Latest news with #Citrus
ME Construction
3 days ago
- Business
- ME Construction
Majid Al Futtaim announces contract awards for Ghaf Woods
Industry News Majid Al Futtaim announces contract awards for Ghaf Woods By Spanning 738,000sqm off the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Highway, near Global Village, Ghaf Woods will feature over 7,000 premium units Majid Al Futtaim has announced two milestones for its forest living concept, Ghaf Woods. These milestones include the establishment of a dedicated tree nursery to support the project's biophilic design concept and the appointment of Innovo Build as the primary contractor for its initial two phases. Ghaf Woods, billed as a model for sustainable forest living in Dubai, will be the cornerstone of this vision. Over the next 18 months, the nursery will grow and nurture thousands of native and climate resilient tree species. Currently, it houses over 10,000 trees, with the figure expected to reach 20,000 by May 2026 and 105,000 shrubs by the same time. By the end of this period, the nursery will expand to accommodate up to 30,000 trees, which will then be transported and replanted across Ghaf Woods. As part of this journey, the US $13.2mn nursery contract has been awarded to Barari Natural Resources, part of Mawarid Holding Investment, who will manage and oversee the trees care and cultivation throughout this journey. 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. Ghaf Woods is said to be revolutionising the concept of living in harmony with nature. The development's forest ecosystem will surpass the number of residents, serving as a vital 'Green Lung' that purifies the air by up to 20% and lowers temperatures by up to five degrees Celsius compared to other parts of the city. Moreover, these trees will play a crucial role in mitigating soil erosion, conserving water, and creating shaded pathways and green corridors throughout the community, the developer said in its statement. Ahmed El Shamy, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Properties 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 Barari Natural Resources and Mawarid Holding Investment, is a vital step in bringing this vision to life. We're also proud to be working with Innovo Build on the delivery of the Celia, Serra, and Lacina clusters. It is through collaborations like these that we are setting a new benchmark for how nature, lifestyle and premium living can meaningfully coexist.' Kashif Shamsi, Group Chief Executive Officer, Mawarid Holding Investment added, '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. As one of the largest plant nursery operators in the GCC, we are proud to collaborate on one of the region's most forward-looking developments, and excited to see the landscape grow from the ground up.' In addition, Innovo Build has been awarded a $463mn contract for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Ghaf Woods, including the construction and completion of 13 buildings with a shared podium level across the Celia, Serra, and Lacina clusters. Known for their expertise in sustainable, high-quality developments, Innovo Build's portfolio spans luxury residences, villa communities, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure. With sustainability at the heart of its operations, Innovo Build will focus on Ghaf Woods' forest living concept, blending contemporary architecture with immersive natural surroundings to create a new standard for urban living in Dubai, the statement added. Sameh Fam, Chief Executive Officer, Innovo Build commented, '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.' Spanning 738,000sqm 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. Prioritising wellness, Ghaf Woods promises residents eight kilometres of walking trails, a three-and-a-half-kilometre biking loop, resort-style pools, fitness facilities, family-friendly gardens, and a yoga pavilion. 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, the statement concluded.
