An evianSpa is planned to open in 2016 as part of a 38,000sq m (409,029sq ft) plaza development in Doha’s Cultural Village Foundation Katara – elements of which originally opened to the public in October 2010.

Renowned Qatar operator Ali Bin Ali Group, which will run the Katara Plaza when it opens, signed an agreement with the Cultural Village foundation. Key tenants at the upcoming property will include the French department store Galeries Lafayette – designed by architect Bruno Moinard – and evianSpa.

Laurent Houel, evian’s global brand director and owner of the evianSpa concept, outlined the partnership between evian and Ali Bin Ali: “The Middle East is an important market for evian and Ali Bin Ali Group is a great partner for us already. What is more, the Katara Plaza project shows great ambition, creating an iconic space, blending multiple experiences of art and culture, entertainment and leisure, retail and wellbeing. This project will reinforce evian’s premium position with a top of the range concept – representing the brand’s identity and core values.”

To complete the project, Ali Bin Ali has teamed up with evianSpa’s dedicated Doha team – coordinated by international spa project manager and evianSpa’s international business developer Patrick Saussay, owner of G.P.S.A.

Christine Masson Nicolier from G.P.S.A. will also use her wellness expertise to integrate the evianSpa treatment experience into Qatari culture.

Leyk & Wollenberg Architecture and Atelier GH will lead the design of the evianSpa project. Gael Hiétin of Atelier GH developed the evianSpa global design concept and is known for his multi-sensory projects.

Houel continued: “Evian has always been associated with the wellbeing and health sector, since its discovery in 1789 to the opening of the first thermal baths in its Evian les Bains birthplace in 1824 in France – and today the Evian Resort experience. Palace Hotel Tokyo was the first evianSpa outside the flagship resort in France. We intend to develop only a few evianSpa projects to ensure the right exclusivity and iconicity for real differentiating achievements and with the right partners.”

Nabeel Ali Bin Ali, vice chair and EVP of Ali Bin Ali said: “The Ali Bin Ali Group recognises the tremendous potential for growth available in the Qatari market and we support the Qatar National Vision 2030 to achieve economic growth. We expect that Katara Plaza will unlock a unique world class shopping experience, offering the Qatari market many first-of-its-kind experiences.”

Within the plaza, a children’s mall is also planned – in the shape of two giant gifts wrapped in red and gold.

Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, general manager of the General Foundation of the Culture Village Katara said that the cultural district offers a unique and unprecedented model in investment-based cultural projects.

“God willing, we are reassured that the projects that will be added to the cultural district will create a higher demand for tourism for both Katara and the State of Qatar,” added Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti.