Magnom Properties, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Rawabi Holding, says it is working with Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, (AS+GG Architecture) and Chicago’s The Carbon Lab to deliver a series of sustainable projects which will be a model of best practices in sustainability: “in line with Saudi Arabia’s unified vision for the future and its pledge to cut the nation’s carbon emissions to net zero”.

Details of the new developments in the commercial and retail sectors will be revealed soon and overseen by renowned architect and Burj Khalifa designer Adrian Smith and his partner Gordon Gill, it said in a statement.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop these projects was signed at Rawabi Holding in Al Khobar by Abdulaziz Al Turki, group chairman, Rawabi Holding and Nesma & Partners and chairman of Magnom Properties and the architect Adrian Smith, in the presence of Othman A. Ibrahim, CEO, Rawabi Holding, vice chairman of its Board of Directors and vice chairman of Magnom Properties; Nouf Al Turki, VP of Corporate Affairs, Rawabi Holding, member of its Board of Directors and member of the Board of Directors of Magnom Properties; and Maged Marie, CEO, Magnom Properties.

Magnom Properties explained it will adopt sustainable and advanced technologies across the planning, construction and operations of the “new futuristic developments based on its proven track record of success and strong clean energy credentials”.

Adrian Smith will also use an integrated design approach to highlight each project’s relationship with the natural environment, and will take into consideration building orientation, daylighting, generation of wind power, solar absorption, and the site’s geothermal properties.

“Architecture has the unique power to positively influence society, and our work in the region is a telling example of how economic and environmental sustainability can co-exist in urban development. It gives us great pleasure to develop projects across Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region in partnership with Magnom Properties. We look forward to seeing how our pioneering design concepts enrich the sustainable journey of Saudi Arabia,” commented Smith.

It is claimed that the high-performance designs incorporate the vision of Magnom Properties in setting new standards in sustainability across all its ventures by minimising carbon footprint, managing precious resources, improving environmental quality and integrating intelligence into the built environment.

Abdulaziz Al Turki added: “We work under the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 whereby Saudi Arabia is driving collective commitment to creatively and responsibly meet future energy and climate challenges through a reliance on clean energy, offsetting carbon emissions and reshaping its cities through principles of sustainable architecture. “

“In line with our larger goal of transforming the region through our specialised expertise, we will harness the potential of advanced technologies and innovation to create best-in-class sustainability standards in these projects,” said Othman A. Ibrahim.

“Apart from using renewable materials, sustainable energy sources and making efficient use of space and resources, amongst others, technology will play a key role in embedding sustainable practices to align with the decarbonisation roadmap for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

According to Maged Marie, delivering state-of-the-art developments to empower communities, will ensure Magnom remains committed to implementing the core principles of sustainability across all of its operations.

“Our partnership with Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture to realise our ambitious vision reflects our philosophy of collaborating with the best minds worldwide to drive change and positively impact communities,” concluded Marie.

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Source: ME Construction News

Dubai Land Department (DLD) has launched its new strategic plan and vision for 2023-26, identifying the key features of its directions for the next three years.

The new strategic plan is in line with the national agenda to build a better economy while ensuring consistency with current and future global developments and practices.

According to DLD, its key vision is to strengthen global leadership in real estate investments.

Rolling out across three phases, and involving DLD employees, partners and customers in designing the department’s strategic plan, the new corporate mission and values are as follows:

• Vision: To be world leader in real estate investments.
• Mission: Enabling the real estate community by providing seamless real estate services, effective legislation and integrated data through partnerships, leading digital infrastructure and an empowered human capital.
• Values: Proficient team, people-centric, justice, passion and boldness.

According to DLD, the efforts made while preparing the new strategic plan in turn created five main pillars for future initiatives. These are –

• A pioneering real estate model, through enhancing the sector’s readiness and sustainability, and ensuring effective governance of the real estate sector.
• The second pillar is being a real estate innovation incubator by fostering a globally attractive real estate sector and harnessing technology to enable real estate solutions development.
• The third is a data-driven sector, maximising the added value of sector data and raising awareness, trust and transparency in the real estate sector.
• Then, creating an agile DLD, to cultivate a flourishing digital ecosystem, enhance its operations and improve corporate governance efficiency, as well as foster partnership with public and private sectors.
• The fifth and final pillar is Exceptional Journeys 2.0, through which the focus is on shifting to employee-first culture, refreshing DLD identity and enhancing its position, and moving to a proactive and ‘human’-focused approach.

