Serviced Apartments in Dubai Bear Fruit Long Before Completion

The hotel business in Dubai is gradually becoming a costlier headache for investors and developers amidst the climate of the rampant housing market. Developers are finding that a hotel project requires major upfront capital and takes years for owners to see a return on investment while serviced apartment residences are bearing fruit long before completion in the form of off-plan sales.

Hotels in Dubai are extremely expensive buildings especially when used as stand alone properties. In most cases, developers and investors are looking at up to six years before seeing any return on investment. If you opt for serviced apartment residences that are associated with the hotel, the residences can be sold to utilize the profits for the hotel portion. This is due mostly to the fact that the residential property industry has been flourishing in Dubai.

Serviced apartments associated with hotels make the investment more viable and profitable by leveraging against the high costs that are associated with building stand alone hotels. Serviced apartment residences are becoming a very sound investment for Dubai hotel developers. Viability has become more attainable due to the increasing demand for the luxury of a hotel experience in a home style setting.

According to the Dubai Department of Tourism and Marketing (DTCM), the number of tourists visiting Dubai will jump to 7.7 million this year from 6.9 million in 2007. A study by HSBC said the UAE is now the second destination of choice for expatriates, after Singapore, thanks to high salaries and ease of access to luxuries.

Due to the increase in international travel by corporate sectors, the demand for serviced apartments has experienced rapid growth. Increases in tourism and corporate travel have also increased the competition for the serviced apartment industry. In general, rates among competitors vary depending on the class and standard of facilities. Among the top serviced apartment properties, the rates tend to be similar across the board.

Short-term serviced apartment accommodations offer flexibility to those who do not wish to commit to a long-term tenancy agreement, but at the same token, it creates confidence in levels of service, quality, and security. The combination of serviced apartments with hotel accommodations also attracts a wider variety of guests.

Abdali Investment and Development PSC Organizes Tour of Abdali New Downtown

The management of Abdali Investment and Development PSC recently organized a media tour of the Abdali New Downtown for all members of the local press and television.

The new project has attracted more than 28 local investors and prominent names such as Dumac, Dubai Contracting Company, Turnkey Management, Abdali Boulevard Company, Saraya, Madaen Al Noor, Al Hamad, Rotana, and Tameer International.

The project has dedicated over 60 percent of the parcels to buildings which include the Boulevard construction site. The Boulevard will serve as a key location in the new Abdali downtown and will provide over 130 retail outlets, 400 five-star serviced apartments, 30,000 m2 of serviced office space, and a rooftop experience that will host restaurants, fitness clubs, terraces, and pools overlooking the city. The Boulevard will become a major regional and international shopping destination and business district.

It is projected that Amman will have a new downtown of retail, business, serviced apartments, and serviced offices as well as lifestyle accommodations by the year 2010 with the support of investors, the government, and other key entities in the kingdom. The Abdali New Downtown project projects the company’s goal to position Amman as one of the most advanced business, retail, and luxury destinations in the world.

The Abdali New Downtown project is currently the largest project in Amman and will be known for its impact on various sectors and activities. Its collaboration with multinational developers has created a core hub and city-center which offers high end technology and a sound foundation for future business and investment opportunities with regard to retail, serviced office and serviced apartment accommodations.

The first phase of the Abdali New Downtown currently has more than 55 percent of the dedicated parcels under construction. 60 percent is dedicated to buildings and 40 percent is dedicated to public services, roads, and public gardens.

Contractors recently completed the largest continuous pour ever to occur in Amman which will allow the Boulevard site to reach ground level. The project will also coordinate all the activities sponsored by Abdali within the youth programs and unite them under one roof.

ACW Holdings Launches Platinum Two Serviced Apartments in Dubai

ACW Holdings recently launched a new luxury serviced apartment building, Platinum Two, at two high profile events held in Dubai. The first event was an invitation only for investors and special guests at Madinat Jumeirah and the second event was open to the general public at the Emirates Towers Hotel. ACW Holdings is a leading property developer that specializes in high-yield investment opportunities across the residential, retail, serviced apartment, and serviced office sectors in the United Arab Emirates.

Several models of ACW Holdings’ developments were showcased at both events and special presentations allowed guests to be familiarized with the Platinum Two serviced apartment investment opportunity as well as the company’s vision for property development in the United Arab Emirates.

