Vaillamar

Cost: $450 m

Residential Complex (47-57F)

Completion: June 2009

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/0/27320-Villamar.jpg

http://www.a2mstudio.com/admin/projects/p1123.jpg

Tried to attach pictures, but can't..

Any info on this project?
Thanks

Tried to attach pictures, but can't..

Any info on this project?
Thanks
1-go to any free image hosting web site i.e http://imageshack.us/

2- upload the picture you want from your HD
3-after uploading the picture ,copy the picture URL the paste it in the provided window , you can do this by clicking on this icone http://www.skyscrapercity.com/images/editor/insertimage.gif

1-go to any free image hosting web site i.e http://imageshack.us/

2- upload the picture you want from your HD
3-after uploading the picture ,copy the picture URL the paste it in the provided window , you can do this by clicking on this icone http://www.skyscrapercity.com/images/editor/insertimage.gif


Thanks bro, will try it now.

Hope to upload some pics

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/4944/villamartheharbourja8.th.jpg (http://img178.imageshack.us/my.php?image=villamartheharbourja8.jpg)
[img=http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/4944/villamartheharbourja8.th.jpg] (http://img178.imageshack.us/my.php?image=villamartheharbourja8.jpg)

http://img225.imageshack.us/my.php?image=villamartheharbour2ze7.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/1627/villamartheharbour2dd7.th.jpg (http://img225.imageshack.us/my.php?image=villamartheharbour2dd7.jpg)

Hey guys,,, why is this site so dead.. it used to be the most active around. I was a loyal viewer, but now it seems no one is interested anymore. Its sad

Hey and welcome! i dont think people are NOT intrested, its just that the summer is here so people are just coming back from holidays..inshalla everyone will be back.

hey thanks for the reply,, Im looking forward for new posts.

Project Name: Villamar
Project Description:
Project : Villamar
Location : Bahrain
Client : NORR
Description : Residential Complex
Year : 06/2006
Scale : 1/200

http://www.a2mstudio.com/admin/projects/p1123.jpg

http://www.a2mstudio.com/admin/projects/p2123.jpg

http://www.a2mstudio.com/admin/projects/p3123.jpg

http://www.a2mstudio.com/admin/projects/p4123.jpg

Nice project there Bahrain!!! :applause:

Source: http://www.a2mstudio.com/

http://www.asharqalawsat.com/2007/12/23/images/economy1.450930.jpg

Hey guys,,, why is this site so dead.. it used to be the most active around. I was a loyal viewer, but now it seems no one is interested anymore. Its sad

I ask the same question a year and 4 months later

what's the height of each tower? :)

Work has actually started on these towers, one will be a hotel, another will be time share apartments and the third will be freehold apartments

This is an old press release

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/0/27320-Villamar.jpg

Gulf Holding Company launches US$ 450 million 'Villamar at the Harbour'- first waterfront residential development at the Bahrain Financial Harbour
Gulf Holding Company (GHC), a Kuwait-based company today announced the launch of 'Villamar at the Harbour', Bahrain's most advanced and exclusive residential complex located at the landmark Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH).
Bahrain: Sunday, July 02 - 2006 at 15:44 PRESS RELEASE

The project has a completed value of US$ 450 million.

'Villamar at the Harbour' is the first residential development within BFH and was formally unveiled at a special launch event held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel & Spa - Bahrain. Honorary guests at the event included HE Shaikh Azzam Mubarak Al-Sabah, the Ambassador of Kuwait in Bahrain, HE Prince Turki Bin Talal and HE Prince Fawaz Al Saud.

Welcoming the launch of this new phase of BFH, Mr. Esam Janahi, Chairman of BFH, said,
'We are extremely pleased with the launch of Villamar at the Harbour, the first residential development within BFH and therefore a milestone achievement. We congratulate Gulf Holding Company for delivering such a stunning world-class residential product within the overall design philosophy of BFH.'

Mr. Faisal Al Mutawa, Chairman of Bayan Investment Company, a major shareholder of Gulf Holding, said, 'Bahrain has emerged as one of the most attractive real estate markets for investors in the region. Looking into the future it is very clear that the Bahrain Financial Harbour will be the focal point of the financial services industry in Bahrain and as such properties within it will be amongst the most prime real estate in the country.

'There is a clear need to provide residential accommodation of this quality within easy reach of the offices and facilities of BFH. We see this model operating successfully in other international financial centres such as Canary Wharf in London '

Commenting on the unique character of Villamar, Mr. Ahmed Al Ameer, Vice-Chairman of Gulf Holding said, ' We commissioned a highly regarded international firm of architects, NORR Group, part of Ingenium Group, one of Canada's largest design and construction firms, to create a superior and dramatic design for Villamar that would maintain the overall look of the BFH buildings.'

Located on a site of over 32,000 square metres, Villamar contains three design elements: The Twisting Towers, the Floating Villas and the Terraced Podium. Scheduled for completion in June 2009, the development will comprise a total of 494 one to four bedroom apartments, 54 villas and 6 penthouses. Facilities include a rooftop chairman's club, health club & spa, swimming pools, tennis courts and other recreational amenities. A boardwalk will host cafes, restaurants and other leisure facilities at the waters edge.

