UAE Mega Projects

My 12 Favorite Mega Projects For 2012

2011-11-27T08:47:00.000-08:00

With 2012 almost here in this post I am going to give you my 12 favorite Mega Projects for 2012. Some of these projects are complete, some are still under construction and some will be getting started in 2012. All of the following 12 are truly spectacular!

1. King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), Saudi Arabia. This is the largest of all the Mega Projects in the Middle East and in fact, once complete, will be the largest Mega Project in the world. KAEC will have many different components: Seaport, Industrial Valley, Central Business District, Financial Island, Resort Area, Educational Zone, Residential Area and others. KAEC will span 168 million sqm. The master planner for the project is Emaar who is working hand in hand with SAIGA of Saudi Arabia.

2. Kingdom Tower, Saudi Arabia. Covered in my last post, Kingdom Tower will rise one mile into the sky and be the world's tallest tower once completed. Construction will begin January 2012 and when construction starts Kingdom Tower will get enormous amounts of publicity worldwide. Kingdom Tower will be so tall it will even dwarf Dubai's mighty Khalifa Tower which currently holds the title of world's tallest tower. I would not be surprised if Qatar or Abu Dhabi announced plans to build a tower even taller than Kingdom Tower!

3. YAS Island, Abu Dhabi. Construction of YAS Island has gone very, very well with Ferrari World, YAS Hotel, YAS Marina, YAS Links Golf Club, YAS Arena, and much, much more. It is a premier vacation and resort destination with a lot more to come. Abu Dhabi has hit a home run with this Mega Project.

4. Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. I have been watching Reem Island evolve since it was nothing but sand. I see it becoming a metropolis and one of the greatest Mega Projects in the world. With developments like Sun and Sky Tower, Marina Square, Shams Abu Dhabi, Tameer Towers, Solaris Tower, Tala Tower and many more Reem Island, once complete, will be the Crown Jewel of Abu Dhabi.

5. Infinity Tower, Dubai. Located in Dubai Marina, Infinity Tower is a true architectural masterpiece. The tower twists at an incredible 90 degree rotation! With development of the Pentominium Tower halted I think Infinity Tower will be the icon development of the entire Dubai Marina for a long time to come. It is completely unique and has no equal.

6. U-Bora Tower, Business Bay, Dubai. Recently completed U-Bora Tower in my opinion is the icon property of Business Bay. As one drives toward Business Bay the great U-Bora Tower can be seen jutting above all other towers in the area. The architecture is unique as U-Bora actually gets larger as it gets taller! A great location to have an office in Dubai and this project contains a smaller residential tower as well.

7. Park Towers, DIFC, Dubai. Another recently completed project, Park Towers is one of the most spectacular residential developments in Dubai. It consists of two residential towers with completely unique architecture from developer DAMAC. Location is first class being right in the heart of Dubai International Financial Center.

8. Pearl Qatar. My favorite Qatar Mega Project. The Pearl has it all: great residential and business developments, 5-star hotels, 3 marinas, numerous retail shopping venues and restaurants, entertainment of all kinds-- in short The Pearl is an entire master planned community and perfect for those wanting residential or business space in Qatar.

9. Amphibious 1000, Qatar. I covered this Mega Project in detail recently and I think it remains one of the most unique and amazing developments currently out there. Construction will start soon on Amphibious 1000 which will be a semi-submerged resort. This means that part of the project will be above water and part will be underwater. A truly amazing concept created by Giancarlo Zema Design Group.

10. Bahrain Bay. A complete master planned development consisting of 7 different zones containing residences of all kinds, business offices, commercial properties, educational facilities, marinas as well as a Four Seasons Hotel, the Arcapita Bank Headquarters, Raffles City Bahrain and Al Baraka Banking Group Headquarters. Currently this is Bahrain's premier Mega Project under construction.

11. Al Hamra Tower, Kuwait. This is Kuwait's tallest tower and to me it looks like a gigantic cobra with its unique architectural design done by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Al Hamra rises 1,354 ft and is the world's tallest sculpted tower. Al Hamra contains both office and commercial space and connects to a large mall/cinema complex.

12. 360 Mall, Kuwait. A unique 82,000 sqm mega mall containing many unique zones including The Grand Entrance, The Gardens, Day Journey, Main Atrium, The Boulevard, Night Journey and the Food Lounge. 360 Mall is really more than a mall, it is a complete destination that offers everything for a great day of shopping and entertainment.

Kingdom Tower -- Greatest Mega Project Ever?

2011-10-08T14:49:00.000-07:00

Kingdom Tower, to be built in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, may well end up being the greatest and most famous Mega Project in world history. Why? Because it will be by far the tallest tower ever built. So tall it will dwarf Dubai's Burj Khalifa which is currently the world's tallest tower. Nothing on the scale of Kingdom Tower has ever been built and once complete the tower will instantly become a world icon! What follows is a complete description of Kingdom Tower by the architects of the project, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill (AS+GG):

At over 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) and a total construction area of 530,000 square meters (5.7 million square feet), Kingdom Tower will be the centerpiece and first construction phase of the $20 billion Kingdom City development in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, near the Red Sea.

Expected to cost $1.2 billion to construct, Kingdom Tower will be a mixed use building featuring a luxury hotel, office space, serviced apartments, luxury condominiums and the world's highest observatory. Kingdom Tower's height will be at least 568 feet taller than Burj Khalifa, which was designed by Adrian Smith while at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

AS+GG's design for Kingdom Tower is both highly technological and distinctly organic. With its slender, subtly asymmetrical massing, the tower evokes a bundle of leaves shooting up from the ground-- a burst of new life that heralds more growth all around it. This symbolizes the tower as a catalyst for increased development around it.

The sleek, streamlined form of the tower was inspired by the folded fronds of young desert plant growth. The way the fronds sprout upward from the ground as a single form, then start separating from each other at the top, is an analogy of new growth fused with technology. While the design is contextual to Saudi Arabia, it also represents an evolution and a refinement of an architectural continuum of skyscraper design. The three-petal footprint is ideal for residential units, and the tapering wings produce an aerodynamic shape that helps reduce structural loading due to wind vortex shedding. The Kingdom Tower design embraces its architectural pedigree, taking full advantage of the proven design strategies and technological strategies of its lineage, refining and advancing them to achieve new heights.

The result is an elegant, cost efficient and highly constructible design that is once grounded in built tradition and aggressively forward looking, taking advantage of new and innovative thinking about technology, building materials, life-cycle considerations and energy conservation. For example, the project will feature a high performance exterior wall system that will minimize energy consumption by reducing thermal loads. In addition, each of Kingdom Tower's three sides features a series of notches that create pockets of shadow that shield areas of the building from the sun and provide outdoor terraces with stunning views of Jeddah and the Red Sea.

The great height of Kingdom Tower necessitates one of the world's most sophisticated elevator systems. The Kingdom Tower complex will contain 59 elevators, including 54 single-deck and 5 double-deck elevators, along with 12 escalators. Elevators serving the observatory will travel at a rate of 10 meters per second in both directions. Another unique feature of the design is a sky terrace, roughly 98 feet in diameter, at level 157. It is an outdoor amenity space intended for use by the penthouse floor.

The area surrounding Kingdom Tower is known as the Kingdom Tower Waterfront District. Designed by AS+GG, the 23 hectare Waterfront District provides a cohesive and pedestrian-friendly setting for the magnificent Kingdom Tower while creating a pleasant neighborhood experience nestled along the Kingdom City lakefront. The Kingdom Tower Water District encompasses a high-end shopping mall and additional development parcels that accommodate commercial and high-density residential uses, offices, two luxury hotels and high quality open spaces, including the central Tower Plaza. A serene waterfront promenade connects Kingdom Tower, the various development parcels, the open space areas and the mall together. The result is an exciting mixed use area that offers a concentrated and comprehensive experience including vibrant shopping, entertainment and open space amenities. The Waterfront District also provides an array of connections to other areas within Kingdom City's overall master plan, designed by HOK Architects.

The Waterfront District is subdivided into 13 development parcels, the largest of which are the Kingdom Tower parcel of about 90,000 square meters and the mall parcel of about 65,000 sm. Smaller mixed use parcels of between 5,000 sm and 10,000 sm are arranged in two development precincts, North and South, each with its own unifying palette of materials. The parcel sizes vary depending on the density of each site; the larger sites are farther away from Kingdom Tower, with the smaller sites stepping closer to the tower, creating the effect of an architectural amphitheater around the structure. Views of Kingdom Tower from throughout the District--including the sensitively designed 20 to 60 story buildings around the tower--are spectacular. The buildings closest to the tower are of lower heights, ensuring that the outer buildings also have access to views of Kingdom Tower.

++ Well now you have all the information direct from the architects of this amazing project. I am sure you can see why it is very possible that Kingdom Tower may well be the greatest Mega Project ever!

Here is a link to more Kingdom Tower information from AS+GG. There are many renditions of Kingdom Tower so you can see what it will look like when finished:

http://smithgill.com/media/pdfs/Kingdom_for_web4.pdf

Amphibious 1000, Qatar

2011-08-17T14:30:00.000-07:00

Qatar is going ahead with a $500 Million Mega Project that will even be more spectacular than Hydropolis, the underwater hotel that Dubai was supposed to build but never did. This innovative Mega Project has been designed by the Giancarlo Zema Design Group. It is the first semi-submerged hotel resort and will stretch out from the land into the sea and extend 1km parallel to the land with two arm-like land masses. The project is composed of a land section and a sea section. On the land area will be multiple residential buildings, office buildings and a marina with a modern and flexible harbor. All the structures are situated in a semi-circle around a central tower with a panoramic restaurant.

