Latest news with #AldarProperties
What's On
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- What's On
A dazzling new residential megaproject is being unveiled in Abu Dhabi
Setting the standard… Abu Dhabi's ever-expanding portfolio of booming residential megaprojects never fails to impress, and now, a brand new one that's been in the works and has grabbed attention for months is finally ready to be unveiled: Fahid Island. The Aldar Properties development is being marketed as 'Abu Dhabi's newest island destination where turquoise waters, lush mangroves, and thoughtfully designed experiences redefine coastal living.' A short drive from Yas, Fahid Island will be a residential space centred on wellness and wellbeing. It also happens to be the UAE's first island designed around well-being, with natural mangroves purifying the air, and every home no more than 250 metres away from a park or shaded trail. The sustainably designed development will also include unique retail and dining establishments as well as schools, all seamlessly connected and aimed at making the island ideal for people that love walking. A quick glance at the official Fahid Island webpage also elaborates that the island will 'wash away stress, keep your heart healthier, make you smarter, and help you breathe better, live longer, get fitter, and make wellness a way of life.' Sounds almost too good to be true. The island itself has been developed to include 940,000 square metres of green space, along a 11km stretch of coastline with 100,000 square metres of beach. It will also include a 10km long stretch of berms (raised strips of land along the water) and a 3km long mangrove boardwalk, plus a 2km waterfront promenade, 15km of public walkways and a 10km dedicated running loop. We're intrigued, and can't wait to see more. Stay tuned to for all the updates, and meanwhile, check out this list of stunning residences coming to Abu Dhabi, including this recently-announced Brabus themed island. Media: YouTube, supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Chinese, Hong Kong investors fuel Dubai property boom
Dubai's real estate market is experiencing a surge in interest from Chinese and Hong Kong investors, drawn by the emirate's strong economic fundamentals, investor-friendly policies, and high-yield opportunities. According to Juwai IQI, Chinese buyer inquiries for UAE properties rose by 28 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year, reflecting a growing appetite for Dubai's residential and commercial assets. This influx is part of a broader trend, with foreign investors, including those from China, the US, the UK, France, Kazakhstan, and Russia, purchasing over $2 billion in Abu Dhabi real estate in 2024, a 125 per cent increase from 2023. In Dubai, Chinese investors accounted for approximately 8.0 per cent of foreign real estate investment in 2024, a figure expected to grow in 2025, according to Kashif Ansari, co-founder and group CEO of Juwai IQI. The city's residential market saw rents and sales prices climb by 16 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively, in 2024, driven by expatriate demand and government initiatives like long-term visas and relaxed ownership laws. Cushman & Wakefield Core projects office rents to rise by 10 to 12 per cent in 2025, further signaling Dubai's appeal as a global investment hub. A notable transaction highlighting this trend is Hong Kong-based Gaw Capital's acquisition of a residential building at Mamsha Gardens on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, for Dh586 million from Aldar Properties, marking its first UAE investment. Aldar, Abu Dhabi's largest developer, reported that 87 per cent of its first-quarter 2025 sales were to international buyers, with Chinese and Hong Kong investors contributing Dh1.3 billion in Q1 alone, following Dh1.5 billion in 2024—a 30-fold increase from 2022. Talal Al Dhiyebi, Aldar's group CEO, noted that the transaction underscored the strength of Abu Dhabi's maturing real estate market and its appeal to global investors, driven by robust economic fundamentals and high-quality assets. Christina Gaw, managing principal at Gaw Capital, which manages $34.4 billion in assets, described the Mamsha Gardens deal as a 'landmark investment' reflecting confidence in the Middle East's growth potential. Humbert Pang, Gaw Capital's head of China, added, 'The UAE's economic diversification, new residency permits, and rising expatriate demand have significantly boosted property market sentiment.' This sentiment is echoed by Black Spade Capital, the family office of casino billionaire Lawrence Ho, which recently invested in IFCX, a Hong Kong-based brokerage targeting Middle Eastern real estate. David Abood, head of Capital Markets at Cushman & Wakefield Core, noted a marked uptick in Asian investor activity, particularly from China and Hong Kong, targeting institutional-grade assets like prime offices, logistics, and high-end residential properties. 