1. What You Need to Know
about Amman's New
Downtown Project
Dr. Ehsan Bayat

2. What You Need to Know about Amman's New Downtown Project
Amman, Jordan, has emerged as one of the top tourist destinations in the Middle East. However, until recently, the city has
not received a lot of attention from property investors. This fact has changed rather dramatically in the last year or so,
especially with the launch of a new central business district project. In 2015, the Jordanian government introduced new
incentives for buyers and investors, and this stimulus has largely culminated in the development of a new downtown area.
This project, which will total more than $5 billion when complete, aims to create residential, entertainment, shopping, and
business space in Amman’s Al Abdali neighborhood.
To help situate Amman as an international business hub, the developers of the Al Abdali project will implement smart urban
planning to intertwine business, leisure, and living in a modern, seamless way. Consequently, the project stands to become a
model for modernization of the rest of the city, as well as the kingdom as a whole.
The new downtown will take up 384,000 square meters of land and create a built-up area totaling more than 2 million
square meters. Construction of Al Abdali is taking place in two phases. The first phase focuses largely on creating offices
and retail space, as well as medical facilities and hotels. The second phase will concentrate on adding new apartments to the
area.

3. Designing a Fully Modern Downtown Amman
All new construction will include advanced building management, fire protection, and security systems. Because more than
100,000 people will be living and working in the district, the master plan includes a large network of pedestrian roads and
unique traffic solutions to ensure optimum functionality. A focus point of the area will be the Boulevard and the Abdali Mall,
both of which will feature great restaurants and the world’s finest retail brands. The master plan also introduces rooftop
experiences, with buildings on the Boulevard featuring rooftop restaurants, bars, lounges, fitness clubs, pools, and more.
The project also represents a strong commitment to green construction. For energy efficiency, all heating and cooling will be
sourced from one location and then distributed to multiple buildings. This system reduces power consumption and will
mitigate peak demands on electricity. In addition, the unique system reduces heat-transfer efficiency losses. The company
behind the project is encouraging individual developers to seek LEED certification for their individual projects. Further, the
finalized project will include a grey-water treatment plan for the collection and treatment of water from showers and sinks so
that it can be reused for irrigation and flushing purposes.

4. A Look at the Flagship Al Abdali Development Project
Currently, a number of development and investment opportunities are available at Al Abdali. One of the most notable
projects is Campbell Gray Living, which is Amman’s very first foray into the luxury property sector. The final structure will
house serviced offices, boutiques, restaurants, upscale residences, and the Campbell Gray Hotel. Developed by Al Seraje
Real Estate Development, a subsidiary of Amman’s Audeh Group, the structure is poised to become one of the major
landmarks of the new downtown area and Amman in general.
The developers behind Campbell Gray Living recognize that Amman boasts some of the most well-educated and well-
traveled individuals in the world who deserve living spaces that are up to the highest international standards. Until now,
Amman’s real estate sector has been completely missing this market segment, and the addition of luxury living to Amman
will likely attract even more investors and residents to Jordan.

5. Ultimate Luxury in the Heart of Downtown Amman
Campbell Gray Living partnered with AS Architecture-Studio in Paris to create an extraordinary building that is unlike
anything in Jordan or the rest of the Middle East. Brudnizki Design Studio in London has also helped design the residences
to feature a classic charm with a distinctively contemporary feel. All of the artwork in the building will be sourced from local
and regional artists to pay homage to Jordan’s unique culture. Some other notable features include marble from Italy,
German appliances, and hardwood from Lebanon. In addition, all residences will feature the newest smart-home
technologies from Lutron.
The crowning jewel of the entire project is the roof of the residential building, a private space for residents of the building.
This retreat in the heart of downtown will offer an infinity pool, a bar, an open-air gym, and a lounge area with four fire pits. In
addition, there will be a spacious community hot tub and nine private cabanas, each with sun loungers, dining areas, and a
personal hot tub.
The residences at Campbell Gray Living are due for completion by the end of 2017, and the retail complex should be
completed only a few months later. The Campbell Gray Hotel is scheduled to be finished before 2019.