Elaborating on the design of Villamar, Mr. Yahya Jan, Design Director of NORR Group, commented, 'The three gently Twisting Towers are undoubtedly dramatic. They range in height from 47 to 57 floors, and are clad in blue-green tinted glass to reflect the natural color of the seas off Bahrain. These towers face the sea and provide wonderful views.

'The villas 'float' 4-storeys above the ground within a self contained building at the perimeter of the project. Supported by their own elevator towers these unique floating four to five bedroom villas feature double-height living spaces, balconies, and terraces with superb views of the boardwalk and the sea.

'The podium is a series of landscaped terraces dropping towards the sea featuring landscaped parks, pools and water walls. A health club and spa is located on the uppermost terrace providing unobstructed sea views. Parking for 1,800 cars is provided discreetly within the podium terraces.

'The Boardwalk will be a major public attraction, featuring indoor and outdoor cafes, restaurants and boutique retail spaces. The experience of the boardwalk includes shaded and air-cooled walkways, dancing water features and landscaped plazas.'

Mr. Al Ameer added, 'The launch of Villamar at the Harbour, along with our previous investment in the Downtown Al Areen development, brings Gulf Holding Company's total real estate investment in the Kingdom of Bahrain to US $ 900 million. Our focus over the next year or so is to complete these two large-scale developments in addition to identifying new investment propositions.'

Any update regarding this project? Any good for investment purposes?

70% of Villamar project sold out

Downtown Construction gets works contract
Mahmood Rafique
Business Correspondent

About 70 per cent of the upcoming $650 million ‘Villamar at the harbour’ project has already been sold, the Vice Chairman of the Gulf Holding Company told a roundtable held yesterday.
Ahmed Al Ameer, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, GHC, who also announced the awarding of $11.5 million Downtown Al Areen infrastructure works contract to Downtown Construction Company Bahrain, said that the company was considering to reduce the size of the previously proposed $250 million sukuk due to a strong response from the market.
Having recently awarded the construction contract for Bahrain’s first truly Downtown district ‘Downtown Al Areen’, Gulf Holding Company (GHC), with a view of further speeding up the development process, today announced the appointment of Downtown Construction Company – Bahrain as the lead infrastructure contractors for the second and final phase of the project.
As per terms of the contract, Downtown Construction Company will be responsible for all the infrastructure work, including construction of roads, water storage facilities and other services. Valued at $11.5 million, the infrastructure works at Downtown Al Areen is scheduled to commence this month itself and will take 15 months for completion.
Ahmed Al Ameer said: “This contract closely follows the awarding of the construction contract for Downtown Al Areen and is a clear indication of our commitment towards ensuring a speedy completion. Both the infrastructure and construction work will progress simultaneously thus leading to significant time and cost savings. Additionally, given the nature and scope of this strategic project it was absolutely essential that we appoint the best qualified partners especially those with vast local experience.”
Recently, well-known Bahraini firm Ahmed Mansoor Al Aali was awarded
a $216 million contract for the construction of the Downtown Al Areen development’s Main Boulevard including retail, residential areas, offices, supermarket, hotel and service apartments on a design build basis. Construction work on this phase is scheduled for completion by the end of 2010.
Atkins is the main designer of Downtown Al Areen, which is a much-talked about emerging tourism destination in the Al Areen Development. It is located in the heart of the world-class leisure destination. Spread over 260,000 square metres, Downtown Al Areen is a singular mixed use model of sustainable urban development, which is expected to galvanise the tourism appeal and attract a wider range of visitors to the Kingdom and the region. The project will include a town square, the first of its kind in the region, in addition to a school, recreational facilities and retail outlets.
Shaikh Issa Bin Ali Al Khalifa, Chairman, Downtown Construction Company said: “We have always prided itself in its complete focus on quality both in terms of its work as well as its associations and our portfolio clearly vindicates this. We are thus extremely glad and proud to have been selected by Gulf Holding Company to undertake this prestigious Downtown Al Areen assignment. We are confident that we will deliver this challenging assignment within the stipulated time-frame and while maintaining the high quality standards set out by GHC.”

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lovely 3 towers render ...thnx for sharing alften :)

lovely 3 towers render ...thnx for sharing alften :)

Thanks... check out this video too:
http://www.mba-studios.de/index.php?page=4.10&language=en

Villamar 'best project'

MANAMA: Gulf Holding Company's (GHC) $650 million Villamar @ the Harbour has been awarded the Best Real Estate Project of the Year at the Arabian Business Awards 2008.

The awards were organised by the Dubai-based ITP. "It is indeed an honour to be chosen as the Project of the Year at the Arabian Business Awards 2008," said GHC vice-chairman and chief executive officer Ahmed Al Ameer. The award assumes greater significance as Villamar @ the Harbour is GHC's very first project and we are still a very young holding company, having completed a little over two years of operations. "Villamar @ the Harbour has been successfully positioned as a project that serves the future vision of the Kingdom of Bahrain and also the new expression of lifestyle," said ITP chief executive officer Waleed Akkawi.

