
Sobha One: First in the Middle East with Green Mark Platinum SLE, reinforcing sustainability commitment
In addition to the SLE certification, Sobha One has also been recognised with the Whole Life Carbon badge in testament to the project's dedication to low-impact development and eco-conscious design.
The Green Mark certification is a globally recognised benchmark for environmental resourcefulness, assessing projects across five critical categories: Resilience, Whole Life Carbon, Health & Wellbeing, Intelligence, and Maintainability. Sobha One's innovative design delivers best-in-class energy performance, achieving an impressive 60 per cent energy savings compared to 2005 standards, a testament to Sobha Realty's ethos of 'Art of The Detail'.
Francis Alfred, Managing Director of Sobha Realty, said: 'Sustainability is a commitment woven into every aspect of our work. With Sobha One becoming the first building in the Middle East to achieve the Green Mark Platinum SLE certification, we are proud to set new standards in responsible living and low-carbon development. This milestone reflects our dedication to innovation, quality, and environmental responsibility; aligning with global sustainability goals and the UAE's Net Zero vision for 2050.'
This achievement reflects the meticulous attention to quality, climate-friendly leadership, and design excellence that characterises every Sobha Realty development. Leveraging its unique Backward Integration model, Sobha Realty maintains complete control over the development process, integrating advanced technologies such as CAFM, Common Data Environment (CDE) platforms, digital twins, and predictive maintenance dashboards. These innovations drive energy efficiency, resources optimization, and long-term operational performance.
Sobha One also aligns with climate risk assessments and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework to mitigate and manage climate risks. The project's pre-certification will be verified post-construction to ensure compliance with the highest international sustainability standards. Sobha Realty's dedication to environmental stewardship likewise aligns with the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and global climate goals, while demonstrating the company's leadership and clear strategy for emissions reduction through ESG reports, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) assessments and GRESB benchmarking assessments.
Administered by Singapore's Building and Construction Authority (BCA), the Green Mark Scheme sets a global standard for sustainable design and best practices in construction. With Sobha One earning this distinguished certification, Sobha Realty reaffirms its position as a global leader in low impact real estate development, driving innovation and excellence across the industry.
About Sobha Realty
Sobha Realty is an international luxury developer committed to redefining the art of living through sustainable communities. Established in 1976 as an interior decoration firm in Oman by PNC Menon – a visionary entrepreneur – the company has grown its presence with developments and investments in the UAE, Oman, and India. For nearly five decades, Sobha Realty has been redefining the real estate value chain through 'Backward Integration' by leveraging its inherent in-house capabilities of conceptualisation, design, and development. Today, the firm has developed into one of the most prominent and premium real estate developers in the UAE and aims to become a global real estate developer with its essence, the 'Art of the Detail,' remaining deeply embedded in the organisation's DNA. With a proven track record of delivering projects ahead of schedule, the company has eleven masterplans across the UAE and is continually expanding its presence in the city with a number of other prominent projects. The flagship community of Sobha Realty (Sobha Hartland) is a thriving community that is home to over 11,000 residents.
Sobha Siniya Island, Sobha Realty's masterplan and it's very first-ever luxury island project, features luxury villas, mansions, and resorts in a serene island setting.
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Khaleej Times
06-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
Mixed use developments gaining traction in UAE real estate
In recent years, the UAE has witnessed a significant surge in mixed-use developments, reshaping the urban landscape across cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These integrated spaces — combining residential, commercial, and recreational elements — are redefining how people live, work, and socialize. Driven by rapid urbanization, evolving lifestyle preferences, and a push for sustainable city planning, mixed-use projects are becoming central to the nation's real estate strategy. From waterfront communities to vertical urban hubs, these developments are not only enhancing convenience and connectivity but also contributing to economic diversification and long-term urban resilience in the UAE. Sobha Realty is one of the major realtors embracing this trend. 'A live-work-play community is no longer a distant vision of luxury; it's the new standard for discerning residents and professionals,' Francis Alfred, Managing Director of Sobha Realty, told Khaleej Times in an interview. Excerpts: 1. Live-work-play communities are more than a trend — they're becoming an expectation. How is Sobha designing its mixed-use developments to meet the lifestyle needs of modern residents and professionals? As demand for mixed-use developments grows, we are not just keeping the pace but leading the way. Rooted in our legacy and 'Art of The Detail' philosophy, we consistently evolve to meet the expectations of modern residents, offering a holistic living experience in one place. Sobha Hartland which was launched in 2014, is Sobha's pioneering master development which now showcases a tried and tested model of a mixed-use development, testing the appetite of investors and homeowners alike. Even more recently, Sobha Central was