GFH Group has unveiled the masterplan for its high-end destination Areen, in Bahrain, that will boast a new township featuring residential, hospitality and retail elements on a two million sqm area. Comprising 16 major clusters, it will be home to 25,000 residents.

The Areen project is located near Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve in the southern region of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and is in close proximity to Bahrain International Circuit and Al Dana Amphitheatre.

With a built-up area of 1.5m sqm, the project features 16 major clusters, including commercial offices, retail units, restaurants and hotels, health and education facilities, and a range of residential communities. The masterplan is said to have been updated and enhanced to accommodate new health and wellness trends in addition to walkable shopping streets.

A key highlight of Areen’s masterplan is the Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain, the newest five-star hotel in the Kingdom, which opened it doors on 11 December.

Set over a 131,213sqm area, the signature hotel features 78 villas and 120 rooms, which include 1/2/3 bedrooms, each with private pools and gardens. The hotel also boasts five F&B outlets, a rooftop restaurant and an award-winning spa brand.

The groundbreaking of the new masterplan and the launch of Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain, was held under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Personal Representative of His Majesty King of Bahrain and the President of the Supreme Council for Environment.

Speaking on the occasion, GFH CEO and Chairman of Al Areen, Hisham Alrayes said, “We are delighted to unveil plans for Areen – our unique, high-end, mixed-use development that embodies the finest of Bahraini ingenuity, natural beauty and drive – and that too in the presence of Sheikh Abdullah, whose leadership and commitment to the kingdom’s sustainable growth and development serve to inspire the establishment of new landmark projects such as ours.”

He concluded, “We are also proud to announce the establishment of Bahrain’s newest five-star hotel, which is being operated by the world-renowned Raffles, who are set to offer visitors from the region and around the world a new standard of excellence and luxury at Areen.”

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The Gardens 2 mixed-use development has been launched by UAE-based Iman Developers. The project features 223 residential units and is located in the Arjan community in Dubai, and is said to be a significant addition to the developer’s portfolio.

The project was developed at a cost of US $54.5mn and is designed to seamlessly combine residential units and retail outlets. The developer says that it aims to redefine the concept of upscale living by harmoniously blending elements of nature and modernity.

The mixed-use development features a basement + ground + roof + five floor layout and offers a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. It also features 15 retail outlets on the ground floor, the developer noted.

“Gardens 2 represents our vision to create living spaces that are not just homes but sanctuaries. We are particularly proud of our innovative approach to sustainability and smart living, ensuring that Gardens 2 sets new benchmarks in eco-friendly and technologically advanced homes. Our residents will not just inhabit a space; they will be part of a community that values quality, luxury, and a sustainable future,” said Ismail Marfani, Managing Director of Iman Developers.

Located in Arjan, the development is said to offer residents a seamless connection to Dubai’s major landmarks, and is said to feature top-notch facilities, including a working zone, lobby lounge, lift lobby, bicycle parking with a wash area, drop-off area, EV charging station, and designated parking for people of determination.

“At Iman Developers, our focus extends beyond mere construction; we endeavour to shape environments that seamlessly blend luxury with nature, technology with sustainability, and modern living with wellness. The first floor hosts a luxurious oasis with an array of amenities, including an infinity pool, Baja shelf, sunken seating area, pool sun lounger area, kids pool, outdoor seating area, leisure deck, meditation area, splash pad, and dedicated changing rooms for both males and females,” explained Marfani.

He added that the rooftop can transform into a wellness & fitness zone, encompassing a rooftop infinity pool, outdoor kids play area, indoor cardio zone, sauna and steam room, BBQ and seating area, swimming pool bar, rooftop seating, clubhouse, foosball table and kitchenette, communal working zone, and dedicated changing rooms.

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As part of its continued development in Saudi Arabia, real estate advisor CBRE has announced that it has opened a new office in Riyadh. The offer is in the Al Faisaliah Tower and is said to follow a year of continued growth in the Kingdom.

