NEW LEISURE, WELLNESS OFFERINGS
$1.4bn revamp plan for Mall of Emirates; 100 new stores
Majid Al Futtaim has announced a landmark AED5 billion ($1.36 billion) investment to transform the Mall of the Emirates into a next-generation lifestyle hub, adding 20,000 sq m of more retail space alongside four new entertainment offerings by late 2026.
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Trade Arabia
7 days ago
- Trade Arabia
Majid Al Futtaim awards $462m contract for Dubai forest living project
Majid Al Futtaim, a leading pioneer in shopping malls, communities, retail, and leisure across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia, has announced two significant milestones for its forest living concept, Ghaf Woods – the establishment of a dedicated tree nursery to support the project's biophilic design concept and the appointment of Innovo Build as the main contractor for its first two phases. Spanning 738,000 sqm off the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Highway, near Global Village, Ghaf Woods will feature over 7,000 premium units, including one, two, and three-bedroom residences and penthouses. The community will also be home to Majid Al Futtaim's signature multi-purpose hub, Distrikt, which features a curated selection of retail and farm-to-table dining experiences, said the developer. Announcing the AED1.7 billion ($462 million) construction contract, Majid Al Futtaim said as per the deal, Innovo Build will be responsible for the construction of 13 buildings with a shared podium level across the Celia, Serra, and Lacina clusters. Ghaf Woods, it stated, was redefining the concept of living with nature and this milestone is a demonstration of the unique offering it brings. The development's forest ecosystem is set to outnumber residents and serve as a vital 'Green Lung' delivering up to 20% cleaner air and temperatures up to five degrees Celsius cooler than other areas of the city. Prioritising wellness, Ghaf Woods promises residents 8km of walking trails, a 3.5km biking loop, resort-style pools, fitness facilities, family-friendly gardens, and a yoga pavilion. On the dedicated tree nursery, Majid Al Futtaim said with Ghaf Woods set to become a model for sustainable forest living in Dubai, the nursery will be the cornerstone of this vision, where thousands of native and climate-resilient tree species will be grown and nurtured over the next 18 months. Today, it is home to more than 10,000 trees with that figure set to increase to 20,000 and 105,000 shrubs by May 2026. It will eventually grow to house up to 30,000 trees, which will then be transported and replanted across Ghaf Woods. Majid Al Futtaim has awarded a AED49 million nursery contract to Barari Natural Resources, part of Mawarid Holding Investment, to manage and oversee the trees care and cultivation. The facility will be home to a diverse selection of climate-suitable species, including Acacias, Citrus, Ficus, Melia, Phoenix, Tecomella, Ziziphus, and the iconic Ghaf. All species have been procured from Egypt (Nile Delta), India, Thailand, and the UAE – including Fujairah, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Abu Dhabi, it added. Majid Al Futtaim Properties CEO Ahmed El Shamy said: "The concept of Ghaf Woods has been years in the making with a vision for sustainable living at the core. Since its unveiling one year ago, there's been a clear and growing demand from people who are looking for communities that foster a deeper connection with nature and the environment." "Our investment in a purpose-built tree nursery, and the partnership with Innovo Build, Barari Natural Resources and Mawarid Holding Investment, is a vital step in bringing this vision to life," he added. Innovo Build CEO Sameh Fam said: "We are proud to partner with Majid Al Futtaim to deliver the early phases of a development as visionary as Ghaf Woods – a project that reflects our shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and community-centric design." "This project redefines traditional construction, and requires us to build in harmony with nature, not around it. Our team will approach this landmark development with the precision, care and focus on sustainability that cements us as a contractor of choice in UAE," he added. Mawarid Holding Investment CEO Kashif Shamsi said: "This nursery is a critical foundation for the forest ecosystem at Ghaf Woods. Our focus is not only on scale but also on biodiversity, resilience, and ensuring every tree contributes meaningfully to the project's long-term environmental impact."
