A joint venture between leading British consultancies Barton Willmore and Buro Happold has completed the design for the ‘King Abdullah International Gardens’ (KAIG) – a giant botanical garden commissioned by the City of Riyadh as a gift to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to celebrate his accession to the throne. The design, which has won the overall global leisure category for commercial property at the International Property Awards, features a ten-hectare building which will house the world’s largest indoor garden – the size of 15 football pitches or five Eden Projects.

Al Furjan, a community development by Nakheel, is on target to hand over the first stage of its planned community in Q4 2010. More than 800 homes are already under active construction and works are underway to enable the phased handover of the homes that will bring the development to life.
Al Furjan is a 560ha development south of Ibn Battuta Mall and adjacent to Discovery Gardens. The first development phase will include three-, five- and six-bedroom villas and three-bedroom townhouses, is already sold. On completion, residents will benefit from education, retail facilities, mosques, and other convenience goods all within easy walking distance of these homes.
“Structural work on Al Furjan is substantially complete, and we have commenced paintworks on a number of these homes within the development,” commented Mohammed Rashed Bin Dhabeah, Director, Al Furjan. “The development is designed to be a traditional family-orientated community that will lie in close proximity to other Nakheel projects, adding to the increased connectivity being felt with the introduction of the Metro.”

La Martina, the renowned Argentinean fashion brand, has made its Middle East debut by opening a signature store at The Dubai Mall. The new outlet offers the complete range of the brand’s products, including its famous polo fashion line.
Addressing a press conference attended by His Excellency Ruben Eduardo Caro, Ambassador of Argentina to the UAE, and Ahmad Al Khayyat, Managing Director of Al Khayyat Investments, the GCC franchisee of La Martina, Lando Simonetti, owner of La Martina said: “We strongly believe that the Middle East is one of most promising markets today, and the UAE has all the credentials to sustain retail development. It is therefore strategic for global brands to make inroads into this market even in times of financial crises. We plan to go ahead with our growth plans by partnering with Al Khayyat Investments to expand into other parts of the region.”
Simonetti said that demand for La Martina fashion products and accessories had witnessed double-digit growth in most prominent markets worldwide. He also reaffirmed the company’s confidence in the UAE as a fashion hub and seat of equestrian sports in the Middle East.
La Martina aims to come closer to the region’s customers through the new outlet at The Dubai Mall which is spread over an area of 400sq m and designed to reflect La Martina international standards with an Arabian touch.

The Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), an Abu Dhabi-based master developer of cultural, residential and tourism destinations across the UAE region, showcased some of its prime resorts and developments at the World Travel Market in London in November. These include Saadiyat Island, Desert Island Resorts and Qasr Al Sarab.
Saadiyat Island is a natural island off the coast of Abu Dhabi embracing the true essence of Arabian living with unspoiled beaches, iconic landmarks, signature sports facilities and unrivalled cultural attractions, whilst Qasr Al Sarab is the first five-star luxury resort situated within the ‘Empty Quarter’ – the world’s largest unspoilt stretch of natural desert.
The Desert Islands Resort & Spa comprises a group of eight natural islands and boasts one of the world’s most unique offshore wildlife sanctuaries.
“These are major milestones for us and we are very proud to be working with some of the world’s most influential brands and businesses in helping shape the emirate’s future tourism industry,” stated Lee Tabler, CEO of TDIC.