'These segments offer immediate income potential and benefit from Dubai's regulatory transparency and rising demand,' Abood said, citing a recent Dh2.5 billion office transaction as evidence of market strength. In Dubai, luxury property transactions averaged $743,000 in Q1 2025, with foreign buyers, including Chinese investors, paying a premium at $1.12 million on average. Dubai's appeal is further enhanced by its strategic initiatives, such as the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033, which aims to increase transaction values by 70 per cent and boost home ownership to 33 per cent by 2033. The city's population, projected to reach 4.0 million by 2026, continues to drive demand, with off-plan sales hitting $34.3 billion in the first half of 2024. Projects like Emaar South and Jumeirah Lakes Towers are emerging as investment hotspots, fueled by infrastructure developments like Al Maktoum Airport. However, analysts caution that an expected increase in residential supply—182,000 units by 2026—could stabilise or slightly depress prices if demand softens. Geopolitical uncertainties in the region also pose risks, though Dubai's status as a safe haven has historically mitigated such concerns. For now, Chinese and Hong Kong investors remain undeterred, drawn by Dubai's low-tax regime, safety, and connectivity, as noted by Fadi Moussalli of JLL. As global interest intensifies, with recent visits by leaders like US President Donald Trump and Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee signalling the region's strategic importance, Dubai's real estate market is poised for sustained growth. With Asian capital, particularly from China and Hong Kong, playing a pivotal role, Dubai is expected to sustain its position as a premier destination for global real estate investment in 2025.
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE markets show resilience amid global trade optimism
The UAE's financial markets displayed cautious optimism this week, with the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) General Index climbing 0.37 per cent and the FTSE ADX General Index edging up 0.07 per cent. The modest gains reflect a broader global market pause, driven by US President Donald Trump's decision to extend the deadline for proposed 50 per cent tariffs on EU goods until July 9, 2025. This move has fuelled hopes that trade tensions, which have loomed over global markets, may be easing, providing a temporary boost to investor sentiment in the UAE and beyond. In Dubai, the stock index reached a 17-year high last week, underpinned by robust first-quarter earnings and a thriving non-oil economy. Investors increasingly favour UAE stocks over the larger Saudi market, drawn by the country's economic diversification and resilience. Abu Dhabi's market, while quieter, saw steady trading, supported by rising oil prices and limited corporate developments. Aldar Properties, a key player in Abu Dhabi, reported strong revenue from a recent project, though its shares dipped slightly. Similarly, GFH Financial Group maintained a positive outlook from FAB Securities, buoyed by solid Q1 results, despite minor share price declines. The UAE's markets are navigating a complex global landscape. Trading volumes remained subdued due to holidays in the US and the UK, but the extension of the EU tariff deadline has provided a reprieve. Josh Gilbert, a market analyst at eToro, noted that investor sentiment has strengthened over the past month, with markets looking past the 'trade war noise'. He emphasised that the provisional trade truces with the EU and China signal progress, though the lack of permanent resolutions keeps the risk of escalation alive. 'The willingness of the US administration to negotiate is encouraging, but without structural changes to tariff policy, uncertainty persists,' Gilbert said. Regionally, the UAE boosted its financial ties with Azerbaijan through a new agreement aimed at enhancing regulatory exchanges. This deal underscores the UAE's strategic push to deepen economic collaboration, potentially influencing sectors like banking and investment in the coming months. The accord aligns with the UAE's broader vision to position itself as a global financial hub, leveraging its stable economic environment and strategic geographic position. Globally, markets reflected similar optimism. Japan's Nikkei 225 surged over 1.7 per cent, driven by hopes of a US-Japan trade deal, while EuroStoxx futures rose 1.6 per cent, and S&P 500 futures gained about 1.0 per cent, according to Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank. She highlighted the significance of the postponed EU tariff deadline, which gives European officials until July 9 to negotiate. However, Ozkardeskaya cautioned that upcoming economic data, including May flash inflation figures from major European economies and the US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report, will be critical in shaping market trajectories. A stronger euro may have mitigated the impact of rising oil prices, she noted, but inflationary pressures remain a concern. Despite the positive sentiment, risks persist. Last week's unexpected tariff threat on Apple underscored the unpredictability of US trade policy under Trump, a dynamic that continues to challenge markets. Gilbert pointed out that while trade progress supports risk assets, investor focus remains on dominant tech stocks, with dip-buying evident during pullbacks. Nvidia's upcoming earnings report is expected to be a key market catalyst, potentially influencing global and UAE investor sentiment. According to market analysts, the UAE's markets are well-positioned to capitalise on their non-oil growth and regional financial partnerships. However, their trajectory will depend on global trade outcomes and economic indicators. As negotiations continue and key data releases loom, UAE investors remain cautiously optimistic, balancing local strengths with global uncertainties, they said.