These towers are stunning... what is the status of construction? are there any pics?

A new site to visit:

http://www.villamarharbour.com/main.html

These towers are stunning... what is the status of construction? are there any pics?

Well i spoke to a guy working on the Project, he said construction has started.... And i saw a crane... He said its like ground level....

And today, i noticed 3 cranes :)

I think in 2 or 3 months we'll see some sort of a structure slowly rise, but its sorta behind the current Dual towers, so it won't be too obvious from the highway till 5-6 months from now i imagine!

Its exciting..! :D

Well its been 4 months, and what did i tell you guys... Its starting to rise.. !!

You can see the cores.. 3 sets... Not soo well... But like i said, give it a couple of more months... And you'll be looking to the side of the road everytime u pass, seeing 3 beautiful monsters growing :D

I can see it,,, its rising,, its not just the core they even started with the floors its coming up fast it seems el Hamad are very fast once they start but they take a while to start. It seems some one really big is behind el hamad they are getting all the biggest projects or maybe they are always the cheapest in tenders in dunno

marina west, BFH phase one, phase two Villamar, abraj el lulu, marriot twin towers juffair, Porto arabia porto reef, sunset hills, Al areen villa and the spa .// and probably more

^^ Also Domina Hotel Al Areen(he's the owner of Domina and a partner in Marriot)

thats just crazy .... i dont think thats supposed to be allowed.



:nuts: :nuts:



but then again this is bahrain :applause:

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/6459/villamarsk3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/2856/dsc00219ea2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The design of those towers looks very nice :)

Waitrose to open outlet at Villamar

Posted on » Monday, March 30, 2009

MANAMA: Leading supermarket chain Waitrose will open its first outlet at the Villamar@the Harbour project in Bahrain.
Waitrose, a high-end supermarket chain owned by British retailer John Lewis in partnership with Fine Fare Food Market, will be opening at the $800 million project.

Gulf Holding Company (GHC) said the supermarket chain has signed an initial agreement to occupy 837 square metres.

Founded in 1904, Waitrose has more than 198 branches across the UK and specialises in offering high-quality food products and valuable customer service.

The company plans to expand its operations in the Middle East by opening around 20 supermarkets across the UAE and Gulf by next year.

"We are delighted that an organisation with such an impressive lineage will commence its Bahrain operations from our precincts," said Gulf Holding Company chief executive officer Walid Saarti.

"The agreement clearly signifies that GHC's flagship project - Villamar@the Harbour - is emerging as the foremost waterfront residential development not just in Bahrain but in the entire region.

"With construction progressing rapidly and on schedule, we look forward to the supermarket's opening. We are confident our project facilities and infrastructure will complement Waitrose's operations, appealing to upper-medium and high-end shoppers by providing them a unique urban district shopping experience."

good progress with structure, but cannot see any progress with curtain wall

i am wondering how they will twist the curtain wall, perhaps still a challenge!!

I'am amazed how fast this thing is shaping up...!!! nice progress...
Got a snap shot from aljazeera news clip. Enjoy.. :-)
Villamar are the three towers in the background. View from King Faisal Highway through Reef Islands.
Progress > 20 floors at least..
http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv327/el7omod330/Pic0.jpg

So what was the program about?

villamar the towers on the left : photo by abdulla hassan from facebook :


http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs196.snc1/6613_224102105500_846445500_7603098_2439130_n.jpg


..

amazing!!!! congratulations. great skyline!!!

Anyone hear anything new about this project..I heard there were problems in the financing side thats causing some problems.The building are looking better than ever now but maybe there might be a change of owner/??

I haven't heard anything :dunno:

villamar the towers on the left : photo by abdulla hassan from facebook :


http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs196.snc1/6613_224102105500_846445500_7603098_2439130_n.jpg


..

wow really awesome...i like this view...

yesterday i was with a few friends.. and i heard someone say tht the construction of 2 of the buildings has been stalled. .. how true is tht??

Ya heard some rumors too.

Also heard they are for sale as the owners have liquidity problems.

The contractor Ahmed Mansour Al Ali has some liquidity problems due to not being paid by the Government and owners of Villamar and Al Areen. Rumors also he lost BD35 million in a project in Hidd and his English project manager was sacked because of that.

This is all hearsay and nothing is confirmed.

wait isn't villamar done by al hamad?

wait isn't villamar done by al hamad?



Yes Al Hamad are the contractors for this project.

Yes I got confused :nuts: cos I see Alali cranes on my way to work, but it seems they are the contractors in Reef and Bahrain Bay and not BFH.