Mid East Info
3 days ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
MAJID AL FUTTAIM ADVANCES VISION FOR FOREST LIVING AT GHAF WOODS BY ANNOUNCING A DEDICATED TREE NURSERY AND APPOINTMENT OF CONTRACTOR
The nursery will cultivate over 30,000 trees and 350,000 shrubs, forming the green heart of Ghaf Woods' forest living vision The AED 1.7 billion construction contract is awarded to Innovo Build for Phase 1 and 2 of Ghaf Woods, and be responsible for the delivery of 13 residential buildings across Celia, Serra, and Lacina Dubai, UAE, June, 2025: Majid Al Futtaim, a leading pioneer in shopping malls, communities, retail, and leisure across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia, today 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. 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, the nursery 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. As part of this exciting journey, the AED 49 million nursery contract has been awarded to Barari Natural Resources, part of Mawarid Holding Investment, who will manage and oversee the trees care and cultivation throughout this journey. 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. Ghaf Woods is 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. These trees will also play a critical role in reducing soil erosion, conserving water, and shaping shaded pathways and green corridors throughout the community. Ahmed El Shamy, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Properties, 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 Barari Natural Resources and Mawarid Holding Investment, is a vital step in bringing this vision to life. We're also proud to be working with Innovo Build on the delivery of the Celia, Serra, and Lacina clusters. It is through collaborations like these that we are setting a new benchmark for how nature, lifestyle and premium living can meaningfully coexist.' Kashif Shamsi, Group Chief Executive Officer, Mawarid Holding Investment 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. As one of the largest plant nursery operators in the GCC, we are proud to collaborate on one of the region's most forward-looking developments, and excited to see the landscape grow from the ground up.' Meanwhile, Innovo Build has been awarded the AED 1.7 billion contract for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Ghaf Woods, including the construction and completion of 13 buildings with a shared podium level across the Celia, Serra, and Lacina clusters. Known for their expertise in sustainable, high-quality developments, Innovo Build's portfolio spans luxury residences, villa communities, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure. With sustainability at the heart of its operations, Innovo Build will focus on Ghaf Woods' forest living concept, blending contemporary architecture with immersive natural surroundings to create a new standard for urban living in Dubai. Sameh Fam, Chief Executive Officer, Innovo Build 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.' Spanning 738,000 square metres 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. Prioritising wellness, Ghaf Woods promises residents eight kilometres of walking trails, a three-and-a-half-kilometre biking loop, resort-style pools, fitness facilities, family-friendly gardens, and a yoga pavilion. 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. About Majid Al Futtaim: Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is an Emirati-owned, diversified lifestyle conglomerate operating across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The Group started from one man's vision to transform the face of shopping, entertainment, and leisure to 'create great moments for everyone, every day'. It has since grown into one of the region's most respected businesses, employing more than 43,000 people, with owned assets valued at US$19 billion and has the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately held corporates in the region. Majid Al Futtaim owns and operates 29 shopping malls, seven hotels and five mixed-use communities, welcoming more than 600 million customers through its doors every year. It is the proud owner of the flagship Mall of the Emirates, Mall of Egypt, and Mall of Oman with the iconic City Centre shopping malls rounding out its portfolio across the region. As the developer of choice for the region, Majid Al Futtaim is the creator of mixed-use communities including Ghaf Woods and Tilal Al Ghaf in Dubai and Al Mouj in Muscat. Majid Al Futtaim holds the exclusive rights to operate Carrefour across 12 markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, with a network of over 390 stores. In Egypt, it also owns and operates Supeco, a low-cost hybrid grocery retail concept while HyperMax is its newest grocery retail brand recently launched in Jordan and Oman. The Group operates more than 600 VOX Cinemas screens as well as a portfolio of world-class leisure and entertainment experiences across the region. These include two ski locations in Dubai and Cairo, two snow parks in Abu Dhabi and Oman, as well as family entertainment centres such as Magic Planet, Little Explorers, Activate, Yalla! Bowling, Dreamscape and IFLY. Majid Al Futtaim partners with world-class fashion, home, specialty retail and beauty brands, operating over 90 stores across the GCC and 27 e-commerce platforms. Its portfolio includes lululemon, LEGO, Crate and Barrel, Shiseido and THAT, a Majid Al Futtaim multi-brand concept store and app. These offerings are powered by the UAE's fastest growing loyalty programme SHARE, which offers customers a more personalised and data driven experience.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Mars reveals NEW flavour of classic sweets hitting supermarkets in days and shoppers can't wait
SNACK maker Mars has revealed a brand new flavour of one of its classic sweets hitting supermarkets soon. Skittles Citrus are set to hit supermarket and corner shop shelves across the UK, it has been confirmed to The Sun. The bags contain five new flavours: Orange, Lemon, Lime, Mandarin and Blood Orange. They will be sold as 109g and 136g packs.
