Msheireb Downtown Doha Wins ‘Best Retail Project’ honour at Cityscape Qatar 2014 Awards

Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation, Qatar’s leading real estate developer, has won the award for Best Retail Project for its flagship development Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) at Cityscape Qatar 2014, the premier property expo. 

Eng. Abdulla Al Mehshadi, CEO of Msheireb Properties, and his team received the award, which was chosen by a panel of industry experts and regional professionals, at a ceremony held on the side-lines of the exhibition. 

Msheireb Downtown Doha won the award amidst stiff competition for its world-class retail development credentials. The diverse breadth of retail, leisure and entertainment choices offered by the project, as well as its focus on addressing the present and future needs of the community, environmental conservation and sustainability were key factors that won the project the prestigious honour.  The project’s focus on regenerating an old commercial district to meet the demands of modern customers also drew appreciation from the jury. 

Inspired by the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Msheireb Properties, MDD is the world’s first sustainable regeneration of a downtown in an urban environment. The aim of the project is to revive the old commercial district by recapturing Qatar’s heritage and architectural traditions.  MDD is low-rise, pedestrian oriented, energy efficient, generates less waste,  effective and emits fewer greenhouse gases, making it a model for urban regeneration. 

“We are extremely proud to be recognized for the second time in a row for the pioneering work we are currently undertaking in developing the real estate and retail environment in Qatar,” said Abdulla Al Mehshadi, CEO of Msheireb Properties. “What sets the project’s retail offering apart from traditional shopping experience, is its focus on creating a ‘city within a city’ ambience, bringing high quality retail and leisure choices, yet keeping alive the unique Qatari characteristics, traditions and heritage.” he added. 

Unique to the Msheireb development is its blend of casual and high street shopping, stylish plazas and community spaces. On completion, MDD will be the world’s largest certified sustainable community with over 100 commercial buildings, 900 residential units accommodating more than 2,100 residents and over 10,255 car parking spaces. The 310,000 square meter development can host over 60,000 visitors. 

All the planned buildings meet the LEED Gold standard for environmental performance and some buildings will aim for a Platinum rating. 

Construction work commenced in 2010, and nearly 40% of the project is now completed. The Phase 1A, nearing completion, features the Amiri Diwan Quarter, the National Archive and four heritage houses to be converted into museums in addition to a mosque and Doha’s Eid prayer ground.  

Msheireb Properties has previously won awards for Sustainable Project of the Year and Sustainability Initiative of the Year at the Construction Week Qatar 2013 Awards, as well as the Sustainability Award at Cityscape Global Awards for Emerging Markets 2013. 

The Cityscape Awards were established to recognise design visionaries and pioneering projects in the field of international development.