I think my comment should be on th Al Areen thread. :)

Any one have some more development of this project. By the way , I wanted to know what is the Hotel name that is going to be there. Have they finally selected any Hotel Operator. Keep me informed

This in Al Wasat today

Villamar is not on hold and work is expected to be completed early 2011 at the latest.

http://www.alwasatnews.com/2582/news/read/313474/1.html

الخليج القابضة تربح 30 مليون دينار من «فيلامار»
الوسط – المحرر الاقتصادي

ذكر نائب رئيس مجلس الإدارة، الرئيس التنفيذي لشركة الخليج القابضة، أحمد الأمير، أن العائد الاستثماري لمشروع فيلامار، الذي يقام في مرفأ البحرين المالي، سيحقق أرباحا تفوق الـ 30 مليون دينار.

وقال الأمير: «إن (فيلامار) عند اكتماله سيحقق أرباحا تقدر بـ 30 مليون دينار ستضخ في (الخليج القابضة)». مشيرا إلى اكتمال خطة تسويق 90 في المئة من وحدات المشروع التي عرضتها الشركة للتسويق.

وأضاف، بحسب ما نقلته صحيفة «السياسة» الكويتية عنه، في مقابلة «المبيعات تعكس الثقة الكبيرة من الزبائن الذين حرصوا على اقتناء أي من وحدات المشروع سواء وحدات سكنية أو فيلات أو محلات الماركات العالمية، وهو ما أدى إلى ضخ سيولة موّل بها فورا مراحل بناء المشروع».

وأكد أن «فيلامار» هو أحد المشاريع التي لم يتوقف العمل فيها بسبب السيولة، على رغم توقف مشاريع عدة سواء في البحرين أو بقية الدول الخليجية.

وذكر انه من المقرر أن يتم الانتهاء من المشروع بحسب الخطة في نهاية 2010 ومطلع 2011 كحد أقصى.

http://up1.pc4up.com/2009/9i/bSD92686.jpg



.

photo berams :


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2672/3947208944_62cedc79f1_b.jpg


.

Is that a recent picture?

I see the tallest of the three towers has reached about 40 floors already...

Its fairly recent, they have put the glass on the the lower levels as well. Although the cranes have stopped moving for the past two weeks and there is no much activity on site which may mean lack of $$$!

That sucks... lol..

That sucks... lol..

theyve even lowered the amount of floors from 57 to 54 now. or to be precise they shaved off three to four floors off each building


its still gonna be huge though.

yeah, but i was looking forward to seeing it be a little taller than the dual towers (minus the spires)...

But sure, its not a big deal... What are ur sources btw!? =)

ok.

this photo by hesham :

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2673/4105300135_b828145e12_b.jpg



and this is by dunzki :

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/4100850806_36d4846263_b.jpg


..

new one (16 Nov) by hussain :

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/4109596048_84b3a1977e_o.jpg


..

Heard rumors of Al Hamad having gone bust and phasing out of all its current projects... including this one. Denying delays on this projects seems to be just unreal... (BTW 2011 means the work is delayed...)

Yes true, heard the project will be given to another contractor soon.

what crap. this is the problem with companies that start off with a penny and grow ten folds using loans.

Just thought would give you guys an update on Villamar:
The 1st Tower 44 floors are built
The 2nd Tower 40 floors are built
The 3rd Tower 29 floors are built.

I must say that work on the 3rd tower had stopped for a while but recently tehy have started working on it again which is good news.

Will keep you guys updated.

By بحريني غير

http://up.arab-x.com/Dec09/WsE06358.jpg

Did they stop contruction though as somebody mentioned?

so any news whether this is really on hold or not?

photo by hisham ,

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4255412512_97403b7554_b.jpg




and this by justin ,

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2786/4258862717_0ef8a51ed3_b.jpg


,

WOW !!

I hope this project move forward as the project is almost 50% completed in the construction. Let see how things goes

تعديلات في البرج « ج» ليضم فندقاً وشققاً
اكتمال «فيلا مار» نهاية 2011 وإسناد التسويق لشركة جديدة

