Majid Al Futtaim launched its AED14bn flagship community in Dubai, Tilal Al Ghaf, a mixed-use destination that aims to create places that nurture mind, body, and soul.
Tilal Al Ghaf is developed with the highest standards of urban design and planning principles in mind to offer community living crafted around people. Authentic to the UAE culture, the community name Tilal Al Ghaf is inspired by the Ghaf tree which is a symbol of local heritage and sustainability. Extensive plantings of indigenous Ghaf trees will be provided across the community to encourage a sense of connection to the national natural landscape.
Robert Welanetz, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said: Tilal Al Ghaf represents the evolution of Majid Al Futtaims properties business in Dubai. Building on our long track record of creating leading destinations that integrate the companys pioneering retail, hospitality, leisure and entertainment experiences, we are now introducing residential real estate to our customers in the Emirate. In doing so, we are combining our deep market knowledge and expertise with the highest quality standards to develop a mixed-use lifestyle destination that redefines community living in the wider Middle East region and stands among the best globally.
Spanning 300ha at the intersection of Hessa Street and Sheikh Zayed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, near Dubai Sports City, Tilal Al Ghaf is a phased project that will include more than 6,500 freehold homes when complete by 2027, ranging from apartments, townhouses, and bungalows, through to substantial luxury villas. Homes will be set in a series of walkable neighbourhoods connected by pathways, natural open spaces, and neighbourhood parks.
Around 355,000sqm of landscaped open space will include green spaces and play areas, 18km of walkable trails, and 11km of cycling paths. The centrepiece for the landscaping will be Lagoon Al Ghaf, a 70,000sqm swimmable lagoon, complete with 400m of beachfront and 1.5km of walkable waterfront, enabling a wide range of water sports.
Hawazen Esber, CEO Communities at Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said: Tilal Al Ghaf uses the principles of placemaking to look beyond bricks and mortar, investing in natural landscapes, open spaces and social activities to offer balanced community living, crafted around our residents and their needs, and nurturing those simple, human activities that bring people together to celebrate life to its fullest. There is a strong demand in Dubai for homes where people feel connected to their community, but a shortage of areas where that is a reality. This is what Tilal Al Ghaf offers to the market.
The community will feature four neighbourhoods, each having own unique character, with Serenity and Harmony the first two offered as part of the launch phase. Serenity is a collection of 40 five- and six-bedroom upper luxury villas, offering unmatched waterfront views across Lagoon Al Ghaf as well as from the elevated ridge towards south-west Dubai. Harmony has a diversity of living options, from single storey bungalows to expansive three storey family villas, all with the principle of connecting indoor and outdoor spaces and linked by parkways and trails.
Villas and bungalows are available in a wide choice of mid-range to upper-luxury layouts. Many will feature a range of personalisation options, varying by type, so that residents can create the ideal home for their family, tailored to suit their lifestyle and reflecting their individual aesthetic sense. Apartments will also be offered for residents desiring a more urban sophistication.
Phase 1 will feature 800 homes, with a starting price of AED6mn and going upto AED16mn. The homes in Phase 1 will be completed by the end of 2020. More units will be launched during the upcoming Cityscape Global. Phase 1 will also feature retail and office components as well.
The homes themselves will feature contemporary, minimalist design. Seeking elegance by simplicity, the design language uses clean lines and building volumes to blend rich and contrasting materials, representing a modern and contemporary lifestyle. Smart Home systems will incorporate innovative convenience technology into residences, such as a centralised home personal assistant allowing control of lighting, multi-room audio, smart locks and a smart thermostat, enabled by certified pre-installed WiFi.
Tilal Al Ghaf will be the first Dubai-based community by Majid Al Futtaim to achieve certification under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). Extensive use of renewable energy will feature in both a residential and community setting, alongside smart technology to reduce energy consumption. Active efforts will be made to promote recycling and composting, reducing the volume of Tilal Al Ghafs waste going to landfill.
There will also be scope for independent and homegrown stores, alongside restaurants featuring global cuisine and specialty menus for vegetarians and organic meals, and a boutique hotel. Essential community facilities will include a holistic healthcare clinic, a top international K-12 school for up to 2,000 students, and three nurseries.
Esber said: Innovation and sustainability are central to the philosophy that underpins Tilal Al Ghaf. This will be a progressive, forward-thinking community, and one that will stand the test of time. Our planning pays close attention to the continuing evolution of Tilal Al Ghaf, the wellbeing and happiness of its residents, and the environmental impact of our modern lifestyle, far into the future and long after construction is finished.
At the heart of the community and overlooking Lagoon Al Ghaf will be The Hive, Club Hive, and Hive Park, combining into an innovative ecosystem of retail, dining and leisure offerings, also providing venues for a busy calendar of social, cultural, leisure and recreational activities, ranging from yoga classes to outdoor movie screenings. A residents membership programme will include access to the Club Hive community centre, use of recreation facilities, sports and fitness, leisure and cultural activities and classes, private beach access to Lagoon Al Ghaf, and VIP privileges at local restaurants. A concierge service will be also available to take care of mundane day-to-day tasks, leaving residents free to spend more of their time on the things they enjoy.