Qatar’s downtown area of Musheireb is changing rapidly, as older developments such as shops and residential areas are demolished to make way for more upscale projects.

That includes the Msheireb Downtown Doha project, which was supposed to see the completion of its first phase of development last year.

However, the Diwan Amiri Quarter – made up of a Diwan Annex, National Archive and Amiri Guard building – as well as the Heritage Quarter, which features four restored heritage houses that will serve as a museum, as well as an Eid prayer ground, have yet to come online.

There are also several new residential developments in the works. Last month, hundreds of low-income expats were forcibly evicted from their homes in the downtown area.

Many were given weeks to months’ notice to vacate the premises, as the buildings were being razed so that new, more modern ones can go up in their place.

Photographer Fadhu Clicks on Flickr took these photos of the busy area a few weeks ago, saying:

“We are going to miss this type of view from sofital and we can see the porch life style in mushireb.”

Have you been to the Musheireb area recently? Thoughts?