$1.3bn Paris-style luxury project launched in Doha

A Parisian-inspired mixed use development promising “unrivalled luxury” - and featuring two five-star hotels - has been launched in Doha.

Place Vendome will be built across 800,000 square metres of beachfront land at Lusail City, Qatar's new hub about 11 kilometres north of the Doha city centre and the location of the stadium that is planned to host the opening and closing ceremonies when Qatar hosts the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

At a cost of QAR5 billion (US $1.37 billion), it will include two five-star hotels, serviced apartments, entertainment and up to 400 retail outlets, including an exclusive zone dedicated to “the most elite brands”, the company behind the project, United Developers, a consortium of Qatari investors from the retail, real estate, construction and contracting industries, said.

Plans include a canal running through the development to the sea.

Place Vendome is inspired by the Parisian district of the same name and will be similar to Paris' high-end shopping street Rue de la Paix, the company said.

“The development will be a ground breaking example of the entrepreneurship, vision and energy,” a United Developers statement says.

“The architecture is intended to radiate luxury and extravagance while conveying a touch of cultural and artistic feel.”

Lusail City, developed by Qatar Diar Real Estate Development Fund, is a 38 square kilometre area with four man-made islands and 19 multi-purpose districts.

It is expected to accommodate 200,000 residents, 170,000 employees and 80,000 visitors when it is completed. A final completion date for the multi-phased project has not been announced.