The National
5 days ago
- Business
- The National
Aldar's new Yas Island homes all sold for $231m
Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi's biggest listed developer, has generated Dh850 million ($231.4 million) by selling out all homes at Waldorf Astoria Residences Yas, the first branded residential development on Yas Island, after high demand. The company sold all 133 homes on launch day, Aldar said in a statement on Monday to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, where its shares are traded. Expatriates and international investors accounted for 76 per cent of the buyers, with the remaining 24 per cent UAE citizens. Global demand was led by customers from the UK and China. 'The sell-out of Waldorf Astoria Residences Yas marks a significant milestone for Aldar and highlights the attractiveness of Yas Island both as an investment destination and prime residential address," said Jonathan Emery, chief executive at Aldar Development. The UAE's property market continues to perform strongly, in part due to government initiatives such as residency permits for retired people and remote workers, as well as the expansion of the 10-year golden visa programme and overall growth in the UAE's economy amid diversification efforts. 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, real estate company Cushman & Wakefield Core reported. The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre reported that total transaction value in the emirate grew by 34.5 per cent to Dh25.3 billion in 6,896 deals in the first quarter of 2025, compared with Dh18.8 billion from 5,773 transactions in the same period of last year. 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. Waldorf Astoria Residences Yas, with furnished homes, including one, two and three-bedroom apartments, duplexes, and luxurious four-bedroom penthouses, was unveiled this month. It came after Miral announced a Disney theme park will be built on Yas Island in partnership with the Walt Disney Company. Other attractions on Yas include Ferrari World, Warner Brothers, Sea World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld, all adding to the tourism potential of the island. Last year, more than 38 million visitors visited Yas Island, 10 per cent more than the previous year, and theme park visits rose by 20 per cent, Miral said.
Hi Dubai
6 days ago
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE Real Estate Transactions Surge Past AED239 Billion in First Quarter of 2025
Real estate activity across five UAE emirates soared to over AED239 billion in the first quarter of 2025, signaling strong investor confidence and robust market momentum, official data revealed. Between January and March, more than 94,700 sales, purchases, and mortgage deals were recorded in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah. This marked a significant upswing in the country's property sector, driven by flexible regulations and an expanding pipeline of development projects. Abu Dhabi posted AED25.3 billion in transactions, a 34.5 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. The emirate saw 3,819 sale deals worth AED15.51 billion and 3,077 mortgage transactions totaling AED9.8 billion, reflecting strong market activity. Dubai led the market with AED193 billion in real estate transactions from 58,039 deals, up 16.2 percent in value year-on-year. Sales reached AED142 billion from 45,077 transactions, a 30 percent rise, while mortgages grew by 27 percent in volume to AED41 billion. Sharjah's property sector recorded AED13.2 billion in deals, growing nearly 32 percent year-on-year. Ajman's market also expanded by 29 percent, totaling AED5.55 billion, including AED3.69 billion from sales and purchases and AED905 million from mortgages. Ras Al Khaimah reported strong demand for residential off-plan properties, with sales exceeding AED2.4 billion from over 1,300 transactions, highlighting growth in the northern emirate's housing market. Talal Al Dhiyebi, CEO of Aldar Properties, attributed the surge to the UAE's overall economic progress, positioning the country as a top destination for living, working, and investing. Aldar alone posted AED8.9 billion in Q1 sales, up 42 percent from last year, with occupancy rates above 95 percent. The strong start to 2025 underscores continued confidence and growth potential in the UAE's real estate landscape. News Source: Emirates News Agency
