Msheireb Properties’ Ali Al Kuwari on heritage, innovation and sustainability 

In a region where architectural ambition is often equated with scale and spectacle, Msheireb Downtown Doha stands as a bold counterpoint: a 31-hectare urban regeneration development grounded in heritage, sustainability and human-centric urbanism. 

Msheireb, historically the heart of old Doha, was once a thriving residential and commercial district. Its transformation today pays tribute to this legacy while shaping the future of urban life in Qatar. 

Developed by Msheireb Properties, which is backed by Qatar Foundation and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the project reflects a national vision for sustainable, culturally rooted urban development. 

“This project was never about building the biggest or boldest,” says Ali Al Kuwari, CEO of Msheireb Properties. “It was about building something timeless – something that brings people back to the soul of urban living.” 

“The guiding principles for the project,” he adds, “are driven by heritage and culture, innovation, environment, smart city technology, sustainability, mobility and wellbeing.” 

At its core is a deep respect for how Qatari communities traditionally lived: close-knit social structures, walkable streets, and human-scale architecture that promotes connection. “From day one, we wanted to bring people back to their roots and rediscover community and togetherness,” Al Kuwari explains. 

This ambition was realised after a rigorous three-year collaboration with global academics and urban planners. “We developed a new definition of architectural language that reflects Qatar’s cultural history,” he emphasises. 

Architecture rooted in culture but designed for today 

Among the most distinctive features of Msheireb Downtown Doha is the use of courtyard-style housing – a nod to the traditional Qatari townhouse format. Residential homes are clustered around central courtyards that offer privacy while fostering community. 

Barahat Msheireb, the main public square located between the M7 cultural hub and the Mandarin Oriental, extends this approach to the community scale. It takes inspiration from the traditional majlis to create a space for gathering, commerce and exchange. 

“We were keen to innovate a distinguished architectural methodology that embodies the depth of Qatar’s cultural heritage,” he adds.  

One of the biggest challenges, Al Kuwari reminisces, was selecting which elements of Qatar’s rich architectural past should be retained. “We had an abundance of inspiration. The difficulty was in choosing which to feature to strike the right balance between past and present.” 

The result: a refined architectural narrative that is not just visually appealing but also socially and culturally coherent.  

In fact, Msheireb’s blend of modernity and tradition is now considered as a benchmark for the wider region. 

Sustainability from the ground up 

However, Msheireb Downtown Doha isn’t just about aesthetics. it’s a smart city grounded in sustainable heritage urban design, with all its buildings either Gold or Platinum LEED-certified.  

The developer has received numerous prestigious awards, including two Asia Property Awards 2025 for ‘Sustainable Development of the Year’ and ‘Excellence in Smart City Planning’, cementing its prestigious position in human-centered urban development. Msheireb Properties also recently signed a strategic partnership with Cundall, the global consultancy, to decarbonise its entire real estate portfolio in the district. This initiative is the first of its kind at this scale in Qatar for urban regeneration and represents a significant step toward reducing the carbon footprint of one of the country’s most prominent urban developments. 

“Sustainability has been the core principle for the city, built from the inside out,” says Al Kuwari. “We’ve ensured the deployment of the latest available technologies and adopted design methodologies that encourage sustainable practices and enhance quality of life.  

“Our achievement of the GOLD Smartscore certification for three of our commercial buildings demonstrates our unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and technological integration, where we are the first to achieve this accomplishment in Qatar.”  

In the district, buildings are positioned to shade one another, materials are light in colour to reduce solar heat absorption, and facades include heat-isolating glass and thicker walls to reduce energy consumption. It also boasts more than 6,400 rooftop solar panels for energy generation and another 1,400 for hot water. 

Water systems also maximise reuse. Rainwater and air conditioning condensation are collected, stored, and reused for irrigation and toilet flushing.  

“We built this place to be resilient,” Al Kuwari adds, “and these systems prove that smart design can reduce operational costs while enhancing comfort.” 

While sustainability defines the district’s physical form, digital integration powers its daily function.  

Smart infrastructure 

Msheireb Downtown Doha has established a new standard for innovation in line with Qatar’s vision toward a smart and sustainable future, reaffirming this year its position as the world’s first fully smart and sustainable urban district. 

The district’s smart infrastructure features a wide network of over 430 kilometres of fiber optic cables, ensuring high-speed internet. Residents and visitors can access Wi-Fi from more than 5,000 points dispersed across the downtown area. 

Additionally, over 650,000 IoT devices monitor and control the smart city community, smart buildings and smart homes. A centralised command and control room, armed with approximately 10,000 surveillance cameras, oversees the district’s safety. 

The district also has 8,000 smart metres for utility monitoring, and a Tier-2 data centre, guaranteeing data security. 

With this robust digital backbone in place, Msheireb Downtown Doha has emerged as a fully operational district that not only houses residents and cultural venues but also continues to attract global businesses and institutions at scale. 

Where business meets culture and community 

“We’re seeing phenomenal growth in new tenants shifting their operations into the district,” shares Al Kuwari. 

Global firms such as Google Cloud, Microsoft, Total, and Siemens have all moved in, drawn by the district’s liveable, walkable infrastructure and environmentally responsible planning. 

