Construction has begun on a new $3 billion residential building in Dubai that is tipped to be the emirate’s next world-famous tower.
Al Habtoor Tower, located off the Sheikh Zayed Road, is expected to stand 345 metres tall upon completion.
The National was invited on a site tour of the project, which will be 81 floors high and have more than 1,700 units. It is scheduled to be completed by the third quarter of 2026.
While the project in Al Habtoor City was only announced last month, more than 20 per cent of the properties have already been snapped up.
“You can see from how quickly the properties are selling that there is a need for this kind of building,” said Omar Kabalan of Provident Real Estate, the sales project manager for Al Habtoor Tower.
We’re seeing a mix [of buyers] from many countries but so far a lot of Russians have invested
Omar Kabalan,
Provident Real Estate
“People are liking the fact that you’re only a 15-minute journey from most parts of Dubai, including the airport.
“There aren’t many empty plots on the Sheikh Zayed Road to develop so that’s why this building will be all the more popular.”
Once completed, the building will rank as the 11th tallest residential building in the world, according to the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
People who have already bought units at the property come from all over the world, said Mr Kabalan.
“We’re seeing a mix from many countries but so far a lot of Russians have invested,” he said.
“There’s probably a fairly even split between those who are buying to invest and those who want to live in the units themselves.”
Glittering skyscrapers are a common sight in Dubai’s skyline, with the emirate being home to the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, which stands at 828 metres.
Two of the top five tallest residential buildings in the world are also located in the emirate.
These include the 413.7-metre Princess Tower and the 392.8-metre 23 Marina, both in Dubai Marina.
Neighbouring Abu Dhabi is also home to one of the world’s tallest residential buildings – the Burj Mohamed bin Rashid, which stands at 381 metres tall.
Dubai can also lay claim to having seven of the top 10 tallest hotels in the world, including the Gevora Hotel, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Rose Rayhaan by Rotana, Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Address Beach Resort and The Tower Plaza.
News of the next addition to Dubai’s catalogue of megastructures has been welcomed by real estate experts in the emirate.
Premium real estate is in demand
“The launch of Al Habtoor Tower by one of the UAE's leading conglomerates gives further evidence of the demand for such premium landmark real estate in Dubai,” said Fintan Flannelly, head of developer sales at Allsopp & Allsopp.
“As Dubai's population grows, so does the demand.
“The location of Al Habtoor Tower is in close proximity to Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, DIFC, and is adjacent to Dubai Canal, which is noted as one of Dubai’s hotspots.”
The project was a sign of how buoyant the Dubai real estate market is right now, added another expert.
“The demand for the next best investment is very prevalent based on how quickly new launches are sold out – quite literally in minutes in some cases,” said Rennie Sanger, senior off plan and investment consultant with real estate firm Haus & Haus.
The tower is also a reminder that Dubai will always be synonymous with notable buildings, added another expert.
“Iconic towers will always hold a certain allure for some individuals,” said Matthew Gregory, branch director at Betterhomes.
“The allure of residing in a prestigious address is undeniable, and I am confident that the new Al Habtoor Tower will capitalise on this appeal.”
High-rise living still appeals
In recent years, there has been a trend of Dubai residents opting for town houses and villas in the suburbs, as the city’s population centre expands and space becomes premium.
Projects such as Al Habtoor Tower show there is still an appetite for the high-rise living that many associate with Dubai, added Mr Gregory.
“Not everyone desires to endure a 45-minute commute to their workplace,” he said.
“For some, residing in the city centre, often in a high-rise tower, provides a superior quality of life compared to being stuck in traffic on Hessa Street for 30 minutes or longer. High-rise living serves as a compromise to mitigate against lengthy commutes.
“Who wouldn't be enticed by the idea of residing in a modern tower and conveniently strolling across the canal to reach their office in just 10 minutes?”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The biog
Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
Age: 59
From: Laguna, The Philippines
Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips
Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.
if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
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Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
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Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
Results:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
Winner: Ekhtiyaar, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
Winner: Spotify, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: UAE Oakes | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
Winner: Divine Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Mythical Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Major Partnership, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
Uefa Nations League: How it Works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Why are you, you?
Why are you, you?
From this question, a new beginning.
From this question, a new destiny.
For you are a world, and a meeting of worlds.
Our dream is to unite that which has been
separated by history.
To return the many to the one.
A great story unites us all,
beyond colour and creed and gender.
The lightning flash of art
And the music of the heart.
We reflect all cultures, all ways.
We are a twenty first century wonder.
Universal ideals, visions of art and truth.
Now is the turning point of cultures and hopes.
Come with questions, leave with visions.
We are the link between the past and the future.
Here, through art, new possibilities are born. And
new answers are given wings.
Why are you, you?
Because we are mirrors of each other.
Because together we create new worlds.
Together we are more powerful than we know.
We connect, we inspire, we multiply illuminations
with the unique light of art.
Ben Okri,
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
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