great progress indeed btw thanks aaron for the pic..... Halawala yes its great but the R/A between the pearl and lagoon plaza will become an interchange with a tunnel leading north south and a bridge moving south west towards the pearl :)

^^an interchange?

^^ yeah an INTERCHANGE....

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

^^ me to :) but i am not sure if its lusail expressway since it might be the other road....

Guys i went to the pearl website (fooling around) and accidentally found the interchange we are talking about :) have fun :)

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/2948278.jpg

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/2948312.jpg

Awesome road, we need more around Qatar thats for sure.

I was thinking last night that without this website I would not have any info about this project. We bought 2 years ago now got the contract and everything which is all fine. But that is it. DarQatar website has been down form months and still gives no info. There is just a tel no for this large project. For those of you who live in Doha are they a bit more prominant or are they just poor at giving out updates and information.I am not worried but it would be nearly 18 months without any contact from them if I couldnt see the progress of the towers on this site

Oh Dear. Looking at the pictures of the access to the Pearl and onwards to Losail area, it's going to be chaos. Now I am no town planner, architect or designer, but I am fairly logical, wouldn't it have been more inteligent to build the infrastructure ( i.e. access roads ) before you complete the some of the residential units? People are going to be moving in and living on this super upmarket development and are going to have to drive around a multitude of diversions to get on and off of the island. Not exactly as they'd be expecting I'm sure ...

not really since as you see the interchange covers 2 R/A's, the smaller one towards the pearl has a road going downwards to the diplomaic club which could be used by building a temporary road from the diplomatic club road to the main road..... that could be a solution to the pearl, lusail on the other hand hqas its own roads on the otherside towards qatar university but for people in Lagoon plaza i am afrain they will need to be forced into entering lusail to get out of the lagoon area....

this interchange is wicckkkkedddddddddd...............yeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyy..........

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

@avid, they wont start the interchange until the Lagoon Plaza is complete.
They'll start from the back as well and work forward rather than from the round about to the westbay towers because that would cause havoc.

They already have started on a second road from the westbay towers roundabout though, which I imagine is going to be the new road for when they work on the interchange.

Wow very nice one Tower is very quick on going is now installed 30 floor.

Mabyee 1 month and the towers are finish

Guys i went to the pearl website (fooling around) and accidentally found the interchange we are talking about :) have fun :)

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/2948278.jpg

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/2948312.jpg







LA 7OL WALA GOATA ILA BILA !!

New road project !!

I thing its complete in 2100 !! :ohno::ohno::ohno:

looooooooooooooooooooool fal allah wala falak yaki ! haha la insha'allah ekales fi wagtah :D infrustructure improovment is good !

any new pics please. has all the glass been put in yet and how is the shopping mall getting on. thanks

august is the new final date *sighs*

amnesia .....where do you get this info from. My contact Ahmed in darqatar doesnt even answer his email and the website is poor you cant even access it

@Rbj, I got it from Dar. They call me and send me updated emails.

Wow very nice and quick the Elements installing now.

The Hyatt Tower is nearly closed and the another going at the

last Zone.Congratulations! To the Glazing Team speed up the

installing.:banana:

any pics please and also what is happening to the shopping centre
thanks

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

Jan 09?! That's so far away.
The pictures are ok. I wasn't impressed as well

The pics are fabulous, but I am not sure sure about the quality of work--also the finishing. The finsihing is poor and the construction method seems to be a little bit careless. I was wondring in some of the pctures what the gaping holes from the windows and the living rooms were!

Aviduser , well done for getting in. A couple of questions. What sized flat did you buy and were you happy with the overall size, was it smaller or bigger than you had imagined. I have a 1 bed and don't understand the partial blocking of your view where the front wall meets the bedroom wall. Is that going to be a feature of all of the flats or just because you are on the end. Also I will be facing you from the other tower.In your opinion how imposing is the tower you are looking at?is it bang in your face or a fairly good distance away? Bit suprised by the delay until poss jan 09 , thanks for getting in and the photos although my computer keeps crashing on your gallery site as I keep running out of memory but I am getting through them all slowly. cheers

Have bought a 2-bed from Dar last year financed by QNB. Now that completion date is moved out will probably need to reschedule repayments as they are due to start this month. Any one else with same problem?

I have been paying my mortgage with CBQ since day one nearly 2 years ago now, so I have been paying out without any rent coming in. Still my mortgage has reduced by 2 years on the plus side.But the property has gone up in value. Any ideas on how much a 1 or 2 bed is now worth and if so who is selling them. The Qatar real estate market is like that of a third world country. Even the Dar site is down. They will have to improve before the big boys from other countries come in, like they have in dubai and abu dhabi. A couple of adverts in the gulf times classified section is no good

I bought 2-bed on a high floor (tower b) 12 months ago for qr1.7m - 170sq m. from Dar. Have no idea about the market for selling. I guess prices will vary with apartment size (floor area), which floor it's on, and which tower - just as it did when buying from Dar. Dar were raising prices last year as supply was reducing. This artificially protects people who have alreay bought. Have seen a few ads on qatar living website asking to buy property and saying not interested in lagoon plaza - which suggests that they been deluged with offers to buy from lagoon plaza private owners. I bought to live in, not to make a quick buck, as fed up with paying rent. Dar said over last twelve months can reckon on 10% appreciation - when you take interest rates, inflation and selling fees out that means little or no profit for me if I sell now. But, for those that bought early, say 2-3 years ago, I understand that they've done very well!!!

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

interesting comments, thanks for the info and pictures. Good views from the 21st floor, thats where our will be but facing you in the other block. Very interesting that Dar will be organising rents ( I hope they are better at that than everything else they try and do).We will have to wait and see what the going rate will be once complete. Cheers

Great photos aviduser. I think I have an apartment on the floor above yours in same location. Yes, I know QL is not an estate agent (!), but the ads there give you an idea of what the secondary market might be like. What's your experience of Dar been like? I've had a lot of difficulties dealing with them - misleading statements (lies!), false promises, etc. We are just looking forward to be able to move in at some point soon.

from samdaq (AT) hotmail at flickr.com

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/5593/2504094993c3cd2e5983bny3.jpg

@conrad, QL is not good as a guide IMO. Don't rely on that as a secondary market.

Yes agree about QL - but, who/where else are apartments being advertised? Only way I can gauge prices is what I see on the net. Any other sources welcomed - other than Dar!

