Qatar National Bank (QNB) recently announced that it plans to build one of the world’s tallest buildings in Doha, Qatar as its new headquarters. Plans are for the building, set for Doha Corniche, to be 510 meters in height. That will make it the tallest skyscraper in the city and one of the tallest in the world.
The initial phase of construction has begun, with plans, excavation and other preliminary works under way. Once this stage is complete in early 2009, the shell and core of the 61 floor building will be constructed. Contractors and builders have not been chosen for this phase yet and are invited to express their interest, with awards to be announced in January.
The new QNB headquarters building will have a total built-up area of 235,000 square meters, with five basement levels, 88,000 square meters of parking, 9,000 square meters for the entrance and banking halls, and 138,000 square meters of office space. This is part of a trend that will result in the city of Doha becoming home to some of the tallest towers in the world over the next five to 10 years, according to the Middle East Economic Digest.
Qatar National Bank is the country’s largest lender and the first commercial bank in Qatar, having been formed in 1964. QNB has 42 branches and offices in addition to 11 Islamic branches and offices. QNB’s international presence is rapidly expanding to include new locations around the world to supplement existing branches in London and Paris and the Representative Office in Iran. QNB’s new branches in Yemen, Oman & Kuwait and its Representative Offices in Libya & Singapore began their operations in 2007.
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