Dubai - in 360 degrees IS LIVE!, “world’s largest interactive city tour”

DUBAI // Anyone with an internet connection can take a virtual tour of Dubai as Dubai360.com went live today.

The website boasts of allowing viewers to explore every angle of the city from the comfort of their homes.

Developed over 18 months and using 1,298 pieces of panoramic video and photo content, it claims to be the “world’s largest interactive city tour”.

“Dubai 360 is illustrative of what Dubai stands for. It started off as an idea and was brought to life through the passion of talented and committed individuals. The project showcases the very best of what Dubai has to offer and we will continue to use the platform to demonstrate the progress the city makes,” said Ismaeil Al Hashmi, project manager for Dubai360.

“With Dubai360.com, whether you live in Dubai or are planning a visit, you can discover something new in the city every day. From the cultural area of Bastakiya to luxury hotels and the Dubai International Airport, this project has something for everyone, making it an exciting way to explore Dubai,” Mr Al Hashmi said.

The Dubai360 project was created by professionals equipped with best-in-class medium format, DSLR and video cameras.

A total of 500,000 individual photographs were needed to create the still and time-lapse panoramas and over 8 terapixels (8,000,000 megapixels) of imagery were required not including the videos.

From helicopters to rooftops, the making of Dubai360 provided the team with unprecedented access to city landmarks.

The Dubai360 team said it developed a custom interface for the website that enables viewers to interact with Dubai’s landmarks providing a number of viewing options including “rectilinear”, “Little Planet” or “fish eye” views.

Users can share their favourite views with their friends through such social media channels as Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and over email.

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/technology/dubai---in-360-degrees 

Dubai's Emaar says watching market conditions for Hotels IPO

Emaar Properties, Dubai's largest listed real estate developer, is watching the markets closely to make a decision on a time frame for listing its hotels business, the company said on Thursday.

"The timing of the IPO will be dependent on the market conditions. We are watching the markets closely and will take a decision to list at the appropriate time," an Emaar spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

This comes after a Bloomberg report said Emaar had hired Rothschild as advisor for a planned listing of the hotels operations in the second half of this year.

Shares in Emaar were up 2.6 percent to 7.90 dirhams in early trade on Thursday as part of an overall market rally.

"Emaar's strategy is to make its business segments independent listed companies. This approach aims to provide the businesses with appropriate financial and operational means to grow faster and become among the most successful companies in their industries," the statement added.

The developer sold a 15.4 percent stake in retailing unit Emaar Malls Group in an initial public offer in September, raising $1.6 billion after a heavy oversubscription. After the listing, it said an offer of Emaar Hospitality would follow "as soon as possible".

Earlier, Emaar Properties also revealed it has agreed with banks to slash the interest rate on a $500 million syndicated loan, in the latest example of a local company winning a cut in funding costs from cash-flush bank lenders.

Dubai's largest listed developer and a bellwether of the emirate's main bourse, Emaar said in a statement to Reuters that as of December 11, the pricing on the loan had fallen by 1.5 percent, with banks agreeing to the London interbank offered rate plus 1.25 percent.

Margins on the loan will range to 1.75 percent based on loan drawdown proportions, it added.

The loan was signed in September 2013 with $450 million to mature in 2018 and $50 million to come due in 2020, according to Thomson Reuters data. Emaar did not reveal how many banks were in the syndicate or identify them by name, but said it mostly consisted of banks from the United Arab Emirates.

Emaar reported a 21 percent rise in third-quarter net profit in October. Dubai's government has a minority stake in Emaar.

AED 218 Billion Real Estate Transactions for 2014 Dubai Land Department Reports

Authority records AED 150 billion land sales and mortgages
Sales acquire 51% of the total transactions
Al Thenaya Al Thaletha and Al Barsha South most attractive areas for investors

Dubai, UAE, January 13, 2015:Dubai Land Department 's ( DLD) annual report issued by Real Estate Research and Studies Department has announced that the total amount of real estate transactions recorded in the emirate last year exceeded AED 218 billion, through 53871 transaction. The same report showed that last year's transactions were diversified and were all over Dubai.

Commenting on the results, HE Sultan Butti Bin Merjen, Director General of DLD , said: "The real estate market has shown a clear ability to gain momentum from year to year, in addition to maintaining sustainable growth, as well as the trend towards maturity. This would help DLD in achieving Dubai's mission to be a global real estate leader in attracting investments."

In details, the report reveals that the sales accounted the total value of transactions at 51%, and it acquired the lion share from the other categories, while the share mortgages accounted 44%, leaving all remaining operations at only 5%. The total number of transactions in term sales reached 38,113 transaction with the value exceeding AED 112 billion. The market recorded 12,511 mortgage transaction exceeding AED 97 billion, while the remaining operations accounted 3,227 transaction with a total value of AED 10 billion.

