Shurooq: Work begins on 5-star Emirati hotel

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has announced that work on the luxurious 5 star Al Bait hotel in Sharjah, is set to commence. The announcement was made during a press conference on Monday, 11 March, at Bait Al Naboudah in the Heart of Sharjah, the largest tourism and heritage project in the region. The traditional hotel project ties in with the initiative to revive heritage in Sharjah, which was launched by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, that aims to protect and restore where possible the remaining historic fabric within the city and the Emirate at large. Of all the redevelopment programmes initiated to date, The Heart of Sharjah is the most important. Set for completion in December 2014/ January 2015, the Dh 100 million Al Bait hotel project in Sharjah will spread over almost 10,000m? and will comprise 54 guest rooms - including standard, deluxe, junior suites and suites - as well as a spa/health club, dining areas (a traditional Arabic tea and coffee house, a traditional Arabic restaurant, and all day diner, and a deli), staff facilities and utility blocks, in addition to Souq Al Arsa, one of the oldest and most important Souqs in the region, among many others. It was revealed that an agreement was signed between the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and General Hotel Management Ltd. (GHM) - a firm renowned for conceptualising, developing and operating an exclusive group of hotels and resorts around the globe - for the management of the hotel. The agreement was signed by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Hans R. Jenni, Director and President of GHM, in the presence of Sheikha Hour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the Sharjah Art Foundation, Sheikha Nawar Al Qasimi, Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, Shurooq CEO; and representatives from GHM bearing witness to the ceremony. Shurooq already has an established relationship with the exclusive management group, which dates back to 2011 when an agreement was reached for GHM to manage another Shurooq development in Khorfakkan, Sharjah, under the group's prestigious Chedi brand. Al Bait hotel will spread over an area of 10,000 square meters and includes a number of houses and buildings, five of which are heritage houses - including Bait Ibrahim Al Midfa, Bait Eissa Al Midfa, Bait Abdul Rahman Al Midfa, Bait Abdullah Al Mahmoud and Al Midfa Majlis, which will be renovated. In addition, a number of other houses that will be built in accordance with the standards and designs of traditional houses, but with contemporary touches that ensure quality, luxury and comfort to guests.