From just rubble and historical footprints of the 1800s, Heart of Sharjah, a four-phase 15-year historical restoration project is to recreate the traditional heritage areas of Sharjah making it a tourist and trade hub.
Situated just minutes away from the Buheirah Corniche and 10 minutes from the Sharjah International Airport, the Heart of Sharjah will revive and link the historical Souq Al Shinasiyah and Sharjah's heritage areas.
As Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), puts it, the Heart of Sharjah will build and retrofit 'old' houses to how they looked half a century ago and link the past, present and future," he told Khaleej Times English daily "We have documented everything. Souk Al Shinasiyah will be rebuilt on Bank Street based on the foundations detected through the survey conducted using ground penetrating radar.
Excavation and exploration works are also underway with the support of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The survey and excavation works cover an area of 2,500sqm and are coordinated by the Sharjah Ruler's Court in collaboration with Shurooq and with technical support from the Sharjah Department of Culture and Information's Directorate of Heritage and Directorate of Antiquities." Currently working on phase 1 of the project, Shurooq is now ready to demolish three buildings which have been made available by their owners, and is making sure the owners get the best in retailer's investment. "We may or may not demolish the buildings, but most have been existing for 40 to 45 years." Al Sarkal says Shurooq has created a committee of owners who have been given other lands and financial rewards to make sure investors receive the best.
"The Heart of Sharjah will be a destination with contemporary artistic touches but retains the feel of the 1950s and reflects what Sharjah was like over half a century ago. Basically, how it used to look; some are retrofitted and some are to be replaced to make it look like the past merging with the present," he added.
A sprawling 35,000sqm, the Heart of Sharjah will feature diverse commercial, cultural and residential projects, including a boutique hotel, restaurants, retail shops, art galleries, traditional and contemporary markets, archaeological sites, museums, play areas, and commercial offices.
Al Sarkal says that the Heart of Sharjah will not rewrite history, but will go back in time. "By the third phase, high rise buildings in most of Bank Street up to Al Hisn Fort will be cleared. Al Bait Hotel will come next. We are trying not to be very controlled by plans. We make flexible plans. Once Al Bait Hotel opens, we will promote the 18 new shops at Souk Shinasiya."
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