Sales and mortgages relating to land transactions recorded more than AED 157 billion from the total real estate figure for 2014, with the total of 14,939 transaction. The commercial lands (already built on) acquired the lion share in terms of value for the type of land with 38% in total. Looking at the value of transactions by the kind of property, we find that the buildings and units transactions exceeded 38,932 transaction with a total value of AED 60 billion during 2014.

The Al Thenaya Al Thaletha area of Dubai was revealed to be the most attractive for investors, with the value of its transactions from sales of lands reaching AED 4.71 billion through 1,427 sale transaction. This was followed by Al Thenaya Al Khamesa with a total of 1,016 sale transaction worth of AED 4.29 billion, where Al Barsha South 4 took the third place with 910 transaction worth AED 4.58 billion.

Business Bay took first place in apartment sales, with 4,315 transaction with the value of AED 7.20 billion, followed by Dubai Marina with 4,121 transaction with the value of AED 9.17 billion, while Al Thenaya Al Khamesa came in at third with 2,615 transaction with the value of AED 3.40 billion

With regards to buildings, Al Thenaya Al Rabe'a were the most prominent among all districts through their generation of sales with total of 396 transaction with the value of AED 988 million, followed by Wadi Al Safa 6 sales with total of 237 transaction with the value of AED 656 million, while Al Barsha South 4 came in third with total of 166 transaction with the value of AED 359 million.

Looking at the top five areas in terms of mortgages transactions for the year 2014, "Al Thunaya Al Khamesa" topped the list with 513 mortgage transaction with total value of AED 1.68 billion, followed by "Al Barsha South 1" with 255 mortgage transaction with total value of AED 260 million, while "Al Barsha South 5" came in third with 197 mortgage transaction with total value of AED 384 million.

-Ends-

© Press Release 2015

2015 Extended New Year Highlight Official Video - Burj Khalifa Emaar

First rental index update of 2015: Dubai housing rents up 6-25%

Two-bed units in Remraam register highest increase; JLT, Palm Jumeirah remain stable

By 

Parag Deulgaonkar

Published Sunday, January 04, 2015

Lease rates for apartments in International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Discovery Gardens have jumped by 9 to 18 per cent. 

Rents across some of Dubai’s master communities have risen by 6 to 25 per cent in the first rent index update of 2015 compared to the final rent index of 2014, a comparison done by Emirates 24|7 reveals.

Lease rates for apartments in International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Discovery Gardens have jumped by 9 to 18 per cent as per the first 2015 rent index compared to the last update of 2014.

The highest increase has been recorded in Remraam, where two-bed units have seen a rise of 13.13 per cent to 25 per cent.

The rent index is updated by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (Rera), the regulatory arm of Dubai Land Department, every four months.

Rents for studio apartments in International City, the cheapest among major communities, are up by 14.28 per cent on the high band. Rates start at Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 per annum as against Dh30,000 to Dh35,000 pa in 2014’s final rent index.

Leases for studio units in Dubai Silicon Oasis and Discovery Gardens have both registered an increase of 12.5 per cent and are currently between Dh35,000 and Dh45,000 pa and Dh45,000 to Dh55,000 pa, respectively.

Downtown Dubai remains the most expensive community to rent a studio apartment though rents have risen between 6.66 and 7.69 per cent compared to the 2014’s final rent index. Leases range between Dh70,000 and Dh80,000 pa.

Rents for one-bed apartments remain the lowest in International City and Dubai Investment Park. One beds in the two communities stand at Dh40,000 to Dh50,000 pa.

The highest increase in two-bed apartment has been recorded in Remraam, with the upper band of the index increasing of the index increasing by 25 per cent. Leases vary between Dh75,000 and Dh85,000 pa compared to Dh60,000 to Dh75,000 pa.

Lease rates of one and two-bedroom apartments in Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) and Palm Jumeirah have remained stable. Rents for one- and two-bed units remain at Dh130,000 to Dh160,000 pa and Dh180,000 to Dh230,000 pa, respectively.

Similarly, lease rates for one- and two-bed units in JLT stand at Dh80,000 to Dh100,000 pa and Dh120,000 to Dh150,000 pa, respectively.

Dubai Marina saw rents for studio and two-bed apartments increase as well. Rates for studio units rose by 9 to 11 per cent with leases varying between Dh70,000 and Dh80,000 pa, while rates for two beds vary between Dh140,000 and Dh190,000 pa, showing an increase of 11.76 per cent for the upper band.

In fact, the Dubai government has issued Decree No. 43 of 2013 concerning the percentages of maximum property rent increase that are to be allowed upon renewal of tenancy contracts. The rent increase slabs are as follows:

# No rent increase if the rent of the property unit is less than 10 per cent of the average rent of a similar property in the same residential area.

# If the rent value is between 11 and 20 per cent less than the average rent of a similar property, the maximum rent increase shall be equal to 5 per cent of the rent value.

# If the rental value of a unit is between 21 and 30 per cent less than the average rent of a similar unit, the maximum rent increase shall be equal to 10 per cent of the rental value.