Earlier in the year, the firm also made a number of senior appointments, including Elias Bou Habib as Head of Consulting – Saudi Arabia, Jena Ladhani as Country Managing Director – Saudi Arabia for CBRE Global Workplace Solutions and Pedro Ribeiro as General Manager – Saudi Arabia for CBRE Advisory.

The firm is said to have been serving clients in Saudi Arabia for over 15 years, and now has over 300 real estate experts based on the ground across all its group divisions. The firm said it had recently advised on some of the biggest real estate projects across the Kingdom, including Saudi Arabia’s largest standalone hotel transaction in Jeddah, and over 30 mega and giga projects as part of Vision 2030. It also worked on its largest ever valuation project, valuing over 700,000 real estate assets in Saudi Arabia since 2021, as part of the Kingdom’s transformational change initiatives.

“I am proud to open our new Riyadh office today, at a time of unprecedented development in Saudi Arabia. This strategic milestone is a testament of our ongoing growth in the Kingdom and underscores our commitment to foster local partnerships, drive innovation and help our clients realize their potential in Saudi Arabia’s dynamic business landscape,” said Nicholas Maclean, Managing Director of CBRE Middle East.

The opening ceremony for the new office was attended by Prince Mohammed bin Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud, CBRE Saudi Arabia & Dar Al Riyadh Board Member, Prince Naif bin Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud, CBRE Saudi Arabia & Dar Al Riyadh Board Member, and Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO of CBRE in India, Southeast Asia, Middle East & Africa among other senior guests.

Pedro Ribeiro, General Manager – Advisory of CBRE Saudi Arabia added, “I am delighted to welcome our Saudi Arabia team into our new office, designed to encourage collaboration and flexibility. It is a great example of the modern work environment that supports how people work today. This not only represents a significant business milestone but also our dedication to contributing to the development of the Kingdom and its Vision 2030.”

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The Saudi Architecture and Design Commission has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) as part of its endeavour to enhance its raft of global strategic partnerships.

Part of the organisation’s remit is to help attract the best international practices and experiences into the kingdom – and RIBA has a 150-year history of supporting and benchmarking many of the world’s finest architectural developments and portfolios.

The signing ceremony was held at the institute’s headquarters in London, where the commission was represented by its CEO, Dr. Sumayah Al Solaiman, and the institute by CEO, Dr. Valerie Vaughan-Dick.

Dr. Sumayah explained the importance of this new partnership in contributing to the commission’s strategic plans: “It will”, she said, “contribute to the transfer of the best practices in the architecture and design industries as we work as strategic partners in the sector, to achieve the aspirations of the architecture and design community in the Kingdom.”

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Europe’s oldest luxury hotel company, Kempinski Hotels, has signed an agreement with Bahrain-based Infracorp to launch its premium development – Kempinski Hotel and Residences – in the heart of Manama’s burgeoning downtown district.

Kempinski Hotel and Residences will occupy one of three signature towers that are part of the mixed-use Bahrain Harbour development.

It will feature 74 guestrooms situated on the upper floors and an additional 186 Kempinski branded residences spread across the rest of the building, which is expected to open its doors by the end of 2025.

A pioneer in infrastructure developments in the kingdom, Infracorp currently has more than $3bn in assets under management.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Bernold Schroeder, Chairman and CEO of Kempinski Group, said this landmark development re-establishes its foothold in Bahrain and the long-standing commitment to the Middle East. “At Kempinski Bahrain Harbour”, he explained, “guests will discover a warm European welcome in a setting that reflects the riches of the Arabian Gulf; a modern and sophisticated environment set around a wonderful marina at the heart of Bahrain’s financial district. We are thrilled to be partnering with Infracorp on this prestigious project.

“Elegant and luxuriously appointed rooms and suites at Kempinski Bahrain Harbour Hotel and The Residences at Kempinski Bahrain Harbour, will be the highest in the Kingdom, offering elevated views across the marina and Manama skyline from floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies.

