Al Salam Bank-Bahrain, a pioneering Shari’a-compliant bank in the kingdom, said it has signed an escrow account agreement with Al Ma’awdah Group, a leading Bahraini construction materials and development company, to officially launch sales of its Residence Sharq homes.

Residence Sharq, a multimillion-dollar seafront project located within the $1.6-billion ‘health island’ masterplan Dilmunia, is being built by Al Ma’awdah Group subsidiary Al Talae Real Estate Development.

It is a freehold development, offering 282 spacious, ergonomically-designed homes in a low-rise multi-level complex, said a statement from the Bahraini Shari’a-compliant bank.

The one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments, townhouses, and ‘sky villas’ (standalone homes perched on the roofs of the townhouse blocks) offer panoramic views and natural lighting, with European style designs by French firm, Unanime Architects.

Facilities, including common and women-only gyms, a landscaped garden, a private cinema, a running track, a children’s playground, water playground and pool, and two infinity pools, create a comfortable community lifestyle for residents.

The escrow account model agreement is in accordance with Law No. 28 of 2014 and the Central Bank of Bahrain’s Resolution No. 20 of 2016, which protects buyers and all stakeholders in development projects by ensuring that the utilization of funds raised be solely for the developments in which they have invested.

Al Salam Bank-Bahrain deputy group CEO (Banking) Anwar Murad said: "We are proud to be working with Al-Ma’awdah Group on one of the Kingdom’s most exciting lifestyle projects. Both Residence Sharq and Dilmunia are major additions to Bahrain’s seafront property market, and for us to be chosen as a trusted partner adds further depth to our experience in managing real estate escrow accounts, while creating more confidence for investors looking for properties to buy."

Group executive director Jassim Al Ma’awdah said: "As one of the most trusted Sharia-compliant banks in Bahrain, we have confidence that Al Salam-Bank Bahrain is the right partner for Residence Sharq."

"We keep the interests of our projects’ stakeholders in mind at all stages of progress, and adherence to legislation and buyer-protection is a top priority for us in delivering maximum value to home buyers," he added.

Residence Sharq boasts a prime location on the seafront of the 125-hectare Dilmunia island, one of the Gulf region’s most unique master planned concepts.

Emphasizing greenery, open spaces and healthy living, Dilmunia was conceived as a modern take on the mythical Garden of Eden, which was said to be located in ancient Bahrain.

The island is a project of Ithmaar Development Company (IDC), a developer and manager of major real estate projects spanning the residential, commercial, hospitality, wellbeing & healthcare, and infrastructure sub-sectors.-TradeArabia News Service