Emaar Syria, wholly owned by UAE-based Emaar Properties, has announced the start of the first phase of work on the Eighth Gate project in the Yafour area of Damascus countryside. The Eighth Gate project, with a total cost exceeding half a billion dollars and a six-year implementation period, is being undertaken by Emaar and the Overseas Investment Group. The project is the first of its kind in Syria, featuring integrated residential, commercial, and recreational facilities. Its architectural designs are inspired by the ancient city of Damascus and traditional Islamic architecture, highlighted by a high archway in the old architectural style that forms the main entrance to the central square. The project consists of three main sections: the commercial center, the waterfront, and the tourist area. It includes a traditional square, a commercial tower, and a shopping center whose design is inspired by the markets of old Damascus, in addition to retail outlets spread throughout the project and a variety of top-tier restaurants and cafés. The first phase of the project comprises commercial offices including eight blocks, one of which is a 30-story tower, along with two other towers of 15 stories each, a banquet hall, meeting centers, a shopping center spanning 125,000 square meters, and commercial buildings each with an area of 1,510 square meters. The commercial center will also house the Damascus Stock Exchange. Sales of commercial offices will begin starting next Thursday. Muwaffaq Ahmed Al Qaddah, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Emaar Syria, said that the Eighth Gate project will be a gateway for an unlimited number of the group's investments in Syria. In a statement to Emirates News Agency (WAM) in Damascus, Al Qaddah expressed optimism about the project and the success it will achieve, noting that it reflects citizens' interest in the project, especially since it targets the upper-middle class and takes a tourist and commercial direction. His Excellency Youssef Mohammed Al Madfai, UAE Ambassador to Damascus, expressed his happiness that Emaar has finally been able to launch this project and contribute to the development and progress in Syria. He expressed confidence that the Syrian leadership has removed many obstacles to bring this project to light, which will help showcase Damascus's bright and modern face. He hoped the near future would see a greater presence and role for UAE companies in Syria. Nabil Omran, Governor of Damascus Countryside, considered the project an important attraction point that helps draw investments, thereby enhancing the developmental role of commercial and housing businesses. Omran described the Eighth Gate project as promising, excellently designed, and providing a competitive platform for other companies, creating an architectural opening that serves all tourism and entertainment needs. On the other hand, Engineer Sarhad Haffar, General Manager of Emaar Syria, explained that construction work on the commercial center, one of the main sections of the Eighth Gate project, will begin two months from now after the announcement of tender results for commercial offices and infrastructure. He confirmed that there are no obstacles to project implementation, noting that investment in Syria is very encouraging and that the investment work structure is evolving in line with Syria's rapid steps in this field. He indicated that Emaar's aspirations and commitments in Syria extend beyond the Eighth Gate project, with future projects to be announced in due course. Engineer Haffar provided a quick overview of the sales center that the company has completed. Its first section includes models of Emaar projects in the region and around the world, such as Burj Dubai, King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia, and Emaar expansions in 13 countries. The section also features artistic models expressing Syrian civilization and Damascus's renowned diverse handicrafts, as well as billboards depicting the lifestyle of Emaar projects in creating an integrated life within a single city.