RO 44.5m projects launch in Al Irfan’s expansion

MUSCAT, OCT 15
Madinat Al Irfan is seeking to turn its growing corporate presence into demand for homes through RO 44.5 million in residential projects, as development partner Hassan Allam Holding prepares to expand its investment in Oman.
The Muscat destination already accommodates almost 3,000 employees, while the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre attracts around 1.8 million visitors annually, Mohammed al Salmi, General Manager of Madinat Al Irfan, said in an interview with Observer.
The next phase will bring the destination’s first residents into an area that has established itself as a business and hospitality hub, creating demand for schools, shops and other community services.
“We always focus on the quality of the unit and building a community rather than just houses,” Al Salmi said.
The expansion follows two agreements between Omran Group and Hassan Allam Holding, through its real estate development arm Grova Developments. They cover a RO 29 million residential neighbourhood and a RO 15.5 million branded residences project.
Al Salmi said Grova would handle development execution, financing and capital investment, with further details of the residential offerings expected in the coming months.
The projects will establish the first housing phase within Madinat Al Irfan’s wider masterplan, which envisages 10,000 residential units across a 7 million-square-metre destination combining homes, offices, hospitality, retail and public spaces.
Target buyers include Omanis and foreign nationals, particularly people seeking homes close to their workplaces. Al Salmi said the development’s integrated tourism complex framework would accommodate both local and international buyers.
The planned International Financial Centre of Oman is also generating interest in the destination, with enquiries from companies considering relocating their headquarters.
“We’re expecting more demand in terms of offices and residential,” Al Salmi said.
He said enquiries had increased following the financial centre’s announcement, strengthening the destination’s appeal to businesses and prospective residents.
As housing development advances, Madinat Al Irfan is pursuing community facilities to support people living and working there. Discussions are under way with prospective school operators, alongside food and beverage and retail offerings.
“The next is these people need community facilities,” Al Salmi said.
Wadi Park is also under construction, adding public space to the destination as it prepares for residential growth.
For Hassan Allam Holding, the partnership marks an expansion from engineering and construction contracting into investment and property development after approximately six years of operating in Oman.
Hassan Allam, Chairman and CEO of Hassan Allam Holding, said in an interview with Observer that the group intended to build on the initial projects.
“We believe in it so much we’re investing, and this investment will continue to grow. This is just the start,” he said.
Allam said construction operations had helped the group understand Oman’s supply chain, sourcing capabilities and key stakeholders, providing a foundation for investment decisions.
The group conducted extensive market surveys before entering the partnership, he said. Its integrated model covers investment, design, development, construction, facilities management and after-sales services.
“We offer a one-stop shop, a group that can take land, barren land, and transform it into well-built and well-managed communities,” Allam said.
Hassan Allam Construction will build both residential projects, extending the group’s involvement from contracting to the delivery of assets in which its development arm is investing.
Allam said the group would continue pursuing larger and more complex construction contracts while seeking further property investment opportunities.
“On the investment side, we want to replicate the success we’ve currently seen with Omran into new projects and bigger projects, both on the residential, commercial, and hospitality sides,” he said.
The initial residential phase will lay the groundwork for that expansion, linking Madinat Al Irfan’s established business activity with housing and services needed to support a permanent community.