In September, the relocation of Media City Qatar’s headquarters to Msheireb Downtown Doha marked an important milestone in the city’s journey as a centre for creative industries and technological development. October witnessed the Government Communication Office relocating its headquarters to Msheireb Downtown Doha, further enhancing the city’s position as a central hub for media and communications in Qatar. Simultaneously, Msheireb Downtown Doha welcomed the first regional TikTok studio and a Snapchat office, marking a pivotal milestone in its transformation into a global digital hub. In December, the International Media Office relocated to Msheireb Downtown Doha as the first government media entity to conduct operations from the city. 

“We’ve created a neighbourhood where everything is connected – homes, workplaces, and public spaces – all within walking distance,” says Al Kuwari. 

There’s the Msheireb Tram, for instance, a free tram system for convenient mobility, connecting different areas within Msheireb Downtown Doha. This system includes a 2-kilometre closed circular track. The district, which has four EV charging stations, also holds the Guinness World Record for the largest underground car park, featuring an impressive 10,017 spaces. 

But beyond infrastructure and corporate momentum, what truly sets Msheireb apart is its cultural heartbeat 

Culture remains a priority 

At the centre of the district’s identity is a deep commitment to preserving and amplifying Qatar’s rich heritage. 

The Msheireb Museums, set within four meticulously restored heritage houses, trace the arc of Qatar’s social, political, and economic journey — from the transformative discovery of oil to the often-overlooked legacy of slavery.  

“They offer powerful, interactive storytelling,” says Al Kuwari. “And help people gain a deeper understanding of Qatar’s cultural history.”  

The efforts to renovate these four heritage houses and transform them into Msheireb Museums have garnered the prestigious “Green Apple” award for beautiful buildings, in recognition of the urban renaissance led by Msheireb Downtown Doha in heritage preservation. 

Msheireb Museums have established important partnerships with various ministries and institutions, cementing their position as a vibrant space that stimulates dialogue and drives positive social change, transcending the role of traditional museums and exhibitions. 

Far from being static exhibitions, the museums are designed to provoke dialogue, reflection, and connection with the nation’s past. Meanwhile, the Doha Design District gives local and regional designers a global platform. M7, Qatar’s epicentre for innovation and entrepreneurship in fashion, design, and technology, supports emerging Qatari creatives in scaling their ventures. “It’s about cultivating what comes next,” says Al Kuwari. 

What sets Msheireb apart is not just this convergence of culture and commerce, but how deliberately it was planned. “Before a single building went up, we spent years thinking about how people want to live,” he adds. “That careful planning is why it works so well today.” 

Real estate’s rising growth and importance 

That same long-term thinking is now reflected across Qatar’s broader property landscape. Qatar’s real estate market is undergoing a post-World Cup transformation.  

With the global spotlight still lingering, momentum is shifting towards long-term strategic goals – economic diversification, regulatory reforms, and sustainable urbanisation. 

According to Knight Frank’s Qatar Real Estate Market Review – Winter 2024/25, Msheireb Downtown Doha is now one of Doha’s strongest performing office submarkets, alongside West Bay. The report notes sustained demand from government entities and corporates, with modern infrastructure and sustainability credentials helping maintain stable rental values. 

Foreign investment is also on the rise. Invest Qatar now ranks real estate as the country’s second most attractive  

sector for FDI, bolstered by legislative updates that simplify ownership and residency rights and digital tools that streamline property transactions. 

“Qatar’s real estate development sector is witnessing accelerated growth,” Al Kuwari notes. “We’re seeing greater emphasis on smart cities, mixed-use communities, and sustainable design – and Msheireb is right at the forefront of these trends.” 

But Al Kuwari is clear that the real legacy lies ahead. “Our focus over the next five years is to enrich our cultural offerings, expand our educational programmes, and strengthen our engagement with the local community.” 

Currently, Msheireb Downtown Doha is experiencing significant demand for its commercial and residential spaces. Commercial occupancy rates exceed 94 per cent of total spaces, while residential occupancy rates exceed 80 per cent of total capacity, affirming the city’s leadership as a distinguished environment for work and living. These achievements have received international acclaim, with Msheireb Properties being named as one of the most innovative companies in architecture and design  by a leading regional publication. 

National vision, local impact 

Meeting these evolving expectations requires more than architectural prowess – it takes institutional commitment. “We collaborate with partners across Qatar Foundation and QIA to achieve these goals,” Al Kuwari says. 

The project’s official launch, timed just before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, helped establish it as one of the nation’s premier cultural and touristic districts. 

In addition to welcoming more than four million visitors during the FIFA World Cup, Msheireb Downtown Doha received over 15 million visitors last year alone, solidifying its role as one of Qatar’s most visited cultural and commercial districts. 

But Al Kuwari is clear that the real legacy lies ahead. “Our focus over the next five years is to enrich our cultural offerings, expand our educational programmes, and strengthen our engagement with the local community.” 

By continuing to evolve and adapt, he believes Msheireb can serve as a long-term model for what urban life in the Gulf – and the wider world – can look like. 

A Gulf-wide blueprint 

With regional urbanism at a crossroads, Msheireb Properties’ example is timely. Many cities in the Gulf are now asking urgent questions: How do we build for the future without erasing the past? How do we scale without disconnecting from community? 

Msheireb Downtown Doha offers answers. It’s not a vanity project, nor a branding exercise. It’s a living, breathing demonstration of how design, technology, and tradition can co-exist – and in doing so, create value far beyond the balance sheet. 

“The world is watching, and expectations are higher than ever,” Al Kuwari concludes. “Whoever ignores the cultural, social, and environmental dimensions in their vision has missed the train of the future.”