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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

DAMAC Sees Most Successful Cityscape Ever

Senior executives at DAMAC Properties, one of Dubai's leading luxury real estate developers, has hailed this year's Cityscape Global as its most productive to date.

The DAMAC Properties stand was packed throughout the three day event, with investors from all over the world looking to learn more about the company's latest luxury master development, AKOYA Oxygen.

The 55 million sqft project in Dubailand was the highlight of a high quality show which reaffirmed the global belief in the Dubai real estate market.

“The last three days has shown investors belief in Dubai's fundamentals; this year's Cityscape Global has been the busiest ever for DAMAC Properties,” said Ziad El Chaar, Managing Director, DAMAC Properties. “Dubai is set on a stable growth pattern and the response to AKOYA Oxygen and our full luxury portfolio is testament to that.”

DAMAC Properties had a number of important announcements at the show: revealing that The Trump Organization will manage its 18-hole, championship-standard golf course in AKOYA Oxygen and that it has broken ground on a 1,250 key hotel in Business Bay, in collaboration with Paramount Hotels & Resorts - a project which will create the third largest hotel in Dubai.

‘The Paramount Hotel Dubai, Downtown’ will showcase timeless Hollywood elegance with contemporary styling and a polished integration of elements of Paramount Pictures movies through high tech media mapping and digital signage. As a complement, the property will honor its own identity influenced by the local creative communities, becoming a living showcase of contemporary arts reflected in every facet of the hotel.

“Dubai remains the strongest real estate market in the world. The right product at the right time with the right luxury developer is still a huge draw to savvy investors looking to capitalize on the emirate's safe-haven status,” added El Chaar. “We remain steadfast in our belief in Dubai and the core fundamentals that support its strong growth.”

Established in 2002, DAMAC has delivered almost 11,000 units to date and currently has a development portfolio of over 26,000 units at various stages of progress and planning as of June 30th 2014, which includes over 10,000 hotel rooms and serviced hotel apartments.

Monday, September 22, 2014

TECOM Investments Outlines Expansion At Cityscape Global

TECOM Investments, the master developer of Dubai’s leading industry-focused business parks, today invited investors to explore the many exciting opportunities across the retail, residential and hospitality sectors within its portfolio. TECOM Investments also outlined the enhancements planned for its existing business parks, provided a progress update on the key developments scheduled for release in 2015, and reaffirmed its commitment to support Dubai’s ongoing economic growth and development.

Badr Al Gargawi, CEO Development & Planning at TECOM Investments, said: “TECOM Investments was born from the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, to turn the Emirate into a knowledge economy with the announcement of Dubai Internet City in 1999. 15 years and 11 thriving business parks later, we remain fully committed to this vision and focused on developing it further by continuing to master plan and deliver a portfolio of successful business parks.”

To support the drive for investment across retail, residential and hospitality, new land plots will be released within and adjacent to TECOM Investments’ business parks in 2015, offering opportunities for local, regional and global investors in prime locations.

The strategic focus for TECOM Investments’ business parks in 2015 is to both enhance the existing offering for its business partners, and to release more office space onto the market, particularly in well connected, growth locations. Overall, TECOM Investments is developing 1 million sqft of additional office space, spread out across its business parks. These initiatives represent an overall investment of AED 1.5 billion.

TECOM Investments has pioneered the concept of community development to support its thriving free zone business parks. The company’s prime locations of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village are examples of this, with a 37,000 strong workforce benefiting from a mix of hospitality, retail, and commercial products. TECOM Investments plans to replicate this approach across its other business parks.

In addition, Dubai Industrial City, which is a strategic location for TECOM Investments due to its close proximity to Dubai World Central and the planned Expo 2020 site, will see additional infrastructure development and the diversification of its product offering within the site.

Mr Al Gargawi also provided an update on the recent launch of Villa Lantana, a freehold community of 440 contemporary family villas in Dubai’s new growth corridor of Al Barsha South. He commented:

“The construction of Villa Lantana, due for completion in the last quarter of 2015, is on track. Sales since the launch have been robust and exceeded our expectations. They have largely been driven by local and regional investors, with a key driver being TECOM Investments’ reputation for robust planning, quality construction, timely project delivery, and most importantly, knowing the needs of the end user.”

