September 4, 2008
Cityscape USA list of speakers growing
Cityscape USA is pleased to announce a growing roster of influential speakers and exhibitors for its premiere real estate event in the United States. New exhibitors include Toll Brothers, USA, NCC Urban, India, Aldar Properties, UAE, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and the Panamanian Ministry of Economics and Finance, Panama. Cityscape USA is an unprecedented opportunity for real estate industry professionals to network with some of the biggest names in the business, with an emphasis on market leaders from the emerging world.
The three-day conference and two-day networking exhibition will showcase investment opportunities in emerging real estate markets including Asia, The Middle East and Latin America. It has attracted top American and international market leaders, architects, designers and consultants in the real estate industry.
“With the globalization of real estate, interest in US and emerging markets development has grown exponentially. Cityscape promises to be the catalyst for leaders from these global sectors to network and learn about new investment opportunities,” says Harvey Green, President, Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services. Green is moderating the opening keynote presentation on September 11th on “Where the US real estate market is heading”. Top market leaders — including Robert Bach, Senior Vice President & Chief Economist, Grubb & Ellis Co., will join him on the panel.
Participants include NCC Urban, which is a subsidiary of Nagarjuna Construction Company Ltd and a development leader in emerging markets. NCC Urban projects range from residential and commercial complexes, townships, special economic zones (SEZs) and serviced apartment complexes. On the governmental side, The Panamanian Ministry of Economics and Finance (MEF) will be in attendance. MEF is charged with handling all state-owned property in Panama and has many large-scale projects planned, including expansion of the Panama Canal. A U.S. participant, Toll Brothers, is an award-winning builder of luxury communities with a focus on preserving natural environments.
Cityscape USA has attracted support from major industry firms including investment sponsor, Dubai-based Nakheel; platinum sponsor, US-based CityCenter; as well as silver sponsors US-based ING Real Estate, Savannah, and Capri Capital Partners.
For more information please visit: http://www.cityscape-usa.com
Filed under Press Releases by Mark Knowles
May 20, 2008
Luxury Resort Planned for The World Islands
A Bahrain based Islamic investment bank, Venture Capital Bank (VC Bank), has incorporated a new company – The World Development Company Limited - for the purpose of developing a luxury resort on Nakheel’s exclusive project, The World.
VC Bank will invest in and develop the island located in the “northern Asia” area of the archipelago of 300 islands after being selected as one of the exclusive group of investors invited to invest in the development.
Mr. Abdul Latif Al Janahi, CEO of VC Bank said: “It is an honor to be amongst the elite investors chosen to invest in Nakheel’s one of a kind project. We are pleased to be one of a select few financial institutions to invest in The World project; this will be a remarkable step for us.”
The Director of The World, Mr. Hamza Mustafa said, “We are proud to have VC Bank invest in The World. We invite only the very best investors to develop the islands within our project to ensure that The World will be the ultimate luxury tourism destination when complete. This marks another successful investment in our project.”
How successful remains to be seen of course. Competition for tourists will be fierce. Jean Van Geysel in particular is developing a “boutique,” hotel of his own.
VC Bank is the first Islamic investment bank in the GCC and MENA region to specialize in venture capital investment opportunities. Real estate investment is one of four areas of unique investment opportunities across a number of promising asset classes designed to drive business growth in portfolio investment, and provide risk adjusted returns on investments.
The value of the planned luxury resort is estimated at 1.5 billion dh, which sounds like an awful lot, but is actually just over $400 million. Completion is planned for the end of 2010 – only 18 months away. The 90,000 m2 island is located at the “northern” end of the “Asian” area of The World overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Over 100 villas are planned for the resort 3 or 4 bedroom “Sunset Beach villas,” 2 bedroom Canal View and Garden View villas, and “Lagoon Homes” and “Water Homes” that consist of suites and studios.
The Lagoon Homes and Sunset Beach villas are right on the beach with vistas which will presumably include either the lagoon or the sunset. “Canal View” units have their own exclusive yacht dock, and once again, I am going with a view of the canal.
And finally, the Spa units will have open sea views. The island will enjoy two beaches one facing east and the other west. The dock will be spacious enough to fit 25 yachts. The Island will also offer a luxurious spa, two exclusive restaurants and a sunset lounge. The resort will be operated by a world renowned boutique hotel operator.
Nakheel invites a select group of investors to invest in The World each year. Reclamation on the islands was completed in January this year and according to Nakheel, despite very few announcements of developments, demand for the islands remains high. More on Private Islands.
Filed under Luxury Resort Developments, Private Islands by Mark Knowles
April 7, 2008
Luxury Real Estate Investment Developments in Dubai
Any one looking through the recent announcements of world-wide luxury property investment developments could be forgiven for thinking that Dubai is the only country in the World still building new projects, and it is fair to say that Dubai appears to have plenty of room left for more. This is some of the most recent announcements.
Nakheel’s Waterfront development
is attracting a huge amount of interest, both from developers and investors, with many announcements selling out within a short space of time. Most recent, is
Cirrus’ mixed use project, Aquarius Gate
. The commercial tower at Aquarius Gate will be twenty-nine stories high, and offer panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf and the Palm Jebel Ali from its. Six glass elevators will provide uninterrupted views of the sea. (until the next water based development.) And the luxurious residential tower will offer views across the Canal, the Marina and the Palm Jebel Ali.
was announced last week, another luxurious waterfront development and within walking distance of the Buj Dubai and the Dubai Mall. What with the current state of traffic in Dubai, it’s fair to say walking is a sensible option.
, a luxury retail mall, is also planned and expected to be completed around mid-2011.
recently joined the Al Basel consultancy network to promote their hotel in the hospitality sector.
Construction continues apace on the
which is currently the world’s tallest building, despite the fact that it is still unfinished.
recently completed the breakwater and one of the first announcements was the
luxury boutique hotel on “Greece,
” by European arcistocrat, Baron Jean Van Gysel de Meise.
Despite some suggestions that Dubai’s luxury real estate sector is headed for a crash, there seems to be no end in sight at the moment and more developments are being announced, almost on a daily basis.
Filed under For Enthusiasts, Luxury Developments by Mark Knowles