The Platinum Two serviced apartment property is the fourth project by ACW Holdings that has been designed to be an exclusive investment product following the overwhelming success of Platinum One serviced apartments which sold out in only three weeks after launch in the UK.

The advantage of investing in the Platinum Two serviced apartment property is revenue that is generated from the serviced apartments is calculated and divided on a per square foot basis which removes a barrier to entry for the small investor. At the same token, returns are equally maximized for experienced and larger investors.

The launch of Platinum Two serviced apartments marks one of the most successful events by ACW Holdings due to the fact that 95 percent of the development is already sold. This represents a strong indicator to the market receptiveness to high-yield property investment projects in Dubai. The launch also represents the first intriduction of ACW Holdings in the United Arab Emirates.

ACW Holdings views Dubai as a viable future market for the company due to the response received from the Dubai market. The company has had a very positive experience marketing developments to locally based investors. As a result it plans to launch future developments in Dubai to provide investors with the same opportunities as those in the UK.

Platinum Two serviced apartments are located in Arjan, Dubailand with easy access to key existing locations and upcoming attractions in New Dubai.

Competition Increasing For Serviced Apartments in Dubai

Due to the growth of expatriate population and a recent influx of serviced apartments across the Emirate, the competition in Dubai’s hospitality market is significantly increasing according to statistics from Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. The statistics reveal that the number of serviced apartments in 2007 totaled 10,190, which TRI Hospitality Consulting estimates could double by 2010, based on planned and confirmed future serviced apartment projects.

Due to the increase in tourists and business travelers the demand for serviced apartments continues to be on the rise. The industry has significantly increased especially in the Dubai Marina area where an increasing number of business travelers have unidentified time frames for their stay. Business travelers do not wish to stay in hotel accommodations and prefer the convenience of serviced apartment residences without the commitment of long-term rent payments. At the same token, combining serviced apartments with hotel rooms still provides a more diverse product and attracts a wider guest market.

According to according to Emma Davey, associate director at TRI Hospitality in Dubai, not all projects may come to fruition as pressure on the construction industry may prevent some from opening on time. As hotel market supply grows in the coming years and there is increasing competition from the number of serviced apartments entering the market, it is likely that serviced apartments will shift focus to longer-stay guests.

Jumeirah Group’s first brand of serviced apartments, Jumeirah Living, opened this month at the World Trade Center Residence. Development of the company’s own brand of luxury serviced apartments is rapidly becoming attractive to future owners.

Dubai World Trade Center Building a Business District in the Heart of Dubai

Construction for the first phase of the Dubai Trade Center District recently commenced to transform a car park used by exhibition visitors in to the first phase of a Dh 15.8 billion business hub in the financial heart of Dubai.

The first phase of the project is to be completed by 2010 and will include 200,000 square meters of high-end serviced office accommodations, 830 apartments and 750 serviced apartments with retail outlets and 8,600 parking spaces. The first phase of this project will also include a business quarter with two hotels and 12,500sq m of ground floor retail space.

The Dubai World Trade Center District will eventually be located on 115,932 square meters of land between the Emirates Towers and the World Trade Center and is estimated to take about two years to complete. The district will be a fully integrated lifestyle destination blending commerce, residential, retail and leisure facilities in the commercial heart of Dubai. It will also be an enhanced central business district at the heart of one of the Middle East's most dynamic economies.

The buildings will be designed to be eco-friendly and all of the serviced offices and serviced apartments will optimize use of naturally lit spaces with landscaped terraces. The building will also be linked with air-conditioned pedestrian walkways. Due to the developer’s commitment to sustainability, the district received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standard pre-certification.

According to the developer’s plans, the first phase of the project will be set to receive serviced office and serviced apartment tenants by 2010. Dubai World Trade Center will soon offer investment opportunities in the development project and is currently discussing these opportunities with individuals, international development groups, and several leading hotel companies.

Excavation work for the initial phase of the project has been completed and concrete is currently being poured into the building foundations. This initial phase of the project will completely transform the entire area that surrounds the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Serviced apartment residences, hospitality and leisure facilities will be designed to provide a balance between work and lifestyle with high-end shopping, dining, arts, entertainment, as well as many other cultural options. The project is expected to have a major impact on the Middle East.