In the sea section there are four innovative semi-submerged hotels with underwater halls that give amazing views. The four hotels echo the soft lines of the super-yachts that will be anchored at the marina. Large diagonal glass windows make the hotels memorable, each with 75 luxury suites arranged around the perimeter of the building so each unit has a big terrace that overlooks the complex. The activities of the hotel take place in the underwater area that is surrounded by aquariums.

The hotels are situated around a central public welcome area that has an interactive museum on water life and water exhibition galleries, large perimetral aquariums and a glass tunnel that leads to the underwater observatory in the center of the whole marine park. Connected to the welcome area by the arm extensions are fitness areas, gardens and a special outdoor theatre with a moving stage that opens on the sea.

The smaller floating platforms will be anchored floating suites called Jelly Fish with underwater views within an artificial reef. At the end of each platform are lighthouses. It is possible to move everywhere thanks to electrical vehicles that respect the eco-system philosophy. Water transport is also provided by 20m aluminum yachts called Trilobis that are equipped with hydrogen engines and an underwater observatory globe. The bridge that connects the land and sea section is lined with plants that give the idea of projecting the land flora into the sea. The main structure is in steel complete with all the necessary lighting systems and teak flooring.

Amphibious 1000 has to be one of the most amazing Mega Projects under development. Qatar has the money to make it happen and it blends perfectly with the massive amounts of development going on there. Here is a link that will give you more details on the project and show you the unique architecture being used:

http://www.giancarlozema.com/A+D%20magazine.pdf

UAE, Qatar, KSA & Kuwait at Top For Ultra-Wealthy Households

2011-07-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

The GCC has some of the highest densities of Super Rich people on the planet which is a perfect environment for Mega Project growth. According to the study by Boston Consulting Group(BCG) 'Ultra High Net Worth' households, defined as those with more than $100 Million in assets under management, were most highly concentrated in Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Austria, Norway, Qatar, Demark, Singapore and the UAE.

Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE also made it to the top ten in terms of highest proportion of millionaire households with 8.9 percent, 8.5 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively. The MENA Region showed significant growth in wealth as assets under management which rose 8.6 percent to $4.5 Trillion in 2010 with BCG projecting it will reach $6.7 Trillion by 2015.

Regional Trends in wealth management showed a very high proportion of cash and deposits, low share of bonds and very few managed funds in Middle Eastern household portfolios.

While 56 percent of GCC investors preferred to keep their investment in cash or very short term investments like bank deposits, 31 percent preferred to invest in regional or home equity markets with 13 percent opting to invest in bonds. The trend clearly shows the risk appetite of regional investors remains low, especially when compared to levels seen before the downturn.

In the GCC wealthy households controlled a majority of wealth with Saudi households controlling 81 percent of private wealth in the country followed by Kuwait with 68 percent, Qatar with 65 percent and the UAE with 63 percent.

For the Middle East as a whole the study observed that women controlled about $500 Billion or 22 percent of private wealth in the region. Offshore wealth from the MENA Region reached $1.4 Trillion, with the major proportion held in the UK, Channel Islands, Dublin and Switzerland.

Within the region Dubai sustains its position as most prominent offshore center in the Arab world, with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Kuwait and Russia emerging as the most important origins of offshore wealth in the region.

BCG analysts said the recent political turmoil has reversed the trend towards onshoring wealth in some countries in the Middle East but it did not have any adverse impact in household wealth in the GCC.

"For the more stable Gulf states the onshoring trend continues. Some Gulf jurisdictions, such as Dubai, are now attracting more wealth from other Middle East countries as they act as offshore centers themselves," Markus Massi, Partner and Managing Director at BCG Middle East.

It should be clear that all this wealth in the GCC creates fertile ground for the Mega Project boom we are seeing in the region. Despite the world economic downturn the GCC is still going forward with a huge number of superlative Mega Projects and the overall wealth of the region will allow this growth to continue.

Source for much of the information in this post from:

http://www.cpp-luxury.com/

Top 25 Most Powerful People In The GCC Mega Project Industry

2011-05-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

In this post I will give you the 25 most powerful and influential people in the GCC Mega Project industry. The list originates from an exhaustive study done by ConstructionWeekOnline.com. I think you will find it interesting.

1. Mohammed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties

2. Ayman Harari, Deputy General Manager, Saudi Oger

3. Bakr bin Laden, Chairman, Saudi Binladen Group

4. Riad Kamal, Chairman & Founder, Arabtec Construction

5. Zuhair Hamed Fayez, Principal & Founder, ZFP Consultants

6. Mohammed Abdul Aziz Al-Shaya, Chairman & Managing Director, Mabanee

7. Mohannad Sweid, CEO, Depa

8. Khaled Musaed Al Seif, Chairman, El Seif Engineering Contracting

9. Adnan Al-Mubarak, General Manager, Black Cat Engineering & Construction

10. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO, Masdar

11. Said T. Khoury, Chairman & President, Consolidated Contractors Co.

12. Farida Kamber Al AwaDhi, Managing Director, Cinmar Design

13. Ali Hassan Kolaghassi, CEO, Saraya Holdings

14. Khalid Al Malik, Group CEO, Dubai Properties Group

15. Abdulrahman Abdulkader Mohammed Fakih, Chairman, Makkah Construction & Development Co.

16. Khaldoun Tabari, Vice Chairman & CEO, Drake & Skull International

17. Dr. P. Mohamed Ali, Founder, Galfar Engineering & Contracting Co.

18. Abdullah M. Al Zamil, CEO, Zamil Industrial Ind Co.

19. Khater Massaad, CEO & Founder, RAK Ceramics

20. Santosh Joseph, CEO & Founder, Dubai Pearl

21. PNC Menon, Chairman, Sobha Developers

22. Fatima Obaid Al Jaber, COO, Al Jaber Group

23. Youssef bin Rashed Al Khater, CEO, Barwa Real Estate

24. Phillipe Dessoy, General Manager, BESIX

25. Mishal Kanoo, Deputy Chairman, Kanoo Group

Other notables include:

> John Bullough, CEO, ALDAR Properties

> Ziad El Chaar, General Manager, DAMAC Properties

> Jonathan Emery, Senior VP of Project Management, Majid Al Futtaim Properties

> Chris O'Donnell, CEO, Nakheel

> Laurie Voyer, Managing Director, Al Habtoor Leighton Group

The Mega Developers: Cayan

2011-04-30T10:08:00.000-07:00

Cayan is emerging as one of the most avant-garde real estate developers in the GCC. Although not as well known as Emaar, Nakheel, DAMAC or ALDAR, Cayan is developing some of the finest Mega Projects in the GCC with a focus on the Dubai Marina. Cayan's mission is to challenge the world of architecture, luxury and exclusivity and create world class properties.

CAYAN DEVELOPMENTS:

> Infinity Tower--
Type: Residential
Location: Dubai Marina

'Infinity Tower is an 80-storey residential tower that spirals in a smooth curve by an astonishing 90 degrees to give every apartment a stunning view of the sea or marina. Infinity's dynamic twisting shape challenges conventional architecture and redefines standards of luxury. Infinity is also situated in a key location at the mouth of Dubai Marina thus enjoying great views onto the marina, sea and The Palm.'

> Silverene Towers--
Type: Residential
Location: Dubai Marina

'Designed by RMJM, one of the world's top architects, this marvel of architecture offers 35 floors in Tower A and 26 floors in Tower B. It encompasses all the benefits of waterfront living, topped by a unique interior treatment. A captivating glass and mirror effect reflects the blue waters and maximizes the breathtaking view on each floor.'

> The Jewels--
Type: Residential
Location: Dubai Marina

'The architecture of The Jewels is of the very highest level, planned by international award winning designers and architects, RMJM and spearheaded by Hazel Wong, known for her exquisite design on Emirates Towers. The Jewels twin towers rise to an imposing 20 storeys, housing some of the world's finest apartments.'

> Dorrabay--
Type: Residential
Location: Dubai Marina

'Dorrabay is a 22-storey residential Tower strategically located to overlook the beach and the marina; Dorrabay offers a range of panoramic views of the Arabian Sea, marina or boat harbors. The tower's curve design and location at the end of the crossroad between the beach and the marina optimizes the view of all its apartments.'

> Residencia--
Type: Residential
Location: Dubai Marina

'Located at Dubai Marina, La Residencia Del Mar is a brilliant fusion of refined lifestyles, inspired designs and unmatched amenities. With only 14 floors and only 3 apartments per floor residents enjoy total privacy and exclusivity, making it one of the most coveted and exclusive addresses in Dubai.'

> Plaza Residence--
Type: Residential
Location: Jumeirah Village

'A blend of convenience and comfort, in a place where nature is respected and business is a mere stone's throw away. Live in the heart of Dubai's most desirable district. Plaza Residences follows a distinctive plan which ensures that every square foot of space is elegantly laid out. Within the building itself, there's the comfort of a reception lobby, large recreation areas, basement parking for each apartment. Acres of landscaped beauty, including gardens, children's play areas, pools and international shopping arcades are just some of the features that make living a pure joy.'

> Cayan Business Center--
Type: Commercial
Location: Dubai Marina

'Cayan Business Center(CBC) is a 12-storey, ultra modern building designed by leading architects, Schuster Pechtold. This intimidating structure offers offices and its occupants the benefits of spacious, natural-lit areas, high-speed elevators, state-of-the-art ventilation systems, security access and appointed basement parking spaces.'