Yes agree about QL - but, who/where else are apartments being advertised? Only way I can gauge prices is what I see on the net. Any other sources welcomed - other than Dar!

anyone know have they finished putting the glass in yet or are they waiting for it to be delivered. progress seems a bit slow

^^almost finish putting the class on, just some bits on the top left.

http://i28.tinypic.com/2mwz682.jpg

http://i26.tinypic.com/2hd42dw.jpg

http://i27.tinypic.com/1ze9zf4.jpg

http://i26.tinypic.com/oqhy8k.jpg

http://i28.tinypic.com/30jsd46.jpg

http://i30.tinypic.com/eq8g1x.jpg

the pictures rock bert, thanks :D that area of westbay is growing better and better

thats grate
thanx

Any takers 1900000 QR


Or nearest offer


PM me for details

From Qatar Living.....

2 Bed Corner Flat Lagoon Plaza (Zig Zag)
By LagoonPlazaForSale on Mon, 09/06/2008 - 6:53pm
Price: 1 900 000QR
Bedrooms: 2
Contact email:
Contact number:
Other features:

Pool
Gym
Covered Parking
A/C (Split)
Description:

Offered for sale:

167 Sqmtr Corner Flat
American Style Kitchen
2 Bedrooms Both Ensuite
2 Further Bathrooms
Maids Room
99 Year lease, Residency available to purchaser

21st Floor Tower "A" Facing the Golf Course and Downtown Doha

ALL the Two bed proprties in Lagoon Plaza have sold out here is your oppertunity to purchase one of the sought after corner properties, It has a large lounge impressive views and anticpated rental returns of anything between 15-18K a MONTH, The tower will be finished in Dec with Move in Jan 2009

Present owner is an ex-pat living in Doha selling to raise money for UK deposit.

Like the advert, you have seen my pictures, DAR contacted me today my one is currently worth 2 Million.

Grab yourselves a bargain

Any chance you could edit your post to change the email address to AT rather than @ before my email address fills with spam.

it's a good price based on what they're going for now.

wow looks nice now south also starting.:applause: West is closed looks good.:banana:

East not started? Maybee som problems:?

Every some new pics?

more Glass here :D i guess the mall is topped off too :cheers: found on flickr

http://www.widgx.org/pfiles/765/1.jpg

Article from todays qatar gukf times paper......hopefully they will be finished by December which probably means february march time in reality
Towering hope as builders tackle snagsPublished: Saturday, 12 July, 2008, 12:16 AM Doha Time

By Sarmad Qazi

The Lagoon Plaza towers are expected to be ready by the year-end
THE Lagoon Plaza Towers (Zigzag Towers) are expected to be completed by the year-end after the project ran into minor snags.
The $330mn freehold property was earlier slated to be finished in June after work started in February 2006, but problems such as acquiring raw materials delayed the project, sources said.
“First it was the shortage of raw material, and then last year at the final stages, the glasswork was not up to our expectations,” said an official at the developer, Dar Investments and Development Company.
The 143m tall twin-towers, which are also being touted as the tallest zigzag structures in the world, have green-tinted glass on the outside.
“Both towers need a large quantity of glass. We've now got two companies in Europe working on supplying the custom-made glass,” the official said.
According to the source, almost all of the skeleton work for towers A and B, have been completed except the roof services, while the waterproofing for bathrooms and the kitchens’wet areas, ceramic tiling in the bathrooms and kitchens, and ceramic tiles in dining and flat corridors, false ceilings and other fixtures are near finishing.
“We are working 12 hours every day and the project should be ready in December for possession by owners,” said the official.
The “dancing towers”, as others refer to them due to their wave-like structure, have 34 residential floors for a total of 748 luxury apartments of studio, one, two and three-bedroom sizes.
According to the official, 720 apartments have already been booked by parties from the GCC, the Middle East, Europe and India.
Only the three-bedroom apartments are left and the starting price for any of these is QR3.1mn. For this price-tag, the tenants will get apartments facing West Bay lakes, a proximity to the Doha Golf Club, the Diplomatic Club and beaches, while amenities include covered garage, spa, landscaped gardens, video intercom, gymnasium, beach club, lobby, security, pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, temperature controlled swimming pool, club house, speed lifts and others.
The project also includes a large shopping mall and leisure facilities including swimming pools, saunas, jacuzzis plus coffee shops and restaurants.
“Work on the Lagoon Plaza shopping mall is also moving forward smoothly,” the official noted.
The shopping centre consists of a basement, ground floor and one retail floor.

The mall side is nearly finish now the glazing speeds up.

Any answer what is on the top i saw a red net ore Flag?

Anybody some new pics?

Long time no new pics.

Thanks:)

From ILQ (ILoveQatar.net)

2 Bed Corner Flat Lagoon Plaza (Zig Zag)
Mon, 05/08/2008
Price: 1 950 000QR
Bedrooms: 2
Pool
Spa and Exercise facilities
Covered Parking
Semi furnished

167 Sqmtr Corner Flat
American Style Kitchen
2 Bedrooms Both Ensuite
2 bathrooms
maids room

26th Floor Tower "B" Facing the The Pearl and Downtown Doha

If you're interested please let me know. Send me an email at lagoonb@gmail.com


==========================

On a side note, the expectancy is around March...

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

aviduser and amnesia, 2 questions , firstly how much psf did you sell for and do you sizes inc the communial areas or just the actual inside of your apartment. Secondly who did/are you selling through as the original sellers DAR are less use that a chocolate tea pot. Also the other real estate agents also appear to be half asleep.thanks.Lastly have you seen the plot recently any updates etc. I do believe that if it wasnt for this forum I would be very wooried about my one bed apartment because I havent heard anything at all from DAR , I presume they do still exist

i never knew this was a property sales office thread......

frankie says relax

^^ whose frankie ? jonas brothers little brother ?

It means chill out and relax..... the thread is hardly a hive of activity with hundreds of contributers. There are about 15 of us on this forum many who have bought in the tower and are interested in what others have to say and what is happening to the place not just how big it is, and whether a new window has been put in. I also presume many adults from all over the world also look at this page and are interested as well. So like I say relax and go with it and learn something from others like I do. Ask your teacher who Frankie is ???

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

I can confirm the unprofessional and totally useless services provided by Dar. In fact I have been lied and mislead by them throughout the sales and contract signing process. I am treating the whole experience of dealing with Dar as a lesson to be learnt. QNB, who provided the financing on my purchase, were not much better, and at times I had the feeling that sales reps from both companies were working very closely together at my expense.

