Oman's Saraya Bandar rebranded as Muscat Bay; expected to open this year

Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC) of Saraya Bandar, rebranded as Muscat Bay, is expected to open this year according to officials. 

Developed by Omran and Saraya Holding Oman, the first phase of Muscat Bay will consist of 260 residential units in three residential zones.

Muscat Bay will also have recreational facilities and the first beach resort operated by Jumeirah hotels in Oman.

The ‘tourist village’ was rebranded during a ceremony that included hundreds of guests and media personnel at the ‘Experience Centre’ that overlooks the whole complex.

The plan is to deliver the first phase by the end of 2017. “The rebranding is a part of our marketing strategy to reach out to international customers,” Paul Jessup, vice president of Sales and Marketing at Muscat Bay, said.

“We have worked tirelessly to create a brand that we are confident will differentiate Muscat Bay from other communities in the region. Muscat Bay represents a regionally unique enclave, where Omani urbanites can relax and feel a world away, without being disconnected due to the city centre’s close proximity, which is less than 15 minutes from downtown. For GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) travellers looking to escape the city buzz, Muscat Bay is the nearer equivalent of an Indian Ocean island,” he added.

Prices of residential units range from around OMR80,000 to OMR1.9 million and according to officials; there has been a healthy sale of housing units in the complex. Around 69 per cent of the buyers are Omanis.

The first phase includes twin villas and detached villas in the island lagoon area that have two-bedroom and large and small one-bedroom apartments. The one-bedroom apartments and smaller two-bedroom apartments are for investors, according to officials while the larger two-bedroom apartments, which start at OMR175,000 and span an area of over 200 square meters are for clients’ for personal use.

“We have a lot of different products that are unique for reasons of nature, tradition and culture. Also, we would have a very limited supply with 260 units in the first phase and another nearly 200 in the second phase, so a maximum 450 or so units. Therefore, it is low density and limited supply, unlike other ITC projects in Oman. Investors will have no worry of oversupply,” Jessup said.

Muscat Bay’s residences will include Zaha Parkland and Waterfront three and four-bedroom villas, large duplexes and one and two-bedroom Parkland Residences and Premium Waterfront and Parkland Residences.

The Nameer Island villas and Wajd Hilltop Palaces will provide a variety of picturesque views of the flowing lagoon and sweeping seascape beyond, and will overlook the landscaped park below.

The event was inaugurated by Sheikh Al Fadhl bin Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Harthy, secretary general of the Council of Ministers.

“The new brand essence reflects the project’s ethos and speaks not only to our commitment to the project itself, but also to the surrounding community and unique lifestyle offering.” Sheikh Hamood bin Sultan Al Hosni, chief executive officer of Muscat Bay, said.