01 November 2020

Construction work has been launched on the fourth neighbourhood at Al Zahia, a premier lifestyle destination in Sharjah that is expected to be home to more than 12,000 residents when fully completed.

Located on University City Road and off Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, the modern, upscale community is being developed by Sharjah Holding – a strategic partnership between Majid Al Futtaim Properties and Sharjah Asset Management – in line with the high building standards that the developers are renowned for.  

To date, 65 per cent of the project has been sold and more than 800 families, of different nationalities, have already moved in, Shadi Al Azzeh, Al Zahia Projects Head at Majid Al Futtaim Properties, tells Gulf Construction.

Work is now under way on Al Yasmeen, a highly sustainable neighbourhood that offers over 200 premium homes nestled within lush green surroundings.  Scheduled for completion in 2022, Al Yasmeen is designed for discerning families and young couples that demand luxury and tranquillity, according to Majid Al Futtaim Properties.

Al Yasmeen also upholds Al Zahia’s status as the first development in the UAE and the Middle East to be awarded the Breeam Communities Interim Certification – a measure of the community’s unwavering commitment to sustainable design and development, says the developer.

United Engineering Construction Company (Unec) is overseeing the construction of Al Yasmeen, which will offer a mix of two- and three-bedroom villas and townhouses complementing the other premium neighbourhoods within the masterplan – namely, Al Jouri and Al Narjis, where more than 800 homes have already been handed over to the families; and Al Lilac, where the houses are receiving their finishing touches.

Construction work on the overall destination, which is rooted in the emirate’s values of family, community, and culture, has reached 50 per cent completion, Al Azzeh states.

Al Zahia will comprise a total of 3,700 homes, ranging from studios to six-plus-bedroom villas, on completion in 2023.

“These homes are being released progressively to meet market requirements and are delivered fully finished to the highest standards,” he says.

At Al Jouri, the first neighbourhood comprising a mix of villas and townhouses, 250 homes have been delivered, while at the second neighbourhood Al Narjis, more than 560 homes and Garden Apartments have been handed over,” Al Azzeh explains.

 The third neighbourhood Al Lilac will soon be delivered to the owners, he says. Al Lilac features 300 luxury homes with three-bedroom townhouses, four- and five-bedroom villas and the newly introduced three-bedroom courtyard villas. The neighbourhood will include an innovative 5,700-sq-m sensory park with interactive sculptures. 

Also under construction is Uptown Al Zahia, which will offer a vibrant, urban lifestyle featuring apartments designed around a high street and retail plaza, with retail and food and beverage (F&B) outlets directly linked via a pedestrian bridge to the upcoming City Centre Al Zahia – which is expected to be the largest mall in the Northern Emirates.

Upon completion in 2022, Uptown Al Zahia will be home to more than 700 families. It will feature two clusters: ‘Woroud’; and ‘Zohour’. The first of the five buildings to be released in the first cluster was ‘Woroud 1’, offering a wide choice of studios and one-bedroom apartments.

“The ‘Woroud 1 release saw high demand from customers and homeowners, indicating a growing appetite for home ownership at Sharjah’s premier lifestyle destination,” remarks Al Azzeh.

This was followed in September 2018 by ‘Woroud 2’ comprising studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

Zohour 1’ is the first residential building within the Zohour cluster offering a wide range of one- and two-bedroom apartments, while ‘Zohour 2’, featuring studios, one and two-bedroom apartments, is the only residential building in Uptown Al Zahia with a direct link to City Centre Al Zahia. Both ‘Zohour 1’ and ‘Zohour 2’ are designed for young families and investors alike.

Apart from the residential and retail components, Al Zahia will feature an exclusive-to-residents clubhouse, construction work on which has commenced recently. The clubhouse is designed resort-style and offers a place to socialise and unwind, while providing a direct connection to the City Centre. The clubhouse is expected to be completed next year (see Real Estate feature, Page 70 of Gulf Construction’s Digital Edition).

According to Al Azzeh, Majid Al Futtaim Properties realised that after the pandemic lockdown, there was high demand to move products so the developer fast-tracked the construction process in order to start delivering as soon as possible to meet the requirements of the buyers.

According to Walid Al Hashimi, Sharjah Holding’s Chief Executive Officer, Al Zahia will contribute upwards of Dh5.5 billion ($1.5 billion) to Sharjah’s economy. 

Other highlights of the development include North Hub – a vibrant retail centre designed to provide convenience at the residents’ doorstep; Orchid – a residential location offering customers plots of land where they can design and build their own unique homes. The infrastructure for Orchid has been completed and plots are ready for handover, Al Azzeh points out.

“Al Zahia is perfectly placed to meet the demands and realise the aspirations of families and young couples looking to enjoy the best of modern living and culturally responsive placemaking. As a community, Al Zahia is as rooted in an appreciation of environmental awareness and sustainability as it is in Sharjah’s rich history, culture, and traditions,” he concludes.  

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