But, enough of the rant....am looking forward to eventually taking delivery of my 2-bed apartment, even though it will probably be a shock to move from a spacious 5-bed villa! Does any one have any information regarding the rumoured residence permit that might be available with the leasehold?

Makes very interesting reading. DAR if you are reading this, which I doubt, got anything to say for yourselves ?????????? as you are getting absolutely slated

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

@conrad, QNB does not work with Dar. It's completely independant.

The building is nice, the investment is sound, but it's just Dar as a service which sucks. I will never buy another project after the Zig Zag and The Palm mainly because of their service.

I found out it was delayed until MARCH this time, through Lagoona Mall!

@Avid, QNB mortgages is independantly run by a British company, nothing to do with a QNB directly. They're 3rd party representatives which are being replaced.

I found out it was delayed until MARCH this time, through Lagoona Mall!

Do you have a link to this ....more delays !!!!!! it will be late 2009 at this rate

@rbj, no link as it's not official. It's just what they were told would be the time the mall is complete.

I was told that the towers would be released when the mall is done.

Amnesia....of course I understand that QNB and DAR are two completely seperate commercial entities. However, they were working closely together to help clients arrange finance. Now cycnical me might think that because the DAR sales rep advised me to go to QNB for finance and there just happened to be a QNB sales agent in the DAR office, that the DAR rep would get a finder's fee / commission for bringing the business. That's how it works in the rest of the world.

So, there I am in March 2007, sitting in the DAR office in front of a DAR sales rep and a QNB sales agent. DAR advised me that completion and handover was scheduled for April 2008. The QNB sales agent advised me take out finance with the first payment commencing 1st May 2008. So, that's what I signed up for.

Imagine my surprise when in January 2008 DAR finally present me with a copy of the sales contract to sign and the hand over date is August 2008, with no penalty for the first 6 months delay thereafter, and then QR1,000 liability from DAr for each month after the 6 month period. This is when i realised that things weren't right.

The rest of the story is long and involved....I have tried dealing with different people from DAR all the way up to the GM. And I have tried to deal with QNB. Both parties have deliberately lied and misled me, right down to DAR confirming that QNB had agreed to delay the final disembursement, in order to get me to sign the sales contract. It turned out that in actual fact QNB had stamped receipt of this request from DAR, but not agreed to it. The stamped receipt was presented to me as agreement by DAR and so I in my innocence signed the sales contract.

I've been squealing like a pig ever since!!! There is no legal recourse here, so I am just going to have to put up with it. It contrasts very sharply with buying property in Dubai......there I've dealt with Tamweel and Mazaya and had a very different experience. However, both cases are very different again from buying property in Europe.

One last thing....why do I have to pay an additional 0.5 percentage point on the profit rate (we know it's actually the interest rate) on the finance with QNB to provide life insurance? Why can't I take out life insurance elsewhere? Of course it's just another way for QNB to cream even more money. I haven't even seen an insurance policy from QNB yet - has anyone else? And you can bet DAR get a commission from QNB on that deal, too!!!

@Conrad, QNB doesn't work closely with Dar, it's the 3rd party mortgage company that does.

Although QNB does have an MOU signed with Dar so that is why Dar has to recommend QNB.

At the end of the day, a bank has to look out for it's interest. However they have no control over Dar's actions.

Dar have screwed up big time for acting unproffessionally and messing with the market and that's why QNB doesn't support their new investments.

I mean seriously, wtf is with the 1,000 per month? That's worth nothing to me!
The 6 months shouldn't start from the day you sign either if you ask me but the day of completion which was publicly announced.

That's why they don't release updates. The government should get involved and use them as a lesson if you ask me.

However if we think about it, how many floors are there? 32? 32 with 6 flats on each. That's around 400,000 lost from them a month.

By my guess, they've lost 2-3 apartments now (for paybacks).


I even invested in Dubai and Bahrain and I can say that my investment in Bahrain was the best, and believe it or not, my investment in Dubai was painfull. Similar to with Lagoon, I was told lie after lie after lie.

QNB has the life insurance as a must in their contract, however I don't think you HAVE to go through QNB for a mortgage at the end of the day.

Yawn.................... Another Yawn............. Another Yawn.........................
Infinite YAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWN

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

you could easily PM each other (duh)

Please carry on your discussions in this forum for buyers who has invested in Lagoon Plaza. Thanks for your updates and experiences. Really appreciate your time.

lol... we're just sharing advice bro.

Inshallah with this, more projects will be managed even better and Qatar will be even great.

right aviduser?

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

Well you never know...anything is possible! may be with time and new generation taking over gradually!

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

i completely agree with you but MAYBE it was a wishful thinking on my part :)

When we bought we got our mortgage through Commercial bank qatar CBQ who I must say have been excellent. Each time we go to Doha from London we are invited in for a chat and a drink.The only difference with Dubai and what we have done in doha is when we got a mortgage in dubai we didnt start paying the repayments until the property is built which means several years down the line, no monthly payments and prices soaring. At CBQ we have had to pay the repayments from the day we bought which is about 2 and a half years ago, with no rent to cover the costs. However we really saw potential in the zig zag towers then and that was well before Lusail was announced of course. Excellent that there will be tram/train stop at the shopping mall so the location should be excellent in years to come.The prices havent increased as much psf in doha as I would have thought, but I think that is because they havent got the tourists coming yet. Qatar needs big attractions. It appears to be a business hub at the moment especially with the lng which should trigger real interest when it gets going in the next 2-3 years. Any one been passed recently with any updated pics please.thanks

@Avid, Inshallah in this context means lets hope.

So what I was saying is 'Let's hope that Qatar becomes something great'.

All I know is that you have to be positive. Pessimism brings forth no results if you don't aim for a solution.

I personally feel that there are many people in the Gulf that became too rich too fast, however just as the US was once a place which had loads of issues, Qatar and the UAE will also surpass these.

In regards to labourers, Qatar is better than most Middle Eastern countries for trying to establish general human rights.

I myself run a Charity by Qataris for the labourers, to help them out.

I have faith in our Emir. I know that there are those behind the scenes that probably don't want change to happen, but the Emir does and I know that he'll take care of us.

On a side note, 90% of my Hong Kong friends say they hate Hong Kong :P



Anyway, I just can't wait until the new land and construction legislation passes (which is being defined as I type this). It'll put all these developers in their place.