++ Cayan Headquarters:

Dubai--

12th Floor
Cayan Business Center
TECOM, PO Box 33668
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 361 9333

Riyadh--

King Fahad Road
Al-Meshal Building
PO Box 75294
Riyadh 11578
Saudi Arabia
Tel: +9661 416 3311

Website: http://www.cayan.net/

Twisting Mega Projects Of The GCC

2011-03-02T09:32:00.000-08:00

Some of the most stunning and iconic Mega Projects of the GCC are the twisting towers. These towers, some complete and some still being built, are architectural masterpieces and icons of limitless achievement for the Middle East. Here are the top four.

> Al Tijaria Tower, Kuwait--

- Location: Kuwait City
- Height: 55 Storeys
- Rotation: 45 Degrees
- Status: Completed
- Cost: $95 Million
- Architect: NORR and Al-Jazera
- Developer: Commercial Real Estate Company

This tower, also known as the Kuwait World Trade Centre, was completed last year and has become a GCC icon. The project features office space, a four level retail mall, landscaped roof deck, elevators with panoramic views and much more. Each tower floor plate is rotated about one degree per floor giving the tower its twisting appearance.

> Al Bidda Tower, Qatar--

- Location: West Bay, Doha, Qatar
- Height: 45 Storeys
- Rotation: 60 Degrees
- Status: Completed
- Cost: $82 Million
- Architect: GHD
- Developer: The Platinum Tower Company and Golden Lands

This stunning tower won the prestigious 'Architecture Award For Qatar' in the office space category given by Bloomberg Arabian Property Awards in 2010. Forty three floors of the tower rotate slightly giving Al Bidda Tower its 60 degree twist. I think this is one of Qatar's foremost towers and one of my all time favorites for the region.

> Infinity Tower, Dubai--

- Location: Dubai Marina
- Height: 80 Storeys
- Rotation: 90 Degrees
- Status: Almost Completed
- Cost: $272 Million
- Architect: Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
- Developer: Cayman

Once again Dubai does not disappoint. At 80 storeys Infinity Tower will be one of the the world's tallest twisting towers and is sure to become one of the most iconic towers of Dubai Marina and, in fact, all of the GCC. Infinity Tower is a residential tower and its 90 degree rotation makes it the most twisted of all the towers I am covering in this post.

> Ocean Heights, Dubai--

- Location: Dubai Marina
- Height: 84 Storeys
- Rotation: 33 Degrees
- Status: Completed
- Cost: $172 Million
- Architect: Aedas
- Developer: DAMAC Properties

I really think this tower is fantastic. Although it does not twist as much as the other towers in this post, the overall look of Ocean Heights is stunning! Like Infinity Tower, Ocean Heights is residential and located in Dubai Marina. It is interesting to note that the amount of steel used to build Ocean Heights could build two Eiffel Towers!

The twisting towers of the GCC are some of the most spectacular and iconic Mega Projects in the world. Each one is an architectural monument and a tribute to the forward thinking expansion of the region.

Richest Arabs 2010

2010-12-22T15:25:00.000-08:00

Each year ArabianBusiness.com publishes their World's Richest Arabs list. They do a great job and I like to publish the list on this blog because many of these Super Rich Arabs are directly or indirectly involved with the Mega Projects of the Middle East.

RICHEST ARABS 2010

1. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, $20.4 Bil, Saudi Arabia
2. Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber, $12 Bil, Saudi Arabia
3. Olayan Family, $11.9 Bil, Saudi Arabia
4. Mohammad Al Amoudi, $10 Bil, Saudi Arabia
5. Issam Alzahid, $10 Bil, Saudi Arabia
6. Bin Ladin Family, $9.8 Bil, Saudi Arabia
7. Nasser Al Kharafi, $8.2 Bil, Kuwait
8. Said Khoury, $7 Bil, Palestine
9. Bugshan Family, $7 Bil, Saudi Arabia
10. Al Ghurair Family, $6.52 Bil, UAE
11. Alshaya Family, $6.5 Bil, Kuwait
12. Al Jaffali Family, $6.2 Bil, Saudi Arabia
13. Kanoo Family, $6.1 Bil, Bahrain
14. Tarek Abdulla Al Quahtani, $6 Bil, Saudi Arabia
15. Mubarak Al Suwaiket, $5.2 Bil, Saudi Arabia
16. Mohamed Abdul Latif Jameel $5.1 Bil, Saudi Arabia
17. Abdullah Al Futtaim, $5.06 Bil, UAE
18. Naghi Family, $5 Bil, Saudi Arabia
19. Majid Al Futtaim, $4.9 Bil, UAE
20. Sulaiman Abdulaziz Al Rajhi, $4.57 Bil, Saudi Arabia
21. Abdullah Al Rushaid, $4.55 Bil, Saudi Arabia
22. Omar Hamad Almana, $4.5 Bil, Qatar
23. Mohammed Sharbatly, $4.1 Bil, Saudi Arabia
24. Mohammad Kamal Jamjoom, $4.02 Bil, Saudi Arabia
25. Bukhamseen Family, $4 Bil, Kuwait
26. Gargash Family, $3.71 Bil, UAE
27. Saad Hariri, $3.7 Bil, Saudi Arabia
28. Sawiris Family, $3.55 Bil, Egypt
29. Ahmed Saleh Baeshen, $3.5 Bil, Saudi Arabia
30. Faisal Al Ayyar, $3.4 Bil, Kuwait
31. Abdullah Bin Saleh Al Othaim, $3.28 Bil, Saudi Arabia
32. Abdullatif Al Fozan, $3.26 Bil, Saudi Arabia
33. Saedan Family, $3.22 Bil, Saudi Arabia
34. Abdulaziz Al Sulaiman, $3.2 Bil, Saudi Arabia
35. Nadhmi Auchi, $3.18 Bil, Iraq
36. Hussein Bakry Gazzaz, $3.17 Bil, Saudi Arabia
37. Osama Ismail Ali Abudawood, $3.1 Bil, Saudi Arabia
38. Mohammed Elkhereiji, $3 Bil, Saudi Arabia
39. Bahaa Hariri, $3 Bil, Saudi Arabia
40. Adel Aujan, $2.9 Bil, Saudi Arabia
41. Al Zamil Family, $2.8 Bil, Saudi Arabia
42. Mansour Ojjey, $2.7 Bil, Saudi Arabia
43. Robert Mouawad, $2.5 Bil, Lebanon
44. Ayman Hariri, $2.4 Bil, Saudi Arabia
45. Issam Fares, $2.4 Bil, Lebanon
46. Mohammad Shafik Gabr, $2.1 Bil, Egypt
47. Abdul Moshen Al Hokair, $2 Bil, Saudi Arabia
48. Ahmed and Hassan Heikal, $1.78 Bil, Egypt
49. Mohammed Alesayi, $1.7 Bil, Saudi Arabia

One thing that really stands out on the list is that Saudi Arabia has many, many more Super Rich Arabs than any other country in the Middle East!

Source:

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/arabian-business-rich-list-2010-367763.html

Al Reef Villas, Abu Dhabi

2010-11-21T08:53:00.000-08:00

The Al Reef Villas project developed by Manazel Real Estate of Abu Dhabi has become quite popular. Why? Because it offers affordable quality living in Abu Dhabi. As Manazal says: 'The first planned community in the UAE exclusively for the middle income tier of the population, it provides an environment of style and sophistication, with a range of exciting lifestyle options that integrate living, shopping and relaxing - all in one location.' I think this is fantastic-- high quality living AND affordable AND in Abu Dhabi!

Al Reef is divided into 4 different themed communities each with its own style of Villas:

> Arabic Community. 'Villas in the Arabic Community are inspired by regional motifs, applying the art of simplicity and moderation. Rooftop terraces offer the chance to enjoy a traditional Arabian sunset and give your gatherings the unique flavor of the local culture while surrounded by timber pergolas and handrails. The Middle East has never been as vivid as in your own Arabic Villa,' according to Manazal.

> Desert Community. Villas in the Desert Community are built on the singular tradition of desert homes, with monolithic building massing, textured wall finishes, and simple color tones. Open spaces on rooftops connect with landscaped areas, while living rooms open up onto private gardens.

> Contemporary Community. These Villas are very modern structures with clean geometric lines and carefully considered proportions all coming together to create a modern look appealing to today's modern lifestyle.

> Mediterranean Community. Villas in the Mediterranean Community integrate indoor and outdoor spaces to enable maximum enjoyment of the terrace and garden areas, which are central to the Mediterranean lifestyle. The arched openings, molding-framed windows, and timber shutters are assembled into a sophisticated architectural composition that is reminiscent of cultures that have developed on the edges of the sea.

Also part of the project is Al Reef Downtown. This area contains 46 apartment buildings offering studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. Amenities include outdoor balconies, private ground floor courtyards, 24-hour security services, resort style swimming pools, state of the art gymnasiums, secure children's play areas and dedicated parking facilities.

In addition, Al Reef Downtown contains a complete Town Square featuring retail, commercial and community facilities including:

- Luxury Hotel,
- Supermarkets,
- Malls,
- Shops of all kinds,
- Restaurants and Cafes,
- Health Clubs,
- Medical Centers,
- Schools,
- Mosques.

"The Al Reef development will be a master development encompassing a whole new community, with all the necessary facilities and services for its citizens. Residents will enjoy the nearby shopping malls, supermarkets, outdoor markets, dedicated community services and many recreation areas," said Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Chairman of Manazal Real Estate.

Al Reef Villas is truly a top notch Mega Project that brings affordable first class Abu Dhabi living to everyone.

