Eagle Hills, an Abu Dhabi-based private real estate development company, has announced its foray into the Ethiopian market with the launch of its 360,000-sq-m project La Gare.

Located in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, La Gare represents an integrated community comprising residential, commercial, hospitality, retail and leisure facilities in a single, secure and exclusive setting surrounding a park.

The development is in proximity to the Addis Bole International Airport, with a rail line running along its northern edge.

The La Gare project, located in the dynamic downtown of Addis Abiba, boasts one of the largest mixed-use developments in Ethiopia offering more than 4,000 residences, said the Emirati developer.

Eagle Hills announced the mega project at a major event held in the presence of HH Dr Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, at the renowned Addis Ababa La Gare train station, after which the project is named.

Situated in the city centre, La Gare is anchored by four and five-star hotels supported by retail outlets, offices and residential buildings. The government of Ethiopia, in partnership with Eagle Hills, aims to develop a social housing component within the masterplan, where residential units will be built to permanently accommodate the existing residents currently living in the project site.

Unveiling the masterplan, Chairman Mohamed Alabbar said: "As one of Africa’s hidden gems, Ethiopia is rich in history, culture and natural beauty. Our vision is to bring attention to such locations across the globe, revealing the charm and potential within them and inviting future residents and tourists to consider making new homes for themselves there."

La Gare, translated from French to ‘The Station,’ was the main railway station in Addis Ababa, the terminal station of the first Addis Ababa – Djibouti train line in the Horn of Africa. Completed in 1917, the station was a central part of the capital and the main source of traffic into the city.

"In addition to creating a brand-new skyline and city centre, La Gare is set to contribute to the local market by creating jobs, further bolstering market sentiment and energizing the economy," he observed.

“La Gare is a project of passion that will be developed on a land of heritage. It will be built upon the historical grounds of La Gare train station that has stood the test of time, and with our project, will live in people’s collective memories for even longer,” noted Alabbar.

A striking skyline with an obvious hierarchy can be seen from several key points within the new city that defines the address. The residential towers and central commercial office buildings are arranged symmetrically around a central arrival driveway which forms the main arrival boulevard, he added.

Situated around the development perimeter, the residential towers form a large central landscaped zone, refreshing and functional for residents to live, work, shop and relax within their community.

Parking, circulation, arrival and drop offs, and zoning of various components have been accommodated in a cohesive and fully efficient manner.

Eagle Hills said the retail outlets within La Gare open into courtyards which are shaded and landscaped in an individual manner, giving identity and distinction within the retail area itself.

The residences will offer spectacular vistas of the surrounding city and the creation of new signature vistas within. Each tower has direct ground level pedestrian access to a social environment with active day and night retail areas, it added.-TradeArabia News Service