“Moreover, the guestrooms and branded residences will feature contemporary style interiors with soft colours, marble features and wooden textures, with accented feature walls and brass fixtures.”

Bahrain Harbour is within walking distance of local attractions such as The Avenues Mall, Manama Souq and Moda Mall, along with Bahrain World Trade Centre and Bahrain Financial Harbour.

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Dar Group has announced it is rebranding to Sidara. The firm says the new global brand reflects the group’s ambitions and mission of building a healthier, more equitable world, where humanity and nature coexist in harmony. The new brand was unveiled for the first time at COP28 in Dubai.

A family-owned business of around 19,000 people across more than 300 locations, Sidara specialises in infrastructure, architecture, project management and the energy sectors.

“We explore design-level insights for the aviation, healthcare, mobility, data centre and urban hydrogen sectors and chart concrete pathways to zero emissions. It is an apt symbol of our mission to create environments, where humanity and nature harmoniously coexist, elevate how people live, connect communities, and make room for all cultures to shine,” remarked its Chairman and CEO Talal Shair.

The group’s collaborative is home to 17 leading, specialist firms in the built environment, including Dar, Perkins&Will, Currie & Brown, TYLin, and Penspen.

At COP28, the Sidara Collaborative is launching Solutions – a collection of investigations into how to rapidly decarbonise the most challenging sectors in the built environment. Shair has been advocating for pushing forward beyond low-hanging fruit and tackling some of the toughest areas on the path to Net Zero.

“We’re aligning our house of leading brands with this mission – and amplifying our collective strengths through a new global identity. As Sidara, we’re working to develop transformative solutions and pathways towards meaningful, long-term change for all our clients and communities. While this is our first time at COP28 UAE as Sidara, this is a continuation of our advocacy for the world as we would for our own home,” he concluded.

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A new residential project – Mercedes-Benz Places – has been announced, following a deal between Binghatti Properties and Mercedes-Benz.

The residential tower will be developed in Downtown Dubai and will offer views of the Burj Khalifa and access to landmarks including the Dubai Mall. According to a statement, the tower will have a height of 341m and will feature 65 storeys.

“We are profoundly excited to be working alongside Mercedes-Benz – a truly iconic name – to develop the first Mercedes-Benz branded luxury residence in the world. Mercedes-Benz Places in Dubai is not merely a real-estate development; it will also place community and mobility at its core, setting a new benchmark for intelligent living,” stated Muhammad BinGhatti, CEO of Binghatti.

Binghatti and Mercedes-Benz have been defining the details on this project for over a year. During this time, the main focus has been on creating a customer-centred approach that places the needs of future residents at the forefront of the experience. The Mercedes-Benz design philosophy revolving around Sensual Purity is a driving force behind the project’s architecture, creating timeless and beautiful spaces in an oasis of serenity and purity. By combining smart home technologies with intelligent mobility solutions, Mercedes-Benz Places Dubai aims to redefine comfort and convenience in a modern living space, said a statement.

Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Marketing & Sales added, “With Mercedes-Benz Places in Dubai, we are going beyond automotive to create outstanding brand moments. With their many years of experience in real-estate development, Binghatti is the ideal partner for us. Our aim with our first branded, real estate residential tower is to create new, desirable grounds that inherit our brand’s DNA and give our customers a place to arrive, unwind and come home to.”

The collaboration will commence with a launch event in Dubai on 24 January 2024, where further details about the project will be announced, the statement concluded.

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At a satellite meeting at COP28, Dubai Municipality and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) signed an agreement to co-operate in a project to generate electricity from biogases extracted from the landfill in Muhaisnah 5.

The MoU is a part of Dubai Municipality’s participation in COP28 as a Strategic Pathway Partner. Representatives from more than 1,000 municipalities and cities were invited to attend COP28.