DLD has updated its strategy in bid to ensure the best results and outputs based on four fundamental principles – sustainable impact; local adaptation; global leadership and co-operation and harmonisation.

The new strategy also constitutes a qualitative addition that would enhance the contributions of the real estate sector to Dubai’s GDP, in addition to supporting the objectives of the other sectors and strategic directions.

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Source: ME Construction News

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened Phase I of the Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Improvement Corridor Project.

Phase 1 of the project extends from the intersection of Ras Al Khor with Dubai – Al Ain Road (Bu Kadra intersection) to the intersection of Ras Al Khor Road with Nad Al Hamar Road.

Works included widening the road from three to four lanes in each direction over a 4km stretch, and opening all bridges leading to Dubai Creek Harbour, extending 1,730m, with a capacity of about 10,600 vehicles per hour. The phase also included construction of a two-lane service road along Ras Al Khor Road, stretching 4.2km.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA, commented: “Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Corridor Project is one of the strategic road improvement projects undertaken in response to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It is part of an ongoing process to enhance the capacity of the infrastructural components to support the strategic objectives of the emirate and serve development across the board. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Corridor Improvement Project is one of the biggest projects currently undertaken by RTA. Works under Phase I and II of the project involve widening Ras Al Khor Road in a sector extending 8km from the intersection of Ras Al Khor with the Dubai- Al Ain Road up to the intersection with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road in addition to bridges extending 2km in total and a service road on both sides of the road.”

The project serves a host of major development projects currently inhabited by about 650,000 people, namely: The Lagoons, Dubai Creek, Meydan Horizon, Ras Al Khor, Al Wasl, and Nad Al Hamar Complex. In future, the project’s scope will cover the construction of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing, which crosses over the Dubai Creek and links Al Jadaf in Bur Dubai with the road separating Dubai Creek Project and Dubai Festival City.

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Source: ME Construction News

ACCIONA has been recognised for a further year in the PFI Awards, one of the most prestigious in the sector, awarded by Project Finance International magazine.

ACCIONA won in the “PPP Deal of the Year in the Middle East and Asia” category for the contract to finance, build and operate (for 25 years) three wastewater treatment plants in Saudi Arabia. The project was awarded to ACCIONA by the public Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) in 2021, and the three plants included in the project are Medina-3, Tabuk-2 and Buraydah-2.

Following the construction phase, which will last for 2-3 years, the plants will handle a combined treatment capacity of 440,000 m³/day –with potential expansion up to 615,000 m³– to serve the cities of Medina, Buraydah and Tabuk. The contract represents the first Green Loan for a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in the MENA region, the first Project Finance deal based on the SOFR in Saudi Arabia and the first financing arrangement from a Muslim country for ACCIONA.

The prize recognises the main environmental characteristics of the project such as the recycling of wastewater for agricultural purposes, the use of renewable electricity to supply energy to the plants, and the contribution to national initiatives for the conservation and re-use of water under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme.

The prizegiving ceremony will take place in London on Wednesday 22 February.

The project

Once the construction of the plants has been completed, Medina 3 will provide a service to up to 1.5 million people in the existing and future residential areas near the city of Medina. The plant will initially have a daily treatment capacity of 200,000 m3, which could be extended to 375,000 m3/day. Buraydah 2 will provide a service to 600,000 residents and will support the expected growth of the city and nearby locality of Ash Shimasiya. Its capacity will be 150,000 m3/day. Tabuk 2, which will provide a service to 350,000 people, will have a capacity of 90,000 m3/day. It will cover most of the existing and future residential areas together with the Tabuk 1 WWTP, which is already operational.

The treated water will replace the use of raw water for agriculture, saving this very scarce resource and directly contributing to water security in the country. The expected daily saving of water is 190,000 m3/day in Medina 3, 142,500 m3/day in Buraydah 2 and 85,500 m3/day in Tabuk 2. Around 95% of the wastewater treated will be available for use in agriculture, and the remaining 5% will be used in the treatment plants themselves. Only a small amount of water will be lost during the sludge drying process.

