Work has started on the next phase of the $6 billion (BD2.2 billion) Durrat Al Bahrain development off the southern coast of Bahrain.

Called Fayrooz 800, it will feature 168 villas built across two "petal-shaped" islands at a cost of approximately BD50 million, including infrastructure work, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Three show homes have already been built to display the three types of residential villas available, which have been named after precious pearls - Hassabah, Jomanah and Fareedah.

The five-bedroom and two-car garage villa will also boast a private swimming pool and "smart house" system, which allows homeowners to download an app on their smartphone to control air conditioning, lights and door locks remotely.

"We are proud to launch this stage of the project," said Durrat Al Bahrain chief executive Jassim Al Jowder.

"The villas have been designed to the best standards by Bahraini Khalid Al Hashimi with a total area ranging from 800 to 1,000 sq m overlooking the water.

Envisaged as holiday homes for affluent Bahrainis, the villas will cost between BD389,000 and BD425,000.

"The show homes have been open now for around one week and we have had more than 600 visitors already," added Durrat corporate communications and sales manager Yaser Al Hammadi.

"Sixty to 70 per cent of these visitors showed an interest in buying and they will be able to put down a deposit when we announce the start of selling within two weeks."

The initial deposit for a villa will be BD120,000 followed by four equal instalments to be paid as construction progresses.

"We hope to finish the construction within the third quarter of 2016," added Al Hammadi.

Durrat Al Barhain is co-owned by Kuwait Finance House and the government and includes five petal-shaped islands, six atoll islands, a central island and a crescent-shaped island.

When complete, it is designed to accommodate 33,000 permanent residents in addition to 5,000 daily visitors. - TradeArabia News Service