Trade Arabia
01-06-2025
- Trade Arabia
RTA announces urban project to upgrade Umm Suqeim Street
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced an integrated urban project for the upgradation of Umm Suqeim Street, from its intersection with Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road. The project is designed to enhance traffic flow in support of the emirate's comprehensive development, address the demands of urban expansion and population growth, and to improve the overall quality of life for both residents and visitors. It complements works currently underway to upgrade Umm Suqeim Street from its intersection with Al Khail Road to Emirates Road, ultimately enabling uninterrupted traffic flow from Jumeirah to Al Qudra Road over a total distance of 20km. The project goes beyond traditional road widening and development by integrating creative and aesthetic enhancements into the surrounding urban landscape. It features upgraded pedestrian walkways, a dedicated cycling track, and complete streets (boulevards), alongside vibrant urban spaces designed to foster community interaction and create inclusive, dynamic environments, said RTA in a statement. It also establishes a direct link between Mall of the Emirates Metro Station and nearby residential communities through targeted improvements that ensure smooth, integrated, and seamless access between these areas and the metro. The project forms part of a master plan developed by RTA to upgrade the road network in the area, including enhancements to Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street , and Al Safa Street, details of which will be announced in due course, it stated. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said: "The upgrade of Umm Suqeim Street, from its intersection with Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road, forms part of a master plan to develop the Umm Suqeim–Al Qudra corridor. " "This strategic route extends from its intersections with Jumeirah Street throughout to its intersections with Emirates Road to Al Qudra Road, serving key residential and development zones with a combined population exceeding two million," he stated. "The project enhances connectivity across four strategic transport corridors in Dubai - Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road. It will increase Umm Suqeim Street's capacity to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, significantly improve traffic flow, and reduce travel time between Jumeirah Street and Al Khail Road from 20 minutes to just six," noted Al Tayer. "The upgraded corridor will directly serve vital residential and development areas, including Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Manara, Al Sufouh, Umm Al Sheif, Al Barsha, and Al Quoz; home to more than two million residents," he added. According to him, the project entails the upgrade of six key intersections along Umm Suqeim Street, specifically those with Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road. The scope of work includes the construction of four bridges and three tunnels, with a total combined length of 4,100m. "At the intersection with Jumeirah Street, a tunnel with two lanes in each direction will be constructed, complemented by a signalised surface-level junction," said Al Tayer.
Trade Arabia
29-05-2025
- Trade Arabia
Majid Al Futtaim, Ennismore announce plans for Egypt's first 25hours Hotel
Majid Al Futtaim, a leading shopping mall, communities, retail, and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, has announced a new strategic partnership with Ennismore, the fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company. The collaboration will launch Egypt's first 25hours Hotel at Junction, Majid Al Futtaim's upcoming business and lifestyle destination in West Cairo. The new addition marks the debut of the 25hours brand in the Egyptian market, reinforcing Junction's position as a dynamic hub for hospitality, business, and culture. Bringing a playful, design-led approach to hospitality, 25hours will inject fresh creative energy into West Cairo. Known for its eclectic interiors, strong sense of place, and immersive storytelling, the brand's arrival signals a bold reimagining of how hotels contribute to urban culture. Gaurav Bhushan, Chief Executive Officer for Ennismore, said: 'Ennismore is honoured to be partnering with Majid Al Futtaim to bring 25hours to Egypt for the first time, especially within a lifestyle destination like Junction. Each 25hours Hotel is inspired by the rich culture and history of its location, and we look forward to creating a strong sense of storytelling through design and community spaces through our restaurants and bars for our guests.' 'At Majid Al Futtaim, we believe in creating destinations that truly reflect the needs and aspirations of today's customers. The arrival of 25hours at Junction marks an exciting moment in our refounding journey and continues our longstanding legacy of introducing bold, innovative concepts to the communities we serve.' said Ahmed El Shamy, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Properties. 'This partnership also marks a significant step in our vision to create destinations that are both commercially vibrant and culturally meaningful, while further reinforcing our long-term commitment to building integrated, future-ready environments that drive economic growth and foster innovation.' Situated in the heart of Junction, the hotel will feature approximately 250 keys, comprising both hotel rooms and 25hours Heimat branded residences. Designed to reflect the 25hours ethos, the property will offer guests a more immersive connection to the brand's distinctive lifestyle experience. Guests and residents will have access to three distinctive dining venues, coworking areas, spa and wellness facilities, and flexible spaces for meetings and events. Innovatively transcending conventional residential norms, 25hours Heimat offers an unparalleled living experience, complete with a range of unconventional amenities accessed through an on-site concierge and Accor's Ownership Benefits Programme. Founded in Germany and now part of Ennismore, a global collective of lifestyle brands, 25hours continues to grow and expand, boasting a reputation for creative, experience-driven stays that are rooted in the identity of each location. Bringing together premium business and lifestyle offerings, Junction spans more than 129,000 sq m across two interconnected plots. The development includes 13 cutting-edge office buildings, curated retail and F&B experiences, and sustainable infrastructure designed to meet LEED Gold certification standards. With 97,000 sqm of flexible, state-of-the-art workspace, Junction is purpose-built for modern business and future-ready enterprises. First introduced in April 2025, Junction is a key part of Majid Al Futtaim's development strategy in Egypt. The destination is designed to foster productivity, creativity, and community through its modern infrastructure, walkable layout, and curated public spaces.