Dubai Municipality said it is showcasing to a global audience the UAE’s leading model in planning, designing, and building sustainable urban communities of the future.

The signing supports Dubai’s leading sustainability practices and supports the realisation of the UAE Net Zero Strategy 2050. The deal was signed by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA and Dawood Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality, within the Green Zone of COP28.

Al Tayer said that DEWA’s aim is to achieve 100% energy production capacity from clean sources by 2050: “Additionally, we actively contribute to the implementation of the Integrated Waste Management Strategy Roadmap 2021-2041, fostering innovation in waste management, recycling, and energy conversion. Furthermore, we are committed to executing groundbreaking, long-term clean projects over the next two decades, providing practical solutions to environmental challenges in line with the specified goals in the government agenda.”

Dawood Al Hajri emphasised that the partnerships Dubai Municipality is building align with its aspiration to create a more sustainable, pioneering and livable city. “Coinciding with the UAE hosting COP28, this strategic agreement with DEWA reflects the growing capabilities of Dubai and the UAE in clean energy as well as the circular and green economy. It will also contribute to reducing approximately 300,000t of carbon emissions annually. We are confident this project will consolidate Dubai’s position as a preferred global destination to live and work as well as support the country’s net zero strategic initiative.”

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Civil aviation authorities in Kuwait have said that steady progress is being made on the new passenger terminal building project (T2) at Kuwait International Airport.

Construction works on Phase One of the project are said to be 73% complete, with 68.1% of works complete on Phase Two of T2, according to Acting Director General for (Civil Aviation) Saad Al Otaibi.

The development projects in the airport, as well as the modernisation work of the infrastructure in the air transport sector in the country will continue, he stated. He added that the new passenger terminal was of top priority for the government.

The project is being implemented in three phases with the first comprising the passenger terminal, central station, and the connection to service tunnels.

The second phase involves car parks, service buildings, and roads leading to the new passenger terminal (T2), while the third phase covers aircraft parking and taxiways.

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A joint development agreement has been inked between Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and the Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. The agreement will see the development of a one gigawatt (GW) wind project with a battery energy storage system (BESS).

Masdar said it has also inked a deal to explore the feasibility of establishing a green hydrogen plant near the Port of Aqaba, which will use desalinated seawater and dedicated renewable power to produce cost-competitive hydrogen. This is said to be part of its goal to achieve one million tonnes of green hydrogen production by 2030.

Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi signed the deal with the Jordanian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Dr Saleh Al Kharabsheh at COP28 in the presence of UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President and Masdar Chairman Dr Sultan Al Jaber and Jordan Minister of the Environment Dr Muawieh Khalid Radaideh.

“With substantial wind and solar resources that can be used to generate large amounts of renewable energy and produce cost-competitive green hydrogen and green fuels, Jordan has the potential to become a global powerhouse in the green energy transition,” explained Al Ramahi.

He added, “Building on the strength of our longstanding partnership, Masdar is delighted to bring our expertise in clean energy projects and technologies to help Jordan achieve its decarbonisation plans and unlock the nation’s enormous potential.”

Masdar already had a substantial presence in Jordan through its Baynouna Solar Energy Company (BSCE), a joint venture with Finnish investment and asset management group Taaleri, which inaugurated the 200MW Baynouna Solar Park, the largest clean energy project in Jordan, in February.

Dr Al Kharabsheh added, “The Jordanian government’s efforts continue to enhance Jordan’s role as a regional centre for green energy production and provide high-quality, cost-competitive green hydrogen fuel by taking advantage of the abundance of renewable energy sources and our nation’s strategic geographical location in the region to provide excellent access to European markets.”

He pointed out that Jordan valued co-operation at the regional and national level, and that the partnership with Masdar – through the signing of these agreements – would help advance the ministry’s priorities and Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision (2023-2033). This includes investment in green hydrogen production projects, which are part of Jordan’s initiatives to transition towards the use of clean energy as it aims to achieve Net Zero, he concluded.

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