Dubai Forum After Opening of Burj Khalifa Delineates Sustainability Trends

A leading platform of discussion on sustainability trends in the construction industry of UAE, The Dubai Forum was held in Dubai on 5^th January. There were circa 40 speakers and panelists along with more than 400 delegates from 15 different countries discussing on the ways for obtaining the sustainability in the construction industry of the region.

The event was organized by Brand Dubai focusing on ‘Architecture for Sustainable Societies’. It was held under the benefaction of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rahid Al Maktoum and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.

The Chief Executive Officer of Brand Dubai, Mona Al Marri said in her address, “The UAE has the resources required for creating sustainable communities and The Dubai Forum provides a channel to gather inputs in the architectural, design, and planning areas.Taking forward the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, The Dubai Forum will publish an annual anthology on sustainability and environmental development in Dubai and across the UAE. Our objective is to create a body of work that will benefit professionals, scholars, students, educators and the general public in the Arab world."

The Chairman of Emaar Properties, Al Abbar commented on Burj Khalifa as the Landmark and the mouthpiece of an emphatic message to the world. He said, “It is a new accomplishment that has crowned the list of Dubai's great achievements. Burj Khalifa is not just a symbol of the UAE, but of the entire Arab world. The UAE is reinvigorating the spirit of the Arab renaissance, when our forefathers led the rest of the world in the sciences, mathematics and even architecture."

He while describing the Burj Khalifa as a structure to the creativity of human, said that it has given way to a ‘whiff of fresh optimism to the region’. “The 12,000 people who worked on the project have equipped themselves to take up a daunting task in the construction sector anywhere in the world. When wise leaders stand by their people and inspire them to push the boundaries, the impossible becomes possible. Burj Khalifa proves just that

Leasing of Single Business Tower in Dubai Announced by DIP

One of the leading developers in the UAE, DIP- The Dubai Investment Properties, has announced the beginning of the leasing process of their latest commercial development called Single Business Tower.

The company is to lease 248 office units and 7 retail units at their new tower on Sheikh Zayed Road.

According to Anj Viadi, the Property Manager of Single Business Tower, the tower has been completed much ahead of the scheduled date. The tower has been given its central location, elegant façade and the modernized interior serving as an ideal business location for various companies seeking brand recognition.

He added, “The building incorporates energy efficient and self-sustaining features, with 248 modern offices and retail spaces spread across its 45 storeys. The green building guidelines have been followed to ensure energy efficiency, the big French windows help in capitalizing natural lights, while glass panels help divert heat and minimizes A/C consumption. The Single Business Tower also has advanced security and fire protection systems that ensure security of tenants at all times.”

Apart from all this, the offices within the business tower are designed in a way that they ensure maximum space efficiency and functionality. There are a several amenities and service outlets have been added to compliment a functional business environment.

This will make the Single Business Tower an attractive option for the business seeking to establish their main branch offices offering round the clock management services, ample parking space propinquity to the Business Bay metro station and the awesome views of Arabian Sea and Burj Dubai.

Along with the first class office retail spaces, the tower also offers reception and concierge services to tenants, a conference room which is fully furnished, business lounge, separate gymnasium for men and women both, a multi-level car park for tenants, business services and other management facilities.

Frame Structure of Ocean Heights Completed

DAMAC Properties, the provider of luxury lifestyle and the pillar behind several other projects, announced the completion of the concrete frame of the tallest tower in Dubai Marina along with its development at Ocean Heights standing high at 84 floors.

Ocean Heights is the flagship of DAMAC and is expected to become one of the most iconic buildings of the area. With its twisted architecture, it already is being visible above all others in the surrounding area.

The Chairman of the main contractors Arabtec, Mr. Sajwani said, “This is a significant day for DAMAC Properties - the structural completion of our flagship building is a source of great pride and an occasion that we are glad we have been able to mark with the support of RERA, Arabtec and so many of the staff who have worked on site for the past three years. To think that this magnificent building has been constructed in a little less than two and a half years is a testament to their efforts and I pay tribute to their hard work and accomplishments. This has been a turbulent 12 months for everyone involved in real estate and it is therefore all the more impressive that everyone involved has remained so focused and dedicated to the task at hand. We are delighted to be literally ending this year on a high by finishing our tallest building.”