This link takes you to the Al Reef Villas website:

http://www.alreefvillasabudhabi.com/

Sowwah Island, Abu Dhabi

2010-10-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

Sowwah Island is yet another of the great Abu Dhabi Island Mega Projects. Others include Reem Island, YAS Island and Saadiyat Island. Sowwah Island is a 114 hectare mixed use Mega Project being developed by Mubadala that will become Abu Dhabi's Central Business District. The island is being developed in 3 phases. Sowwah Island occupies a unique location between Abu Dhabi's existing downtown district as well as Reem Island, Mina Zayed and Saadiyat Island. Due to this fantastic location Sowwah Island becomes a natural hub for Abu Dhabi-- a vibrant core combined with landmark architecture seamlessly integrated into the fabric of the city by state of the art multi-tiered transport infrastructure.

Phase 1 of Sowwah Island, Sowwah Square, will be the center of the entire project. Launched in the summer of 2007 and with its first phase to be completed next year, Sowwah Island's four office towers and multiple 5-star hotels flank the capital's new Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) building, in a striking waterfront grouping that creates a strong business and hospitality hub for the island.

Four 30 to 36 storey landmark office towers will provide 180,000 sqm of high quality office space and about 37,000 sqm of retail and F&B space beneath the central square. Two 5-star luxury and business hotels, Rosewood Abu Dhabi and Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, will overlook the water on either side of the distinctive new headquarters building of the ADX. The Rosewood will be 34 storeys and will consist of 6 luxury penthouses, 189 guest rooms and 131 serviced apartments. The hotel will also feature 20,000 sqm of meeting spaces, a business center, extensive amenities and retail spaces. The Four Seasons will offer 190 deluxe rooms and 125 apartments as well as a rooftop pool and garden. Conference and meeting facilities and a variety of high end restaurants will also be part of the hotel.

A 364 bed multi-speciality hospital, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, is also being built on Sowwah Island and will be located next to Sowwah Square. The hospital will be a center for healthcare excellence in the region and will attract patients from all over the region and all over the globe. Clinic specialities will include cardiac and vascular medicine, neurology, respiratory and critical care, gastroenterology and ophthalmology.

Phase 2 of Sowwah Island will develop the southern and central part of the island with mixed use residential and commercial buildings with a strong focus on community facilities, public open spaces and landscaped parks. Phase 3 of Sowwah Island has not yet been revealed by the developer.

A working population of more than 12,000 in the towers will bring the area to life in the open spaces and waterfront promenades of Sowwah Square's landscaped public areas designed by one of America's leading landscape architects, Martha Schwartz. In the evening the multi-layered transport network will connect the Square's retail and entertainment outlets to the city in it entirety.

The presence of such a high profile anchor tenant like the ADX is an indication of how important Sowwah Square is to the blue chip institutions of the region. Mubadala, the developer of Sowwah Island, has a goal of creating a development that will be home to leading businesses from all over the world.

Large investors in Sowwah Island include The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and Al Hilal Bank. They have taken up the first two of twelve plots available in Sowwah Island's first phase. The banks will each be building an office tower. The other ten plots are at an advanced stage of negotiation.

I think Sowwah Island will be one of the most important of the Abu Dhabi Mega Projects. This is because Sowwah will be the primary business center for Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi is one of the most oil rich and cash rich regions on the planet. Thus a state of the art business district is primary for Abu Dhabi's continued development and expansion.

Here is a link to Mubadala, the developer of Sowwah Island:

http://www.mubadala.ae

The Mega Architects, Part 2

2010-09-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

In this post I will give you the remaining ten top architects in the GCC. Last post we covered numbers one through ten and now I will cover numbers eleven to twenty.

11. Broadway Malyan. 30 staff in Middle East.

Broadway Malyan projects:

-- Al-Bandar, Al Raha Beach
-- Mina Zayed Masterplan
-- Al Khubeira
-- The Diamond
-- Commercial City Dubai

12. PRP/AI Architects. 22 staff in Middle East.

PRP projects:

-- Masdar City
-- Maqta Waterfront
-- The Park
-- Al Ain Boulevard
-- The Gateway Abu Dhabi

13. Gensler. 16 staff in Middle East.

Gensler projects:

-- Shamiya, Makkah
-- Ritz Carlton, DIFC
-- Tameer Towers
-- The Avenues, Phase 3
-- Currency House

14. BDP. 15 staff in Middle East.

BDP projects:

-- Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort
-- Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna
-- Radisson SAS Jumeirah Beach Hotel Dubai

15. Benoy. 14 staff in Middle East.

Benoy projects:

-- Al Seef, Al Raha Beach
-- Al Areen Master Plan
-- YAS Island Masterplan

16. RTKL. 13 staff in Middle East.

RTKL projects:

-- Kuwait 360
-- Bahrain City Centre
-- Mirdif City Centre
-- Baraya
-- Lionfish Islands Bahrain

17. FX Fowle Architects. 10 staff in Middle East.

FX projects:

-- Bonyan Business Bay
-- Meydan City Towers
-- Madinat Al Arab Twin Towers
-- King Abdullah Financial District
-- Gateway at Business Bay

18. Callison. 8 staff in Middle East.

Callison projects:

-- Pearl Qatar
-- Bloomingdale's Dubai
-- Harvey Nichols Dubai
-- Deira City Centre
-- Landmark Home Centre

19. HKS Inc. 3 staff in Middle East.

HKS projects:

-- Dubai Maritime Centre Hotel & Residences
-- Abu Dhabi Financial Centre Hotel & Residences
-- Four Seasons Sharm El-Sheikh

20. Nikken Sekkei. 3 staff in Middle East.

Nikken Sekkei projects:

-- Burj Al-Alam Business Bay
-- Ajmakan
-- Landmark Tower
-- Creek Towers & Plaza
-- Andalusia Gardens Jeddah

The Mega Architects: The Top Architects Behind the Mega Projects, Part 1

2010-08-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

We have covered many great Mega Projects in this blog, and will continue to do so. We have also covered many of the the top developers and Sovereign Wealth Funds. In this post and the next I want to cover the top architects in the GCC. These are the architects behind the many Mega Projects being built and planned. They are vitally important and deserve some coverage in this blog. I will list the architectural firm followed by some of the leading projects of that firm.

1. Atkins. Over 2,000 staff in the Middle East and the largest architectural firm in the GCC.

Atkins projects:

-- Burj Al Arab
-- Dubai Metro
-- DIFC Lighthouse Tower
-- Durrat Al-Bahrain
-- Bahrain World Trade Centre
-- Bahrain International Airport
-- Al Mas Tower

2. Keo International. Over 1,800 staff in Middle East.

Keo projects:

-- Lusail
-- Barwa Financial Centre
-- Al Reem Mall
-- Carina Views, Reem Island
-- South of Shamkha
-- Al-Othman Complex

3. RMJM. 276 staff in Middle East.

RMJM projects:

-- Capital Gate Tower
-- Aviation Club Hotel @ Dubai Creek
-- American International School of Doha
-- ADNEC Convention Centre

4. Dewan Architects & Engineers. 220 staff in Middle East.

Dewan projects:

-- United Square
-- YAS Hotel
-- Media One Tower
-- Green Community
-- Vision Tower

5. Burt Hill. 213 staff in Middle East.

Burt Hill projects:

-- Al Mafraq Hospital
-- ADEC Headquarters
-- Motor City Dubai
-- Al Aqr Resort
-- Al Wurai'ah Valley

6. Godwin Austen Johnson. 175 staff in Middle East.

Godwin Austen Johnson projects:

-- Business Bay Hotel
-- Deira Hotel
-- Dubai Creek Golf Club
-- Bab Al Shams Desert Resort
-- Al Barari

7. AEDAS. 168 staff in Middle East.

AEDAS projects:

-- U-Bora Towers
-- Empire Tower
-- ADIC Headquarters
-- Pentominium

8. Woods Bagot. 120 staff in Middle East.

Woods Bagot projects:

-- Nakheel Harbour & Tower
-- Saadiyat St. Regis Beach Resort
-- Bahrain City Centre Mall
-- Al Jaidha
-- Saudi Arabia Bank HQ

9. P&T Architects & Engineers. 85 staff in Middle East.

P&T projects:

-- Al Dana @ Al Raha Beach
-- Burj Rafal
-- Kensington Krystal
-- City of Arabia Resort Hotel
-- Ajman Corniche Residences

10. HOK. 65 staff in Middle East.

HOK projects:

-- King Abdullah University for Science & Technology
-- New Doha International Airport
-- ADNOC HQ
-- Al Ain Master Plan

In my next post I will cover another ten of the top architects in the GCC.

GCC Current Projects Under Construction-- Part 2: Qatar & Bahrain

2010-07-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

In this post I will list the top projects currently under construction in Qatar and Bahrain. This is a continuation of my previous post which covered the UAE.

