Latest news with #AhmedElShamy
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Majid Al Futtaim announces contractor for forest living project in Dubai
Majid Al Futtaim, an integrated lifestyle provider, has announced Innovo Build as the main contractor for the development of its Ghaf Woods forest living concept in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), along with the establishment of a tree nursery, reported Trade Arabia. Spanning 738,000m² off the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Highway, near Global Village, the Ghaf Woods development is set to offer over 7,000 premium residences. The development will feature Majid Al Futtaim's Distrikt, a multipurpose hub with retail and dining options. The Dh1.7bn ($462m) contract with Innovo Build covers the construction of 13 buildings within the Celia, Serra, and Lacina clusters. Innovo Build CEO Sameh Fam said: "We are proud to partner with Majid Al Futtaim to deliver the early phases of a development as visionary as Ghaf Woods - a project that reflects our shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and community-centric design. "This project redefines traditional construction, and requires us to build in harmony with nature, not around it. Our team will approach this landmark development with the precision, care and focus on sustainability that cements us as a contractor of choice in UAE." Ghaf Woods aims to redefine urban living by integrating nature into its design, promising a forest ecosystem that will outnumber residents, stated Majid Al Futtaim. This 'Green Lung' is expected to deliver significantly cleaner air and cooler temperatures. The community will also offer wellness amenities such as walking trails, biking loops, pools, and fitness facilities, the company said. The tree nursery is said to be a cornerstone of Ghaf Woods' sustainable vision, aiming to cultivate thousands of native and climate-resilient trees over the next 18 months. The nursery currently features more than 10,000 trees, with plans to increase to 30,000. This will support the development's biophilic design. Barari Natural Resources, a part of Mawarid Holding Investment, has been awarded a Dh49m contract to manage this nursery. Majid Al Futtaim Properties CEO Ahmed El Shamy said: "The concept of Ghaf Woods has been years in the making with a vision for sustainable living at the core. Since its unveiling one year ago, there's been a clear and growing demand from people who are looking for communities that foster a deeper connection with nature and the environment. "Our investment in a purpose-built tree nursery, and the partnership with Innovo Build, Barari Natural Resources and Mawarid Holding Investment, is a vital step in bringing this vision to life." In a related development, Majid Al Futtaim appointed United Engineering Construction Company as the main contractor for two residential projects within the Tilal Al Ghaf community in Dubai. "Majid Al Futtaim announces contractor for forest living project in Dubai" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
ME Construction
04-06-2025
- Business
- ME Construction
Majid Al Futtaim announces contract awards for Ghaf Woods
Industry News Majid Al Futtaim announces contract awards for Ghaf Woods By Spanning 738,000sqm off the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Highway, near Global Village, Ghaf Woods will feature over 7,000 premium units Majid Al Futtaim has announced two milestones for its forest living concept, Ghaf Woods. These milestones include the establishment of a dedicated tree nursery to support the project's biophilic design concept and the appointment of Innovo Build as the primary contractor for its initial two phases. Ghaf Woods, billed as a model for sustainable forest living in Dubai, will be the cornerstone of this vision. Over the next 18 months, the nursery will grow and nurture thousands of native and climate resilient tree species. Currently, it houses over 10,000 trees, with the figure expected to reach 20,000 by May 2026 and 105,000 shrubs by the same time. By the end of this period, the nursery will expand to accommodate up to 30,000 trees, which will then be transported and replanted across Ghaf Woods. As part of this journey, the US $13.2mn nursery contract has been awarded to Barari Natural Resources, part of Mawarid Holding Investment, who will manage and oversee the trees care and cultivation throughout this journey. The facility will be home to a diverse selection of climate-suitable species, including Acacias, Citrus, Ficus, Melia, Phoenix, Tecomella, Ziziphus, and the iconic Ghaf. All species have been procured from Egypt (Nile Delta), India, Thailand, and the UAE – including Fujairah, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Abu Dhabi. Ghaf Woods is said to be revolutionising the concept of living in harmony with nature. The development's forest ecosystem will surpass the number of residents, serving as a vital 'Green Lung' that purifies the air by up to 20% and lowers temperatures by up to five degrees Celsius compared to other parts of the city. Moreover, these trees will play a crucial role in mitigating soil erosion, conserving water, and creating shaded pathways and green corridors throughout the community, the developer said in its statement. Ahmed El Shamy, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Properties said, 'The concept of Ghaf Woods has been years in the making with a vision for sustainable living at the core. Since its