Muttrah: The Beating Heart of Muscat

Muttrah is the beautiful heart of Muscat — rich in history, character, and soul.

At SHAB, we took the initiative to deeply study and understand the town, searching for the most catalytic intervention — one capable of igniting a true urban transformation in Muttrah’s core.

Through extensive research and on-site exploration, we discovered a paradox: although Muttrah is Muscat’s historic downtown, it lacks a true center — a space that unites its parts, anchors its identity, and welcomes everyone who arrives. Among all locations, only one site embodied this potential: the parking area beside the old city gate. And no function could better serve it than a public town square — a place of gathering, culture, and connection.

We named it “Maidan Al Darwaza” — The Gate Plaza — envisioned as the heart that reconnects Muttrah to itself.