QATAR:

> Barwa City
> World Trade Centre Doha
> New Doha International Airport
> Doha Expressway
> Al Khor Medical Training Centre
> Qatar National Museum
> Education City Islamic Studies Centre
> Musheireb Development
> Habara Centre Rawdat Al Faras
> Al Kor Park
> Bin Hajr Road Development
> Al Waab City Development
> Bridge Tower
> Barwa Financial District
> Qatari Jetty Umm Bab
> Ras Laffan Port Expansion
> Perlita Gardens
> Qatar National Bank Headquarters
> Piazza Development
> Islamic Centre Ain Khalid
> Qatar Silhouette Tower
> Energy City Residences
> Al Shaqab Equestrian Academy
> Ain Khaled Commercial Avenue
> The St. Regis Doha
> The Gate Development
> Al Majed Tower
> Al-Ruwais Port Development
> Education City Foreign Affairs College
> Dubai-Doha Tower
> Al Wakerah Housing Development
> Al Wakra Hospital
> Sidra Medical and Research Centre
> Doha Airport Rotana Hotel
> New HQ for Ministry of Municipality & Urban Planning
> Al Jaber Mixed Use Tower Doha Corniche
> Qatar Entertainment City
> Mesaieed Port Expansion
> Doha Convention Centre and Tower
> Barwa Al Barha Development
> Lusail
> Qatar Bahrain Causeway
> The Pearl Qatar
> Barwa Al Khor Urjuan Development

BAHRAIN:

> Bahrain Financial Harbour
> Amwaj Islands
> Riffa Views
> Bahrain Bay
> Villamar Towers
> Durrat Al Bahrain
> Future-Bank Headquarters Seef District
> Marina West
> King Hamad General Hospital
> Plaza and Play Yard
> Bahrain Investment Wharf

GCC Current Projects Under Construction-- Part 1: UAE

2010-06-06T15:31:00.000-07:00

In this post I will list the top projects currently under construction in the UAE. Then in one or two posts that will follow I will list the top projects under construction in the rest of the GCC: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman. From these posts you will get a very good idea of the projects ACTUALLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION in the GCC. There have been so many projects put on hold or cancelled that it is time to go over the projects that are actually getting built.

TOP UAE PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION:

> Al Mafraq Hospital
> Al Ain Convention Centre District
> Al Bateen Wharf Hotel
> New ADIC Headquarters Complex
> Dubai Mixed Use Towers/ Dancing Sisters Towers
> Shamkha South Development
> Al Markaz Development
> Abu Dhabi Airport Expansion- Midfield Terminal Complex
> Sheikh Zayed Bridge Abu Dhabi
> Regent Emirates Pearl Hotel
> Khalifa Bin Zayed National Stadium
> Nurai Island Resort
> Vopak Horizon Fujairah Oil Terminal Expansion
> UAE Rail Network
> Al Wahda Street Development Sharjah
> Princess Tower
> Onyx Towers
> Gemini Tower
> Pentominium Tower
> Burj Al Alam
> Marfraq - Ghweifat International Highway
> New ADNOC Headquarters Complex
> Al Falah Development Abu Dhabi
> Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone
> Hassyan Power and Desalination Station
> Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort & Spa
> Bab Al-Qasr Hotel Abu Dhabi
> 23 Marina Tower
> Al Khail Road Phase 2
> Al Khail Road Phase 3
> Al Maktoum International Airport
> City of Arabia
> Mohammed Bin Zayed City Development
> Al Raha Beach Development
> Village Centre Development Palm Jumeirah
> Dubai International Airport Concourse 3
> Sowwah Square Development Abu Dhabi
> Al-Bustan Mixed Use Development
> Dubai Sports City
> Hydra Village
> Abu Dhabi Sorbonne University
> Dubai Ocean Heights
> Zayed University- New Campus
> Emirates Industrial City Sharjah
> Ajman Uptown
> Ajman International Airport
> Arzanah Development
> Dubai Metro
> Tiger Woods Dubai Development
> Salam Street & Mina Road Development- Phase 1
> Dubai Maritime City
> ADNEC Capital Centre Development
> Pearl Dubai
> Ajman Marina
> Tameer Towers
> Landmark Tower Abu Dhabi
> Shams Abu Dhabi
> Saadiyat Island
> YAS Island
> Al Reem Island
> Al Lulu Island
> Gulf Hotel & Resort
> Etihad Towers Development
> Al Furjan Development
> Capital Plaza Development Abu Dhabi
> Abu Dhabi Central Market
> Marina Wharf 1 & 2
> Novotel Barsha
> U-Bora Tower
> SEBA Tower
> Jumeirah Towers
> Centro Hotel Abu Dhabi
> P17 Tower
> Suburbia Development
> Movenpick Deira and Center Residence
> Lincoln Park Arjan
> Marina Bay
> Harbour Heights
> Water's Edge Tower
> Commercial Square
> Lakeside Towers
> Burjside Boulevard
> Park Central
> Executive Bay
> Laguna Tower Dubai
> Royal Amwaj Palm Jumeirah
> The Cube
> Cambridge Business Centre
> KPM Tower
> IPIC Headquarters Abu Dhabi
> Falcon Crest Tower
> Dynasty Tower
> Juman Tower
> The Beach Towers
> Dubai Lagoon Zone 1 & 2
> Nation Towers Abu Dhabi
> Jumeirah Heights
> Silverene Towers
> DAMAC Heights
> Summit Tower
> Park Towers DIFC
> Infinity Tower

A note about accuracy. I have tried to be as accurate as possible with this list however it is possible with all the construction activity going on in the UAE that I have overlooked some projects and not listed others that I felt were not as important as those listed above.

Will These Mega Projects Ever Be Built?

2010-05-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

In this post I am going to cover some great Mega Projects that had huge potential but due to the world economic collapse were "put on hold." Will they ever get built?

> Nakheel Tower. This was to be a new tower that would be much taller than Burj Khalifa. It would be the tallest building in the world and the centerpiece of the gigantic Dubai Waterfront project. Alas, the Dubai Waterfront has been cut back to almost nothing and Nakheel Tower is now on hold. I think it will be a long time before this tower gets built.

> Dubai City Tower. Yet another amazing tower that was to be even taller than Nakheel Tower. In fact Dubai City Tower was to be 1.5 to 2 miles high depending on who you listened to. This tower was planned to be so huge that it would be home to an entire city, a "vertical city." Dubai City Tower was to be the crown jewel of the gigantic Jumeirah Garden City project being developed by Meraas Development of Dubai. I hope they someday get this one built but I think it will be a very long time if ever.

> Hydropolis. This project was slated as a hotel that would be built underwater. It is an amazing idea and I actually think this one will be built. It would be another "world's first" for Dubai and would be on the front page of every newspaper in the world. Hydropolis can be built if enough money is allocated and I think it would be a big winner and a great attraction for Dubai.

> Trump Tower Palm Jumeirah. This mixed use tower was to be the iconic development of Palm Jumeirah. It was to be 62 storeys high with 300 hotel rooms and 360 apartments. The architecture and design of the project is truly fantastic. In May 2009 the project was put on hold and Donald Trump Jr. has said that Trump Tower Palm Jumeirah could start up again in 2 years. I think this one will eventually get built. The Trump name is great for Dubai and the tower itself will contribute greatly to the overall development of Palm Jumeirah.

> 1 Dubai. This project was to be the centerpiece of Jumeirah Garden City. The project consists of 3 towers connected by sky bridges and would have reached 600 meters at its highest point. 1 Dubai was to contain a hotel, as well as residential, commercial, retail and entertainment venues. I don't think we will see this one get done.

> Shah Rukh Khan Boulevard. An entire boulevard in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah was planned around Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan who stated "I intend to share and transfer my passion for design and living spaces into this world class community that residents will be proud of." The development would have contained 10 towers on RAK's Dana Island. I think things will have to get much, much better to ever get this one built.

> Dynamic Tower. This tower got huge amounts of publicity all over the world. Each floor of this 80 storey tower would rotate on its own to create an ever changing building structure. The tower, which was to be built in Dubai, was designed by David Fisher who gave interviews all over the world about this unique project. I predict that Dynamic Tower will eventually get built in Dubai and be a booming success.

> Chess City. Another truly unique and amazing Mega Project planned for Dubai. The project was to contain 32 buildings each shaped like a chess piece. The city was to become the global center for the game of chess and be home to the International Chess Association. Chess City would also contain 7-Star hotels, residential units, entertainment centers and just about everything imaginable related to chess. This one is an interesting idea but I doubt it will ever get built.

I have covered some of the most interesting Mega Projects currently on hold. Time will tell what the future holds for these amazing projects!

Ten Top Abu Dhabi Mega Projects

2010-04-04T14:57:00.000-07:00

Abu Dhabi continues to rapidly expand despite the global slowdown. The Emirate is developing a great number of Mega Projects. Many of these, such as Reem Island and YAS Island, I have already covered. Here are 10 top Abu Dhabi Mega Projects you may not have heard of yet!

1. Ghantoot Green City. This $10 Billion Mega Project is a mixed use development that includes the creation of an entire city with residential developments, hotels, office buildings and light industrial areas.

2. Taweelah Aluminum Smelter. This is a gigantic industrial complex with a construction cost of $10 Billion that will be built in two phases. Phase 1 will be completed this year followed by phase 2 sometime in 2011 or 2012. Once completed the project will produce 1.4 million tons of aluminum each year.

3. Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone. The port will be a multi purpose facility that will contain a global scale container and industrial port in addition to logistics, commercial, residential, educational and industrial free zones. Phase 1 of the project should be finished this year and the total cost of this project is estimated at $5 Billion.

4. Alghadeer. A $4 Billion mega residential project that is located right on the Abu Dhabi / Dubai border. Alghadeer is being developed by Sorouh and will contain over 6,000 homes in 6 different villages. This project has one of the best overall locations I have seen giving residents easy access to both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Alghadeer will also contain schools, retail shops, parks, movie theaters, recreational facilities, etc.

5. Mafraq / Ghweifat International Highway. This highway will be 327km long and will link Mafraq to the border post with Saudi Arabia, at Ghweifat, in the western part of Abu Dhabi. The highway will be expanded to 8 lanes up to the Al Ruwais junction, and 6 lanes to the Saudi border. Estimated cost is $2.7 Billion.

6. Al Gharbia Housing Renovation. This project consists of the renovation of approximately 3,320 traditional homes located in Al Gharbia Municipality. The renovation is designed to improve the quality of life of the residents in this area and will cost $1.1 Billion.

7. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort & Spa. A 5-Star luxury development being built in the Liwa Desert. The project is huge with a total built up area of 53,000m2. Qasr Al Sarab will contain a five star hotel, a luxury health spa and a conference center at a total cost of $370 Million. As Abu Dhabi continues to attract more tourists you will see more and more of these kinds of projects going up.

8. Al Ain Oasis. A mixed use project being developed in the Al Ain area of Abu Dhabi. The project will feature both residential and office units. It will also contain plazas and streets lined with retail shops and art galleries as well as cafes and a wide variety of restaurants. A hotel is also planned to attract more tourists. Total cost of the project is $136 Million.

9. Mirfa Air Separation Unit. Two new air separation plants that will supply nitrogen for injection into the onshore condensate field in Habshan. The two plants will have a total nitrogen capacity of 670,000 standard cubic meters per hour and cost $100 Million to build.

10. Al Gharbia Parks. This $78 Million Mega Project will create over one million square meters of parklands across the region in several different cities including Baioona, Madinat Zayed, Al Marfa, Al Silaa, Ghayathi and Mizeriaa.

Saudi Arabia's Top Mega Projects

2010-02-15T08:03:00.000-08:00

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is booming with new Mega Project developments. Although Dubai is in the news most of the time for spectacular Mega Projects you will be hearing more and more about the Mega Projects of KSA as time goes on. I will now list the top KSA Mega Projects.

1. King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC). This is, I believe, the largest Mega Project being developed anywhere in the world right now. Located in Rabigh and valued at between $50 Billion and $100 Billion depending on who you want to believe. KAEC will contain everything from a wide variety of industrial zones to a large variety of residential and vacation offerings. It will be the crown jewel of KSA when completed.

2. Sudair City. This $40 Billion development is a mixed use project that will contain commercial, residential, educational and entertainment facilities. The project is located just north of Riyadh and is one of the largest Mega Projects being developed in the world.

3. Princess Noura bin Abdul Rahman University. This university will be located near Riyadh and will be for women only. The cost is estimated at between $11 Billion and $12 Billion. The university will cover 8 million square feet and contain labs, research centers, administrative buildings, residential areas, a student hospital and a railway system. Twenty six thousand students will eventually attend the university.

4. Landbridge Project. This is a $10 Billion, 950km railway system that will connect Jeddah with Dammam City as well as connecting King Fahd Industrial Port with Jubail Industrial City. These railway systems are key to the overall expansion of KSA.

5. Prince Abdulazaiz bin Mousaed Economic City. This Mega Project will be built in Hail and will consist of a variety of zones for trade and service sectors including agriculture, mining and food processing. This project will also include residential, educational and entertainment facilities. Estimated cost is $8 Billion.

6. Knowledge Economic City. This 5 million square foot Mega Project will be built in Madina at an estimated cost of $8 Billion. The entire city is being built to support the knowledge based industries of KSA. The project is estimated to take 10 years to build.

7. King Abdulaziz International Airport. This is a gigantic airport project and, in fact, will be one of the largest airport projects ever built coming in at a cost of $4.5 Billion. The project will be built in 3 phases. The first phase is currently underway and includes the construction of a 400,000 square meter terminal complex, a new control tower, new access roads and infrastructure.

8. Haramain High Speed Rail Project. This 450km railway will connect Makkah and Madina via Jeddah. The railway will be high speed electrified double passenger and is due to start running in 2012. Estimated cost is $4 Billion.

9. North-South Railway. Yet another massive railway project whose purpose is to connect bauxite and phosphate mines at Az Zubairah and Al Jalamid to processing facilities at Ras Azur Port. The project will be 2400km long and cost $3.5 Billion.

10. Jizan Economic City. This mixed use KSA Mega Project will be located south of Jeddah by the Red Sea. Like KAEC it will contain a variety of industrial zones as well as residential and entertainment offerings.

As you can now clearly see Saudi Arabia is rapidly expanding with Mega Projects of all kinds. I think the future of KSA is very positive and we can look forward to seeing many fantastic developments being built there for decades to come.

RICHEST ARABS

2010-01-09T09:14:00.000-08:00

Each year ArabianBusiness.com publishes a list of the Richest Arabs in the world. These are some of the most powerful people on the planet. Furthermore, many of the people on the list are involved either directly or indirectly with the Mega Projects of The Gulf. Here is the newest list:

RICHEST ARABS

1. Prince Alwaleed / Saudi Arabia / $18 Billion
2. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber / Saudi Arabia / $9.7 Billion
3. Nasser Al Kharafi / Kuwait / $9.4 Billion
4. Mohammad Al Amoudi / Saudi Arabia / $8.8 Billion
5. Nasser Al Rashid / Saudi Arabia / $8 Billion
6. Al Ghurair Family / UAE / $7.1 Billion
7. Bin Laden Family / Saudi Arabia / $7.1 Billion
8. Olyan Family / Saudi Arabia / $6.9 Billion
9. Kanoo Family / Bahrain / $6.1 Billion
10. Said Khoury / Palestine / $6 Billion
11. Sulaiman Al Rajhi / Saudi Arabia / $5.2 Billion
12. Al Shaya Family / Kuwait / $5 Billion
13. Mohamed Abdul Latif Jameel / Saudi Arabia / $5 Billion
14. Saleh Kamel / Saudi Arabia / $4.9 Billion
15. Gargash Family / UAE / $4.8 Billion
16. Mubarak Al Suwaiket / Saudi Arabia / $4.8 Billion
17. Mahdi Al Tajir / UAE / $4.3 Billion
18. Saad Hariri / Saudi Arabia / $4.3 Billion
19. Hasib Sabbagh / Pasestine / $4.3 Billion
20. Majid Al Futtaim / UAE / $4.1 Billion
21. Abdullah Al Futtaim / UAE / $3.8 Billion
22. Al Zamil Family / Saudi Arabia / $3.5 Billion
23. Shwan Al Mulla / Iraq / $3.4 Billion
24. Sawiris Family / Egypt / $3.3 Billion
25. Osama Ismail Ali Abudawood / Saudi Arabia / $3.1 Billion
26. Bin Mahfouz Family / Saudi Arabia / $3 Billion
27. Suad Al Humaidi / Kuwait / $2.9 Billion
28. Sheikh Walid Al Ibraham / Saudi Arabia / $2.9 Billion
29. Abdulkader Bakri / Saudi Arabia / $2.8 Billion
30. Saleh Al Rajhi / Saudi Arabia / $2.8 Billion
31. Nadhmi Auchi / Iraq / $2.8 Billion
32. Abdullah Al Rajhi / Saudi Arabia / $2.6 Billion
33. Mohammed Al Issa / Saudi Arabia / $2.5 Billion
34. Ayman Hariri / Saudi Arabia / $2.4 Billion
35. Ali Hussein Alireza / Saudi Arabia / $2.4 Billion
36. Bahaa Hariri / Saudi Arabia / $2.3 Billion
37. Issam Fares / Lebanon / $2.3 Billion
38. Abdullah Saad Al Rashid / Saudi Arabia / $2.3 Billion
39. Mahammed Shafik Gabr / Egypt / $2.1 Billion
40. Al Rostamani Family / UAE / $2.1 Billion
41. Mohammed Abdulaziz Aljomaih / Saudi Arabia / $2.1 Billion
42. Abdulrahman Saad Al Rashid / Saudi Arabia / $2 Billion
43. Galardi Family / UAE / $2 Billion
44. Mohammad Kamal Jamjoom / Saudi Arabia / $1.9 Billion
45. Abdul Mohsen Bin Abdul Aziz Al Hokair / Saudi Arabia / $1.8 Billion
46. Bader Al Darwish / Qatar / $1.7 Billion
47. Bukhamseen Family / Kuwait / $1.7 Billion
48. Boodai Family / Kuwait / $1.6 Billion
49. Ali Said Basamh / Saudi Arabia / $1.6 Billion
50. Alghanim Family / Kuwait / $1.5 Billion

A great list! One thing really sticks out from reading this list: most of the Super Rich Arabs are from Saudi Arabia. Although the UAE gets most of the world headlines, Saudi Arabia is still the MacDaddy of The Gulf!

Here is the link to the ArabianBusiness.com article that I got this list Rich List from:

www.arabianbusiness.com/richlist/list

Will Nakheel Survive?

2009-12-13T10:23:00.000-08:00

I never thought I would be writing a post with this title but times have changed...in a BIG way. One of the largest and greatest real estate developers in world history, and my favorite Gulf developer, Nakheel, is in trouble. Big trouble! The following, taken from an article at Zawya.com entitled 'Creditors face reality of a bare cupboard' sums up Nakheel's woes:

Referring to Nakheel the article states--

'The prickling of the real estate bubble has put the company (Nakheel) under severe financial distress throughout the year, forcing it to make fire sales and slash staff to keep its head above water. Some buildings in low income projects, Discovery Gardens and International City have been sold to other parts of the Dubai Government, according to CB Richard Ellis, a real estate service provider.

'The company has land available for sale but there are still few takers given Dubai's property supply glut. And much of the company's undeveloped land is part of the projects that have taken down-payments from customers, so is a liability. "Elsewhere there isn't much left in the cupboard," says Nicholas Mclean, regional managing director of CB Richard Ellis.

'Cash flow has dried to a trickle, with the company's incoming cash flow barely enough to cover salaries and electricity bills, say two former employees.

'Contractors are owed as much as Dh11bn, the former employees say, even after some suppliers decided to take 75 cents on the dollar earlier this year as the government disbursed bail-out funds to the developer. "I was told 'take the haircut and sign non-disclosure forms, or go to the back of the queue'," said one consultant. "Luckily I took the money."