أعلنت شركة الخليج القابضة « الكويتية» أن مشروعها العقاري «فيلا مار» سيتم الانتهاء منه في الربع الأخير من العام المقبل، وأكدت ان العمل بالأبراج الثلاثة قائم على قدم وساق دون توقف وذلك تحت إشراف شركات عالمية متخصصة في ضبط الجودة، مؤكدة نيتها إسناد عملية تسويق المشروع لشركة عالمية متخصصة بعد الخلاف الذي وقع بينها وبين الشركة «باز» للتسويق التي أوكلت لها الشركة تسويق أحد أبراجها الملتوية سابقا.
وكشف مدير المشروع ستيف فلانغان خلال المؤتمر الصحفي الذي عقد أمس في مقر الشركة في المرفأ المالي عن تغييرات أدخلتها الشركة على استخدامات أبراجها الثلاثة قائلا: حصلنا على رخصة تخطيط استخدامات البرج «ج» الذي سيضم فندقاً وشققاً متكاملة الخدمات ومن المتوقع أن يضم البرج نفسه مزيجاً من الغرف الفندقية، والشقق المتكاملة التي يناهز عددها 500 وحدة، إضافة إلى عدد من المنشآت والمرافق الترويجية.
وبين مراقب أول علاقات المستثمرين بالشركة احمد الشمري تفاصيل اختلاف وجهات النظر بين شركة «باز» للتسويق و«الخليج القابضة «.
قائلا: إن خلافنا مع «باز» سيأخذ المنحى القانوني، وفقا لما ورد في عقد الاتفاق بيننا مضيفا : نحن حريصون على تمتعنا بعلاقات طيبة مع الجميع بما فيهم «باز» ولكننا من منطلق حرصنا على حماية حقوق مساهمينا والمحافظة عليها سيكون خيارنا في الحل هو العقد المبرم بيننا، مؤكدا أن إجمالي حصيلة التسويق خلال السنوات الثلاث السابقة كانت محل تحفظ من الخليج القابضة انطلاقا من تميز وتفرد «فيلا مار» والذي يعد باكورة مشروعاتها من فئة .»signature series»
ومن جانب آخر كشف الشمري عن عزم الشركة بتحويل عملية التسويق إلى شركة عالمية متخصصة مع احتمال فتح باب التسويق بشكل مباشر عبر مكتب متخصص تديره الخليج القابضة ذاكرا أن موضوع كيفية التسويق للمشروع ما زالت قيد الدراسة.
وأكد الشمري بأن الشركة تنوي تسليم المشروع بالموعد الذي حددته سابقا لحرصها منها على الإيفاء بوعودها التي قدمتها للملاك، مشيرا بأن المشروع لم يتوقف أبدا، وبأن السيولة المتوفرة كافية لإنهاء العمل.وحول موقف الذين سددوا مبالغ مالية لشراء حصص على المشاع بعد تحويل البرج «ج» إلى فندق علق الشمري: أن البرج سيضم شققاً فندقية وأن الذين اشتروا حصصا فيه سيحصلون على خدمات أفضل حيث أن الفندق سيدار عبر إدارة عالمية.
وأوضح الشمري : أن هناك 5 مكاتب هندسية عالمية متخصصة في ضبط الجودة تشرف على تنفيذ المشروع وفق اعلى المعايير الهندسية العالمية وهي من يتسلم الأعمال من المقاول الرئيسي ونحن كمطور عقاري ندرك ماهية مشروعاتنا ونحرص على متابعة تفاصيلها.
على صعيد آخر قالت الشركة أنها ماضية في اكتمال إجراءات الإدراج في سوق الكويت للأوراق المالية عبر مستشارها كاب.
وبعد المؤتمر قام الصحفيون برفقة مديري المشروع المهندس عواد حسينيه وستيف فلانغان بزيارة الوحدات المتنوعة بالأبراج الثلاث مع إلقاء الضوء على التفاصيل الدقيقة للمشروع.
هذا تبلغ مساحة «فيلامار» نحو36 ألف متر مربع، وهويشتمل على 5 مكونات، هي 3 أبراج ملتوية، وشقق نمط الحياة، وفلل مزودة بشرفات، ومبنى البوديوم، والفلل المعلَّقة، إضافة للخدمات العامة كنادٍ صحي، وحمامات سباحة وملاعب تنس، ومرافق ترفيهية، ومضمار للمشي على الواجهة البحرية، ومطاعم ومحلات تجارية، كما يضم مواقف للسيارات تتسع لـ1800 مركبة.وتنفذ الخليج القابضة مجموعة من المشروعات العقارية في البحرين بكلفة إجمالية تصل إلى 2.5 مليار دولار، هي «فيلامار»، «داون تاون العرين»، و«ضاحية العرين».

Disappointing.. I mean the structure is more than 50% complete, it shouldn't/wouldn't take another 20 months if there were no (financial?) problems...

Plus, Downtown Al Areen? Is it not cancelled?

Villamar project is on track says GHC

MANAMA: Kuwait-based Gulf Holding Company (GHC) has announced that its $650 million Villamar @ the Harbour project will be completed by the last quarter of next year.

"Construction on three towers of the flagship project is progressing round the clock," GHC senior investment relations officer Ahmad Al Shammari said.

He said that work on the project was being supervised by five dedicated international quality control engineering consultancies and assured that GHC would not let down its clients who have made payments to its marketing company.

"We will not let down clients who have invested with us through the marketing company, though the latter has not paid GHC the amounts collected," he said.

"We will strive to quickly resolve our differences with the marketing company."

Commenting on the difference of opinion betweenBaz Marketing Company and GHC, Mr Al Shammari said, "If there is a dispute, it will be resolved through due legal course and according to terms of an agreement concluded with Baz on March 5, 2007 for a period of four years.

"We are keen on maintaining excellent relations with all parties, yet, out of our concern to protect the rights of our shareholders, our sole option to resolve the dispute is the agreement concluded between us.

"GHC is seriously considering delegating the marketing function to a dedicated international company, with the option of directly marketing the development through a dedicated office managed by GHC," he said.

"Work on the development never stopped for a single moment and is progressing round the clock, because of the availability of sufficient liquidity needed to finance the construction coupled with the company's determination to deliver the development on schedule," he added.