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

Wow now agents in Doha are trying to compete with Central London or Manhattan! Thanks Aviduser for giving us the beginning of the end :)

2 Bed in the zigzag just gone up for sale on qatarliving website


Home › Classifieds › Accommodation › Apartment (Flat)
Best deal for a brand new 2 bedroom apartment
By momanya on Sun, 17/08/2008 - 3:34am
Price: 1 750 000QR
Bedrooms: 2
Furniture: Semi-furnished
Contact email:
Contact number:
Other features:

Pool
Gym
Covered Parking
A/C (Split)
Description:

-Lagoon Plaza (zigzag) twin towers
-THE HIGHEST ZIGZAG TOWERS IN THE WORLD (34 levels each)
-Tower B on the 14th floor
-Inspiring Water Canal & sea view
-95 sqm
-The 1st 6 floors of both towers are attached and extended to form a top standard mall
-Swimming pool & gym for each tower in addition to the state of the art large lake in between the 2 towers for relaxation and entertainment
-1 covered Parking (bought separately for 50'000 QR)
-Integrated wall units with large storage capacity
-Modern, space utilizing lay out & design.
-Excellent investment ( a project on real land not on an island)
-Directly from owner.
-Handover at the end of this year (within 3-4 months)
-Serious buyers please

@avid, I don't see it at work as much as I used to. The government and government related places (like QNB) have been going through a cleansing.

QNB alone fired 30% of the lazy Qataris in 2 years.

The smart educated Qataris stayed.

Wasta in the work place is meaning less and less here. People have to study and work hard.

Tourism is low because Qatar has stopped promoting tourism at the moment. This is due to the fact that Qatar wants projects to be completed before inviting people over.

Also Qatar isn't Central London (although you should compare Doha with London :P) but The Pearl is indeed a unique project.

I think the price is definately worth it, but not right now (if you know what I mean).

It's all thanks to these bloody Lebanese and Syrian resellers (I know I'm generalizing but I see it more with them), who buy and resell and have caused a HUGE price rise. Then again, people are paying! I know it might sound strange, but Qatar is in DIRE need of a recession.

As an investor myself I'm happy, but as a national who cares about Qatar and the future I feel that they're messing things up.

We need MORE simultaneous projects in Qatar if you ask me so that we can distribute focus rather than looking at the Pearl and Zig Zag towers only (for expats).


What do you say Avid, want to vote for me when I'm experienced enough to be a an Emiri Advisor?

@RBJ, yeah I saw that on ILQ too. First I thought , "that price is decent", but then I was suprised that it says it's 95sqm. I didn't know Zig Zag HAD any 95sqm 2 bedders...

Aviduser - re. rental yield on The Pearl - a very rough estimate at QR15,000 per month rent gives an annual yield of about 6.5% on the 2-bed apartment.

Re. mortgage with QNB - my financing is definitely with QNB, although it seems from comments on this forum that the real deal has been done through a UK mortgage company using QNB as a sales channel - is this right? Anyway, I would love to refinance if possible, as I am very unhappy with treatment by QNB (or the representative - can we name names here?). I saw someone mentioned finance through IBQ. Would they be interested given my changed employment status since I purchased 18 months ago, i.e. no longer have Qatar RP, work in Saudi?

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

@conrad, 15k for a two bedder in the pearl? That's a decent price :P

They're saying 14-18k in the zigzag.

@avid, I don't even think for a second that Qatar is far behind Dubai. In fact, they're not even taking the same route.

I think Qatar is learning from Dubai's mistakes, however when it comes to tackling the issue of inflation they're making the same mistake Dubai is.

If you read the business news or manage to get a hold of internal figures, Dubai is crashing whereas Doha is movin' on up. (I'm no where near as nationalistic as my signature would make you think :P I just see the potential, otherwise i'd probably have went to Shanghai)

I thought things were going slow, but I notice that everytime I leave the country for a week or two and come back there are HUGE changes.

I think things have been changing soo fast, that we've gotten used to it.

My 15k per month income on a 2-bed in the Pearl is just a rough net estimate - variables on this would include furnished / unfurnished, building maintenance fees, property insurance, utilities, etc. This would all bring up the rental cost to the tenant.

Regarding Zig Zag rental I'm not sure. If I was to rent my 2-bed apartment I'd be looking to cover my mortgage and perhaps get a 10% margin to cover maintenance, insurance, and depreciation on furniture, fixtures and fitting.

One thing I heard about the Pearl is that utitlities (electricity and water) will be provided at a profit by a private company. Not sure how true this is, but I worked on the financial investment proposal to interested operators/investors four years ago with UDC and this was part of the concept.

Whereas in Zig Zag utilities should be supplied by Kahramaa, and when I worked with them four years ago I know they subsidised at the rate of 20% below cost to residential/domestic expatriate users and free to local residential/domestic users.

That chimes with what I had heard, the Pearl's cooling for example is centralised, in Dubai these centralised schemes have been known to be quite expensive.

Guys I don't know what is your source, but the reality is the exact contrary, district cooling is much cheaper for the tenants' final bill, check it out by yourself if you work in a building equipped with district cooling ; ) It has also other benefits such as being environment-friendly, reducing construction costs, and eliminating the factory-like noise generated by buildings with conventional a/c.
The Pearl will be fully supplied by district cooling, and many buildings in West Bay are also currently supplied this way, by a small factory you maybe never have noticed. The plan is that all the West Bay area can be supplied by district cooling, with only 2 factories. There is a huge underground pipeline network in West Bay for this, ready to supply any plot of land where a tower can potentially get built.

Are excellent, district cooling IS much better for the environment, the system is used in Dubai and I am sure many residents there would argue that it is in fact cheaper than the local utility.

It could be cheaper I agree the problem is greedy companies taking advantage of the fact that they have the monopoly over how people cool their houses.

Environmentally though it is absolutely the way forward and is to be commended. It is being used extensively in Westbay.

We will find out with their first bills.

@conrad, the problem, people want to cover their mortgage but did you know that statistically around the world a mortgage is only supposed to cover a maximum of 70% of your mortgage installments?

With Hyatt Plaza in the foreground:

http://i36.tinypic.com/az7v2w.jpg

^^ hayatt plaza ? lol got carried away i think haha, acctually its hayatt hotel... right ?

Mmmm...yes Hyatt Hotel in front of Lagoon Plaza...but no Hayat Plaza :bash: lol

that's a hotel? Designed to look like Villas?

no no.... the main building is a hotel those are just the villas... well there also part of the complex but they were built before the main building

Had an email from DAR they still reckon the completion date will be december 31st 2008.........we will wait and see

Bring on district cooling supplied at cheaper rates than Kahramaa charge residential expatriate users! And with a benefit to the environment. I’ve heard that customers in the UAE are facing unexpectedly high utility bills and property management fees. My understanding is that first year in Zig Zag the service charge is fixed at 1% of the value of the property. After that the residents will form a company to administer the building maintenance, and charge residents / owners accordingly.