National Post
02-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Pottery Barn Launches New Collaboration with Interior Designer, Mark D. Sikes
Article content SAN FRANCISCO — Pottery Barn, a portfolio brand of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM), the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer, announced today a new home collaboration with celebrated interior designer and tastemaker, Mark D. Sikes. Known for his all-American aesthetic and fresh take on classical design, the Mark D. Sikes for Pottery Barn collaboration brings a timeless elegance to the whole home for both indoor and outdoor living for the summer season and beyond. Article content The new collection embraces three aesthetics that celebrate distinct color and pattern stories, Citrus, Lilac, and Blue & White, that are all hand-painted for the collaboration. Drawing from Mark's signature style, and inspired by his new home, Orange Hill Farm, in Ojai California, the assortment includes decorative tabletop entertaining pieces, linens, bedding, bath textiles and accessories, indoor and outdoor pillows, wall art, wallpaper, decorative accessories, candles, and trays. Article content The Citrus aesthetic, inspired by the vibrant orange groves in Ojai, California, is featured on the dinnerware and table linens, and paired with a subtle cobalt blue edge. The Lilac aesthetic, shown in the bedding and wallpaper, is uniquely feminine and pairs with a classic stripe reverse. The signature Blue & White aesthetic features bold geometric prints and graphic stripes throughout table linens, wallpaper, lamp shades, pillows, pots and vases, and decorative accessories. Standout design details include hand painted elements on the dinnerware collection, and embroidery and crochet trim on the textiles. Article content 'Our collaboration with Mark D. Sikes beautifully captures the essence of timeless design infused with a modern sensibility,' said Monica Bhargava, President of Pottery Barn. 'Together, we've created a collection that celebrates the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living—just in time to inspire summer entertaining and seasonal styling.' Article content 'This is a highly personal collection for me and I'm so proud to collaborate with Pottery Barn to design a collection that showcases my love of timeless, classic, and all-American design,' says Mark D. Sikes. 'It looks great today, and will still look great many years from now.' The exclusive Mark D. Sikes for Pottery Barn collection is available now at Follow along on social for styling tips and inspiration @potterybarn and @markdsikes. Article content ABOUT POTTERY BARN Article content Pottery Barn, a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) portfolio of brands, is a premier specialty retailer for casual, comfortable and stylish home furnishings. The brand is dedicated to beautiful ideas for real life, quality products that are crafted to last, sustainability and service. Key product categories include furniture, bedding, bath, rugs, window treatments, tabletop, lighting and decorative accessories. Nearly all Pottery Barn products are designed in-house and are exclusive to its catalogs, stores and website. Pottery Barn is also part of The Key Rewards, a free-to-join loyalty program that offers members exclusive benefits across the Williams-Sonoma family of brands, the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Article content ABOUT WILLIAMS-SONOMA. INC. Article content Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. The company's brands — Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, Mark and Graham, and GreenRow — represent distinct merchandise strategies that are marketed through e-commerce, direct-mail catalogs and retail stores. These brands collectively support The Key Rewards, our loyalty and credit card program that offers members exclusive benefits. We operate in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom and have unaffiliated franchisees that operate stores in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea and India. Article content ABOUT MARK D. SIKES Article content Mark D. Sikes is an esteemed interior designer and tastemaker working on projects throughout the United States and abroad, including the White House and Blair House. He is known for all-American sensibilities and a fresh take on classical design. Mark has a talent for creating beautiful and timeless interiors that embody an indoor/outdoor lifestyle. His work has been featured in numerous design magazines and he is a member of the AD100 and Elle Décor A-List. Mark's first book, Beautiful, was a New York Times best seller and was followed up by More Beautiful, which debuted in 2020. His latest book, Forever Beautiful, was released in 2024. Mark seeks to create beautiful interiors and, above all, a more beautiful world. Beauty is everywhere. It surrounds us each and every day; all we have to do is look. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
Associated Press
02-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Pottery Barn Launches New Collaboration with Interior Designer, Mark D. Sikes