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Source: ME Construction News

AGMC, the official importer of BMW Group vehicles for Dubai, Sharjah, and the Northern Emirates, has broken ground on what will be a 117,000 square foot facility located on Sharjah’s Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.

As part of AGMC’s network expansion and commitment to accommodate existing and potential clients, the upcoming facility will serve as flagship for BMW and MINI in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, said the firm.

“Following the opening of our state-of-the-art facility in Dubai’s Motor City in 2020, I’m extremely proud to be marking AGMC’s expansion once again and as we break ground on our new facility in Sharjah and commemorate another milestone,” said Ayhan Olcer, CEO, AGMC.

Designed with the customer in mind, the state-of-the-art facility will feature specific spaces for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad, BMW i, BMW M, MINI Next and BMW Premium Selection – accommodating a total of 30 cars and up to 8 bikes on display.

The new spacious facility will also include a fully-fledged service centre complete with 32 work bays, 8 of which will be exclusively for fast-tracked queues, 4 diagnostic bays, 3 car wash bays and 4 service consultation areas. Combined, the service centre will have the capability to service up to 100 cars per day.

The new facility is designed to embody all elements from BMW Group’s ‘Future Retail’ Strategy, a series of latest customer engagement features put in place to help BMW and MINI stand out in a competitive market. These will include: a Mobile Customizer, live car configuration and demonstration during consultations, and a Virtual Product Presentation.

Dr Hamid Haqparwar, managing director at BMW Group Middle East added, “AGMC has been our partner at BMW Group Middle East for almost five decades and we value their continuous efforts to meet and exceed customer expectations in Dubai, Sharjah, and the Northern Emirates. This new facility will allow us to continue to build the BMW and MINI brands, while ensuring that customers receive an exceptional service and sales experience reflective of BMW Group Middle East.

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Source: ME Construction News

Ithra Dubai says it has begun final construction work at One Za’abeel development after it revealed that the cladding work for the development has been completed.

The developer add that remained on course for the grand opening of the project in 2023.

The development is taking shape in Dubai’s skyline after the achievement of a new milestone in Q3 2022, it added in a statement announcing the completion of the full glass cladding of its 3 towers: One Za’abeel The Residences, One Za’abeel Tower, and The Link.

Work on the multi-award-winning One Za’abeel development is now focused on the interior fit-out and will be available for residents and visitors later in 2023, as per phased handover schedule, said Ithra Dubai. Current ~work is focused on the interior fit-out in compliance with Gold LEED certification requirements in preparation for the phased handover.

“An architectural and engineering marvel, One Za’abeel is redefining the concept of mixed-use developments in Dubai, and the region. The development’s towers and panoramic sky concourse, The Link, offer the finest in retail, residential, office space, and hospitality. The Link is posed to break the Guinness World record for the “Longest Cantilevered Building”, offering an elevated lifestyle destination and several high-end attractions, including a 360° observation deck providing mesmerising views of the city,” said the developer.

Commenting on the work progress of One Za’abeel, Raad Al Jarrah, Chief Development Officer at Ithra Dubai, added: “We’re developing and creating an iconic mixed-used development that will contribute to Dubai’s landscape. From concept to design and implementation, a lot of thought has been put in to guarantee the residential, business, hospitality, and leisure components at One Za’abeel are fully integrated for an unparalleled, luxurious experience. Visitors of One Za’abeel will be driving straight into a premier urban oasis.”

One Za’abeel received the “Iconic Project of the Year” award at the Big Project Middle East Awards 2022 held earlier this month. Celebrating excellence in construction in the region, the award acknowledges the complexity, scale, and unprecedented mixed-use offerings of One Za’abeel, alongside its significant contribution to Dubai’s architectural landscape. One Za’abeel consecutively received Best Innovative Project of the Year at Innovation in Construction & FM Awards in 2019 and 2020, and Mixed-Use Project of the Year Award at the 2019 Big Project Middle East Awards.

The iconic mixed-use development is intended to be an “indulgent haven” for tourists and residents alike, providing high-end retail experiences throughout The Gallery on its podium levels, and featuring the world’s first luxurious urban vertical resort.

Managed by One&Only, the resort includes 94 One&Only Private Homes, and 229 luxurious hotel rooms and suites. One Za’abeel’s hospitality offering also includes SIRO Hotel, which will manage 132 guest rooms and a state-of-the-art wellness & recovery fitness club.