Some pics from the developer, provided by rbj:

http://i35.tinypic.com/s3o6f8.jpg

http://i33.tinypic.com/152jrt1.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/mie3rk.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/33w76af.jpg

http://i37.tinypic.com/jjtjk5.jpg

more...

http://i34.tinypic.com/1zqzzty.jpg

http://i37.tinypic.com/2aals3s.jpg

http://i36.tinypic.com/1538bnq.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/2iqiptw.jpg

http://i36.tinypic.com/15qtg05.jpg

more...

http://i34.tinypic.com/2rdgn7q.jpg

http://i33.tinypic.com/zvoqrm.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/16p9xu.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/ne6qtj.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/121vrpl.jpg

and more:

http://i36.tinypic.com/1zclo2c.jpg

http://i33.tinypic.com/282f41l.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/11imhbq.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/minx45.jpg

http://i37.tinypic.com/10hqgas.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/2928vm1.jpg

looking alright actually.

Massilia .... thanks for posting for me. Not too sure on their deadline of Dec 31st, and the shops will definately be longer than march 09.What is a 1 bedder renting for in Doha nowadays, I presume this development will attract expats who want to be out of town, near the ritz and hyatt etc

^^ after lusail is constructed it would just be part of the city....

@s22, no it wouldn't because Lusail is a seperate city.

^^ no its not, its an extension to doha !

not according to Lusail's own website.

www.lusail.com

Please note that there is Doha City and Doha the prefecture/municipality.

^^ if we follow the municipality then it means that Aspire Zone, alwaabcity are outside Doha.... and it also mean's that "I" am livivng outside doha..... Doha City is way better in my opinion, about lusails website... i guess they call it marketing.... but they clearly missed the fact that, The pearl, Lagoon Plaza, Hayyat hotel, Qatar University, Doha Golf, and cultural village are all next to it... which makes some kind of LINK that connect Doha with Lusail... somthing like Doha growing so fast it might swallow wakrah.. (that will not happen anymore since they have there own masterplan now)

That is because Doha expanded the municipality zone on August 2006. What map are you looking at?

Whether it's next to it or not, there has to be a border SOMEWHERE.

I guess at the end of the day, I consider Lusail City to be a seperate city within the Doha municipality. It's also the easiest way to understand the regions.

Lusail is unique in the fact that it's the Link between Doha and Al Khor :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PnrQjQNVow

Taken on 14th August. I am suprised how little of the view over the pearl the other tower takes up. Good video though

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhSyVGnDo88&feature=related

No way will this be completed by dec 08 ???????????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8pNKzfuPjc&feature=related

last one, the first one is the best, but gives a general impresion

lol

any news or updates

nada

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

big competition between zig zag building and pearl. coz both r have shopping malls , restaurent and cafeteria, but pearl island could have one disadvantage which is they put entry fees on the entry gate, i think zig zag malls take benefit coz low income should be attract to zig zag shopping malls .

@avid, I was in it yesterday, it hasn't slowed down. The interior is near complete.
I have always doubted it would be ready in December. March seems more realistic, but still it is progressing.

so far they're 8 months late. The global average is 6 months, so they've passed that.

As for rent, the Pearl Properties will be more expensive than the Zig Zag.

Add to the fact that the Zig Zag is a strategic point right next to the future stations and you've got a nice little place.

@bablo, I don't think it'll be big competition with malls. Qatar needs more anyway.

Come over to Bahrain.

Bahrain Mall, Dana Mall, Aali Mall, Seef Mall, and City Center Mall are ALL next to each other. They are all full too :)

I dont' think it'll attract low income because the shops to be opened in the Lagoona Mall are actually known brands.

Amnesia so questions please as you have been inside. My interest is because we also own a 1 bed in tower b on the 21st floor.Time scales mean absolutely nothing to me in doha or dubai and early , summer of next year was always a possiblity.In you opinion to what standard has the interior been completed at, is it excellent, good or just ok ( please dont say it is a disaster). I agree thge location is a good one over the mall and next to the metro. How is the mall doing or is it likely that people will be living in the flats well before the shopping mall opens. Also if you live in Doha is there much excitemnt generally about the building projects, the lagoon, pearl etc etc or couldnt people care a less. Are the expats waiting to move into the west bay area out of the city or couldnt they really care a less either. A few questions I know I would have pm'd you but I think other may be interested in your ( and other people who live in doha) opinions of what is actually happening. PS has anyone ever heard from DAR , had an email with updates or any type of communication, if they are anything to go on then DAR , qatar and all of us are doomed, what a comical outfit they are !!!!!!!!!!! cheers

Bahrain Mall, Dana Mall, Aali Mall, Seef Mall, and City Center Mall are ALL next to each other. They are all full too

Add to that Moda Mall, BFH Mall, Pearl Mall, Marina Mall, the under constrution Raffles City Mall, and soon to be built Reef Island Mall and Up Town Mall. They are all on the same Road.

^^whoa !! singapore the second !!!!!!!! :D the only close malls together in Doha are villaggio and Hyatt plaza...

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

Well, congrats on getting a good deal with that flat, DAR really sounds terrible !!!

I hope they finish the mall this year!

@RBJ,

I think I'm on the 21st floor too on tower B. (two bedroom).

I believe that the standard of the interior is adequate. It's not amazingly great but it's not bad either. It's about the same standard as the new apartments in London. It's clear they didn't use the ebst fixtures, but it didn't matter to me personally since I'm going to be changing everything anyway. They did do a fantastic job with the titling however I did not like the ceilings as it felt more like an office than an apartment.


People will definately be living in it a couple of months before the mall is finished thats for sure.

People are anticpating the finishing of most towers as there is high demand and these apartments are also the first for foreigners to buy to own so all eyes are on to see if the government fulfilles their part of the deal and hands out RPs


Dar does indeed suck and they hardly provide any updates. They do send me an email now and then, but otherwise, they are as quiet as a mouse.

thanks ......please keep us updated, especially if you hear of a firm completion date

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nhVFNo5PdmQ&feature=related

If they spent as much money on getting someone to answer the phone or emails instead of fancy videos and expensive orchestras...........ha ha

^^ whoa !! one of the first cool videos about projects in Doha :D thanks alot for posting...

wicked.....i love it

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

@avid, I am not joking and I think I you need to review what I just wrote.