Villamar Milestone

MANAMA: Kuwait-based Gulf Holding Company (GHC), celebrated its first achievement as per schedule, at its Villamar @ the Harbour project located in Bahrain Financial Harbour, by completing the 'Topping Out' of Tower B, with the work proceeding on the other structural works needed to complete the tower.

Currently, work is proceeding non-stop on all construction levels of the $650 million Villamar development, boasting of three twisting towers, despite the challenges of the global economic crisis, project director Steve Flanagan said.

"The completion of tower B means that we have successfully finished one of the most important structural construction phases of Villamar, while continuing to conclude the other phases. We are determined to bring GHC's first development to completion while pursuing our endeavour to emerge not only as a regional real estate development company but a global one, as well as to fulfil our promise of timely delivery."

Elaborating on the tower's components, Mr Flanagan said: "Tower B is approximately 160 metres high, consists of 43 floors and boasts a total of 215 units comprising 53 one-bedroom, 119 two-bedroom, and 34 three-bedroom apartments and six four-bedroom penthouses, as well as two duplexes in addition to a super penthouse."

Commenting on the significance of Tower B, Mr Flanagan said: "With its assorted mix of residential units in the Gulf region, distinguished by its adherence to the highest quality and design standards, the three towers together rising to a total exceeding 620 metres will usher in a unique residential lifestyle in Bahrain as well as the Gulf region. Thus, this will make a definitive statement in the residential segment of the real estate market, which is in line with GHC's real estate architectural 'Signature Series' concept."

Mr Flanagan stressed that the Tower B topping out reflected the continuous work progress and GHC's commitment towards the schedule in the implementation of the construction of all phases of Villamar @ the Harbour, thus meeting the requirements of all the investors and potential owners.

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv8/projectdirector1/KSIA/BAHRAIN%20GP%202010/bahraingp2010033-1.jpg

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv8/projectdirector1/KSIA/BAHRAIN%20GP%202010/bahraingp2010032.jpg

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv8/projectdirector1/KSIA/BAHRAIN%20GP%202010/bahraingp2010034.jpg


:cheers:PD.

Thanx PD... Sadly, doesn't look like theres been much of a change since i was last there early January..!

So which one is the one that topped out at 44 floors? Anyone have any idea..?

well common sense would indicate that the middle tower would be ‘tower B’ whichever way you started counting since they are only three towers. your at uni BP? not some sort of community college? lol

Hahahahaahaha, OMG... Shit.. Hahahahaha.. F$%k You :D

I know.. Stupid stupid stupid question... LoL... And yes i'm at uni.. A proper n prestigious uni, thank you very much :)

Although Villamar state work is non stop they forget to mention that it's split between about 50 people.

The project has been delayed due to cash flow I presume. They sacked the Project Director at the start of the year without any warning and appointed his number 2.

The cladding has been at the same level for months on end. Looking at progress one would assume that 2011 is looking ever more likely for completion.

Although they're reducing the number of floors... They've already done that with tower B... Cuz i believe they initially announced the towers will be between 47 and 57... Now they're saying Tower B is 43 floors.. Unless one is supposed to add basement floors or something!??

http://i41.tinypic.com/2u56t6w.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/261ydg0.jpg

The first picture looks amazing.. :)

I thought they announced tower B (the middle one, hehe) topped out.. It doesn't look like it has..!

And they seem to have resumed the cladding work.. I guess thats a good sign..

Yes cladding is proceeding slowly, and tower B is T/O at 43F

From the render tower B is the shortest tower.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/0/27320-Villamar.jpg

From the Gulf Daily News:

Gulf Holding rejects cash crunch fears
Posted on » Saturday, May 01, 2010

MANAMA: Gulf Holding yesterday sought to quash concerns of a possible liquidity crunch for the Villamar sukuk, saying it could both pay its next coupon and complete construction projects.

The remarks came after the company's Residential South Real Estate unit, which issued the sukuk, said cash reserves fell to BD5.45 million ($14.5m) at the end of last year from BD42.3m a year earlier.

The news raised concerns that cash was tight at the group, but a company spokesman said the next quarterly coupon would be paid as scheduled on May 10.

The company also said its April 25 request to delist the $190m sukuk was prompted by a lack of trading activity in the market.

"The agreement was reached mutually by the company and the certificate holders," the spokesman said.

He added that work on Villamar was proceeding well on all construction levels and the company expected to complete the project on schedule.

The Villamar project is part of Bahrain Financial Harbour development, promoted by Gulf Finance House.

photo by George Mathew : 12 august 2010 :


http://up.arab-x.com/Aug10/at676515.jpg










,

Thanx Bahraini_87...

I think i prefer how they look in the render... the cladding is a bit different.. Oh well..

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/0/27320-Villamar.jpg

may 2010 :


http://up.arab-x.com/Oct10/ZsM26455.jpg

No news on this one, but i guess we can consider it unofficially officially on hold.. LoL..