unveiled, a landmark residential community on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, which brings the live-work-play vision to life by placing everything essential – and more – within walking distance. Similarly, our mega projects in Umm Al Quwain - Sobha Siniya Island and Downtown UAQ | Sobha Realty - are envisioned as self-sustaining communities where sophistication meets functionality, creating a well-integrated environment for its growing population. These are not just places to live; they are immersive experiences that elevate how people live, work, and play in today's fast-paced world. These developments are also being viewed as resilient investments. How do you see their built-in diversification playing out in the UAE's evolving economic and real estate landscape? Mixed-use developments are inherently more resilient than traditional projects. Their built-in diversification, across asset types, attracts broader range of resident profiles and generates multiple income streams, making them a lucrative conduit for long-term value creation. At Sobha Realty, this is evident in our flagship developments. A prime example is Downtown UAQ | Sobha Realty, our strategic joint venture with the Government of Umm Al Quwain. Spanning over 25 million square feet, it integrates residential, retail, hospitality and public spaces within a single master-planned ecosystem. The market response speaks volumes; over 50% of units in the first three towers were sold within the first week of launch, highlighting the strong appetite for this model. As the UAE real estate market continues to diversify, mixed-use communities are gaining prominence in meeting the evolving needs of modern residents. At Sobha Realty, we pair this trend with a strong focus on quality through our Backward Integration model; overseeing design, architecture, contracting, and construction to ensure every project delivers lasting value. The collaboration with the Government of Umm Al Quwain for Downtown UAQ | Sobha Realty is significant. How does this partnership reflect changing governmental attitudes toward integrated urban communities beyond Dubai? Our strategic partnership with the Government of Umm Al Quwain reflects a shared vision for future-ready infrastructure, economic diversification, and the creation of self-sustaining, integrated communities. Our two flagship masterplans in the emirate; Sobha Siniya Island and Downtown UAQ | Sobha Realty, are thoughtfully designed around smart-city principles and will eventually host more than 150,000 people. The government's proactive role, from facilitating approvals to supporting key initiatives; signals a strong and clear intent to position UAQ as a competitive emirate on the GCC map, providing reassurance on the partnership's progress. With a focus on economic diversification, ease of doing business, and visionary governance, UAQ is emerging as a promising destination for sustainable growth and attractive returns. Are there specific nationalities or investor profiles leading the trend around mixed-use properties? From Jan 2024 to May 2025, Indian buyers drove ~17% of qualified sales in our mixed-use developments, while Europeans across ~35 nationalities contributed ~19.3%. This reflects a strong and sustained interest in lifestyle-driven communities that offer both residential and commercial appeal. British investors have also shown steady growth, rising from 5% in 2023 to 6% in 2025, while American and Iranian buyers each contributed around 5%, with a slight uptick observed in the American segment this year. These patterns highlight the sustained demand from globally mobile investors who value the convenience and connectivity of integrated developments. The growing interest among Indian and British nationals, in particular, points to rising confidence in the UAE's real estate market and in the long-term value of mixed-use communities designed for future-ready lifestyles. Tokenization has entered the real estate conversation in Dubai. How do you foresee digital asset models like tokenization shaping investment in mixed-use projects? Tokenization is a groundbreaking initiative that broadens access to real estate by enabling more investors to enter the market with greater ease and confidence. While the tokenization approach in mixed-use projects is still maturing, the model allows investors to diversify their holdings and exposure across multiple asset classes within a single development, offering flexibility, liquidity, and access to traditionally high-barrier opportunities. As the regulatory and technological framework continues to evolve, tokenization is poised to reshape investment strategies and unlock new value in the mixed-use real estate space. Going ahead, does Sobha Realty consistently see mixed-use developments as the central focus of its portfolio across the UAE? Absolutely. Mixed-use developments have always been a central pillar in Sobha Realty's long-term portfolio strategy across the UAE, especially after being rigorously tested and developed through the initial model of Sobha Hartland. As buyer preferences evolve, today's homebuyers and investors are no longer just looking for standalone residences; they are seeking complete ecosystems that seamlessly integrate their entire lifestyle of living, working, and leisure in an all-encompassing home. Sobha's master-planned communities are purposefully designed to meet this shift, combining residential, commercial, and lifestyle components within a single, cohesive environment. A testament to this is Sobha Siniya Island, which recorded a 20-22% price appreciation within its first year, demonstrating not only market demand but also growing confidence in the mixed-use mode. With over five decades of experience in developing master communities, Sobha Realty has evolved through different market cycles, always staying ahead of the curve. Today, governments increasingly view us as a trusted partner in shaping future cities; ones that not only well-built, but thoughtfully integrated and future-ready.