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Source: ME Construction News

A state-of-the-art 450,000 sq. m. integrated Metal Park, designed to help leading companies adapt to market demand without infrastructure constraint, will be developed at Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (Kezad).

Senior executives from Kezad Group, the integrated trade, logistics, and industrial hub of Abu Dhabi, attended the official ground-breaking ceremony.

The park will support storage and handling, processing, and fabrication activities, in addition to offering access to research and development amenities, rental office space, and associated financial services all in one location.

Membership will also enable Metal Park Investment ME Ltd’s clients to reduce their operating costs, without the overheads that traditional businesses in this sector face.

Moreover, owing to its proximity to the deep-water Khalifa Port, and its strategic location at the crossroads between East and West, the project will provide an ideal platform for metal industries to serve the increasing number of construction, infrastructure and industrial development projects in the Middle East and African markets.

Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, Kezad Group, said: “As we continue our support for the ambitious Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy (ADIS), Kezad Group is proud to build upon our specialised economic zones offering with the development of the new Metal Park. Abu Dhabi is currently home to some of the largest primary raw material suppliers in the region, and our aim is that, with the development of this one-stop-shop project, more businesses will be able to look to Kezad as a key location where they can expand their operations and grow their international reach.”

Vahid Fouladkar, CEO, Metal Park, said: “With innovation serving at the core of our offering, the Smart Solution which Metal Park delivers has captured the attention of national and international Industry professionals, who validate the ‘shift’ and advancement that Metal Park aims to facilitate. We began our journey rooted in the ideal foundations of Kezad, and look forward to developing and evolving further to meet the needs of our industry and remaining focused on our mission of shaping challenges into opportunities”

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Source: ME Construction News

Dubai-based Al Habtoor Group (AHG) has unveiled plans to carry out three huge residential projects, in various areas of the emirate, in 2023 with a total value of AED9.5bn ($2.59bn).

Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman of Al Habtoor Group, stated: “The new projects include residential towers, and one of them will be the largest in the world in terms of size and number of apartments.”

He added: “The strong economic recovery in Dubai in 2022 and the development levels that have reached new heights not even witnessed before the covid-19 crisis, were encouraging factors to be involved again in the real estate sector and increase investments in new quality projects.”

The first project is located in Al Habtoor City and features residential towers, with one of them being the largest in the world. The complex is a vital destination for hospitality and entertainment. The construction costs for this project will be AED4.5bn. Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor explained that: “It is a vertical community that caters to all lifestyle needs with over 20 amenities including a panoramic infinity pool overlooking the magnificent Dubai skyline.”

He explained that the second project is “a unique residential development in the Habtoor Grand Resort in JBR, with a cost of AED2.5bn. This project will boast exceptional amenities and scenic views of the Dubai coastline and cityscape.”

On the third project, Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor said: “It involves the re-development of the Habtoor Tower in Marina. The project, worth AED2.5bn, will consist of replacing the existing Habtoor Tower by a much larger and ultra-luxurious residential tower in the heart of the Dubai Marina with magnificent unmatched views of the Marina.”

He stressed that that the expanded portfolio will be financed internally. “AHG considers that these expansion projects are a necessity and a clear reflection of the nation’s leadership’s vision, resulting in a growth of the UAE economy at an unmatched pace by any other country.”

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Source: ME Construction News

Construction work on the US$12.5 million Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls project has begun, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority )DEWA) has announced.

In a statement, DEWA said that Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, launched the project, which will be part of the entity’s social and investment responsibility to make Hatta a distinctive tourism destination.

The Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls project is an innovative architectural idea, inspired by the hexagonal beehive design since Hatta is famous as a global hub for high-quality honey, the statement said.

The project’s oases are linked with bridges crossing the water canal, forming a lively and picturesque site to spend time and take beautiful images, it continued.

“DEWA is implementing pioneering projects in Hatta in line with the vision and directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for comprehensive and sustainable development all over Dubai, and to transform Hatta into a tourism and investment hub, while preserving its heritage,” Al Tayer said.

“Through these projects, we aim to develop Hatta and provide innovative job opportunities for the citizens of the area, as well as promote society happiness. The Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls project aims to create a sustainable natural environment, in addition to developing the area and turning it into recreational spaces and a tourist attraction in the UAE. The idea began with creating a natural water stream aligning with Hatta’s nature.