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2025-- Pottery Barn, a portfolio brand of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM), the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer, announced today a new home collaboration with celebrated interior designer and tastemaker, Mark D. Sikes. Known for his all-American aesthetic and fresh take on classical design, the Mark D. Sikes for Pottery Barn collaboration brings a timeless elegance to the whole home for both indoor and outdoor living for the summer season and beyond. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Mark D. Sikes x Pottery Barn (Photo: Pottery Barn) The new collection embraces three aesthetics that celebrate distinct color and pattern stories, Citrus, Lilac, and Blue & White, that are all hand-painted for the collaboration. Drawing from Mark's signature style, and inspired by his new home, Orange Hill Farm, in Ojai California, the assortment includes decorative tabletop entertaining pieces, linens, bedding, bath textiles and accessories, indoor and outdoor pillows, wall art, wallpaper, decorative accessories, candles, and trays. The Citrus aesthetic, inspired by the vibrant orange groves in Ojai, California, is featured on the dinnerware and table linens, and paired with a subtle cobalt blue edge. The Lilac aesthetic, shown in the bedding and wallpaper, is uniquely feminine and pairs with a classic stripe reverse. The signature Blue & White aesthetic features bold geometric prints and graphic stripes throughout table linens, wallpaper, lamp shades, pillows, pots and vases, and decorative accessories. Standout design details include hand painted elements on the dinnerware collection, and embroidery and crochet trim on the textiles. 'Our collaboration with Mark D. Sikes beautifully captures the essence of timeless design infused with a modern sensibility,' said Monica Bhargava, President of Pottery Barn. 'Together, we've created a collection that celebrates the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living—just in time to inspire summer entertaining and seasonal styling.' 'This is a highly personal collection for me and I'm so proud to collaborate with Pottery Barn to design a collection that showcases my love of timeless, classic, and all-American design,' says Mark D. Sikes. 'It looks great today, and will still look great many years from now.' The exclusive Mark D. Sikes for Pottery Barn collection is available now at Follow along on social for styling tips and inspiration @potterybarn and @markdsikes. ABOUT POTTERY BARN Pottery Barn, a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) portfolio of brands, is a premier specialty retailer for casual, comfortable and stylish home furnishings. The brand is dedicated to beautiful ideas for real life, quality products that are crafted to last, sustainability and service. Key product categories include furniture, bedding, bath, rugs, window treatments, tabletop, lighting and decorative accessories. Nearly all Pottery Barn products are designed in-house and are exclusive to its catalogs, stores and website. Pottery Barn is also part of The Key Rewards, a free-to-join loyalty program that offers members exclusive benefits across the Williams-Sonoma family of brands, the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California. ABOUT WILLIAMS-SONOMA. INC. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. The company's brands — Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, Mark and Graham, and GreenRow — represent distinct merchandise strategies that are marketed through e-commerce, direct-mail catalogs and retail stores. These brands collectively support The Key Rewards, our loyalty and credit card program that offers members exclusive benefits. We operate in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom and have unaffiliated franchisees that operate stores in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea and India. ABOUT MARK D. SIKES Mark D. Sikes is an esteemed interior designer and tastemaker working on projects throughout the United States and abroad, including the White House and Blair House. He is known for all-American sensibilities and a fresh take on classical design. Mark has a talent for creating beautiful and timeless interiors that embody an indoor/outdoor lifestyle. His work has been featured in numerous design magazines and he is a member of the AD100 and Elle Décor A-List. Mark's first book, Beautiful, was a New York Times best seller and was followed up by More Beautiful, which debuted in 2020. His latest book, Forever Beautiful, was released in 2024. Mark seeks to create beautiful interiors and, above all, a more beautiful world. Beauty is everywhere. It surrounds us each and every day; all we have to do is look. WSM-PR View source version on [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CANADA CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ONLINE RETAIL RETAIL LUXURY OTHER RETAIL HOME GOODS SPECIALTY SOURCE: Pottery Barn Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 05/02/2025 08:00 AM/DISC: 05/02/2025 07:59 AM