Corporate Towers To Be Located at Al Reem Island

Excavation work has been completed for Hydra Corporate Towers located at Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. The work was performed by Hydra Properties, a leading international property developer based in the United Arab Emirates.

Hydra Corporate Towers will include two serviced office towers and a number of serviced apartments on the property. The project is expected to be completed in September 2011 by Tafseer Contracting Company while National Engineering Bureau acts as the engineering consultancy.

The serviced office towers will offer views of the Arabian Gulf as well as easy access to the center of Abu Dhabi. The serviced apartments will include high-end archtecture and state-of–the art technology and will be managed by a leading luxury hotel group. The serviced apartments will also be available for outright sale.

The Hydra Corporate Towers will be designed to optimize space and lights as well as include high-speed elevators, multi-level parking and world class leisure facilities. The spaces will be carefully planned to encourage business ideas and strategies in an atmosphere that is conducive for innovative thinking. The serviced office facility will also serve to suppport the growth of the nation as well as inspire new business ethics.

According to Eng. Jonathan Ing, Project Manager, Hydra Properties, this initial phase of th4e project is progressing ahead of schedule toward tower completion. The excavation was completed with ease and the company now has the materials ready for the next stage.

Hydra Properties currently has several landmark serviced office and serviced apartment projects that range from Hydra Waves in Mexico to Al Aqeeq Marina in Kuwait. Major business ventures in the United Arab Emirates include but are not limited to Hydra Village Abu Dhabi, Hydra Avenue Towers, Hydra 55, Marina Spirit, Abu Dhabi Golf Walk, Hydra Corporate Towers, Hydra Heights, Hydra Downtown Towers Dubai, Hydra Towers Business Bay Dubai and Hydra Twin Towers, Jumeirah Village, Dubai.

Hydra Properties is a privately owned company that was established in 2006 in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The company was established with a vision to provide the United Arab Emirates, Middle East and the world with development concepts which are reflected in the company's various landmark projects. Since inception, the company has embraced the best international building criteria for serviced offices and serviced apartments and has introduced fresh concepts in design and materials.

Dusit International Launches Serviced Apartments in Dubai Marina

Dusit International recently announced that it will open its first serviced apartment residence outside of Thailand, the Dusit Residence Dubai Marina. The 146 serviced apartment units will be housed inside a 36 floor tower that overlooks the Dubai Marina.

The five-star serviced apartment residence is designed for leisure and business travelers and offers luxury accommodations for both short and long term stay. The residence will include a wide array of facilities that feature three food and beverage establishments with the Dusit Gourmet and Fusion Lounge and a fully equipped fitness center with swimming pool. A spa will open later next year that will offer services such as Thai massage and foot reflexology.

Each serviced apartment unit is equipped with state-of-the-art technology that includes wireless Internet and iPod docking stations. Additionally, the facilities will include mobile office support which can be installed in the residence along with secretary assistance. There are also spacious meeting rooms on the premises.

Dusit Residence serviced apartments are located right in the heart of New Dubai and within close proximity to Dubai Media City, Knowledge Village, and Dubai Internet City to offer convenience to the business traveler. For the leisure traveler, the property is near to the Ibn Battuta, the Mall of the Emirates, as well as the lifestyle facilities in the Dubai Marina.

The Dusit Residence Dubai Marina marks the third property in Dubai by Dusit International. The company has also established a serviced apartment residence in Al Barsha and in the financial center of Dubai. This totals three serviced apartment properties in Dubai for Dusit International with another three properties planned within the next few years in Palm Jumeirah.

Dusit International will launch a new serviced apartment property in Abu Dhabi by the end of 2009. The company currently has another property currently under construction, the Dusit Thani Lake View, in Cairo which is due to open in January of 2009.

ACW Holdings Provdes High-Yield Investment Opportunities for Serviced Offices and Serviced Apartments

ACW Holdings has rapidly become a prime property developer in the United Arab Emirates real estate market by providing a significant quantity of high-yield freehold investment opportunities in the residential, retail, serviced apartment, and serviced office sectors.

The investment opportunities created by ACW Holdings are suitable for both large and small investors through creative methods such as revenue pooling and division of profit based on square foot ownership. As a result, the strategies generate returns for small and large investors that are proportionate to their investment with projected returns of up to 45 percent per annum.

