The Mega Developers: ACI Real Estate

ACI Real Estate is a relatively new Gulf Mega Developer, having been founded in 2004. Unlike most of the Gulf developers, ACI's origin is not in the Middle East. ACI is a division of the German company Alternative Capital Investment Group, which is a leading "alternative investment provider." According to ACI:

'ACI Group perfectly complements the robust growth environment of Dubai's property sector by leveraging on its expertise in real estate asset management internationally. The Group recognizes that value generation is the key to maintaining its premier position as a real estate leader, and creates a win-win environment for clients through quality products and unparalleled service excellence.'

ACI is focused on developing what they refer to as "prestige projects." That is, high end luxury developments.
Here are the major ACI Mega Projects:

> M. Schumacher Business Ave, Business Bay, Dubai. This 29 storey development will provide high end office space to a discerning clientele. The location of this project is excellent being near: Burj Dubai, Dubai International Financial Center, World Trade Center and Conference Center. Furthermore, the location is only 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport.

> Boris Becker Business Tower, Business Bay, Dubai. A 19 storey futuristic looking tower that will house: ultra modern offices and business centers, meeting and conference rooms, state-of-the-art creation centers, retail plazas, restaurants, etc. According to ACI, the finest materials and technology have been used and world famous architects have been employed for this project.

> Niki Lauda Twin Towers, Business Bay, Dubai. Two towers, one 29 storeys and the other 26 storeys, make up this development. The towers will primarily be office and retail space. Businesses will have the choice between renting individual office space or a business suite for smaller companies.

> Victory Bay, Business Bay, Dubai. ACI says that 'Victory Bay is a state-of-the-art, 20-storey, x-shaped freehold office tower that creates unique office layouts with maximum efficiency. Offering 75,702 sq. metres of floor space, Victory Bay provides tenants an extensive range of services and facilities, to ensure that business runs smoothly and is an enjoyable experience. The Tower’s blue structural glazing that encases the floor to ceiling glass facade ensures the building offers an abundance of natural light across all office space, and magnificent views of Business Bay and as far as the Arabian Gulf.'

> Marine Legends, Dubai Waterfront. This is a luxury waterfront project being developed jointly between ACI and Ferretti Group. The Ferretti Group is a leader in the luxury motor yacht industry and has a unique portfolio of the most exclusive brands in the yachting world: Ferretti Yachts, Apreamare, Bertram, CRN, Custom Line, Itama, Mochi Craft, Pershing and Riva. Ferretti is currently present in 95 countries and has three representative branches in Asia, Europe, and the United States. Marine Legends will offer the high end yachting lifestyle and all that goes with it to residents.

> 5 Tower Development (currently not named), Capital Bay, Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. This project is a partnership between ACI and Al Odaid Real Estate. All 5 towers will be residential and all 5 are being built on one podium. The towers will be from 17 to 22 storeys and will offer studios as well as 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. The towers will offer a large number of recreational facilities to residents including: roof top pools, health clubs, jacuzzi-- and convenient underground parking is also part of the package.

With only 4 years in the Gulf I must say that ACI - run by Robin Lohmann, Managing Director - is doing quite an incredible job....especially when you consider they are not even from the Middle East! Currently ACI has an office in Dubai and will be opening other offices in Abu Dhabi and Qatar. I am sure we will be seeing many more premier Mega Projects being developed by ACI!

Contact:

ACI Real Estate
P.O. Box 212049
Dubai, UAE
Tel. +971 -04-407 94 00
Fax. +971 -04-395 44 24
Email: info@aci-dubai.net
Website: http://www.aci-dubai.net/