I am referring to the 'new' standard of apartments. I bought an apartment for 200,000 pounds for example and it feels like I'm living in a cardboard box. I had 56 problems with it. It was built my Barratts. I still have the letter I wrote two years ago listing all of the issues.

My worst was the mould on the ceilings because the neighbour upstairs had a leak and they claimed it wasn't their responsibility to fix even though it occurred in the first year!

I had no lighting fixtures in my apartment.

My floor had 4 50p sized chips (wood laminate), on bathroom had plaster all over the tiles and the other had one tile near falling off and a huge crack.

My ceiling was plaster board and cracked along the seems, had mould, and no reinforcement for the area surounding the spot lights.

Trust me avid, my other apartment which is 30 years old on Baker Street is MUCH better!


I don't really know if we're moving on March. I can just hope so. I've been investing in apartments for the past 5 years now in different countries and all I can say is that they're all the same.

They all raise your expectations, they all delay, they all piss you off.

The only apartment I ever bought that I had few issues with was in Shanghai.

I hope you don't think I'm being biased avid, I'm just basing my judgement on my experiences.

one of you clever lot will post this photo for me which was taken on 1 nov.... looks good. thanks http://www.flickr.com/photos/10948116@N08/2545083642/

Er there seems to be a problem with the Mall. Nothing has changed in over 4 months and today there were only 4 people I could see on site and this was late morning. I recently head that DAR might be about to go or already be bankrupt.

The actual towers are looking finished and one of the cranes has come partially down.

This may mean the crane company has pulled out or it really is finished.

Without the mall you won't have any swimming pools and the health clubs might not be built. After reading horror stories about property in Dubai anything could happen.

I doubt very much that DAR will go under, I dont believe the qatar goverment will allow it, it would be a disaster for qatar if that happened. I emailed them a couple of days ago asking for a completion date and they said it was still the end of december ( although I doubt it). Where did you hear this rumour as the press who normally get hold of this type of thing have said nothing at all. Personally I am not worried. Did you take any photos would love to see it w/o any cranes etc etc. thanks

So here's just an update.

Dar have given me to answers now. March and June. Pick your sweet.

I've been into the towers and they're all done. Just need a clean. COMMON DAR!

@rbj, they try to be sneaky. Completion date might well be december. Ask them HANDOVER date. The answer will change :P

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

The mall looks exactly the same 6 months later, something is up.

I have indeed seen the mall. I live right next to it.

I was commenting on the towers as they are virtually complete inside.

I dont know wtf is up. I asked them for space in the mall to rent and they said they were full, however I know the guy who leased the whole thing and he's said that it's 70% vacant!

Too many liars out there.

I am was there on morning seems to be a problem with the Mall. Nothing has change on over 6months and today there was only 20 people I could see on site and this was afternoon. Towerkranes is up to now not away maybee
also same problems with the Towers? Any body have some answers ore picture what is ongoing there? Im think it is not finish at the end of next year^^

i think lagoon plaza is much delayed project in qatar. its still no progress seems to see. other compitatior pearl already opened the shops for visitors. peoples already attracted with pearl. i think its a big shock for lagoon plaza. i hope they will complete as soon as possible..... my wishes is totally with them

^^ lagoon plaza cant even compete with the pearl in terms of size and attractions... but lagoon plaza is in a stratigic location ! between Lusail and the pearl mega projects and engulfed with hotels like grand hyatt and ritz carlton with a golf course and a man made lagoon on the front door !! its just WOW ! and dont forget that there will be a new interchange there with a metro station !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any updates, photos from construction site?
Very interesting not-as-like-many-others project!

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

The Metro is not going to be built, that was a "fop" as we say to the Olympic committee to try and pretend they could get the Traffic under control.

I think the interchange will be built I "think" the construction work near the Towers is something to do with that. Or it would simply be a better access road to the Cultural Village.

BOTH will be BUILT

The metro will not be built by the Olympic Committee of Qatar, it was a plan made by UPDA and WILL BE BUILT by UPDA, weather you like it or not, its part of the National Master Plan of Qatar 2030 so YES, IT WILL BE BUILT.... or as we say in arabic Qasbin 3an kashmek !

U cant think.... non of us can think if it will be built or not because u cant just judge somthing will be built or not.. especially the "I" part..... it will be built, didnt u see the plans ? The UDC and the Pearl project will not be happy to see there "special" intersection not built....

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

@avid, how do you know the metro is not going to happen? The announcement and plans were re-emphasized WAY after the olympic bid, so it has nothing to do with that anymore.

trust me avid, individual projects will not pull away from others unless they are directly linked.

In this case, the metro is a major part of the airport plans so I highly doubt that they'll abandon it.


EVERYONE WHO'S BOUGHT IN DAR, ASK FOR YOUR 1,000 QR p/m! DONT think it's not worth it.

They already owe us 6,000 QR because completion plus 6 months was june 2008.

Imagine, 700 apartments each being paid 6,000 QR that's 4,2million they have to shell out. They've just lost 3 apartments!

@avid, I actually understood that Lagoona Mall, although linked to the zig-zag towers, is an independent project being promoted by Badr Al Darwish, whereas the towers are developed by Dar. Do you know anything about that?

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

Anyway there was TERRIBLE NEWS this week in the papers:


Not necessarily terrible news?????? I dont want to sell but the impact of no mortgages being available means that rents will rocket because people dont have a choice they have to rent because they cant buy.

Also does anyone know does Doha have the same rules as Dubai about sharing houses apartmenst if you are not married. There have been many people evicted in Dubai because they share villas etc so they are looking to rent apartments or leaving the country.

thanks

As for the metro we can back and forward on that for weeks. It aint gonna happen for at least 10 years. If it happens sooner I will buy you all a pint.

curious about that pint :hm: what does that mean :D:D


As I remember, the metro is part of Diar projects, and the project begins in 2009. so, only a year to know if it's delayed, canceled or not !

@misillia, Darwish just bought the take-over management of the mall, nothing else.

@avid, All the banks are going to be implementic new international credit check measures.

Banks have been too leniant anyway in Qatar if you ask me.

I'll take you up on that challenge about the metro though Avid. If it starts to get constructed before 10 years I'll take a prize. Not a pint though.

@rbj, unmarried couples are not allowed to share unless it's a split. However most do anyway. You can't get evicted from your own property.

