Demolished Bahrain landmark may be redeveloped

The Pearl Roundabout, demolished as tensions in Bahrain subsided last year, may be incorporated into a, overhaul of the Manama Central Market.

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Officials in Bahrain hope that the area surrounding the demolished Pearl Roundabout can be incorporated into a planned new retail and business development.

Councillors in the capital of Manama hope to include the district surrounding the former landmark, which was a focal point of Arab Spring protests, into a proposed $530.5m overhaul of the city’s Manama Central Market, reported Trade Arabia.

A study into the development is set to be completed by the end of 2013, with work beginning the following year.

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Some figures of authority in the tiny Gulf state believes it makes sense to incorporate the area, near the city’s Al Farooq Junction, into the proposed new development.

“Instead of dividing the place into two separate locations and having two different studies, it is more preferable - technically and financially - to have it all under one study and joined under one project without considering the road dividing both as a barrier,” commented council vice-chairman and Manama Municipality joint investment committee vice-chairman, Mohammed Mansoor.

"In the end, if we want the marketplace to be revived and in order to do that we have to see both projects as interrelated. It would be illogical to have the market look amazing but its neighbouring businesses seem dull," he added.

The project to renovate Manama Central Market was first announced in early 2008, but was delayed due to the financial crisis.

When complete, it will include a new central market, in addition to business, shopping, residential and leisure amenities.

Bahrain was one of the Gulf states hardest hit by the Arab Spring protests, with mass demonstrations by the Shi'ite majority currently still ongoing.