Latest news with #sustainableLiving
Trade Arabia
8 hours ago
- Business
- 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."
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Majid Al Futtaim advances vision for forest living at Ghaf Woods
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 3, 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. For more information on phase three of Ghaf Woods, please visit Media Contact Katharina Mayr, Director Communications & PR 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. Please follow us on: About Innovo Innovo is an industry leader in construction and development across the built environment, specialising in the design, engineering, construction, development and infrastructure financing of major real estate projects across four continents. A front-runner and innovator in the built environment, Innovo's vast and varied portfolio includes more than 130 ongoing projects, encompassing luxury residential developments, villa communities, hospitality, educational facilities, commercial and transport hubs, and critical urban infrastructure. Innovo is headquartered in London, UK with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Toronto, Cairo, Dakar and Luanda. For more information, visit the Innovo website.
Gulf Business
2 days ago
- Health
- Gulf Business
Coastal wellness hub: Aldar unveils Dhs40bn mixed-use Fahid Island project
Images: Supplied Aldar has unveiled Located between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, Fahid Island spans 2.7 million sqm and features 11km of coastline, including 4.6km of pristine beaches and lush mangrove forests. Designed as a wellness-oriented sanctuary, the island integrates residential, leisure, education, and hospitality components, with every location no more than five minutes' walk from the water. The project includes more than 6,000 residential units, ranging from apartments and townhouses to ultra-luxury villas. The first release, Fahid Beach Residences, will consist of seven beachfront buildings, each housing 65 residences. Image: Aldar Wellness is the cornerstone of Fahid Island Aldar said the development will feature a 10km landscaped Berm Park, with running tracks and three cycling routes connecting to Abu Dhabi's wider cycle loop. The island is also home to a 2km waterfront promenade, Coral Drive retail boulevard, and curated wellness, dining, and hospitality offerings. 'Fahid Island is the latest chapter in our journey — building on the success of Saadiyat and Yas Islands to offer a new benchmark in premium waterfront living, wellness, and sustainable design,' said Mohamed Al Mubarak, chairman of Aldar. Talal Al Dhiyebi, group CEO of Aldar, added that the project supports Abu Dhabi's thriving real estate market. 'With a gross development value of over Dhs40bn, Fahid Island is one of the largest mixed-use residential masterplans launched in Abu Dhabi and will ensure the emirate consolidates its position as one of the world's most desirable destinations to reside, invest, and visit.' Image: Aldar Natural green spaces, eco-friendly mobility solutions In line with Aldar's commitment to sustainability, 30 per cent of the island's area is dedicated to natural green spaces. Fahid Island has received Fitwel certification — making it the world's first certified wellness island — and holds LEED City and Communities Platinum precertification. It is also targeting an Estidama 3-Pearl rating. The island will also feature a leading international educational institution to support Abu Dhabi's ambitions of becoming a regional education hub. Masterplan design features include pedestrian bridges, walkable streetscapes, shaded rest areas, and eco-friendly mobility solutions. Prominent international architects, including Kengo Kuma, Koichi Takada, ACME, and NAGA Architects, have contributed to the island's residential concepts. Fahid Island adds to Aldar's expanding
Trade Arabia
21-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Majid Al Futtaim unveils key phase of Dubai forest living community
Majid Al Futtaim, a leading pioneer in shopping malls, communities, retail, and leisure across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia, today announced a major milestone at its flagship forest living community, Ghaf Woods with the launch of third phase - Capria. In addition, it has achieved the LEED Platinum certification for its newly opened Ghaf Woods Sales and Experience Centre. Located in the heart of Dubai, Ghaf Woods redefines urban living by blending contemporary architecture with an immersive, forest-inspired environment rooted in sustainable design principles. Capria introduces the Wellness Community and Tranquillity Collection, a premium residential enclaves designed around holistic wellbeing and mindful living, said a statement from Majid Al Futtaim. Tailored for families, wellness seekers, and fitness enthusiasts, this phase integrates biophilic and salutogenic design, WELL residential