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

Around Doha and rents already dropping according to the papers, I am not sure about long term demand here.

Qatar simply cannot exist in a bubble all of it's own, liquidity has vanished practically overnight in Dubai, the same thing is happening here.

The banks have over lent, the banks now saying they are tightening the the purse strings is their way of saying they simply don't have the money to lend any more.

OK I have only been here two years but as far as I can see only the traffic has got worse, no big companies have set up here, I was sold the Qatari dream, I brought into that dream, but it took me two years to realise there was something not right about the figures and hyperbole surrounding the country.

The people in charge have to bear some major responsibility for this, encouraging everyone to borrow excessively, build too many buildings and vast compounds.

The next thing I can see happening, to keep demand and rent up is whole sale demolition of compounds and residential areas. It's already going to happen in town, I see this spreading, knock down stuff over 10 years old, no doubt some obscure law will make whole areas to be unfit to live in.

Bottom line I really don't think Qatar has made enough effort to attract the sort of people needed to fill out all these flats and compounds.

Dubai has freezones WHY DON"T WE ?

Not too sure about the pesimism here. (although I dont live in Doha so dont see it everyday). When I originally bought 3 years ago I did so not because I wanted to live in qatar particularly but they have massive reserves of LNG.After this world credit blip entrepenuers, vultures and some people with ready cash will take full advantage of the situation. The world economy will turn upwards as quickly as it has gone downwards. Qatar and UAE with their energy reserves will be major players in the world economy because of their influence with the fuel to the west. The Saudi government just gave Brown billions in help, not because they like him I am sure but because they want more influence on the world stage. I personally have great faith in the M.E region and I think it will be the first to pull out of the world currency problems.

PS what ever happened to qatarson33, why did he get banned

@avid, you are wrong. Liquidity has not vanished in Qatar, and you definately have to stop comparing Qatar with Dubai as the strategy and investment methods implemented by the government is totally different.

What is your definition of a large company? Because there are plenty that have signed deals, some have opened and there are those that have been here for a nice time now.

Your negativity impacts your judgement. I try to be critical, but logical.

If you've done any research you'd see that there are THREE freezones that are under construction.

Again though, I repeat STOP COMPARING DOHA WITH DUBAI. This is NOT Dubai, does not have the same strategy or goals as Dubai, and is better protected financially compared to Dubai.


You talk as if everything is a conspiracy.

@rbj, way to go :)

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

The liquidity crisis is a worldwide phenomenon in which all countries are linked. Confidence has vanished, banks worldwide dont lend to each other anymore, liquidity is low and banks are short on capital, so they need to scale back their trading that requires capital, scale back the amount of capital they lend to other traders, etc...banks can not fund themselves as much as before and therefore can not fund their clients as much as before. However, QAR liquidity remains good and problems mainly stem from funding in other currencies. Moreover, and in view of the tight room banks have these days, nobody has the appetite to finance the mega oil & gas projects that were planned to be launched soon. This is reducing forecast demand in many areas (including real estate). Accordingly, there is clearly a correction in the market, but fundamentals remain strong (LNG deals mainly), and it has little to do with what's happening in Dubai.

If anyone can pm me an email address I have 10 photos of the swimming pool ( which looks very big) and some of the piazza etc. Looks very good and a very large project, the workers look like dots in the photos.thanks paul

Thats awesome...why can't you post them here?

I have emailed them to a couple of other users who will hopefully put them on for me. My skills dont extend to putting them on here I am not that clever. Have a happy xmas day
paul

I went to the pearl today so i passed by lagoon plaza and lagoona mall :D

got 2 pictures, there was construction though and a crane to!

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/5732/lagoon1tj8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/lagoon1tj8.jpg/1/w800.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img340/lagoon1tj8.jpg/1/)

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/761/lagoon2ln9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/lagoon2ln9.jpg/1/w800.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img88/lagoon2ln9.jpg/1/)

Both cranes down on both towers they are finished good news, plus they are lanscaping the lagoon area. Good news

^^ well you seem happy today :D i heard there working on the pool now :D cant wait for furthur construction for lagoona mall

Why is it very slow.....?

^^ because it stopped completley and it just restarted :)

I have created a yahoo mail account as we dont seem to be able to get the pics on here for some reason.the address is lagoondoha.yahoo.co.uk on the yahoo uk mail site. password is zigzag. the pics are posted on there if you want to have a look and then perhaps someone could put them on here. There arent many of us here and as its not my real email address there wont be any security issues

thanks

yahoo ID is lagoondoha

Not much progress this week. Cladding is done the Mall looks like it's "on hold" :(

Hi, We just found out that the handover of the apartments will be between March and June 2009 :(

Does anyone know what the delay is. I have heard that it has to do with the water and electricity, can anyone confirm.

Have some pictures coming soon

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

As you can see there is SOME progress on tower A. with glass actually going into where the Gym and healthclubs would be.

The Mall essentially looks on hold with no major progress being made over the last few months, I don't know if you can see that the end of the mall on the far right of the picture is still being erected. The thing is that has been like it now since NOVEMBER. Initially I thought there had been progress but as you can see not much has been done.

If I were to guess I figure the flats will be available for completion end of the summer, clearly there is problems with the mall so you will be moving into a construction site for some time to come. I am sure a new owner for the mall will be found and it will be completed. The good news is that the flats look like they are still being worked on and the plaza in the middle looks like it is making good progress. So good and bad news really.

I have some shots of the Hyatt (excellent progress BTW and the St. Regis)

What do you mean a new owner will be found for the mall soon. I wasnt aware that the original owner had gone. Where did you get that info from. cheers

That was an unqualified guess as there has been so little progress on that section of the project and the mall was sold off to those "lagoona mall" people.

The extra glass in tower A is good news though !

