logo
Egypt's LMD targets $6bln investments for hospitality and residential expansion

Egypt's LMD targets $6bln investments for hospitality and residential expansion

Zawya16-05-2025

Landmark Developments (LMD) is planning to expand its hospitality and residential portfolio with an investment strategy that targets over 300 billion Egyptian pounds ($6 billon), the company's founder and CEO Amr Sultan said.
Speaking to Zawya Projects, Sultan said the company's hospitality portfolio includes 1,330 hotel rooms and 1,800 serviced apartments across key developments in partnership with brands such as W Hotels, Marriott, and Villa Coconut.
'We believe that by partnering with esteemed brands, we can elevate the standard of tourism in Egypt," he said.
Among LMD's key developments are the W Hotel and Serviced Apartments, the Autograph Collection, the Tribute Portfolio Hotels in New Cairo, and Ghazala Bay on Egypt's North Coast. The company is also developing the More Serviced Apartments project in New Cairo, offering hotel-style amenities in residential settings.
LMD's land bank currently stands at 8 million square metres (sqm), with 4.5 million sqm under development. Its residential project portfolio includes more than 24,300 units.
The company's latest launch, the EGP 20 billion ($399 million) 'Being' development in New Zayed, is expected to generate EGP 25 billion in sales ($499 million).
The 'Being' project also includes the 'Mindset' business complex developed in partnership with LA7.
Sultan said the company is assessing luxury development opportunities in Ras El Hekma on Egypt's Mediterranean coast.
Internationally, LMD operates in five countries, with recent acquisitions in Cyprus and growing interest in Saudi Arabia.
'While LMD does not yet have a legal entity in Saudi Arabia, it is actively studying investment opportunities, particularly in luxury developments tailored to Gulf tastes,' he said.
LMD is advancing innovative projects like Egypt's first design district within the ONE NINETY project in New Cairo, spanning 199,000 sqm.
To manage affordability, the company is adopting flexible installment and pricing strategies and forecasts price increases of up to 13 percent this year in line with inflation.
'Our goal is to create high-quality environments that support economic growth and meet rising expectations across the region,' concluded Sultan.
(1 US Dollar = 50.13 Egyptian Pounds)
(Reporting by Marwa Abo Almajd; Editing by Anoop Menon)
(anoop.menon@lseg.com)

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Aldar unveils $11bn Fahid Island project in Abu Dhabi
Aldar unveils $11bn Fahid Island project in Abu Dhabi

