Syrian Prime Minister His Excellency Naji Al-Utri visits Emaar-IGO’s Eighth Gate project

The Syrian Prime Minister His Excellency Naji Al-Utri visited The Eighth Gate development, a master-planned community developed by Emaar Syria and IGO in Yafour, near Damascus, currently progressing as per schedule for hand-over later this year.

Senior government officials and business professionals accompanied His Excellency Naji Al-Utri on the tour. They were welcomed by Emaar-IGO executives, who explained in detail the various components of the project and the progress achieved to date.

His Excellency Naji Al-Utri witnessed the progress of the Office District of The Eighth Gate, which hosts the Damascus Stock Exchange building and several modern offices. He expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved.

Mr. Anas Kozbari, IGO Designated Board Member for Emaar-IGO, thanked the support of the Government to the project. “It was our honour to welcome His Excellency Naji Al-Utri and other senior officials on the tour of The Eighth Gate. This project brings world-class development standards to Syria and will be a catalyst for the country’s economic growth.”

“With construction ongoing in full swing, we are on schedule with the handover plans of the Damascus Stock Exchange building and the Rouya Office Buildings later this year. Work on three additional office buildings and the Eighth Gate Mall will also start on site this year. We are working with leading international consultants and contractors to ensure that we deliver world-class standards and unprecedented quality to the entire project,” added Mr. Sarhad Haffar, General Manager, Emaar Syria.

“All offices will feature the latest in telecom and office technologies. We have also successfully completed the road infrastructure that connects to the Damascus-Beirut Highway, in record time, thus enhancing ease of access to the project,” he explained.

Mr Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director – UAE, Emaar Properties, said: “Syria is one of the key markets for Emaar, and with The Eighth Gate project developed in partnership with IGO, we are partnering in the socio-economic growth of the country. The Office District of the project is billed to become the leading business hub of the country when it opens later this year.

The Eighth Gate is a US$500 million master-planned community, and billed as the number one business hub of Syria. The project builds upon the ancient history of Damascus in its architectural style of ornately decorated buildings influenced by traditional design and pays homage to the city’s ancient roots.

Emaar Misr unveils exclusive village for diplomats at Mivi

Emaar Misr, the wholly owned subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, has unveiled a dedicated residential village for the Egyptian diplomatic community in Mivida, the integrated lifestyle development in the 5th District of New Cairo City.

Mr Ronald Krater of JZMK, the US-based master-planner of Mivida, flew in exclusively from the US to present the development’s design concept to the diplomatic community at a function held at the Egypt Diplomat Club.

The presentation organised by Emaar Misr was attended by top officials of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Ambassadors and other diplomats. At the exclusive presentation by the expert international designer, the participants were given an overview of the unique features of Mivida including its focus on developing a number of green parks and open spaces that promote outdoor activities and bring communities together. Read more

Emaar Morocco in finishing stages of innovative ‘Street of Dreams’ in Tinja

•    Model homes and driveway give true perspective of community experience awaiting customers
•    A true touch-and-feel of the neighbourhood; concept introduced to Morocco for the first time

Emaar Morocco, the country-subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, is introducing the innovative ‘Street of Dreams’ to Tinja.

The Street of Dreams, currently in the finishing stages, encompasses different models of villas and townhomes with the customer journey starting from the Sales Centre. As the customers progress through the Street of Dreams, they get a true feel of their homes and the community ambience.

Emaar homes have the distinct appeal of being ‘ready to live in’ and are fully furnished and equipped with air-conditioning, advanced telecom connectivity, designer-fitted kitchen with ceramic floor tiles, fitted wardrobes, finished doors and wall treatments. Read more

Emaar Middle East commences construction of second residential village in Al Khobar Lakes

• Contract for the first phase of Al Ghadeer Village awarded to the Building Construction Company
• Villas in Al Nada Village, the first residential village, nearing completion

Emaar Middle East, a subsidiary of global property developer Emaar Properties PJSC, developing Jeddah Gate, Emaar Residences at the Fairmont Makkah and Al Khobar Lakes in Saudi Arabia, has awarded the construction contract for the first phase of Al Ghadeer Village, the second residential cluster in Al Khobar Lakes, to Building Construction Company (BCC). Site grading work is in progress, and construction of the villas will commence shortly.

Emaar Middle East has already made strong progress in the construction of Al Nada Village, the first residential village launched to overwhelming customer and investor response. Work on the first phase of homes in Al Nada is nearing completion. Read more

Pan-Arab property valuation Foundation receives official approval

A Land Department-led initiative to create an Arab world-wide valuation institute and introduce uniform standards and practice came to fruition today at a closed meeting of the profession’s leaders in Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, President of the Land Department, presided at a one-day summit held at Atlantis, The Palm, to formally establish the Arab Appraisal Foundation (AAF) and agree its constitution.

