Aldar may Review Projects in Design Stage

ABU DHABI - Abu Dhabi’s largest property developer Aldar Properties will go ahead with most projects it has already committed to, but would review projects currently in design stage, says a top official.

By Haseeb Haider

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Published: Wed 11 Feb 2009, 12:22 AM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 3:54 AM

However, the company will enter into a new territory -the mid-range properties market, making a shift away from high-price properties, which it is constructing in Al Raha Beach area and elsewhere.

Sami Asad, chief operating officer Aldar Properties told reporters on the sidelines of Arabian World Construction Summit (AWCS) that there is some change in supply and demand and the company sees demand for mid-class housing in Abu Dhabi. “This is one of the opportunities we are looking at in the market,” he added.

Asad said that Aldar’s two main residential projects would be ready to be delivered to owners: Al Raha Garden phase III will be delivered towards the end of February, while keys to the properties on its Al Bander development on Al Raha Beach will be handed-over in December.

After witnessing a peak in the property prices, in the fourth quarter of 2008, the prices have started declining as financing became difficult to obtain, as global economy suffers from recession, resulting into panic among investors, who are dumping their properties on the market.

With the strong backing from Abu Dhabi government, Aldar owns over 34 million square meters of land at strategic locations throughout Abu Dhabi and has already announced more than $65 billion worth of developments. Aldar’s profit for 2008 grew by 77.5 per cent to Dh3.446 billion against Dh1.941 billion in the previous year, driven mainly by sales revenue. Net asset value expanded by 108.5 per cent to Dh16.032 billion versus Dh7.689 billion. However, Q4 profit fell 85 per cent due to lower sales and tough market conditions.

The company is developing mega projects including Motor World, a self-sustaining residential community for 30,000 people.

The Dh50 billion Yas island development which includes world class motor sports racetrack, signature hotels, the Ferrari theme park and 300,000 square meters of retail areas, golf courses, marinas all creating, a tourist destination. Al Raha Beach is a water-front city spread over 5.2 million square meters ,apart from other developments.

· haseebhaider@khaleejtimes.com


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