ACW Holdings launched three residential and serviced apartment developments during 2007 that are located in the district of Jumierah Village in New Dubai. The Knightsbridge Court, Kensington Manor, and Hanover Square serviced apartments all sold out shortly after launch, which demonstrates international receptiveness towards investment led property developments in the United Arab Emirates.

ACW Holdings also recently launched The Light serviced office tower which provides ten floors of office space and is scheduled for completion in 2010. Also recently launched, the Platinum One and Platinum Two serviced apartments that are centrally located in the Arjan district in Dubailand.

Through the vertical integration strategy implemented by ACW Holdings, serviced office tenants are provided with comprehensive management services that are customized to their individual requirements and support the establishment of a UAE business from company formation right through to visa processing.

ACW Holdings will shortly be announcing the details of a new project on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah along with two further high-rise developments in Ajman. The new serviced apartment and serviced office developments will serve as an indicator of ACW Holdings commitment to both investors and the United Arab Emirates proerty market.

ACW Holdings has established itself as a pioneer of the investment market in the United Arab Emirates and has launched eight property developments since 2006 that provide investors with high-yield opportunities.

The First Group Offers Serviced Offices at The Bridge in Dubai Sports City

Serviced Office Leaseback Opportunity (SOLO) at the Bridge will change the way businesses can set up in Dubai thanks to a strategic lliance formed between The First Group and Links Group of Companies. The serviced office project in Dubai Sports City offers companies a ‘one stop’ solution to entering the thriving business community in Dubai.

Links Group plans to lease and manage the SOLO serviced offices that were recently purchased by investors and offer a complete solution package that allows companies to immediately start up a branch office or whole new business in the United Arab Emirates or State Qatar.

Serviced Office Leaseback Opportunity (SOLO) will feature access to fully serviced offices offering short or long term tenancy, issuing of a Trade License, Residency and Employment Visa, Driving License, and Ministry of Labour and Department of Immigration Registration. The mission of Links Group is to provide new companies with the services of obtaining a license, visa, and related services so the companies can concentrate on following through with their business plan. Links Group can also act as a nominee partner if required.

The staff for each company can also be accomodated in the serviced apartments that are located in The Bridge or in the one and two bedroom suites that are currently being purchased by investors under the Wealth Builder option.

Serviced offices in The Bridge at Dubai Sports City offer flexible space which helps companies to ensure there will be opportunities for expansion when needed.

Dubai Sports City is the $3 billion cornerstone project of Dubailand and will be the world's first integrated purpose-built sports city. It will feature four massive stadiums, golf course, ice rink and facilities for a wide range of field, track and hard court sports, as well as concerts and other events.

Serviced Offices in Demand at Dubai World Trade Center

The demand for Executive Serviced Offices in Dubai World Trade Center has significantly increased due to the fact that the offices provide a cost effective choice for an efficient support base for companies that are new to the region and in the process of seeking a permanent location. The primary mission of Executive Serviced Offices is to provide support to new businesses as well as encourage international companies to choose Dubai for their location.

Each serviced office is supported by a staff of receptionists and secretarial support that provide word processing, fax, and message recording services. The facilities also include a conference room, IDD telephones, and convenient parking spaces.

Notable companies who have used the Executive Serviced Offices include Ascend Technologies, Dell Computers, Lindt Chocolate, One Click Solutions, Sakher Software, Symbol Technologies, Tag Heuer and World Gold Council as well as numerous medium sized companies that have used the Executive Serviced Offices as a cost effective tool for expansion.

Executive Serviced Offices in the Dubai World Trade Center provide a professional working environment and a corporate image for companies in the midst of expansion. This includes companies that are looking to set up regional offices or expanding their presence into the Middle East.

All inclusive monthly charges for a serviced office depend upon company size requirements and include a comprehensive range of facilities such as daily housekeeping services, a dedicated post office box, conference room facility, telephone that incorporates a main reception number and private IDD line, reception and message services, collection and distribution of incoming mail, fax transmissions, and complimentray tea and coffee.

The Dubai World Trade Center is one of Dubai's primary commercial property managers. The property managing activities are flanked by four key business ventures by the Dubai International Convention Centre, the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, the Dubai International Catering Centre and the Dubai International Hotel Apartments.

The demand for Executive Serviced Offices has continued to increase substantially due to Dubai’s growth as a commercial center and the opportunities that accompany commercial expanding commercial industry.