The initiative is the result of sustained cooperation between the Land Department and the Arab League-sponsored Arab Administrative Development Organisation. Sultan bin Butti bin Mejren, Director General of the Land Department, formally presented the constitution of the new organisation which is intended to have a role which will see it become the Arab world’s equivalent of influential international institutions such as the US Congress-approved Appraisal Read more

Emaar Misr showcases smart homes and offices with ‘Intelligent Real Estate’ concept at Cairo ICT Exhibition

Emaar Misr, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, introduced the ‘Intelligent Real Estate’ concept at the Cairo ICT Exhibition held at Cairo International Conference Centre.

Smart solutions for both home and office that are available at Emaar Misr’s integrated master-planned communities in Egypt were highlighted at the Emaar Misr pavilion.

‘Intelligent Real Estate’ is a technological innovation that is based on establishing a single IP network for communications (Voice, Video, and Data) as well as other systems including HVAC, Lighting, Energy, Video Surveillance, and Access. This enables swift, efficient and centrally operated delivery of all major operational processes and tenant services by the management. Read more

Hamptons enters Switzerland with marketing contract for Du Parc project in picturesque Mont-Pelerin

• Swiss Development Group is redeveloping 24 luxury private hotel residences
• Innovative facilities and world-class design by BBGM and EDSA
• Located in one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations

Hamptons International, the premier property services company with a global portfolio of prestigious projects, has entered the Switzerland market with a property marketing contract for the prestigious Du Parc Kempinski Private Residences developed by Swiss Development Company (SDC).

Located in the picturesque hills of Mont-Perelin, one of Switzerland’s most frequented and preferred tourist destinations, Du Parc will feature 24 luxury hotel residences that are being redeveloped by SDC. World-renowned interior designers BBGM and landscape expert EDSA are working on revamping Du Parc, earlier a hotel.

A representative of Hamptons International said the Swiss expansion of the company’s portfolio will be a perfect fit for its exclusive global client base, especially those based in the Middle East region. “Switzerland is an exclusive holiday destination for visitors from the Middle East region. The Du Parc project offers owners privacy and ease of access to the mountain resorts of Verbier, Gstaad and Zermatt by a short helicopter ride and will be an ideal second or third home thanks to the pleasant climate, beautiful scenery, sense of security and the hospitality of the locals.” Read more

Emaar’s mega-tourism project in Lombok terminated

The government of Indonesia has decided to terminate all commitments with  Emaar Properties on a plan to build a US$600 million mega-tourism project in Lombok, according The Jakarta Post.

Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) chairman Gita Wirjawan said Tuesday that Emaar had failed to meet its share of the bargain in developing the project. Gita said the government, represented by the West Nusa Tenggara government, had followed through with its commitments, including building an airport – to be completed in June – a 31-kilometer road connecting Mataram to the airport and an 18-kilometer road from the airport to Kuta Beach. Emaar failed to reciprocate in kind. We have taken this decision to ensure fairness and we will look for other possibilities,” Gita said.

The mega-tourism project has been marked by  Emaar signed a joint venture agreement with the Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) in March 2008. The agreement included establishing a joint venture company called Emaar Lombok.

Emaar claimed last year that the Indonesian government had failed to follow through with some of its promises, citing in particular the clearance of a 1,200-hectare area of land required for construction.

In October, Alwi Shihab, Indonesia’s special envoy to the Middle East, who also worked extensively on the project, said the land dispute was solved and that the project would follow through.

Further development showed that around 1,000 hectares had been set aside by the government for the project but still required certification from the National Land Agency (BPN), while the remainder still belonged to local residents. Read more

Al Reem residential development 85% complete

Developers need to adopt a policy of transparency and accountability that takes into account the gap between supply and demand, as well as global economic conditions, according to Abu Dhabi-based developer Burooj Properties.

The call for increased levels of detailed, accurate planning before committing to a development follows the news that Burooj has completed 85% of its Burooj Views development on Abu Dhabi’s Al Reem Island, with the project on schedule for a Q1 2010 completion.

“As new residential units enter the market, we expect Abu Dubai’s residential property market to stabilise, particularly when units of new mega projects, such as Al Reem Island and Al Raha Beach, become available after 2011,” said Burooj Properties MD Adel Ahmed Al Zarouni. Read more

Another Commitment to Omani Youth From The Wave, Muscat

“We understand the importance to the next generation”

As part of its ongoing campaign to develop skills in the young people of Oman, The Wave, Muscat has donated OMR 6,000 to the Outward Bound Oman/Tahaddi project. Outward Bound, a global leader in education through experience has a presence in more than thirty countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia and Africa. Outward Bound Oman is the first in the Arab world.

Abdullah Al Shidi, Deputy CEO, The Wave, Muscat presented the cheque to Mark Evans, General Manager of Outward Bound Oman/Tahaddi, at The Wave, Muscat Sales Centre in the presence of senior officials.

Mr Al Shidi said: “We see a great deal of potential in Oman’s youngsters, and we are absolutely delighted to offer our support to Outward Bound Oman/Tahaddi project.
It is essential to support Oman’s enormously talented youth and we were extremely impressed by the work done by Outward Bound. We understand the importance and the benefits to the next generation.” Read more

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