'Nakheel has also been encouraging customers on projects far away from completion to shift to developments that are finished or approaching handover. Buyers of expensive villas on the Palm Jebel Ali, which was to be the developer's second luxurious Palm Island, and is now permanently delayed, are being offered studio flats in lesser developments as compensation.'

Now you can see just how bad things have gotten for Nakheel. And there is more. Nakheel's gigantic Dubai Waterfront project, which was to be twice the size of Hong Kong, looks like it will not even be a fraction of the original planned size, if it ever gets developed at all. Furthermore, the third Palm Island, Palm Deira, justs sits there with no development taking place. In my opinion it will take at least 10 to 15 years before Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira are ever developed, and it is even possible that they will never be developed.

Dubai has been hit with one of the worst real estate disasters that I have ever seen. As of this writing the residential real estate market in Dubai, which has already fallen about 50%, continues to fall faster than any other location on the planet. In addition, 40% of Dubai office space is empty. And Dubai is building MORE residential units and MORE office space!

I hope Nakheel is able to survive in some form. They have built some of the most iconic and spectacular Mega Projects in world history. Projects that have put Dubai on the front page all over the world. A company this great should never be allowed to go under!

Whatever Happened To Ajman??

2009-11-06T14:33:00.000-08:00

Do you remember during the good "old" days of the UAE real estate boom the emirate of Ajman was exploding with new real estate development and investment? Ajman was being called "Dubai Jr." and "The Next Dubai." Spectacular Mega Projects were springing up all over Ajman. What a difference a year makes! These days Ajman is seldom even mentioned and the Mega Projects being developed there have run into all kinds of problems.

Let's take a look at some of the Ajman Mega Projects and see what has become of them.

> Al Zorah. This was one of the last and greatest Ajman Mega Projects announced before the markets started to crash. Al Zorah was planned as a giant $60 Billion mixed use project to be developed by the Ajman Government and Lebanon master developer Solidere. Today the project has been radically downsized and only parts of the project closest to the sea will be built.

> Marmooka City. Another massive Mega Project, Marmooka City was originally planned to have over 206 towers, malls, 5-Star hotel, medical centers, educational facilities, parks, gardens, etc. The project has been cut way down in size to only 20 buildings in all. What had been slated as a master planned city will likely end up little more than a small development.

> Awali City. This $5.4 Billion Mega Project being developed by Awali Real Estate Investments was to have 15 state-of-the-art residential and commercial towers. Now Awali has announced that the project will be re-sized by up to half its original size, this largely due to investors in the project no longer making payments.

> Humaid City. Another huge multi-tower project (exact number of towers not known) being developed by multiple developers. This entire project has evolved into pure chaos and most investors have pulled out. In my opinion it will be a miracle if anything ever comes of Humaid City.

> Berjal City. This $4.1 Billion project is a collaboration between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Saudi company Berjal Real Estate and Al Rashid Real Estate of Ajman are the two developers of Berjal City. The project is still in concept stage and it is questionable if it will ever actually get built.

> Emirates City. One of the first Ajman residential and commercial mixed use Mega Projects, Emirates City has undergone quite a bit of development, however due to the world economic melt-down construction has been greatly slowed. Many projects have been put on hold. It looks like a skeleton city with partially finished buildings everywhere.

> Ajman Marina. The most spectacular of all the Ajman Mega Projects, Ajman Marina was to be an ultra-luxury mixed use Mega Project being developed by Saudi developer Tanmiyat. Construction has been halted but Tanmiyat has stated they will start up again in 2010. We shall see.

Now you can see just how hard Ajman has been hit. The negative world economy is not the only reason for the Ajman real estate bust. In October 2008 the Government of Ajman stopped issuance and renewal of investors' visas for freehold property owners in Ajman. This makes no sense to me and combined with the current state of the world economy has crushed the Ajman real estate market.

Dubai City Tower: Greatest Mega Project That May Never Be Built

2009-10-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

Dubai City Tower, which was being planned by Meraas Development of Dubai as part of their Jumeirah Gardens project, has been put on hold for now but if they ever do get this tower built it will be the greatest Mega Project ever developed. The tower, at 1.5 miles in height, would be over 3 times the height of Burj Dubai! It would be so massive that it would contain an entire city within its structure... a Vertical City!

The following is from the designers of Dubai City Tower:

'Our design for the Dubai City Tower is 400 habitable stories high topped by a 400m tall energy producing spire. Each floor to floor height is 5m making the overall height of the building 2400m (1.5miles). We are proposing that the tower be sited along the Gulf sea where part of the building could push into the ocean creating a marina and destination for cruise ships and tourism. The overall mass of the tower is broken down into 6 independent buildings, three rotating clockwise and three counter-clockwise about a central core. Sixty-five percent of the total building floor area is located in the first 100 stories maximizing leasing potential while easing the strain of servicing a 400 story tower. A six story base sits at the foot of the tower housing a convention center, retail, event space and parking. Two stories of VIP self parking exists above ground and fifteen stories of robotic parking are housed below ground. The overall tower is organized into four 100 story "neighborhoods" connected via a vertical bullet train that quickly distributes people between sky plazas that separate the different vertical neighborhoods.

'The sky plaza becomes a new town center at every 100 stories filled with the character of a city offering a diversity of experiences from shopping to leisure. Functionally, zones act to separate building and transportation systems into smaller more manageable units more typical to the design constraints of today. Here the vertical bullet train delivers passengers / tenants every 10 minutes. From this hub people then switch to more standard elevators to be distributed to their offices, hotels or homes. VIP helicopter pads are also located at each of the plaza levels allowing for quicker and more discreet access.

'The lower levels of each sky plaza serve to separate the tower's building system between neighborhoods. Each 100 story block serves as an independent unit with separate plumbing, electric and waste system all linked through a central core. Here chilled water created by thermal exchange and electricity created by strategically placed photovoltaic cells and turbines located in the spire are captured and delivered to occupants of the building. In addition, water purification and trash composing take place within this zone in a biosphere like garden that becomes a vertical park for recreation, oxygen creation and natural relief. Every effort has been made to make each neighborhood as self reliant as possible. Wind energy generated by turbines located in the spire combined with photovoltaic cells strategically laminated into each building's skin offset the tower's draw from the local power grid. Recycling efforts at each 100 story sky plaza and integrated desalination plants reduce the tower's impact on the surrounding infrastructure ushering in a new era of smart building design sensitive to both the building's occupants and the tower's local environment.

'The Dubai City Tower pushes every edge of building design. For centuries man has pushed construction towards the heavens. The sheer scale of the project will focus the world's eye towards the city of Dubai and it will be the tower's design and image that will preserve Dubai City Tower's grandeur into the future.'

Wow!! The designers of this Mega Project really thought BIG! However with the real estate market the way it is in Dubai I think it will be a miracle if Dubai City Tower ever gets built.

The following link takes you to the Meraas Development website:

http://www.meraasdevelopment.ae/

This link takes you to a few artistic renditions of Dubai City Tower:

www.liquididea.com/2008/10/18/DubaiCityTower.jpg

50 Richest Saudis

2009-09-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a great new list compiled by ArabianBusiness.com of the 50 Richest Saudis in the world. Needless to say that many on this list are involved in Mega Project development and investment throughout the Middle East and all over the planet.

1. HRH Prince Alwaleed $16.3 Billion
2. Mohammad Al Amoudi $8.8 Billion
3. Sheikh Mohamef Bin Issa Al Jabar $8.5 Billion
4. Nasser Al Rashid $8 Billion
5. The Bin Laden Family $7 Billion
6. The Olayan Family $6.9 Billion
7. Sulaiman Al Rajhi $5.2 Billion
8. Issam Al Zahid $5.1 Billion
9. Mohamed Abdul Latif Jameel $5 Billion
10. Saleh Kamel $4.9 Billion
11. Mubarak Al Suwaiket $4.8 Billion
12. Saad Hariri $4.3 Billion
13. Al Zamil Family $3.5 Billion
14. Sulaiman Al Muhaidib $3.4 Billion
15. Osama Ismail Ali Abudawood $3.1 Billion
16. The Bin Mahfouz Family $3 Billion
17. Sheikh Walid Al Ibrahim $2.9 Billion
18. Abdulkader Bakri $2.8 Billion
19. Saleh Al Rajhi $2.8 Billion
20. Abdullah Al Rajhi $2.6 Billion
21. Mohammed Al Issa $2.5 Billion
22. Ayman Hariri $2.4 Billion
23. Ali Hussein Alireza $2.4 Billion
24. Bahaa Hariri $2.3 Billion
25. Abdullah Saad Al Rashid $2.3 Billion
26. Mohammed Abdulaziz Al Jomaih $2.1 Billion
27. Abdul Rahman Saad Al Rashid $2 Billion
28. Mohammad Kamal Jamjoom $1.9 Billion
29. Abdul Moshen Bin Abdul Azia Al Hokair $1.8 Billion
30. Fawaz Al Hokair $1.7 Billion
31. Al Saad Basamh $1.6 Billion
32. Adel Aujan $1.4 Billion
33. Al Naghi Family $1.2 Billion
34. Mahmood Saeed $1.1 Billion
35. Adnan Khashoggi $1.1 Billion
36. Al Juffali Family $1.1 Billion
37. Mohammed Al Rajhi $1 Billion
38. El Shalash Family $900 Million
39. Ibrahim Hamad Al Babtain $800 Million
40. Ajlan Bin Abdulaziz Ajlan $760 Million
41. Abdullah Bin Saleh Al Othaim $750 Million
42. Adel Mohammas Hamad Al Mojil $650 Million
43. Muhammad Al Agil $600 Million
44. Ahmed Zaki Yamani $550 Million
45. Al Subeaei Family $500 Million
46. Omar Suleiman Al Abdullatif $450 Million
47. Ahmad Hasan Fitaihi $400 Million
48. Abdul Aziz Al Jasser $400 Million
49. Mohammad Al Ali Al Abdullatif $380 Million
50. Khaled Baeshen $350 Million

Here is the link to the ArabianBusiness.com article:

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/saudi-rich-list/list?clr=

Dubai Marina Madness!