He added, “As a contractor we are always proud to be associated with quality projects and it is pleasing to be here to commemorate this milestone event for DAMAC Properties as we finish the main construction of Ocean Heights,' he said."A large part of our philosophy at Arabtec is to work hard with developers to build a relationship and to work together as one team on challenging projects like this. In the light of some of the recent negative news and speculation, I believe it is even more important that we recognize the efforts and achievements of everyone involved in the construction of Ocean Heights and celebrate how significant they are. Once completed in 2010 Ocean Heights will eventually offer 680 apartments ranging from one to three bedrooms. In addition the building will feature DAMAC Properties' Signature Series penthouse range - ultimate luxury apartments with the latest in hi-tech gadgetry and luxurious home comforts.”

Significant Progress on Tamani Hotel Business Bay

Dubai Properties newly appointed CEO, Mr. Abdul Wahab Halabi visited the progress of Tamani Hotel at Parklane tower. The impressive iconic development in Business Bay by KM properties has reached the 17^th to 18^th level core walls.

Business Bay, after its full development will become the same as Manhattan or Ginza, the business center of New York or Tokyo. The first phase of Dubai’s incredible revolution into a international hub began with the scouring of the Creek in the 1970s. It is expected that the new extension of the Creek will strengthen the entry of Dubai into the international business cities’ league. Added to its splendor, Tamani Hotel will contribute a lot for the cause.

While inspecting the construction of Tamani, Mr. Abdul Wahab Al Halabi was quite impressed both with the progress of the tower and with the commitment of KM Properties in fulfilling its role in the development of Dubai’s Business Bay. Mr. Abdul Wahab Al Halibi was also keyed up by the status of the project and conveyed his enthusiasm to the team of KM Properties.

The five - star deluxe hotel, Tamani Hotel at Parklane Tower comprises of thirty three storeys. The modern hotel includes commercial offices as well with leisure facilities which offer splendid views of Shiekh Zyed Road’s beautiful and impressive skyline and the new creek area of Ras Al Khor. The world renowned designer Carlos Ott has successfully designed Tamani Hotel and the major construction contractor of the project is Al Rostamani Pegel. The official interior designer who has been appointed by KM Properties is LW Design Group.

According to Mr. Sanjeet Joher, the Group Chief Operating Officer of KM Properties, “We at KM Properties are proud to announce that the project is progressing well. We are moving ahead despite the current economic climate and we are very much ready to create the developments that will form an integral part of Dubai's future Business District which is the Business Bay."

Dubai Real Estate to See 50,000 units in 2010 - Industry Analyst

As per the statement of Charles Neil, the new CEO of Landmark properties, merely half of the units out of the 50,000 units will be available for rent.

Neilsaid, “In 2008 and 2009 the delivery has been pretty steady at about 30,000 units a year. In 2010, it looks as though it will jump to 50,000 units, of which villas will be 20 per cent."

After 2011, fewer villas will start coming on to the market and after 2012, Landmark may see scarcities. He added, “If you're looking at villa prices, they actually went up a bit during the third quarter because there was no finance available. Now that finance has eased, prices and rents in places such as The Palms, Springs and Meadows went up between eight and five per cent, respectively."

Neil commented on the future by telling the sources, “The big issue for next year is what's happening with supply. In 2008 and 2009 the delivery of supply has been pretty steady at about 30,000 units a year. In 2010, it looks as though it will jump to 50,000 units, of which villas will be 20 per cent. And then in 2011, the number of villas drops to five per cent and in 2012 to three per cent, so there are very little villas coming on. You can see a shortage in the villa market."

"With apartments there will be a big surplus next year. The question is how much of that will translate into inventory. Today, the housing stock is about 330,000 units, which will go up to 380,000 in 2010. You need probably a population of 150,000 to fill that. Now where is that going to come from? The answer is there could probably be a two to three per cent growth in Dubai's economy next year."

Palm Jumeirah Crosses 70% Construction

According to Nakheel, the developer behind Palm Jumeirah, 70% of its construction has been finished. A senior official said that the master plan is also being visited.