unveiling one year ago, there's been a clear and growing demand from people who are looking for communities that foster a deeper connection with nature and the environment. Our investment in a purpose-built tree nursery, and the partnership with Barari Natural Resources and Mawarid Holding Investment, is a vital step in bringing this vision to life. We're also proud to be working with Innovo Build on the delivery of the Celia, Serra, and Lacina clusters. It is through collaborations like these that we are setting a new benchmark for how nature, lifestyle and premium living can meaningfully coexist.' Kashif Shamsi, Group Chief Executive Officer, Mawarid Holding Investment added, 'This nursery is a critical foundation for the forest ecosystem at Ghaf Woods. Our focus is not only on scale but also on biodiversity, resilience, and ensuring every tree contributes meaningfully to the project's long-term environmental impact. As one of the largest plant nursery operators in the GCC, we are proud to collaborate on one of the region's most forward-looking developments, and excited to see the landscape grow from the ground up.' In addition, Innovo Build has been awarded a $463mn contract for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Ghaf Woods, including the construction and completion of 13 buildings with a shared podium level across the Celia, Serra, and Lacina clusters. Known for their expertise in sustainable, high-quality developments, Innovo Build's portfolio spans luxury residences, villa communities, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure. With sustainability at the heart of its operations, Innovo Build will focus on Ghaf Woods' forest living concept, blending contemporary architecture with immersive natural surroundings to create a new standard for urban living in Dubai, the statement added. Sameh Fam, Chief Executive Officer, Innovo Build commented, 'We are proud to partner with Majid Al Futtaim to deliver the early phases of a development as visionary as Ghaf Woods a project that reflects our shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and community-centric design. This project redefines traditional construction, and requires us to build in harmony with nature, not around it. Our team will approach this landmark development with the precision, care and focus on sustainability that cements us as a contractor of choice in UAE.' Spanning 738,000sqm off the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Highway, near Global Village, Ghaf Woods will feature over 7,000 premium units, including one, two, and three-bedroom residences and penthouses. Prioritising wellness, Ghaf Woods promises residents eight kilometres of walking trails, a three-and-a-half-kilometre biking loop, resort-style pools, fitness facilities, family-friendly gardens, and a yoga pavilion. The community will also be home to Majid Al Futtaim's signature multi-purpose hub, Distrikt, which features a curated selection of retail and farm-to-table dining experiences, the statement concluded.
Mid East Info
03-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
MAJID AL FUTTAIM ADVANCES VISION FOR FOREST LIVING AT GHAF WOODS BY ANNOUNCING A DEDICATED TREE NURSERY AND APPOINTMENT OF CONTRACTOR
The nursery will cultivate over 30,000 trees and 350,000 shrubs, forming the green heart of Ghaf Woods' forest living vision The AED 1.7 billion construction contract is awarded to Innovo Build for Phase 1 and 2 of Ghaf Woods, and be responsible for the delivery of 13 residential buildings across Celia, Serra, and Lacina Dubai, UAE, June, 2025: Majid Al Futtaim, a leading pioneer in shopping malls, communities, retail, and leisure across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia, today announced two significant milestones for its forest living concept, Ghaf Woods – the establishment of a dedicated tree nursery to support the project's biophilic design concept and the appointment of Innovo Build as the main contractor for its first two phases. With Ghaf Woods set to become a model for sustainable forest living in Dubai, the nursery will be the cornerstone of this vision, where thousands of native and climate-resilient tree species will be grown and nurtured over the next 18 months. Today, the nursery is home to more than 10,000 trees with that figure set to increase to 20,000 and 105,000 shrubs by May 2026. It will eventually grow to house up to 30,000 trees, which will then be transported and replanted across Ghaf Woods. As part of this exciting journey, the AED 49 million nursery contract has been awarded to Barari Natural Resources, part of Mawarid Holding Investment, who will manage and oversee the trees care and cultivation throughout this journey. The facility will be home to a diverse selection of climate-suitable species, including Acacias, Citrus, Ficus, Melia, Phoenix, Tecomella, Ziziphus, and the iconic Ghaf. All species have been procured from Egypt (Nile Delta), India, Thailand, and the UAE – including Fujairah, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Abu Dhabi. Ghaf Woods is redefining the concept of living with nature and this milestone is a demonstration of the unique offering it brings. The development's forest ecosystem is set to outnumber residents and serve as a vital 'Green Lung' delivering up to 20% cleaner air and temperatures up to five degrees Celsius cooler than other areas of the city. These trees will also play a critical role in reducing soil erosion, conserving water, and shaping shaded pathways