Photo: Officials from Al-Libya Al-Qataria (ALAQ) during the break ground of The Water Front a luxury residential and resort development along Libya's Mediterranean coast. The Waterfront to Include 5-Star Resort, Residences, Shops, and More Tripoli- Work has begun on Wednesday at The Waterfront, a luxury residential and resort development located near Tripoli along Libya's Mediterranean coast, announced Al-Libya Al-Qataria (ALAQ), a joint venture between Oyia (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Libya's Economic and Social Development Fund) and Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority). The Waterfront will be a premium, gated, mixed-use community located in Janzour, a western suburb of the Libyan capital. Central to the project is a five-star resort hotel, the first in Tripoli to offer a waterfront location along with first-class amenities and unsurpassed service. In addition to the five-star hotel, the 42-hectare development includes serviced residential apartments, luxury villas, and an upscale neighborhood retail village. Additional amenities include beach access to the Mediterranean, extensive walking trails, top-quality fitness and sports facilities, shops, gourmet restaurants, and more. With nearly 300 rooms and suites, The Waterfront's resort hotel will be able to accommodate both business travelers and tourists in an atmosphere of comfort and luxury. Hotel amenities will include a full-service conference facility and business center, a luxury day spa and fitness facility, international-quality tennis courts, an outdoor pool complex, a private beach club, and five world-class seaside restaurants. Spacious, state-of-the-art guest rooms will feature high-tech sound systems, flat-screen high-definition televisions, DVD players, wireless high-speed internet, customized bedding and linens, an ergonomically-designed work area, premium four-fixture bathrooms, and local artwork. The hotel has been designed so that each guest room offers a sweeping view of the Mediterranean Sea. Equally luxurious will be the serviced residences at The Waterfront. Custom-designed homes combined with resort-style amenities offer an international-standard lifestyle to community residents. A mix of luxury villas, maisonettes, and apartments will ensure that potential residents can easily find a home customized to their needs. The Waterfront will offer residents the highest level of security; amenities include numerous swimming pools and seaside terraces, lush Mediterranean landscaping, walking trails, an oceanfront beach club, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The Waterfront retail village will feature a wide array of shops and facilities to meet the needs of daily life, including an upscale neighborhood market, laundry and dry cleaning services, banking facilities, and a number of cafes and restaurants. Abdul Aziz Al Theyab, Chairman of ALAQ Board of Directors, said, "Libya is one of the fastest-growing business and tourist markets in the region, and international travelers are just beginning to learn about its rich history and vibrant culture. The Waterfront is a truly unique development in a remarkable Mediterranean setting; we are honored to bring a new level of world-class accommodation to Libya in partnership with Oyia and Qatari Diar." "The Waterfront will offer an unprecedented level of service and luxury in Libya," added Wesam Eledrisi, the Vice Chairman of ALAQ's Board of Directors. "This vision is being achieved with an emphasis on innovation, partnership, and raising the standard of living in the Tripoli area, and the ongoing cooperation and enormous support we've received from both the Libyan Jamahiriya and the State of Qatar have been integral in our success.” Eng. Mohammed bin Ali Al-Hedfa, Group CEO of Qatari Diar, added, "We are delighted to be breaking ground on The Waterfront, and we consider it an important symbol of the deep friendship between Libya and the State of Qatar. Furthermore, we believe that The Waterfront's world-class resort and residences have the potential to herald a new era of luxury living for both Libyan residents and the growing number of business and leisure travelers who visit Tripoli." Numerous international consultants are providing assistance to the project. The initial phase of The Waterfront is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012.