TECOM Investments also confirmed that construction of Dubai Design District, D3, the region’s first master planned hub for design and fashion excellence, which covers a total area of 21 million sqft in the heart of Dubai, is on track and set to be delivered on schedule. D3’s first project of 11 buildings of innovative office and retail space, located just minutes from Dubai’s Downtown area, will be released in the first quarter of 2015. TECOM Investments reported that the development cost of this first phase is AED 4 billion. 

Mr Al Gargawi, in discussing delivery of D3’s master plan, which was revealed ahead of Cityscape, said: “Key to the design of D3’s master plan was accommodating a broad spectrum of end users. We have achieved this by providing a real mix of land uses with a range of plot sizes. Another essential component was to optimize the utilization of existing and planned infrastructure, to ensure full integration with the surrounding areas, and to create a low-rise, pedestrian friendly scaled environment, which is unusual for Dubai, and adds another point of differentiation to the project. We have also included an abundance of public facilities and open spaces, to ensure a positive experience and a high quality of life for all those who will live, work and play there, including visitors and tourists.”

D3 will include a 1.8km Waterfront featuring design-led, luxury and boutique hotels, unique retail outlets, and stylish dining and entertainment venues. The site will provide capacity for 10,000 office workers, a creative community for up to 4,000 designers and innovators, as well as over 4,000 luxury and boutique hotel rooms. D3 has been designed to offer an environment built for creative people, by creative people.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Nakheel Announces Palm Gateway Mega Project At Cityscape Global

Dubai developer Nakheel kicked off Cityscape Global  2014 with the launch today (Sunday) of The Palm Gateway – a three-tower waterfront living and leisure complex with more than 1,300 homes, a beach club, retail, dining and health and fitness facilities.

Located at the entrance to Palm Jumeirah with convenient transport links to other parts of the island and the rest of Dubai, The Palm Gateway comprises three individually designed high-rise residential buildings the tallest topping 260 meters – with one, two and three bedroom apartments available for lease.

The trio of towers will be constructed on the existing Palm Monorail Gateway terminal, the roof of which will be transformed into a 15th floor podium with infinity pool, shops and sports facilities set in extensively landscaped grounds. The Monorail is linked to the Dubai Tram and the Dubai Metro, offering convenient travel for residents and visitors at The Palm Gateway.

The Palm Gateway will also have its own beach club and park – a shaded, landscaped complex with a diverse range of waterfront dining and shopping options, pool, barbecue areas and fitness facilities, including a jogging track.

Unveiling the project at the Nakheel stand at Cityscape Global, Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah, said: “The Palm Gateway brings yet another iconic, landmark project to our flagship, world-famous development of Palm Jumeirah, and adds hundreds more residential and retail units to our leasing portfolio.

“The project combines luxury beachfront living, exciting shopping, dining and entertainment and some of the best water and city views in the Middle East, and promotes sustainability, with its extensive health, wellbeing and fitness facilities and convenient transport links for travel within the surrounding areas and across Dubai.”

The Palm Gateway at a glance:

> Three towers comprising 1,313 apartments and duplexes for lease

> 5.5 million sq ft gross floor area

> Tubular Tower (261 meters, 61 floors including 46 above podium level, 520 apartments), Central Tower (211 meters, 49 floors including 32 above podium, 429 apartments); Beach Tower (205 meters, 48 floors including 34 above podium, 313 apartments)

> Additional 57 terrace apartments and duplexes within existing 14 storey Gateway building

> 4,000 parking spaces

> 15th floor landscaped podium deck with pool, sports courts and 8,600 sq ft of retail space

> Beach club with kiosks and restaurants

> Gym, spa, pools, sports courts and jogging track

> Supermarket and food court within podium building

> Onsite Palm Monorail, linked to the Dubai Tram and Dubai Metro

> Extensive views of Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai skyline

The Palm Gateway will join a range of other communities in Nakheel’s leasing portfolio, which now comprises around 18,500 units at developments such as The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, International City, Nad Al Sheba and Palm Jumeirah.  Nakheel’s current retail leasing offering spans more than 2.4 million sq ft, with another 6.1 million sq ft under development.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

35,000 Participants Expected At Cityscape Global

Cityscape Global, the Middle East’s largest and most influential property show, opens tomorrow (21 September) with 35,000 participants expected from around the world and exhibitor numbers climbing above 280 for the first time in five years.