and green corridors throughout the community. Ahmed El Shamy, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said: 'The concept of Ghaf Woods has been years in the making with a vision for sustainable living at the core. Since its unveiling one year ago, there's been a clear and growing demand from people who are looking for communities that foster a deeper connection with nature and the environment. Our investment in a purpose-built tree nursery, and the partnership with Barari Natural Resources and Mawarid Holding Investment, is a vital step in bringing this vision to life. We're also proud to be working with Innovo Build on the delivery of the Celia, Serra, and Lacina clusters. It is through collaborations like these that we are setting a new benchmark for how nature, lifestyle and premium living can meaningfully coexist.' Kashif Shamsi, Group Chief Executive Officer, Mawarid Holding Investment said: 'This nursery is a critical foundation for the forest ecosystem at Ghaf Woods. Our focus is not only on scale but also on biodiversity, resilience, and ensuring every tree contributes meaningfully to the project's long-term environmental impact. As one of the largest plant nursery operators in the GCC, we are proud to collaborate on one of the region's most forward-looking developments, and excited to see the landscape grow from the ground up.' Meanwhile, Innovo Build has been awarded the AED 1.7 billion contract for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Ghaf Woods, including the construction and completion of 13 buildings with a shared podium level across the Celia, Serra, and Lacina clusters. Known for their expertise in sustainable, high-quality developments, Innovo Build's portfolio spans luxury residences, villa communities, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure. With sustainability at the heart of its operations, Innovo Build will focus on Ghaf Woods' forest living concept, blending contemporary architecture with immersive natural surroundings to create a new standard for urban living in Dubai. Sameh Fam, Chief Executive Officer, Innovo Build said: 'We are proud to partner with Majid Al Futtaim to deliver the early phases of a development as visionary as Ghaf Woods – a project that reflects our shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and community-centric design. This project redefines traditional construction, and requires us to build in harmony with nature, not around it. Our team will approach this landmark development with the precision, care and focus on sustainability that cements us as a contractor of choice in UAE.' Spanning 738,000 square metres off the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Highway, near Global Village, Ghaf Woods will feature over 7,000 premium units, including one, two, and three-bedroom residences and penthouses. Prioritising wellness, Ghaf Woods promises residents eight kilometres of walking trails, a three-and-a-half-kilometre biking loop, resort-style pools, fitness facilities, family-friendly gardens, and a yoga pavilion. The community will also be home to Majid Al Futtaim's signature multi-purpose hub, Distrikt, which features a curated selection of retail and farm-to-table dining experiences. About Majid Al Futtaim: Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is an Emirati-owned, diversified lifestyle conglomerate operating across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The Group started from one man's vision to transform the face of shopping, entertainment, and leisure to 'create great moments for everyone, every day'. It has since grown into one of the region's most respected businesses, employing more than 43,000 people, with owned assets valued at US$19 billion and has the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately held corporates in the region. Majid Al Futtaim owns and operates 29 shopping malls, seven hotels and five mixed-use communities, welcoming more than 600 million customers through its doors every year. It is the proud owner of the flagship Mall of the Emirates, Mall of Egypt, and Mall of Oman with the iconic City Centre shopping malls rounding out its portfolio across the region. As the developer of choice for the region, Majid Al Futtaim is the creator of mixed-use communities including Ghaf Woods and Tilal Al Ghaf in Dubai and Al Mouj in Muscat. Majid Al Futtaim holds the exclusive rights to operate Carrefour across 12 markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, with a network of over 390 stores. In Egypt, it also owns and operates Supeco, a low-cost hybrid grocery retail concept while HyperMax is its newest grocery retail brand recently launched in Jordan and Oman. The Group operates more than 600 VOX Cinemas screens as well as a portfolio of world-class leisure and entertainment experiences across the region. These include two ski locations in Dubai and Cairo, two snow parks in Abu Dhabi and Oman, as well as family entertainment centres such as Magic Planet, Little Explorers, Activate, Yalla! Bowling, Dreamscape and IFLY. Majid Al Futtaim partners with world-class fashion, home, specialty retail and beauty brands, operating over 90 stores across the GCC and 27 e-commerce platforms. Its portfolio includes lululemon, LEGO, Crate and Barrel, Shiseido and THAT, a Majid Al Futtaim multi-brand concept store and app. These offerings are powered by the UAE's fastest growing loyalty programme SHARE, which offers customers a more personalised and data driven experience.
