Sobha Realty is adding to Dubai's distinct skyline with the tallest tower in the company's portfolio, which will be among the UAE's five tallest once complete.
Sobha SkyParks, to be built on Sheikh Zayed Road, will stand at a height of 450 metres, with 109 floors and 684 residences, the Dubai property developer said on Wednesday.
The building will be divided into five sub-towers, offering views of Sheikh Zayed Road, Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf, Sobha Realty said.
Amenities will include fitness and wellness offerings, an infinity pool, cinema, family barbecue zone and a padel court.
The latest development adds to Dubai's collection of superlatives for the tallest building, biggest shopping mall and largest man-made islands.
The Middle East, in particular the UAE, has managed to create a reputation when it comes to skyscrapers.
Nineteen of the 100 tallest buildings in the world are in the Middle East, with 15 in the UAE – 13 in Dubai and two in Abu Dhabi. Ten others are under construction and 23 more are proposed, data from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat shows.
Asia has 62 entries on this list, mostly in China, the council said.
My Dubai Rent: Teacher pays Dh85,000 for two-bed apartment in Sobha Creek
Kingdom Holding, the investment company controlled by Saudi Arabia's Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, last year said it had signed an agreement with Saudi Binladin Group to complete the 1,000m-high Jeddah Tower that is set to be the world's tallest skyscraper.
However, plans have been announced for the 234-floor Burj Mubarak Al Kabir project in Kuwait City, which, if completed, would surpass Jeddah Tower by one metre, the council said.
Dubai already has the 828m Burj Khalifa, currently the world's tallest. Next up is the 725m Burj Azizi, which would be the world's second-tallest on completion in 2028.
Sobha Realty is on an aggressive expansion spree and plans to launch eight to 10 new “multibillion-dirham" projects in the UAE this year amid the country's property boom, the company's founder PNC Menon told The National in January.
Sobha expects 30 per cent annual growth in sales to Dh30 billion ($8.16 billion) in 2025, with its projects in Dubai and Umm Al Quwain contributing Dh22 billion and Dh8 billion, respectively, to the total.
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
- Steve Baker
- Peter Bone
- Ben Bradley
- Andrew Bridgen
- Maria Caulfield
- Simon Clarke
- Philip Davies
- Nadine Dorries
- James Duddridge
- Mark Francois
- Chris Green
- Adam Holloway
- Andrea Jenkyns
- Anne-Marie Morris
- Sheryll Murray
- Jacob Rees-Mogg
- Laurence Robertson
- Lee Rowley
- Henry Smith
- Martin Vickers
- John Whittingdale
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
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