2009-08-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

Dubai Marina is one of my favorite UAE Mega Projects and my number one pick for Dubai's Residential Mega Projects. Despite all of this the Dubai Marina is having a lot of problems right now with the delivery of many of its high-rise towers. This is unfortunate for Dubai as well as the many people who invested in these towers pre-construction. An excellent article from TheNational.ae entitled 'Dubai Marina's High-Rise Dreams Deferred' goes into more detail. Here are some excerpts from the article:

Harvans Nagpal and his wife once dreamed of a relaxing retirement in Dubai, enjoying leisurely days beside a sun-drenched swimming pool and unbeatable views from a beautiful, brand new serviced high-rise apartment overlooking the city's glamorous Marina.

Now the 70 year old London accountant's plans are on hold dogged by uncertainty brought by delays in the building of the apartment and the prospect of its cost rising beyond his means

People like Mr. Nagpal are statistics in the real estate bust, as projects throughout the UAE, especially in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, have been delayed, slowed down or become insolvent. Today, many of those investors are grappling with the fallout as projects, especially those by smaller developers, languish in crisis.

Mr. Nagpal bought off-plan in late 2007, paying a 25 percent down payment on a Dh1 million (US$272,000) one bedroom apartment in the 19-floor Harbour Residences. He was told that his apartment would be ready by early 2010, with his first Dh250,000 already paid into the development's escrow account. The strikingly designed tower remains little more than an artist's impression and a hole in the ground.

Harbour Residences is a development by Dheeraj & East Coast, a joint venture between Dheeraj Constructions of India and East Coast LLC of Dubai. The most recent construction update on the company's website, posted in March, shows a bare pit.

A survey by The National found at least nine idle sites where work has not progressed above ground; furthermore, the Marina is home to a number of partially built buildings on which work appears to have slowed or halted.

It is a similar story for countless other investors in properties around the Marina. Close to the most northerly of the road bridges across the Marina are two massive craters, both without signs of activity other than security guards sitting in chairs at the entrances to the sites. One plot is littered with rubbish, but no information is displayed. A hoarding on the other says it is the intended home of My Tower, a 36-storey building first advertised in 2007.

On some sites, progress has been halted, with skeletal foundations left exposed to the atmosphere. On others, work even appears to have gone backwards. Shahla Tower, a planned 39-storey residence, occupies a prime site by the water. The new Marina Mall is a five minute walk across the road bridge that runs alongside the plot, the beach and the seaside shops and restaurants of The Walk are even closer. Launched in 2006, the tower was due for completion by mid-2008. Yet, for months now, the only sign of activity at the site has been the drone of generators driving water pumps 24 hours a day to keep the half finished foundations dry. The status of the project has yet to be categorized by RERA.

Another site echoing only the sound of generators is that of the Eden Blue Tower, a pit of protruding metal foundations that has seen little activity for six months except for the pumping of water. Nearby, more pumps, and little else, are at work on the foundations of the Dubai Marina Star development, a project initiated by Al Seef Investments, a Dubai investment company, and since taken over by the UK Capital Investments Group (UKCIG).

++ Here is the link to the complete article from TheNational.ae

http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090807/NATIONAL/708069831/1040

Business Bay Continues To Expand With The Citadel

2009-07-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

Despite the world economic melt-down Business Bay Dubai continues to expand! The latest addition to the completed towers at Business Bay is Deyaar Development's spectacular Citadel. The following is a press release with all the details:

Dubai, July 15, 2009: Fulfilling its commitment to hand over seven projects in 2009, Deyaar Development, a regional real estate company dedicated to innovation, customer care and long-term sustainable growth, today announced that it will hand over in August all units at The Citadel, its premium 41-storey commercial tower located in the Business Bay master development.

The Citadel comprises 565,000 square feet of office space, including 406 state of the art contemporary commercial units and 29,000 square feet of retail. The project is strategically located within minutes of Sheikh Zayed Road, the upcoming airport in Jebel Ali, and all major shopping malls and business clusters in Dubai. The Citadel is one of the first projects to be delivered in the Business Bay master development.

"With the hand over of The Citadel, Deyaar Development will have successfully fulfilled its hand over commitments for 2009," said Markus Giebel, Chief Executive of Deyaar.

"At Deyaar Development Company we have consistently set high benchmarks of quality and value in our projects, and The Citadel is no different. As one of the largest developers in Business Bay, Deyaar Development Company's projects occupy a place of prominence within this master development. We are confident that the design and quality of The Citadel will prove to be extremely beneficial to all businesses and commercial establishments operating from the tower," said Giebel.

Deyaar will also host an orientation program for all customers on July 18, 2009 at 11:00am ahead of the final delivery. The orientation program will be used to update customers with the final documentation procedure for their respective units to discuss the building operating budget and facilities management contract. Additionally, an explanation of the building systems, amenities and personnel will also be provided.

The Citadel is the latest in the line of high quality projects completed and delivered by Deyaar in the past few years. Facilities at the project include 24-hour security and ample parking space, among others.

I think this is great progress for Business Bay and for Dubai overall. It shows the world that despite hard financial times Dubai will continue to expand to become a leading world business hub. Master developments like Business Bay and Dubai International Financial Centre will make Dubai the primary business center of the Middle East.

This link takes you to the Deyaar website:

http://www.deyaar.ae/

Sovereign Wealth Funds Of The Gulf: Dubai Holding

2009-06-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

Dubai Holding, like Dubai World which I have already covered in a previous post, is a division of the gigantic Dubai sovereign wealth fund, The Investment Corporation of Dubai. The company has over 32,000 employees, and offices all over the world. From Dubai Holding:

'Dubai Holding was created in 2004 to consolidate and lead Dubai's large-scale infrastructure and investment projects. We are committed to improving every aspect of life in the region by investing in life-improving industries.

'Our achievements have helped build the success and prosperity of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the surrounding region. This includes the creation of a world-class commercial and physical infrastructure that attracts multinational companies from around the globe, and our work with the Government of Dubai to promote Dubai as a role model and catalyst for the region’s economic and social development.'

Dubai Holding has companies in 13 different industries:

1. Hospitality
2. Technology
3. Communication
4. Education
5. Finance
6. Real Estate
7. Healthcare
8. Leisure & Entertainment
9. Industrial Manufacturing
10. Biotechnology
11. Energy
12. Telecommunication
13. Aerospace

Dubai Holding consists of 7 member companies that own, manage and run more than 250 businesses involved in the above 13 Industries. I will now cover each of these 7 member companies and list some of the major businesses owned by each company.

JUMEIRAH GROUP

The Jumeirah Group handles Dubai Holding’s renowned luxury hotels and resorts. They aim to become the international hospitality industry leader through a world-class property portfolio. The Jumeirah Group portfolio includes:

> Burj Al Arab, > Jumeirah Beach Hotel, > Madinat Jumeirah, > Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, > Jumeirah Carlton Tower, > Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel, > Jumeirah Essex House.

TECOM INVESTMENTS

TECOM Investments is working to build the knowledge economy in Dubai by providing and running free trade zones that support the development of knowledge-based industries. The TECOM portfolio includes:

> Dubai Internet City, > Dubai Media City, > Dubai Knowledge Village, > Dubai International Academic City, > Dubai Outsource Zone, > Dubai Studio City, > International Media Production Zone, > Enpark, > DuBiotech, > Empower, > Smart City, > eHosting Data Fort.

DUBAI GROUP

Dubai Group is Dubai Holding’s leading diversified financial services company, focusing on banking, investments and insurance both regionally and globally. The Dubai Group portfolio includes:

> Dubai Investment Group, > Dubai Capital Group, > Dubai Financial Group, > Dubai Banking Group, > Dubai Insurance Group, > Noor Investment Group.

DUBAI PROPERTIES GROUP

Dubai Properties Group is Dubai Holding’s pioneering community developer. It offers integrated and holistic services in real estate, retail, hospitality and lifestyle management. The Dubai Properties portfolio includes:

> Dubai Properties, > Salwan, > Injaz, > Dubai Asset Management, > Dubai Retail, > Dubai Hospitality.

TATWEER

Tatweer owns and manages a strategic group of companies for Dubai Holding. These cover real estate, hospitality, energy, healthcare, education, leisure and entertainment. The Tatweer portfolio includes:

> Dubailand, > Bawadi, > The Tiger Woods Dubai, > Universal Studios Dubailand, > Dubai Healthcare City, > Global Village, > DreamWorks Dubailand, > Six Flags Dubailand, > Dubai Industrial City, > Dubai Merchantile Exchange, > Mizin, > Dubai Energy.

SAMA DUBAI

Sama Dubai is the international real estate arm of Dubai Holding. Sama creates and invests in development projects around the world. The Sama Dubai portfolio includes:

> Dubai Towers, Dubai, > Dubai Towers, Qatar, > The Lagoons, > Salam, > Amwaj Morocco, > Mediterranean Gate, > Smart City.

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL

Dubai International Capital is a Dubai-based international investment company with a primary focus on private and public equity. The Dubai International Capital (DIC) portfolio includes:

> DIC Private Equity, > DIC Global Equities, > DIC Emerging Markets, > DIC Asset Management.