MAF signs developer agreement for Tilal Al Ghaf

Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) has signed an agreement with Chile-based company, Crystal Lagoons, to develop the fully swimmable 70,000 square metre Lagoon Al Ghaf at its new flagship mixed-use community in Dubai, Tilal Al Ghaf.
Crystal Lagoons' patented treatment technology allows the construction and treatment of any sized body of water. Setting a new benchmark for community living crafted around wellbeing and human engagement, Lagoon Al Ghaf will bring a slice of tropical paradise to community residents' doorstep. It will also provide a high degree of public access to the Crystal Lagoon area, one that is exclusive but is shared with neighbours and guests, creating a premier setting for special events.
"The centrepiece of Tilal Al Ghaf's masterplan is shaped around active and passive spaces. The swimmable Crystal Lagoon adds a new dimension to community living standards, giving residents and visitors a genuine resort lifestyle experience. The vision is to create a shared space that everyone can use, where families can enjoy meaningful moments together, and where friends and neighbours can meet and relax in an engaging setting," said Hawazen Esber, CEO - Communities at Majid Al Futtaim - Properties.
Lagoon Al Ghaf will be the heart of Tilal Al Ghaf and is in line with Majid Al Futtaim's placemaking strategy for the community to offer diverse, family friendly recreational choices. Featuring more than 400 metres of sandy white beach and 1.5 kilometres of waterfront promenade, it will offer a scenic outlook for The Hive, Club Hive and Hive Park, the community's vibrant retail, dining and leisure hub. As well as swimming, the Crystal Lagoon will host a selection of active water sports, including kayaking and stand-up paddle-boarding.
The Crystal Lagoons company estimates that its technology uses up to half the water needed to maintain a park of the same size, and up to 30 times less water than a standard golf course. Further enhancing Tilal Al Ghaf's sustainability targets, the Crystal Lagoon will be filled and topped-up using groundwater. This will relieve pressure on the water table, which is rising in many of Dubai's residential areas because of intensive irrigation for landscaping.
"This is an eco-friendly and sustainable technology, setting a new standard for public space and leisure," said Carlos Salas, Crystal Lagoons' regional director for the Middle East and Asia. "We are able to transform any location into a beautiful beach paradise, and provide a unique amenity for the community to enjoy."
- business@khaleejtimes.com