# If the rental value of a property is between 31 and 40 per cent less than the average rental of a similar property, the maximum rent increase shall be equal to 15 per cent of the rental value.

# If the rental value of a property unit is less than 40 per cent or more of the average rent of a similar unit, the maximum rent increase applicable is of 20 per cent.

The average similar rental value of the property will be determined by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency's rent index, the decree states.

It is also expected that Rera will unveil a more detailed rent index this year which will take into consideration various factors such as views from the apartment and facilities in a tower, age of the building, etc. when revealing the average rent for the apartment.

 http://www.emirates247.com/property/first-rental-index-update-of-2015-dubai-housing-rents-up-6-25-2015-01-04-1.575272

The World Islands In Dubai, Yes it Will Snow, Rain and Will Have Wild Animals Living In It

Ever wanted to travel Europe in a day,

Experience the snowing weather, UN-expected rainfall, have dears running on your way as you walk around town,

Its like a lovely little treat that nobody will pass over and we have a chance of experiencing it end of 2016 when the world Islands will be completely open and ready for us,

I guess my weekend will always be like this,
Take a lovely sail from Dubai coast line with one of the luxury yacht or use the readily available RTA transport which will be availed to the public, don't forget your swim suit, sunscreen, sun dress and a lovely evening gown just in case you might go to an elegant dinner in one of its famous hotels, and get ready to visit 7 countries with a high spirits and visa pases...............kidding no need for visas its a visa free island,

check out the expected experiences in pictures;

I have no preferences you can visit the Islands in any order you like but I think a weekend getaway or a weekend would be perfect,
I'm talking about the six islands of The Heart of Europe, the Islands are within Dubai’s World Island development, which each boast a unique design, based on destinations throughout Europe, including Monaco, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, St. Peters burg and Europe main Island which will feature hotels, floating villas, wedding hotel, Niki beach ( an international lifestyle company that welcomes its members into an exclusive club of glamour, prestige and all night parties) and marketplaces inspired by the architecture and lifestyle of Europe. But it will also include snow and rain-lashed streets with deer crossing your way now and then it will truly an amazing island to just relax and enjoy the worlds great innovation, I mean who would have thought you cold switch from 45degress in Dubai weather to ice-falling streets and rain cant wait to experience it I don't know about you.

for the party lovers NIKI beach will be the place to be, since most clubs in Dubai close at 3am, but NIKI will be a all night party, just amazing with fireworks and surrounded by calming waters I cannot think of anything more exhilarating , don't take my word for it I hope I will see you there, and if the partying gets too hard check into the nearby adult hotels or book into the floating villas which has a roof top deck and water level living area and an underwater suite with spectacular Marina views.

For the investors this is the time to jump into the jet ski before it leaves the harbor and get there when the party is just beginning with spectacular investment options to savor from, just contact me for more details edithmakena@gmail.com

SUITES IN THE SKAI

VISIONARY 'BREATHING ARCHITECTURE' A PENTHOUSE ON EVERY LEVEL

A Tribute to a City of Firsts.

Celebrated for where the remarkable happens, Dubai seamlessly fuses culture, commerce and creativity to nurture prosperity.

Just Picture Perfect (Bathroom)

I have seen a vast of developments in Dubai Real Estate but this blew me away, it was officially launched in June and comprises 234 hotel rooms, 234 one and two bedroom apartments and 33 penthouses. All the apartments were sold out but I have re-sale market starting from 1,100aed per sqft.

Tower Side Downtown

The 117 one-bedroom hotel apartments in the project will have an outdoor sky garden and a Jacuzzi while the 117 two-bedroom units will include an 18 square feet swimming pool and floor to ceiling windows with cascading water, the developer said.

2 Bedroom Terrace

The four bedroom penthouses, spread across 3,000 square feet each, will include a 2,600 square feet sky garden with a soil depth of 4.2 feet that allow trees to be planted, an outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi accommodating up to eight people.

Podium Level

The development will also feature five dining venues including an all-day dining concept, a lobby café, pool bar and grill, sports bar and a rooftop Chinese restaurant.

Other amenities include paddle tennis, gymnasium, fitness centre with outdoor yoga terrace and swimming pool, sauna and steam room and boutique spa.

1 Bedroom Terrace

The hotel tower will also include 17,000 square feet of retail space, a five-level podium car park, meeting facilities, and a kids club.

Construction of the hotel will begin in September 2014 while it is scheduled to be operational by 2017, the developer said.

 

Tower Centre

 

Terrace Pool View

 

Living Room

 

Bedroom

  

Tower Hero

   

1 Bedroom Terrace Close-up

  

Hotel Suite

 

Tower Hero Evening

 

Penthouse Living room

 

Penthouse Kitchen

 

Penthouse Terrace

 

Penthouse Bedroom

 

Hotel Room Bathroom

for information on the sales of these units contact me on edithmakena@gmail.com or +97155 716 2933.