concepts, spa-style pools, wellness gardens, retreat zones, and an exclusive clubhouse, it stated. Homeowners can select from two refined interior palettes, Radiance (light and airy) or Twilight (warm and bold). The Tranquillity Collection offers a nature-immersed experience, blending the privacy of suburban living with the conveniences of city life, it added. Majid Al Futtaim Properties CEO Ahmed El Shamy said: "Ghaf Woods represents a bold vision for the future of residential living, where nature and modernity coexist harmoniously. With Capria, we are reimagining how communities can integrate wellness into everyday living." "The Wellness Community and Tranquillity Collection continues to build on our promise to redefine forest living in Dubai, offering a holistic lifestyle that nurtures both mind and body while respecting the environment," he stated. The newly opened Ghaf Woods Sales & Experience Centre has been awarded LEED Platinum certification, the highest distinction under the world's most widely used green building rating system. Spanning 7,556 sq ft, the Ghaf Woods Sales & Experience Centre offers a dynamic, immersive introduction to the forest living lifestyle. Architecturally inspired by nature, the centre features organic, biophilic design and operates as a Net Positive Energy facility, achieving 144.5% energy savings through car park solar PV, high-performance insulation, reflective roofing, smart lighting, energy sub-metering, and an efficient HVAC setup. The Centre offers visitors an immersive journey through the community's vision, featuring interactive AR/VR-enabled smart home demonstrations, a 3D projection room, and spatially dynamic zones including a reception lobby, multimedia room, meeting spaces, and a café. Designed for occupant wellbeing, over 80% of regularly occupied spaces receive ample daylight and offer direct views of the outdoors, reinforcing the centre's alignment with Ghaf Woods' forest-first philosophy. "The LEED Platinum certification is a powerful testament to our vision for environmentally responsible communities and innovation in the built environment. The Centre demonstrates how sustainable design can be seamlessly integrated into the customer journey, delivering energy efficiency, occupant well-being, and immersive technology in a single, future-forward space," stated El Shamy. Spanning 738,000 sq m 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. Majid Al Futtaim said the community will be home to a thriving forest of 35,000 climate-suited trees, including the iconic Ghaf tree, playing a crucial role in reducing soil erosion, conserving water, and cooling the environment - ensuring temperatures remain up to five degrees Celsius lower than the city's average. Prioritizing wellness, Ghaf Woods promises residents 8 km of walking trails, a three-and-a-half-kilometre biking loop, resort-style pools, fitness facilities, family-friendly gardens, and a yoga pavilion.
Arabian Business
20-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Al Khawaneej 2 mega housing project enters final phase under Dubai 2033 Plan
Bhatia General Contracting, a leading contractor in the UAE, said it will hand over 1,050 exquisite villas in Al Khawaneej 2 district in May 2025, as part of a major government initiative to provide high-quality, modern housing for Emirati families and support sustainable urban development in Dubai. The project, which is now in its final phase, plays a crucial role in the 'Dubai 2033 Plan', a strategic initiative aimed at reinforcing Dubai's reputation as one of the world's most liveable urban centres. With this milestone, the total value of the projects executed since 2024 has reached AED 2.5 billion. The project is part of the historic AED 65 billion housing budget approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. Ajay Bhatia, Chairman of Bhatia General Contracting and Founder of SOL Properties, said the Group continues to strive to create welcoming spaces which can enrich the lives of residents and foster a sense of belonging. 'In this regard, the 1050 Villas Complex stands out as an epitome of thoughtful, sustainable urban living, designed to serve both present and future generations,' he said. Located in Al Khawaneej 2, the master-planned community features an array of essential amenities such as open green spaces, pedestrian and cycling paths, a nursery, community park, and other essential public facilities. It also offers seamless neighbourhood connectivity to reduce the use of vehicles, in line with Dubai's vision to promote sustainable urban living. With a legacy of delivering several key community developments such as the Dubai Government's Ambulance complex, the Dubai Central Laboratory, the high-tech Hatta Border Port Crossing complex linking the UAE and Oman, and the iconic Dubai Waterfront Market, Bhatia Group has consistently demonstrated its ability to execute projects that are vital to the nation's infrastructure and community wellbeing, it said.