Arabian Business
30-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Egypt to get its first 25hours Hotel in West Cairo
Egypt is set to welcome its first 25hours Hotel, located within Junction, a new mixed-use business and lifestyle destination in West Cairo. The project is a collaboration between Majid Al Futtaim, a leading developer and operator of retail and leisure assets across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and Ennismore, the global lifestyle hospitality company behind the 25hours brand. This marks the brand's debut in the Egyptian market. The hotel will feature around 250 keys, including both hotel rooms and 25hours Heimat branded residences. Facilities will include three dining outlets, coworking spaces, wellness and spa areas, as well as flexible meeting and event spaces. Junction spans over 129,000 square metres, comprising 13 office buildings, retail and food and beverage outlets. The development is designed to meet LEED Gold certification standards for sustainability. Majid Al Futtaim said the project is part of its wider strategy to develop integrated, future-ready environments in Egypt. Ennismore's 25hours Hotels are known for their design-led approach, drawing on local culture to shape their guest experience. The Cairo property will be the brand's first in the country. The arrival of 25hours at Junction marks an exciting moment in our refounding journey and continues our longstanding legacy of introducing bold, innovative concepts to the communities we serve,' said Ahmed El Shamy, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Properties. 'Each 25hours Hotel is inspired by the rich culture and history of its location, and we look forward to creating a strong sense of storytelling through design and community spaces through our restaurants and bars for our guests,' said Gaurav Bhushan, Chief Executive Officer for Ennismore. The new hotel is expected to contribute to the growth of West Cairo as a hub for business, hospitality and culture. 25hours Hotel is a design-led, lifestyle-focused hospitality brand known for its eclectic interiors, local cultural references, and informal, community-driven atmosphere. The hotels typically combine bold aesthetics with coworking, dining, and wellness spaces, targeting a younger, urban clientele seeking a more immersive and experience-oriented stay.
Gulf Business
30-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Majid Al Futtaim, Ennismore to launch Egypt's first 25hours Hotel
Image: Supplied Majid Al Futtaim has partnered with Majid Al Futtaim, a leading shopping mall, communities, retail, and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, announced the strategic partnership with Ennismore, the fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company. The collaboration will launch Egypt's first 25hours Hotel at Junction, Majid Al Futtaim's upcoming business and lifestyle destination in West Cairo. The new addition marks the debut of the 25hours brand in the Egyptian market, reinforcing Junction's position as a dynamic hub for hospitality, business, and culture. Bringing a playful, design-led approach to hospitality, 25hours will inject fresh creative energy into West Cairo. Known for its eclectic interiors, strong sense of place, and immersive storytelling, the brand's arrival signals a bold reimagining of how hotels contribute to urban culture. Majid Al Futtaim: Creating customer-centric destinations 'At Majid Al Futtaim, we believe in creating destinations that truly reflect the needs and aspirations of today's customers. The arrival of 25hours at Junction marks an exciting moment in our refounding journey and continues our longstanding legacy of introducing bold, innovative concepts to the communities we serve,' said Ahmed El Shamy, chief executive officer, Majid Al Futtaim Properties. He added: 'This partnership also marks a significant step in our vision to create destinations that are both commercially vibrant and culturally meaningful, while further reinforcing our long-term commitment to building integrated, future-ready environments that drive economic growth and foster innovation.' Situated in the heart of Junction, the hotel will feature approximately 250 keys, comprising both hotel rooms and 25hours Heimat branded residences. Designed to reflect the 25hours ethos, the property will offer guests a more immersive connection to the brand's distinctive lifestyle experience. Guests and residents will have access to three distinctive dining venues, coworking areas, spa and wellness facilities, and flexible spaces for meetings and events. Innovatively transcending conventional residential norms, 25hours Heimat offers an unparalleled living experience, complete with a range of unconventional amenities accessed through an on-site concierge and Accor's Ownership Benefits Programme. Ennismore: A growing portfolio Founded in Germany and now part of Ennismore, a global collective of lifestyle brands, 25hours continues to grow and expand, boasting a reputation for creative, experience-driven stays that are rooted in the identity of each location. Bringing together premium business and lifestyle offerings, Junction spans more than 129,000 sqm across two interconnected plots. The development includes 13 cutting-edge office buildings, curated retail and F&B experiences, and sustainable infrastructure designed to meet LEED Gold certification standards. With 97,000 sqm of flexible, state-of-the-art workspace, Junction is purpose-built for modern business and future-ready enterprises. Junction in Cairo First introduced in April 2025, Junction is a key part of Majid Al Futtaim's development strategy in Egypt. The destination is designed to foster productivity, creativity, and community through its modern infrastructure, walkable layout, and curated public spaces. With sustainability as a core principle, Junction aims to achieve LEED Gold certification. Blending commercial and lifestyle elements, Junction is redefining the way people work, collaborate, and engage with the city. The arrival of 25hours is expected to add a new layer of vibrancy to Junction, helping shape it into a landmark destination for business, culture, and modern enterprise.
