Gulf Construction Online - Al Zahia blossoms

Northern Emirates

Al Zahia will be home to 12,000 residents when completed.

Al Zahia blossoms

01 November 2016

Work continues apace at Al Zahia, Sharjah’s first integrated master community.

Construction is under way at two neighbourhoods – Al Narjis and Garden Apartments – while the first neighbourhood to be developed – Al Jouri – is in the process of being handed over to investors.

Located in the heart of ‘new Sharjah’, Al Zahia is claimed to be the only Breeam (BRE Environmental Assessment Method)-certified residential development in the Middle East, adhering to the highest international standards of environmental sustainability.

Developed by Sharjah Holding and managed by Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Al Zahia has seven, individually designed neighbourhoods and will be home to more than 12,000 residents when completed. The neighbourhoods offer plots covering a total area of 1 million sq m.

Al Jouri comprises 49 villas which are fully occupied, and 197 townhouses and villas which are due for handover by the end of this year.

Al Narjis includes a variety of three- and four-bedroom townhouses, and five-bedroom villas and features a neighbourhood park, which will include adventure play equipment for children of all ages, fitness stations and multi-functional open spaces. All homes will benefit from close proximity to the community hub, comprising convenience retail and public facilities.

Al Zahia will be home to 12,000 residents when completed.

Al Narjis is already 55 per cent sold, indicating growing investor interest in Al Zahia, according to Ted Young, project head (Al Zahia) communities.

Work is in progress on two buildings of the Garden Apartments, both of which are sold. These buildings are expected to be completed by Q4 of 2017.

In addition to the villas and townhouses, Al Zahia will offer around 1,000 apartments comprising studios, and one- and two-bedroom homes.

As Sharjah’s first integrated, mixed-use community, Al Zahia will be instrumental in the diversification of the emirate’s real estate sector and is expected to contribute Dh5.5 billion ($1.5 billion) to the local economy upon completion.

Located adjacent to the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed highway, Al Zahia is a 10-minute drive from Sharjah International Airport and just a few minutes away from University City, Sharjah’s main school district and the neighbourhood of Al Qarayen.

“Developed for people who enjoy high quality living experiences, Al Zahia balances the practicality of a family home with high-end luxury as standard,” Young says.

The masterplan includes mosques, cafes, restaurants, and six themed parks, combined with Arabesque-style architecture and design, representing a clear expression of Sharjah’s lifestyle, values and status.

Al Zahia ... scoring a Breeam ‘first’ in the region.

Construction

Majid Al Futtaim Properties considers the awarding of each construction project on an individual bid basis and relating to a proven quality and capacity to deliver, according to Young.

The Al Jouri and the Al Narjis neighbourhoods and the Garden Apartments contracts have been awarded to Al Qabdah Building Contracting (QBC), a key player and leader in the UAE and GCC construction industry.

The contract for the two buildings of the Garden Apartments, valued at Dh99 million ($26.9 million), was awarded in January 2016, while the Dh315-million ($85.7 million) deal for Al Narjis neighbourhood was awarded in March.

The next anticipated contract award on the project will be in Q1 2017.

The other planned future neighbourhoods will be announced prior to their launch, with the final completion of Al Zahia is scheduled for 2022, Young says.