Article from Gulf Times...............looks promising if you believe what the ''''''experts'''''' say


Quantum growth seen in retail real estate sector
By Pratap John
QATAR’S retail real estate segment is poised to grow significantly in the coming years due to the demand – supply imbalance caused by the country’s economic expansion, says Oxford Business Group.
The country’s retail real estate segment is expected to see a gross lettable area of 1mn sq.mts by 2012, up from 45,000sq.mts in 2000, it said.
“While others may have difficulties, Qatar’s dynamic retail sector is expected not only to ride out the global economic storm, but to emerge from it on the crest of a wave,” OBG said.
The retail sector has undergone a dramatic change over the past decade, shifting from the more traditional profile of small shops and souqs towards larger malls and dedicated shopping districts.
A recent study of Qatar’s real estate sector from consulting firm DTZ predicted that in spite of the global economic slowdown, the retail segment would remain strong, “with demand significantly outstripping supply over the short to medium term”.
The study, released in late December, estimated there were around 500,000sq.mts of gross lettable area in Doha alone, with vacancy rates expected to remain negligible in the coming years as the country’s rising population, increasing levels of affluence and personal disposable income continuing to drive the sector.
With new retail projects either under construction or in the planning stages, Doha’s GLA is expected to top 1m sq metres by 2012, a far cry from the 45,000sq.mts of 2000. This represents a 20-fold growth in 12 years.
Much of this new retail space is being developed in conjunction with massive property projects such as The Pearl Qatar, which will have nearly 200,000sq.mts dedicated to retailing, and the soon-to-open Lagoona Mall, with more than 50,000sq.mts.
“Though retail space is increasing in Qatar, so is demand, with a number of key economic indicators that point to retailers there having a better year in 2009 than many of their counterparts in neighbouring countries,” Oxford Business Group said.
Foremost among these are predictions that the economy will continue to expand strongly, though not at the double-digit rates enjoyed over the past few years.
According to a report issued by investment bank EFG Hermes in mid-January, Qatar can expect real GDP growth of 9% in 2009. While noting that private consumption growth will decelerate across much of the region due to wealth destruction related to the fall in global and regional stock markets, the report said, “It is important to note that Qatar will have the strongest economic figures in the region and one of the strongest globally as a result of a substantial jump in gas production.”
Though the growth rate predicted by EFG Hermes is just half of the 18% projected by QNB in a study conducted in mid-October, even this reduced rate of GDP expansion will outstrip growth in all the other countries in the region.
Another key indicator is projected per capita income, which the QNB report said would remain well above $63,000 this year, making Qatar one of the richest countries in the world.
This high per capita ratio will help sustain the retail sector at a time when sales and profits are expected to dip in most global economies.
Retailers will also benefit from an expected sharp fall in inflation, with price rises tipped to drop to 6% this year, less than half the 13.16% as of the end of the fourth quarter in 2008, and well down on the 15.8% in the previous quarter.
Though falling prices will be good news for consumers, as well as for retailers who will be able to cut costs when laying in stock, some outlets will still have to contend with high overheads. In particular, rental costs are not expected to retreat.
This is due in part to the ongoing demand for retail space - vacancy rates in existing developments have fallen below 1%, according to the DTZ report - as well as to the fact that up-market malls have often been locked into long-term lease agreements with fixed rental rates.
Another positive for the retail sector is a sustained level of consumer confidence, reflecting Qataris’ faith in the country’s economic stability.
According to the results of a MasterCard Worldwide survey, issued in mid-January, consumer confidence in Qatar is the second highest in the Gulf region, behind only Kuwait. At 76.2 out of 100, Qatar’s consumers were rated as being fairly to very optimistic - good news for retailers.
“With cash in the pockets of optimistic customers, strong demand and an expanding economy, Qatar’s retail sector can look to the future with quiet confidence,” Oxford Business Group said.

double post sorry

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=271688&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

Anyone been or heard anything

biggining of 2010 for the shopping mall... + major changes.... seems challenging for a new design to be built in 12 months...

Not rocket science though its only 2 floors, 3 at the most. I could build it on my own in a year.

^^ i would like to see that ;) lol

http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=4886

You say I couldnt do it ????????????....I built the attached last week end and sold it for a profit on Monday

lol i was talking about real construction !

I'm going to go checkout my apartments on the 17th :)

Got my invites last week.

full report please. I am still waiting for my date. It will be interesting what you think of the whole place and your particular apartment. Hopefully you will take your camera

cheers

I'm going to go checkout my apartments on the 17th :)

Got my invites last week.

Wow cool may I join? :D So we can call this is a definite completion?
Did they tell you when tenants can move in?

http://www.iloveqatar.net/images/logo.png

They are already cladding the mall here, I reckon it could be finished in a WEEK!

really !!!!!! davy boy thats great news !!!!

@rbj, will do

@ Massilia, today's the day so if you want to join come along! I'll be going around 11-11:30

They didn't say when we can move in but hopefully they'll answer a few Q's while I'm there.

@avid, I'm not really affected, I doubt most are either. Even if it falls by 10% it increased by 90% for me so I'm happy :P

Just finished checking it out. Just need to edit photos now. Making a list of stuff.

It's alright. The general design is not to my taste. I do not like the finishing at all, however they said that it was an initial inspection. I have to say that the floor to ceiling glass wall is kind of scary.

looking forward to the, sounds like this is a pre inspection visit more than a snagging visit. Were you allowed to go through the flat in fine detail picking out little bits you wanted fixing. I dont want to come over from london until I can effectively do that. Any date when they can be rented out

cheers

yes that's whats intended.

I made a 4 page list. It was mostly finishing that I had an issue with.

They give you a form to fill out.

What I did was be polite, made a list, took photos which I printed out for them, put it all in a pack and handed it in the same day.

They also said that they were told by Kahramaa that it would be done my mid march, and they also said they would need a month after that for testing and fixing any issues.

So I anticpate May is move in.

here are the photos.

Of course bare in mind these are just photos of the flaws I searched for.

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2230/sany0012gi2.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/1269/sany0013ox6.jpg

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/9493/sany0015ih4.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/139/sany0016gi5.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/466/sany0017zc9.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/613/sany0018nz5.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/8546/sany0020yc0.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/5549/sany0021nk9.jpg

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/4379/sany0024tb8.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/4356/sany0034xh6.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/3790/sany0036fq6.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/781/sany0038vu9.jpg

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/2888/sany0046di7.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/3269/sany0049og6.jpg

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6581/sany0060yt4.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3710/sany0061rg8.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4475/sany0065hi3.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/4200/sany0063au0.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/8600/sany0066be5.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9728/sany0068ew2.jpg

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/3017/sany0073gf5.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/8351/sany0079dx0.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/9049/sany0080db1.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/7171/sany0081qs7.jpg

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/8080/sany0082fn9.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/8462/sany0083qv4.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/4017/sany0084nf9.jpg

you dont sound massively impressed.I presume any new build means you would have to go in and decorate it to make sure it was how you wanted it. Put curtains up etc few pictures on the wall. Does the development have potential though will it be a good place in 6 months to be when a few coffee shops are open etc or is it a real tower block found on you average london estate. Views must be amazing ?????