Btw, weren't we supposed to host the GCC Summit last december, i think bahrain switched turns with another country, cuz we wont have it till dec 2012 now i think..

I'm sure its an ego thing, with these half built towers, and a massive hotel on hold (Salam)...

^^

this project is already postponed. They said it will be completed in the end of December 2011, maybe they will start working on it in the 3rd quarter this year .. but I'm sure this is just words thats all ..

hey guys , thay started to complete this project , it was stoped becouse of The global financial crisis in 2008 , thay says that thay may finished this towes after 18 months .

استكمال مشروع الفيلامار بعد 18 شهرًا

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الأثنين 16 يناير 2012

ضاحية السيف - الخليج القابضة: أعلنت شركة الخليج القابضة، وهي الشركة المالكة لمشروع “الفيلامار” السكني التجاري المتكامل، وشركة الحمد للمقاولات توقيع مذكرة تفاهم في خطوة تهدف إلى استئناف أعمال الإنشاء بمشروع “الفيلامار” واستكماله خلال 18 شهرا.
وقال رئيس مجلس إدارة شركة الخليج القابضة هشام الريس “سوف تقوم الشركة بإستناف العمل على تطوير مشروع “الفيلامار” وذلك بعد تأخر عمليات التطوير نتيجة الأزمة المالية والتي أثرت على العديد من المشاريع التطويرية في العديد من الدول وبما فيها دول المنطقة.”
وأضاف “بالرغم من التحدي الذي واجهته الشركة لاستكمال تطوير المشروع من خلال عوائد بيع الوحدات السكنية ، الا أن الشركة قد تمكنت من إعادة هيكلة المشروع بتأجيل الالتزامات المالية ومن خلال شركاء جدد في المشروع. ولهذا فإننا اليوم سعداء بدخول شركة الحمد للمقاولات والتطوير كشركاء استراتيجيين لاستكمال أعمال الإنشاء مقابل ملكية جزئية في أبراج “الفيلامار”.
ومن المتوقع أن تستأنف شركة الحمد للمقاولات والتطوير العمل بالموقع بمجرد تعيين المدير الجديد للمشروع وذلك خلال الأسابيع القليلة القادمة”.
وقال نشأت سهاونه، رئيس مجلس إدارة شركة الحمد للمقاولات والتطوير:”نحن سعداء بالتوصل إلى هذا الاتفاق مع شركة الخلي
ج القابضة ونتطلع إلى بدء العمل بمشروع “الفيلامار” في أقرب وقت ممكن. وبدون شك يعتبر “الفيلامار” من المشاريع المتميزة ذات الواجهة البحرية والواقعة في قلب مملكة البحرين بما فيها من منشئات فندقية، والفلل السكنية، والمكاتب، والمحلات التجارية”.


http://albiladpress.com/news_inner.php?nid=127323&cat=2

التوقيع على مذكرة تفاهم لاستكمال مشروع «فيلامار»



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أعلنت مؤخرا كل من شركة الخليج القابضة، وهي الشركة المالكة لمشروع «الفيلامار» السكني التجاري المتكامل، وشركة الحمد للمقاولات والتطوير، شركة الإنشاءات المعروفة، عن توقيع مذكرة تفاهم في خطوة تهدف إلى استئناف أعمال الإنشاء بمشروع «الفيلامار» واستكماله خلال فترة الثمانية عشر أشهر القادمة.
وبهذه المناسبة، صرح هشام الريس، رئيس مجلس إدارة شركة الخليج القابضة بقولة: «سوف تقوم الشركة باستناف العمل على تطوير مشروع «الفيلامار» وذلك بعد تأخر عمليات التطوير نتيجة الأزمة المالية والتي أثرت على العديد من المشاريع التطويرية في العديد من الدول وبما فيها دول المنطقة».
وأضاف: «بالرغم من التحدي الذي واجهته الشركة لاستكمال تطوير المشروع من خلال عوائد بيع الوحدات السكنية، الا أن الشركة قد تمكنت من إعادة هيكلة المشروع بتأجيل الالتزامات المالية ومن خلال شركاء جدد في المشروع. ولهذا فإننا اليوم سعداء بدخول شركة الحمد للمقاولات والتطوير كشركاء استراتيجيين لاستكمال أعمال الإنشاء مقابل ملكية جزئية في أبراج «الفيلامار». ومن المتوقع أن تستأنف شركة الحمد للمقاولات والتطوير العمل بالموقع بمجرد تعيين المدير الجديد للمشروع وذلك خلال الأسابيع القليلة القادمة».
وتعليقا على توقيع مذكرة التفاهم، قال نشأت سهاونه، رئيس مجلس إدارة شركة الحمد للمقاولات والتطوير: «نحن سعداء بالتوصل إلى هذا الاتفاق مع شركة الخليج القابضة ونتطلع إلى بدء العمل بمشروع «الفيلامار» في أقرب وقت ممكن. وبدون شك يعتبر «الفيلامار» من المشاريع المتميزة ذات الواجهة البحرية والواقعة في قلب مملكة البحرين بما فيها من منشآت فندقية، والفلل السكنية، والمكاتب، والمحلات التجارية. تؤمن شركة الحمد للمقاولات والتطوير بمشروع «الفيلامار» ومشاركتنا فيه وملكيتنا في المشروع خير دليل على ثقتنا به».


http://alayam.com/newsdetails.aspx?id=40167

Construction work to start on Villamar
**Posted on » Monday, January 16, 2012

MANAMA: Gulf Holding Company, the owners of the integrated residential and commercial complex Villamar, and Al Hamad Construction and Development Company, have signed a memorandum of understanding to resume construction work on the project with a target to complete it in 18 months.