The National

timean hour ago

  • The National

Aldar unveils $11bn Fahid Island project in Abu Dhabi

Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi's biggest listed developer, has unveiled the master plan for Fahid Island, with a gross development value of more than Dh40 billion ($10.9 billion) amid a continued boom in the UAE's property market. More than 6,000 luxury residences are planned for the 2.7 million square metre island, ranging from apartments and town houses to ultra-luxury villas, Aldar said in a statement on Monday. The new project, with a 11 kilometre coastline, will be built in the UAE's capital between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island. Aldar acquired Al Fahid Island, a 3.4 million square metre land bank, for Dh2.5 billion in January 2023, with the developer stating at that time that the property's gross development value was Dh26 billion. The acquisition consideration would be paid over five years, Aldar said. Fahid Island builds "on the success of Saadiyat and Yas Islands to offer a new benchmark in premium waterfront living, wellness, and sustainable design", Mohamed Al Mubarak, chairman of Aldar, said. Residential property sale prices in Abu Dhabi rose by 11 per cent annually last year amid rising demand and a supply shortage in the emirate, according to real estate company Cushman & Wakefield Core. The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre reported that total transaction values in the emirate grew by 34.5 per cent to Dh25.3 billion from 6,896 deals in the first quarter of 2025, compared with Dh18.8 billion from 5,773 transactions in the same period last year. The UAE's property market continues to perform strongly due to government initiatives such as residency permits for retired people and remote workers, the expansion of the 10-year golden visa programme as well as overall growth in the UAE's economy. An influx of wealthy people is also supporting the property market. Last year, 7,200 millionaires arrived in the UAE, building on the 4,700 who arrived in 2023 and 5,200 in 2022, property consultancy Knight Frank said in a report. The number of dollar millionaires in the UAE was 130,500 at the end of December, making the Emirates the world's 14th-largest wealth market. This follows an announcement by Miral that a Disney theme park will be built on Yas Island, which is expected to increase Abu Dhabi's tourism potential and property demand in the island. ' Our plans for Fahid Island support a thriving real estate market in Abu Dhabi, where we are seeing incredible demand from buyers within the local market as well as overseas investors,' Talal Al Dhiyebi, group chief executive of Aldar, said. Thirty per cent of space of Fahid Island will be dedicated to natural spaces, with a 10 kilometre landscaped space called Berm Park also planned. It will be the island's wellness and fitness corridor with running tracks and three cycling routes that connect to Abu Dhabi's cycle loop, according to Aldar. The island's waterfront promenade will have a mix of retail, dining, and art experiences, while Coral Drive, the island's boutique retail boulevard, will have outlets, concept stores, art galleries, ballet school and cafes and public artworks. The island will also have an international school. The first residential development to be introduced on Fahid Island – Fahid Beach Residences -will have a collection of seven buildings, each featuring 65 residences, Aldar said.

Egypt urged to establish real estate regulatory authority to boost market transparency, attract FDI
Egypt urged to establish real estate regulatory authority to boost market transparency, attract FDI

Zawya

time2 hours ago

  • Zawya

Egypt urged to establish real estate regulatory authority to boost market transparency, attract FDI

Egypt - Mohamed Fouad, real estate expert and member of the British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA), has urged the urgent establishment of an independent Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in Egypt. He emphasized that such a body, modeled on successful international experiences in countries like the UAE and India, is crucial for creating a structured and transparent legal framework for real estate transactions. Fouad explained that RERA plays a central regulatory and legislative role in mature markets. It safeguards the interests of buyers, investors, and developers by issuing licenses, enforcing compliance, ensuring transparency, and overseeing project implementation according to approved timelines and budgets. 'In markets witnessing rapid urban expansion and increasing investment flows—such as Egypt—an independent regulatory authority is no longer optional; it's a strategic necessity,' Fouad stated. He highlighted that the absence of a unified regulatory entity in Egypt has led to overlapping roles between institutions, resulting in delivery delays, contractual disputes, and inconsistent enforcement. A RERA-style authority, he said, would bring order to the sector by clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders: the government, developers, and buyers. Such a body would also bolster investor confidence, both local and international, by ensuring accountability and reducing risks. Regulatory oversight would include developer classification based on financial and technical criteria, stricter controls on marketing and advertising, and protection of buyers from fraudulent or stalled projects. Fouad cited Dubai's RERA as a global benchmark, noting how it has transformed the city into a trusted international hub for real estate investment. He also pointed to India's experience, where the implementation of RERA reduced legal disputes by over 60% in its early years. Without an independent authority, Fouad warned, the Egyptian real estate market remains exposed to mismanagement, undermining its attractiveness to foreign investors—particularly Egyptians living abroad who demand a clear, reliable legal framework. He proposed that the new Egyptian RERA be established under the Prime Minister's office or the Ministry of Housing, in cooperation with the Central Bank of Egypt and the Financial Regulatory Authority. It should have wide-ranging legal and supervisory powers, including dedicated departments for licensing, compliance, evaluation, and dispute resolution. Fouad also stressed the importance of launching a unified digital platform to centralize information on licensed real estate projects. This platform would provide real-time updates on implementation status, developer credentials, licensing and contract details, and facilitate electronic applications and transactions—supporting Egypt's broader digital transformation strategy. In conclusion, Fouad reiterated that the creation of a Real Estate Regulatory Authority in Egypt is a national imperative. It is key to achieving transparency, safeguarding stakeholders' rights, and turning the Egyptian real estate market into a sustainable, globally competitive investment destination capable of attracting foreign currency and exporting real estate. © 2024 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (

GCC equity markets ease into Eid break after Dubai Residential REIT, Saudi UCIC IPOs
GCC equity markets ease into Eid break after Dubai Residential REIT, Saudi UCIC IPOs

Zawya

time2 hours ago

  • Zawya

GCC equity markets ease into Eid break after Dubai Residential REIT, Saudi UCIC IPOs

GCC markets will enter the summer period buoyed by the debut of the Dubai Residential REIT on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) last week, a $584 million IPO that closed at 14% on its day one trade. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's upcoming Flynas and Specialized Medical Company (SMC) IPOs are expected to inject fresh energy into a market weighed down by the listing of United Carton Industries Co. (UCIC), which closed 1.5% lower last week than on its debut trade. While UCIC lost ground due to a mix of profit booking, overstretched valuations and tariff threats, Dubai Residential REIT's strong market debut reflects a positive investors' appetite for the emirate's real estate and the sector's strength, analysts said. The Dubai Residential REIT offering was upsized by the fund manager from 12.5% to 15% after it attracted strong demand across both institutional and UAE retail tranches. 'The offering, which was oversubscribed 26 times with AED 56 billion in gross demand, benefited from Dubai's resurgent real estate market and the REIT's extensive portfolio of 35,700 residential units. A projected 2025 dividend yield of 7.7% further supported the investment case,' said George Pavel, General Manager at Middle East. 'In contrast, UCIC's more subdued reception reflects investor unease around its valuation and the broader Saudi stock market's correction. While the Saudi packaging firm managed to raise SAR 600 million with a nine times oversubscription, it listed at a price-to-earnings ratio well above its regional peers. This, combined with broader market volatility, contributed to a choppy debut.' Pavel said that without a 'compelling growth narrative or sectoral tailwinds comparable to real estate,' UCIC struggled to sustain momentum, 'illustrating the divergent fortunes that can emerge even in an upbeat IPO pipeline.' Investor sentiment 'The forthcoming listings of Flynas and SMC are set to inject fresh momentum into the GCC's IPO pipeline in the coming weeks,' Pavel said. 'Flynas's remarkable oversubscription, reportedly around 100 times, points to a strong appetite among institutional investors and reinforces confidence in the region's equity markets. This enthusiasm is likely to encourage other companies across the GCC to advance their listing plans, particularly in sectors aligned with economic diversification such as healthcare, consumer goods, and aviation.' The Saudi budget airline's retail IPO, which closed on June 1 after its institutional offering drew $109 billion, is being called a value proposition by insiders expecting a robust run for the first Gulf airline listing in nearly two decades, backed by Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal's Kingdom Holding and the kingdom's National Flight Services Co. SMC, meanwhile, has extended its book-building period to allow qualified investors to review their bids and postponed the retail offering period to June 15. According to Pavel, the success of two high-profile Saudi listings will 'send a clear signal that well-positioned firms with compelling growth narratives can attract capital despite ongoing global market uncertainties.' 'This should help sustain IPO activity across the Gulf, supporting a healthy pipeline through mid-2025 and potentially broadening investor participation beyond traditional domestic markets,' he added. Vijay Valecha, Chief Investment Officer at Century Financial, warned of broader headwinds playing a role in how the months after Eid will play out. 'UCIC's weak debut, the only IPO this year to close lower on day one, reflects broader investor caution driven in large part by renewed global trade tensions. The reintroduction of US tariffs under the Trump campaign narrative has sparked uncertainty across markets, especially in regions heavily linked to global trade flows, like the Gulf,' Valecha said. (Reporting by Bindu Rai, editing by Seban Scaria)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store