According to the Dubai Land Department (DLD), supporters of the show, 6,636 properties were registered across the Emirate for the first half of the year, further underlining the sustained investor confidence in the real estate market.

Omniyat, Nikken Sekkei, Seven Tides, Sun & Sand Developers and TDIC will be among the leading developers and architects launching new projects at the three-day event, which takes place from 21-23 September at the Dubai World Trade Center

With AED113 billion worth of transactions pumped into the Dubai property industry in the last six months, DLD believes Dubai has now established itself as a prime global destination for real estate, following the implementation of new laws and regulations which safeguard investors.

HE Sultan Butti Bin Mejren, Director General of Dubai Land Department said: “Dubai’s real estate market is unique and offers a diverse range of products and services, meaning that there are opportunities for large and small investors.

“The renewed confidence in the market is a sign of Dubai’s resilience. It has proved that it can weather adverse conditions and can immediately respond by capitalizing on an improving outlook.

“Our aim is to facilitate the market’s expansion, we enact laws and regulations to find proactive solutions to problems, whilst at the same time maintaining the rights of all investors.”

The Middle East’s largest and most influential property show is co-located with three dedicated and expert-led conferences, the Global Real Estate Summit, Future Cities and the Real Estate Brokers Summit, which are expected to bring together more than 1000 senior real estate professionals.

Also running in tandem with the exhibition is the Cityscape Awards for Emerging Markets. Consisting of 13 categories, winners will be announced at an elaborate ceremony taking place at the Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa, on 22 September in Dubai.

Cityscape Global 2014 is supported by the Foundation Sponsors Emaar, Dubai Properties and Nakheel; International Strategic Partner Property Solutions; Gold Sponsor Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC); Project Marketing Sponsor Aqua Properties; Official Architect Architecture & Planning Group (APG); Official Broker Trisl Real Estate; Official Mortgage Provider Abu Dhabi Finance; Silver Sponsors Apex Real Estate Development L.L.C. and Tecom Investments; and Property Registration Trustee Partner Tamleek Property Transfer.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Anantara Residences Dubai Takes On New York And London

Release of exclusive Anantara Residences penthouses at upcoming Cityscape Global 2014 will offer international investors a high value, high yield alternative to the London and New York property markets together with full access to five-star hotel facilities.

Dubai-based developer Seven Tides has announced the release of 12 ultra-exclusive penthouse apartments at its Anantara Residences Dubai on Palm Jumeirah, the two to four-bedroom ‘blank canvas’ units, starting from US $5.5 million.

Occupying prime positions in both the South and North Towers of the five-star residential community, the penthouses will be presented to investors at this year’s Cityscape Global exhibition, which takes place in Dubai from 21-23 September 2014.

To date, two penthouses have been sold with the remaining available units offered between 7,468 and 13,478 -square feet of shell and core space. All come with spectacular panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf, Atlantis Hotel, Burj Al Arab and Dubai Marina skyline, as well as private pools and extensive terraces for private entertaining.

“The Anantara Residences penthouses rank right up there with comparable investment opportunities in other global gateway destinations such as Paris, Rome or Vancouver, but still offer remarkable value in terms of price and square footage compared to properties in London or New York,” said Abdulla Bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides.

“In addition to lifestyle considerations, international HNWIs are looking at location appeal and investment potential, and this is where Dubai – and Palm Jumeirah especially – with its unparalleled standard of living, global connectivity and business environment are ticking all the right boxes,” he added.

Priced from AED 20.5 million (US $5.5 million) up to AED 40 million (US $10.9 million) for shell and core space, comparable units in other high profile international cities would get you a 2,691-square foot five-bedroom furnished penthouse overlooking the Esplanade des Invalides in Paris’ 19th arrondissement (US $4.9 million); the top floor of a former palace in Rome with 4,575-square feet of space and Tiber river views (US $4.95 million); or, for a little extra, a three-level, seven terrace and two elevator penthouse in Vancouver’s Grace Tower (US $7.9 million).

However, New York and London remain a different story with US $26 million the asking price for a mere 5,000-square foot five-bedroom penthouse within The Park Laurel on West 63rd Street in Manhattan, and a four-bedroom, 4,100-square foot Chelsea Harbor area penthouse in London costing upwards of US $15 million.