"We are resuming work soon after delays that took place in the development of the Villamar due to the financial crisis," said Gulf Holding Company chairman Hisham Alrayes.

"While it has been a challenge to continue the development from sales proceeds, we have restructured the project to extend short-term liabilities and bring new funding partners on board.

"Accordingly, we are pleased to have Al Hamad as a continued partner completing the construction against part ownership in the Villamar towers.

"Al Hamad is expected to resume work on site once a new project manager is appointed in the next few weeks," said Mr Alrayes. Al Hamad Construction and Development Company chairman Nasha'at Sahawneh said the company is excited to have reached this agreement with Gulf Holding and look forward to beginning work on the Villamar as soon as possible.

so Adel did thay make any change in design ??

and thay still - 2 towers 47 and one towers 57 ?? is that right ?

there's no change in the design.. besides its hard to change a design that's already been constructed :)

They'll just start constructing very soon. Let's hope it gets completed on December 2012 .. or at the beginning of 2013

18 months.. So completion date would be in 2013..

This is taken from Bahrain Bay's 2011/2012 winter newsletter.

VILLAMAR CONSTRUCTION SET TO RESTART

One of Bahrain Bay's neighbour projects, the integrated residential and commercial complex Villamar, located at Bahrain Financial Harbour, and Al Hamad Construction and Development Company, have signed a memorandum of understanding to resume construction work on the project with a target to complete it by mid-2013, reports the Gulf Daily News. The news marks an important turnaround in one of the country's landmark projects and signals more optimism in the island's real estate outlook.

did the construction start again?

Gulf Holding names Bahrain project manager
Manama: 3 hours and 23 minutes ago

Gulf Holding Company, the owners of the integrated residential and commercial complex 'Villamar@the Harbour' in Bahrain, have signed up UK-based consultancy Mace to manage the project’s construction and delivery.

Villamar is the first integrated residential complex within the Bahrain Financial Harbour, offering a mix of serviced apartments, hotel rooms and residential accommodation within three twisting towers.

The project comprises over 800 residential units; from luxury penthouses and Sky and Terrace Villas, to apartments and luxury hotel rooms, and combines other facilities including a health club and spa, swimming pools and other recreational amenities.

Mace, a leading project and construction management consultancy, said it will prepare a new project development plan in order to recommence construction work as soon as possible.

As per the deal, Mace will be providing full management services from the beginning of the restarted development process through to design, construction and the final handover and after care services.

The project has suffered delays due to the financial crisis which affected numerous other development projects around the region, and which were further exacerbated by the political unrest the Kingdom saw at the beginning of 2011, said Gulf Holding Company.

The construction of the Villamar project stands at approximately 50 per cent completed. The key development, which was launched in 2007, is expected to resume construction soon, it added.

The options will be reviewed against alternative financing mechanisms to ensure that delivery of the project is in coordination with the project’s funding.

A Business plan will be finalized and contract documents prepared and amended in order for the works to begin. Sales have begun with Tower B, making the programming of these works a priority, said the company.

The appointment followed the recent signing of a MoU with Al Hamad Construction and Development Company to make them partners and resume works on the project.

'We are looking forward to the success of this project and the fruitful cooperation with Mace as our new project managers,' remarked Matthew Austin, the general manager of Gulf Holding Company.

'With this agreement in place, we are now able to progress with the development of the project, with construction set to begin within the coming few months, and with the aim of having the structure and glazing substantially completed as soon as possible,' he stated.

'We are also currently in discussions with an operator of first class hotels to provide an exciting brand to the whole development,” he added.

On the appointment, Andrew Johnson of Mace said: 'We are very excited about this partnership with Gulf Holding and are looking forward to starting work on Villamar immediately.'

'This is a prominent site and a significant mixed use development in the heart of Bahrain’s capital and Mace is excited about the prospect of working with Gulf Holding on this project.'

'Preparatory work will begin as soon as possible, and we are committed to being a part of completing the project successfully and efficiently,' he added.

http://www.tradearabia.com/news/CONS_215539.html

I lost hope in this project.. Every time they keep saying they'll start working on it and they keep postponing. The problem is, they keep saying "Soon" it will start but they never do! were in the 2nd quarter of the year and we still haven't seen anything progressed yet.. It's a shame that we have a really slow development in Bahrain!

Lets hope for the best! :lol: