With Emirati partnership.. revival of the "Eighth Gate" project in Damascus countryside

The Ministry of Public Works and Housing announced the relaunch of the "Eighth Gate" project in the Yafour area of Damascus countryside after years of suspension.

In the presence of the Minister of Public Works and Housing, Eng. Mustafa Abdul Razzaq, the Public Housing Corporation (PAHC  ) and Emaar Properties, in alliance with Overseas Investment Group, signed a contract addendum aimed at completing this urban edifice, which is one of the most prominent commercial and residential projects in the country.

Strategic location and modern design

The project has a uniquely competitive location just 15 to 20 minutes from the center of the capital Damascus, making it an attraction that combines the tranquility of the suburbs with easy access via the main roads.

According to the Ministry of Works, the project extends over a total area of approximately 300,000 square meters, designed to be a sophisticated urban environment that combines housing, commerce, and services.

The Eighth Gate project consists of huge facilities that meet the needs of investors and residents, most notably:

  A modern mall with an area of more than 200 thousand square meters, which includes more than 250 outlets for local and international brands, in addition to restaurants, entertainment facilities, and parking spaces for more than 2300 cars.

A built-up residential and hotel area of 196 thousand square meters, including 600 residential and tourist apartments, and a five-star hotel with a capacity of 200 rooms.

 Modern office buildings with various spaces designed to serve local and international companies.

The Eighth Gate project bets on providing an ideal investment environment through an integrated service infrastructure that includes advanced security and guarding systems, continuous maintenance solutions, in addition to providing the project with electricity, communications and high-speed internet services, which strengthens its position as one of the most important modern development projects in the vicinity of the capital, Damascus.

Project Beginnings

  The project was officially announced  in 2006 during the real estate boom in Syria, where the project was announced as a strategic partnership between Emaar Properties (40%) and Syria's Overseas Investment Group (60%).

The project derives its name "The Eighth Gate" from the seven historic gates of Damascus, to serve as the modern "Eighth Gate" of the city, while the estimated cost of the project is estimated at approximately US$500 million.

In 2010, before the opening of the "Sales Center" and some administrative buildings, the "Damascus Stock Exchange" was launched to be based within the office buildings in the Eighth Gate, which gave the project great economic weight.

Construction work was almost completely halted after 2011 due to war conditions, economic sanctions on Syria , and difficult financing and logistics.