Qatar is considering developing space saving and energy efficient floating hotels, luxury villas, and a water park off the coast of Doha called Oryx Island. The project will house the influx of visitors that will need accommodation during the 2022 World Cup Qatar will be hosting.
The island would be developed by Barwa Real Estate Co, a firm partly owned by the government, at a cost of $5.5 billion. Finish architecture firm, Sigge Architects is partnering with Global Accommodation Management (GAM) to design the various facilities, which includes projects for a hotel and luxury villas that could house up to 25,000 people.
In addition to amenities featured at hotels constructed on land, the floating hotel provides electrical vehicles, water taxis, ferries and private boats to transport visitors to the mainland. The hotel will have an independent sewage treatment plant, power generation and recycling possibilities, freeing it from the limitations of the infrastructure in the surrounding area. This solution for Doha is not limited to the site, and can be incorporated by GAM (the developing company) for many different regions, designed specifically to accommodate the views and necessities of the mainland city.
The project is slated for completion in seven to eight years, well within the time frame for the upcoming Qatar 2022 World Cup. The development is expected to expand the country’s GDP and provide economic growth for years ahead.