Marwan Al Qamzi, Group Managing Director of Nakheel Development Projects told, "We have finished construction on nearly 70 per cent of Palm Jumeirah. On our part, we sold a couple of fronds on the project but they still have not been built. It is part of the plan to keep them until we come up with some unique designs compared to what you have seen so far. You cannot freeze the master planning. You have to update it as you go. You have to update to meet market demands and customers requirements.”

The Kingdom of Sheba and Ottoman Palace are the inclusions of this waterfront project. Ottoman Palace is almost complete according to Qamzi. He added, “Both will finish by early April to June next year. The Kempinski Hotel is 85 per cent complete.” Work of Marina Residence started in March 2007 after Shimizu Corporation was awarded the contract in 2006 to construct superstructures, basement, architectural works, landscaping of the project and interior finishing.

Regarding rampant payment issues in the market, Qamzi said the developer was addressing the situation. "We are in discussions with all contractors about delays in payment since there are areas where we need to sit and discuss," he said. The Marina Residences did not benefit from the fall in prices of building materials. "With the change in prices, we have negotiated prices on projects that were led at the peak and at the beginning of the phases. However, this was not possible with the contractor at the finishing stages on the Marina project," said Qamzi.

"This is the last one under construction for the time being from our end," he said.
The final touches on the West side of the project are still going on. "Meanwhile, the East side near the Anchor Marina, which comprises a green area with a clubhouse, will be finished in two months," said Qamzi.The Anchor Marina is expected to berth more than 700 vessels, according to an earlier statement from the company. "The residents of Palm Jumeirah will be accorded priority in berthing," said Qamzi.

The developer confidently remarked that Palm Jumeirah project will witness the island emerging as one of the pioneers in resorts in the coming five to six years.

Marina Residences Units Handover Instigated

The handing over of homes at Marina Residences, Palm Jumeirah, has been instigated by Master developer Nakheel. The first residents are expected to slither in by the end of November according to a top company executive.

"We have started handing over the building and already sent notices to 140 customers. We are expecting the first customer to move in by end of the month," told Marwan Al Qamzi, Group Managing Director of Nakheel Development Projects. He added, “We are also gathering all service providers under one roof so that the tenant does not have to go to many places and almost all the units have been sold".

Qamsi also reported that the handover of 980 units at Marina Residences which is at the tip of the island’s trunk will continue by early next year and the development will observe the moving in of 2000 residents on the Palm Jumeirah. "Our focus is on delivering quality communities and the handover of Marina Residences marks another major milestone on Palm Jumeirah.Going in to the New Year we are pleased to welcome more families into this growing community."

The development figures in six residential towers having 980 units in all out of which 940 are a blend of penthouses and apartments. The most luxurious penthouses offer more than 14000 sqare feet of living space which are designed over four floors. Palm Jumeirah is now an abode to more than 12000 residents. Around 40 townhouses are positioned along the marina faced promenade.

World Class Group to Showcase Cyprus Real Estate Developments in Dubai and Lebanon

Investors from around the globe are finding great opportunities in investing in Cyprus. A new joint venture has come up by a Dubai based consultancy firm World Class Group. It has teamed up with a property portal centered in Cyprus, My Property Cyprus. They have created this advertising initiative in order to showcase country’s top real estate developments to various high net worth individuals throughout the Middle East. Cyprus Property Exhibition Center, CPEC is being created by Dubai firm as its marketing platform.

CPEC reduced the cost and provide seamless solution to the developers by developing a consortium concept by leading developers into what would have been a costly marketing experiment. It has been solved by creating advertisement partnerships. Property inspection trips to Cyprus will be promoted through this property exhibition center in order to view potential investment opportunities. This exhibition center will tour Dubai and Lebanon. It gets started from August 1, 2009 and an intensive tour of the region will be organized. These exhibitions will be held from mid August till September in one of the most exclusive hotels in Beirut for about one month. Potential investment opportunities are being viewed during 6 week campaign options for real estate developers to participate for full exhibition period or for 2 weeks as it is included in the available advertising options.

A new law has emerged allowing Non-Europeans to receive and purchase permanent residency visa for their family. Due to this, property investors in this region rediscover the opportunity presented by Cyprus as a golden gateway to Europe. According to the CEO of World Class Group, Michael J. Tolan, ‘Marketing strategies must evolve through similar cooperative initiatives like CPEC’.