How Msheireb Properties is redefining urban living in Qatar

Msheireb Properties, the master developer behind Doha’s pioneering sustainable district, is reimagining the city skyline. In an exclusive interview with Gulf Business, CEO Engineer Ali Al Kuwari delves into the inspiration behind Msheireb Downtown Doha, its impact on the community, and the future of real estate in Qatar.

Msheireb Downtown Doha is a unique blend of modern design and Qatari heritage. Can you elaborate on the inspiration behind this architectural approach and the challenges, if any, in achieving this balance?

Msheireb Downtown Doha is a radical new development that blends traditional Qatari heritage and aesthetics with modern technology, focusing on sustainability and harmony with the environment. The project aims to redefine urban living, bring people back to their roots, and rediscover a sense of community and togetherness.

To achieve these ambitions, we drew inspiration from our past. This involved undertaking a three-year collaboration with some of the world’s leading academics and urban planners to develop a new definition of the architectural language unique to Qatar that strongly drew on traditional building and design practices and celebrated Qatar’s unique heritage while meeting the needs of today’s modern families and communities.

For example, we incorporated the traditional courtyard design throughout the downtown. Residential townhouses are clustered around central courtyards that offer privacy and an internal space for families and communities to gather. Barahat Msheireb, located between the M7 cultural and design hub and Mandarin Oriental Doha takes the idea of the majlis to the community level, creating a public square for people to come together in the heart of Doha.

The primary challenge that we faced was determining, from all the wonderful inspiration that we had, which design elements to feature, to achieve a balance in past and present.  What you have today, with Msheireb Downtown Doha is a unique blend that celebrates the best of Qatari architecture, in a modern way.

Sustainability is a key consideration for Msheireb Downtown Doha. How have you integrated the latest smart city technologies and sustainable features into the project and what measurable impact have these features had on the project’s environmental footprint?

Sustainability is the core principle for Msheireb Downtown Doha – it has been built from the inside out, with the deployment of the latest innovative technology within the development.   Alongside this smart tech, we have utilised design to encourage sustainable behaviours and to improve quality of life with a deep respect for the environment at the core.

A good example of this is that buildings have been positioned to shade one another and the materials used are light in colour to reduce cooling requirements. Msheireb Downtown Doha’s infrastructure also uses eco-friendly building material, thicker walls, and heat-isolating glass that prevents heat loss and keeps the internal temperature lower, resulting in the use of less energy for cooling.

Most buildings in the development are also fitted with over 6,400 rooftop solar panels to provide onsite energy generation and 1,400 solar panels to secure hot water, which generate around 25 per cent of power for many buildings. There are additional systems that recover rainwater and air conditioning condensation into basement tanks, where the water is also reused for irrigation and to flush toilets.

Within the buildings, we have built-in modern technology, such as high-speed internet, to help residents stay connected wherever they are in the district.

Msheireb Downtown Doha caters to a diverse audience with residential, commercial, retail and cultural offerings. How did you approach creating a community that fosters a sense of vibrancy and inclusivity?

The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive – evidenced by the phenomenal growth in new tenants shifting their operations into the district.

Msheireb Downtown Doha fully opened to residents and commercial tenants over the past 12 months and is now Qatar’s top destination for life, work, and play.  As the new business hub, Msheireb Downtown Doha is home to many of the biggest tech and innovation companies, including Microsoft, Total, Google Cloud and others.

We are also working hard to become the home of culture and events in Doha. Msheireb Museums features four heritage buildings that tell the story of Doha’s growth, and the impact of oil discoveries on the country’s development and teach about the history of slavery in the region. The Doha Design District is a platform for local and regional designers to showcase their products on an international platform and collaborate with peers from around the world. M7 is an arts and design incubator for local talent, helping creatives actualise and market their designs.

We have seamlessly achieved a melding of business and culture by taking the time before we started building, to think deeply about how people want to live, work, and play today.  We developed a brand-new architectural language that brought our vision to life, and I think it’s fair to say, that the articulation of this vision has been well received by our tenants.

Looking beyond Msheireb Downtown Doha, what is your outlook on the real estate market in Qatar? Are there any specific trends you see shaping the future of urban development in the region?

We are positive about where the real estate sector is heading, which is evidenced by the significant demand we have seen for new tenancies at Msheireb Downtown Doha. There is a confidence, post-World Cup, about where Qatar as a nation at the centre of regional events is heading, and we feel very positive about this.

The trend towards sustainable development, which we have prioritised at Msheireb Properties, is one that we see taking the design world by storm. This is a direct response to the growing expectations of consumers – who today, demand that decisions are taken which are good for the planet. That means, for property developers we must be cognisant of these demands from the outset. Msheireb Downtown Doha has achieved exactly that, providing a blueprint for how to achieve this balance and create a premium product in the process.

Mshereib Properties is a subsidiary of the Qatar Foundation. Does this affiliation influence your company’s approach to development? In what ways do you contribute to the Foundation’s broader goals of education, science, and community development?

Msheireb Downtown Doha was guided by Qatar National Vision 2030 to transform Qatar into a country capable of sustaining its development and providing a high standard of living for future generations. Under the patronage of Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, and her vision to build human capability for Qatar’s future, we work closely with other partners within the Qatar Foundation family to achieve these goals.

Since its official launch just ahead of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Msheireb Downtown Doha has established itself as one of the country’s main touristic and cultural destinations, attracting over four million visitors during the World Cup period. The downtown’s cultural offering features a seamless blend of historic relevance and contemporary comfort.

Additionally, Msheireb Downtown Doha incorporates interactivity, dramatic storytelling, and a strong focus on celebrating the social history of Qatar, where visitors can learn about our rich history and create a person-centric destination for life, work and leisure.

What are Mshereib Properties’ plans for the future? Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives you can share with us?

Over the next five years, we plan to continue growing and sustaining our cultural experience by continuously enriching our offerings and exhibits at Msheireb Museums and Msheireb Downtown Doha, expanding our educational programmes, engaging with the local community, and improving our services.

We will foster a sense of pride in Qatar’s heritage and stay at the forefront of sustainable development, using innovative technologies to enhance the visitor experience and preserve Qatar’s cultural heritage.