“Investment opportunities abound with four oases that have coffee shops, restaurants, and children’s playgrounds, in addition to shops for selling natural honey, local products and souvenirs. The shops will be given as grants from HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to the citizens of Hatta to create additional job opportunities and meet the needs of social, economic, and environmental development,” he continued.

The project will use the slope of the upper dam of Hatta plant to create a natural waterfall. A waterway will be built below the dam, and the water used in the waterfall will be collected at the end of the stream, recycled, and pumped back to the top of the dam. The area will be developed to create recreational spaces and restaurants.

“In implementing the Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls project, we are keen to use the latest, most advanced, and safest technologies to suit the geological conditions of the Hatta region, taking into account the highest international environmental standards to preserve the Hatta Mountain Reserve and harmonise the project with its surroundings.

“The project will offer a unique experience for tourists and showcase the beauty of the mountainous areas of the UAE. At every step of the project, DEWA is keen to use sustainable materials that blend with the natural surroundings. The water canal ends at a lake that forms a diverse biological ecosystem and promotes a balanced natural aquatic life. The location of the children’s play area was carefully chosen, as it intersects with the three oases designated for coffee shops and restaurants, allowing the children’s guardians to monitor them,” Al Tayer concluded.

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Source: ME Construction News

Dubai Investments, the publicly listed, UAE-based, multi-asset investment company, has announced that it has broken ground on its flagship freehold project in Ras Al Khaimah – Danah Bay, which will be located on Al Marjan Island.

Billed as a premium beach resort-style community, the $272 million Danah Bay project will help to attract investment into the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, while also setting new standards of luxury residential development, Dubai Investments said in a statement.

It added that the project would be developed via its subsidiary, Dubai Investments Real Estate (DIR), and that AE Seven Morse Architecture & Engineering Consultancies Co had been chosen as the consultants of the project, overseeing design and supervision.

The development consists of 209 villas, inclusive of two-bedroom townhouses with roof terraces, three-bedroom villas, four-bedroom beachfront villas, and five-bedroom breakwater villas, along with a residential tower of 128 apartments ranging from studios to four-bedroom penthouses.

Spanning a total area of 86,000sqm, Danah Bay will offer residents and investors 40,000sqm of beachfront, landscaped areas, and a 300-key, four-star hotel, which will be operated by Millennium and Copthorne Middle East Holdings. It will be located within the development, with contemporary architecture and a casual beach lifestyle influence.

The hotel has been designed to provide uninterrupted sea views, providing an ideal setting for rest and recreation, with exclusive beach access to residents and guests, the statement said.

The ground-breaking ceremony was held by Sheikh Khalid bin Saud Al Qasimi, Vice Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah’s Investment and Development Office, Khalid Bin Kalban, Vice Chairman and CEO, Dubai Investments, Abdulla Al Abdouli, CEO of Marjan and H.E Ali Bin Khalfan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, Founder Chairman of Ali & Sons Holding LLC.

“This ground-breaking ceremony is a significant milestone for us as it reiterates our expansion into the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, with our flagship development, enhancing Dubai Investments position as a pan-UAE developer. The project is designed as an ideal destination that will cater to the growing tourism requirements of the emirate and provide residential opportunities that offer a distinct lifestyle.

“There is a huge interest for projects like these in the emirate and with attractive residency requirements, favourable property and business ownership terms coupled with the growing community of entrepreneurs and companies, we are positive that Danah Bay is only the beginning and Dubai Investments will continue to capitalise on the lucrative opportunities that the emirate will have to offer in the coming years,” said Khalid Bin Kalban, Vice Chairman and CEO, Dubai Investments.

Located 50 minutes away from Dubai International Airport, 60 minutes from Downtown Dubai, 30 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah Airport and 30 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah City Centre, Danah Bay is aims to be a developmental milestone that reflects the dynamism of the UAE real estate sector, as well as Ras Al Khaimah’s vision of being a key destination, said Abdulla Al Abdouli, CEO of Marjan.

“As a master developer responsible for supporting Ras Al Khaimah’s diversification strategy and transforming the Emirate into a sought-after destination for both residents and investors in varied sectors, this waterfront project builds on our commitment to deliver premium offerings to enrich the lifestyle of our diverse stakeholders,” he concluded.

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Source: ME Construction News