Zawya
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VinFast signs dealer financing cooperation agreement with BCA
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The National
13-06-2025
- The National
The Sobha Realty partnership helping Arsenal's training ground get match-fit
Blink and you would miss it. The entrance to the Sobha Realty Arsenal Training Ground is a cutaway in a high hedge running along a row of detached houses where the rolling English countryside meets the motorway network. A trailblazing centre that was bought and opened in the era of Arsene Wegner's 2003-2004 Invincibles team, the 147-acre site north of London is also a jewel in the global ambitions of the Sobha Realty property empire. Naming rights were acquired this year, allowing the real estate company to place the team as its prime marketing vehicle. No one could act as a greater champion of the talking points of the training ground than facilities manager Sean O'Connor. No one except perhaps the former player Tony Adams, who was captain of the club when the 10 new all-weather pitches first opened around the turn of the century. In fact, the pair make a practised double act, with Mr O'Connor still referring to Mr Adams as captain. Figures about the ground trip lightly from O'Connor such as the 17 miles of pipes under the pitches or the £1 million cost of replacing the hybrid grass, cork and fibre first team practice pitch. A hanger-like gym facility with training and rehabilitation equipment, including a gravity-altered treadmill adapted from Nasa technology was the last big opening at the Hertfordshire site in 2018 when Unai Emery was the manager. O'Connor hints that another big redevelopment could be on the cards talking about accommodation facilities and partnerships, including specialist health care and rehabilitation ventures. New levels of ambition for the facility are central to the potential that Juliet Slot, the chief commercial officer of the club and linchpin of the relationship with Sobha, sees as underwritten by the sponsorship template. 'You get a sense of the care and attention that goes into every detail to create the best environment to fuel our teams' performance,' she said. 'Excellence is at the heart of our partnership. Bringing them on board as our naming rights partner for the training ground was something new for us, and their expertise is helping us to realise new opportunities for the space, and ensure we are always moving forward in creating world-class facilities for the future.' The effort to create awareness in the UK of Sobha as a property developer focused on developments in the Middle East, or indeed in Texas and India, is not limited to the TV coverage of the club that came second in the league last season, qualifying for Europe's Champions League football in 2025-26. The company has also raised awareness with a place on the hallowed turf at Lord's during this week's ICC world test championship of cricket. There is also a Sobha showroom on the most prized part of the Monopoly board in Park Lane, central London. The studio on Park Lane is a statement for the business, like the high-profile tie-up with Arsenal, designed for maximum impact. The location is obviously prestigious and a lure for inviting potential clients. It also is well located for people who walk in after recognising the brand or seeking it out online. For the marketing channels that Sobha maintains in the UK such as its real estate agents, the studio is also a place of hospitality. Displays of new developments dot the two floors of the building, which overlooks Hyde Park. Sales staff are able to promote Dubai as attractive to the UK investor for a cavalcade of reasons. Property investors in the domestic market are beleaguered and complain of a lost decade. Property taxes are higher, prices are volatile and not now growing as fast as the previous decade. Rental yields do not clearly exceed the interest and tax levels to give super returns. The attractions of releasing UK property equity and recycling the funds into Dubai holdings have only grown since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. A new trend for the sales team is the wave of UK residents who have reacted negatively to recent increases in taxes and the stalled growth of the overall economy, seeking new careers and better lifestyle options in Dubai and the region. With moving to Dubai on the cards, many new clients are buying off-plan in London with an eye on moving into the development some time after they have set up their new jobs. 'We're witnessing a growing interest in the UK from investors, individuals, and families opting for Dubai as their new home, reflecting an expanding allure of Dubai as an ideal destination globally,' said Ashish Parakh, group chief sales and marketing officer. 'We are dedicated to facilitating this transition by focusing on developing integrated communities that provide physical space, a sense of belonging, opportunity, and long-term value. We offer tailored services designed for international residents. We guide UK buyers through each stage of their journey to Dubai, enabling them to embark on this new chapter in their lives.' The company likes to boast it has central locations, villa communities, penthouse apartments and mansions. Most popular is the four or five bedroom home, which is attractive to the demographic of UK residents in their 30s or 40s who boast globally transferable skills. There are lots of UK professionals working in IT, Finance, real estate and technology businesses that are moving over to the UAE, the Sobha staff said. Where once it was investors or those looking for a holiday home, now it is those moving over. The attractions outside the strictly business aspects are to create a new way of life, to have a lot more day-to-day safety. Many are taking their families on the move and so need that bit more space. There is also a younger layer of buyer in their 20s or sub-30s with a niche set of buyers with YouTube and influencer profiles. At the Arsenal main stadium the Sobha presence is right next to the club's own media parlour. It is awash with YouTube talent every week. Another meeting place of the shared interests between the north London club and the UAE-focused developer.