“Space really does come at a premium and this is where the Anantara Residences offers investors an added advantage with an incredible amount of both indoor and al fresco space, plus exclusive access to the five-star facilities and services at the adjacent Anantara Dubai Palm Jumeirah Resort & Spa.

“However, besides the current value aspect, the Palm is also in a league of its own when capital appreciation is considered. The price per square foot for villas has increased by 55% over the last year and 31% for apartments all contributing towards significant yield figures – performance levels other destinations will find difficult to compete with,” added Bin Sulayem.

Residents can enjoy the benefits of usage of the hotel’s 4,000-square foot gym, 110,000-square feet of temperature controlled lagoon pools, six world-class dining and entertainment venues, signature Anantara Spa and private stretch of white sand beach.

Bin Sulayem also confirmed that 70% of the one and two-bedroom units in the South Tower have already been sold, with the recently released North Tower also performing well.

“Our clients are true global citizens, with buyers from around the world including GCC nationals, Russians, Asians and Europeans; and so Cityscape Global offers us another great platform through which we can reach out to prospective investors,” he remarked.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Saudis Will Invest Big At Cityscape Global

A leading Saudi investment and development company makes Cityscape Global debut ahead of US $480million REIT announcement as it looks to partner up on local and regional real estate portfolio development including substantial land bank opportunities

Riyadh-headquartered investment and development company, Al Ibrahim Investment Group, will participate as a first-time exhibitor at Cityscape Global 2014 with an SAR 5billion Ryal (US $1,333million) investment purse and the goal of developing long-term strategic partnerships to grow its real estate portfolio.

Owned by Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, Chairman of the Group, the group already has a healthy portfolio of active regional real estate projects plus a substantial land bank that includes a prime site in Egypt.

According to Fahad bin Abdul Aziz Al Ibrahim, Vice Chairman of Al Ibrahim Investment Group, the company is looking at various asset class opportunities from residential and commercial projects to hotels and other specialty sectors.

“We already work with an astute group of international investors from across the Kingdom as well as Egypt, Tunisia, France, Germany and the UK, and our future vision is to set up a series of investment funds encompassing both domestic and international projects, in alliance with equally visionary partners across a variety of industry sectors,” he said.

Al Anwa for Investment & Real Estate Development, the company’s real estate arm, will reveal details of its latest real estate investment trust (REIT) at Cityscape Global, which will be one of the largest private REITs in the KSA valued at SAR 1.8billion (US $480million).

With an established track record in the GCC real estate sector including the establishment of REITs, residential project development and tourism and trade-related endeavors, Al Ibrahim is also keen to ensure that its projects deliver in terms of adding value to the communities where they are located and the local economy.

“If we use Saudi Arabia as an example where, as an investor, developer and landlord, we already own projects in strategic locations including Riyadh, Mecca and Jeddah province, it is a fundamental part of our mandate that we provide strong returns on investment for our partners as well as benefit the local community and economy,” he said.

The Al Ibrahim Investment Group umbrella also includes the Saudi Egyptian Company for Tourism Development, which owns some of Cairo’s most prominent hotels including the Grand Hyatt, plus an exclusive River Nile location (investment lands) and a number of plots in Cairo and at Hurghada on the Red Sea coast.

It also owns and operates two luxury hotels in the popular Tunisian resort of Sousse, through its Saudi Tunisian Investment and Development company subsidiary, as well as ownership of a 100,000-square meter plot of prime coastal land that is ready for development as a signature mixed-use residential-meets-tourism project.

“At the moment we are preparing for the imminent launch of a number of schemes focusing on quality and added-value services for our projects and existing developments in the Central Region of the Kingdom, which will contribute to maintaining a balance between supply and demand, and meet the needs and desires of the market,” said Salman bin Abdullah bin Fadilah, General Manager, Al Anwa.

He also noted that the company intends to launch a new investment project located on the King’s Road in Jeddah in addition to an integrated services residential scheme in the north of the province. Al Anwa has also started work on a preliminary study and design concept for an ‘under-wraps’ project for the Jeddah Corniche.

Cityscape Global will take place September 21-23 at the Dubai World Trade Center.

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