Sharjah Ruler launches boost for Kalba tourism
A series of ambitious projects will transform Sharjah’s east coast exclave of Kalba.
They include the restoration of one of Sharjah’s most historic houses, construction of a clock tower roundabout and the opening of a revamped Corniche.
The plans aim to improve the lives of people in the exclave, while placing it on the UAE’s tourist trail.
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, visited the coastal town on Friday and Saturday to oversee and launch the projects. Here are the main ones:
A historic house is restored
Sheikh Dr Sultan inspected the completed first phase of a careful restoration of the historic Bait Sheikh Saeed bin Hamad Al Qasimi.
It is believed the house – in a traditional style with local architectural motifs – was built between 1898 and 1901 in front of the historic Kalba Fort.
The building’s eastern section includes an outer majlis that overlooks the shore, while the western section includes family living units.
The restoration – undertaken by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage – is about 40 per cent complete and the house will reopen to the public as a museum once finished.
Clock tower roundabout
Sheikh Dr Sultan also laid the cornerstone of Kalba’s new Clock Tower Square. The tower will stand at 42 metres tall and a viewing platform will provide stunning vistas of the town and sea.
In the centre of the square, a fountain will represent a clock. Drilling operations have now finished at the site but it was not revealed when the square will be complete.
The project includes the development of the roads around the new square, with lanes to be added and car parks built to accommodate more visitors.
Khor Kalba Fort reopens and a new museum in the pipeline
Sheikh Dr Sultan reopened the restored Kalba Fort on Friday. Inside is a treasure trove of excavated artefacts.
It is believed the fort was built in about 1745 and added to in about 1820. It is not yet clear when the fort will welcome visitors.
After reopening the fort, Sheikh Dr Sultan was briefed on designs of the Kalba Heritage Museum project.
The sail-shaped museum will be built on the seashore and house sections that tell of the region’s heritage and social, economic and even political life, as well as fashion and food over the ages.
Kalba Beach Corniche finishes
Sheikh Dr Sultan opened the revamped Kalba Beach Corniche on Friday. Jogging paths, shaded sea-facing seats and 95,000 cubic metres of pristine sand can be enjoyed by all.
More than 1,500 trees were planted along with additional picnicking spaces for visitors. A flood drainage network has been constructed to prevent flooding that has hit the area in the past.
Heritage Mosque Square in Kalba opens
Heritage Mosque Square, on the Kalba Beach Road, was also opened by the Ruler on Friday.
The square is one of the emirate’s key tourist sites because it is surrounded by landmarks, including Kalba Fort in the north and the Corniche to the east.
The square also features the heritage Saif bin Ghanim Mosque and a new fountain. Recently restored, the mosque is one of Sharjah’s oldest places of worship. In keeping with Kalba’s seafaring tradition, it is built from coral and its roof is covered with palm fronds.
Start of breakwater project
The Ruler also launched the Kalba breakwater project to protect the beach from hurricanes and seasonal storms.
After giving the go-ahead for commencing work, Sheikh Dr Sultan watched the first rocks being laid.
The breakwater project will be built in a manner that preserves the beauty of the beach and the surrounding ecological life. Four breakwaters will be built in total.
Souq Al Jubail project begins
Sheikh Dr Sultan also laid the foundation stone for Souq Al Jubail.
Covering more than 32,000 square metres, the souq will feature retail spaces stalls selling vegetables, fruits, fish and meat, as well as several restaurants. The building will cover an area four times the size of the existing market.
Soor Kalba project provides new shops and apartments
Sheikh Dr Sultan also visited the Soor Kalba project. The Dh180 million ($49m) initiative spans 79,353 square metres and involves the construction of 105 buildings, with 420 apartments and 319 shops overlooking the Corniche.
The sites surrounding the project will be developed and car parks will be provided, in addition to green spaces and a lagoon for marine sports.
Kalba is home to historic forts, mountains and mangroves. Along with Khor Fakkan to the north, the two Sharjah exclaves are becoming major tourism destinations.
Last year, Sharjah opened a Dh1 billion road that cuts travel time between Kalba and Sharjah city to only an hour instead of 90 minutes.