DIP Announces Exclusive Boutique Offices At The Jumeirah Seafront

Dubai Investment Properties (DIP), one of the leading real estate developers in UAE, today announced the start of the leasing process for its boutique offices at the signature ‘Sunset’ mixed-use development located in the upmarket Jumeirah 3 area. The office complex, which consists of 49 exclusive offices - the only commercial space in the neighbourhood, will feature the latest technology and best-in-class facilities and amenities making it the ideal address for well-established businesses, professional entrepreneurs as well as companies looking to set-up a business or international representative office in Dubai.

“We are happy to be the first to offer commercial office space in the Jumeirah neighbourhood. Sunset’s boutique offices will feature the latest technology, cutting edge design and interiors, and attention to detail that is second to none. These factors, coupled with the outstanding location make Sunset an ideal location for companies, which are cautious as to where do they set up an office in Dubai. We are confident the offices will undoubtedly appeal to businesses that want accessibility, recognition and best in class amenities,” says Ani Vladi, Marketing and Operations Manager at DIP.

Sunset, which comprises of a luxury shopping mall, boutique offices and lavish residential apartments, is a unique development combining the best in architecture and the latest ‘green’ technology initiatives. It is built to be one of the most energy efficient buildings in the region with several measures being adopted by DIP to ensure energy conservation and minimising pollution and demands on infrastructure.

Sunset’s office complex comprises of office units ranging from 1200 to 1800 sq.ft. overlooking Jumeirah road / Dubai City or the Arabian Gulf, where customers can choose between cellular and open plan developments for larger office units. Companies have the option of working closely with Sunset’s architects to design the office that best fits their requirement. Sunset’s picturesque seafront location, distinctive architecture, efficient design, state-of-the-art facilities and amenities will appeal to a wide variety of tenants, from business entrepreneurs and professionals to well-established multinational corporations.

The Sunset office complex, which has direct access to the shopping mall and restaurants offering tenant’s convenience, will include 2 business lobbies, two meeting/conference rooms, prayer rooms, and pantry rooms. Two patios, arranged with sitting facilities and fountains compliment the office set up. Apart from offering an ideal work environment, Sunset will also provide parking spaces for tenants as well as visitors, business services and 24/7 security and cleaning services. Tenants can also avail of gymnasium facilities, aerobics, steam bath as well as two swimming pools, children pools (and of course) beach access. All these are featured to complete the perfect ‘work and play’ business environment.

“The work environment plays an important role in productivity since most employees spend more than 90 per cent of their working hours in office. At Sunset, we created a work environment that will inspire employees to perform better,” Ms. Ani Vladi concluded.

An Out-Of-The-Box Dining Experience In Cosmic Company At The Walk

Dubai’s latest culinary craze offers a bird’s-eye view. And, it’s not from one of the sky-reaching towers that have come to increasingly define the emirate.

Head, instead, to The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), a unique beachfront shopping promenade, where Dinner in the Sky Dubai is enthralling adventure lovers with its large measure of cutting edge excitement, and of course, some delectable dining options.

So what if the excitement comes in the form of a free-floating unconventional 9x5 meter sky box that’s suspended at a height of 50 metres? And, so what if you need to be hoisted by a 100 tonne crane as one of the privileged 22 guests, leather strapped to an elegant dining table with your legs dangling free? If that’s not enough, the adrenalin is guaranteed to soar while the table gently swivels 180 degrees, allowing you to admire the breathtaking vistas canvassed by the Arabian Gulf.

Since 17 April, Dinner in the Sky Dubai has added one more exhilarating facet to Dubai’s entertainment calendar and will continue to offer aerial feasts until 1 June, 2009.

Offered by Dubai Retail, the retail services arm of Dubai Properties Group (DPG), the concept that first took off in Belgium already boasts a waiting list of professionals looking to literally host an out-of-the-box business meeting or brave-hearted party lovers geared to take in that rare celestial encounter.

Open between 3.00pm to 12.00 midnight daily, the exotic culinary experience has the reassuring presence of three staff members including the chef, waiter and entertainer, who remain relatively mobile on a central platform that is ensconced by the diners. Ensuring a choice supply of food and beverages, the staff are ever eager to lend a helping hand for either taking pictures or film an event, conduct a product launch presentation or assist an entertainment fare.

During conventional operations, the Dinner in the Sky experience is set to last for approximately two hours per session. It offers 22 aloft feasters an international selection of culinary options ranging from coffee evenings to three-course meals per session, albeit in cosmic company.

Haiyan Mujarkech, CEO of Dubai Retail, said: “Dubai Retail strives to launch pioneering concepts at The Walk. Brought to Dubai in collaboration with Mindset Media and Event Horizon, Dinner in the Sky is the most original, breathtaking fine dining adventure that allows residents and tourists alike to experience one of Dubai Retail’s many unique offerings.”

In the words of David Ghysels, the Belgian who conceived the concept, Dinner in the Sky is “an experience to dream about” that has mesmerized audiences around the world including Johannesburg, Las Vegas, Paris, London, Turkey, Italy, Singapore, South Africa and Dubai.

“We are extremely pleased to introduce this elite, high-flying dining concept to Dubai Retail’s beachfront promenade, The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence. Dinner in the Sky is a promising and memorable adventure ideal for meetings, birthday parties, anniversaries, corporate retreats and other fun-filled events – an experience like no other," said Haluk Yalinkaya, Partner in Event Horizon LLC.

Dinner in the Sky has been ranked among the world’s top 10 most unusual restaurants by Forbes magazine in the US, while PR07, the largest TV station in Germany, has named it one of the top 10 extraordinary restaurants in the world. Recently, Dinner in the Sky was awarded the SMB Advisor of the Middle East for boasting the most innovative approach.

The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence hosts approximately 230 retailers and is anticipated to host over 305 outlets. Offering over 770,000 sq ft of retail space, the 1.7km retail promenade incorporates lifestyle shopping experiences through combining a unique selection of boutiques, retail stores, bistros and cafes.

Organized in alliance with Dubai-based Event Horizon and Mindset Media Dubai, Dinner in the Sky is bound to sweep you off your feet with its spectacular offerings and breathtaking views of Dubai’s skyline.

KKR Granted License To Operate From The Dubai International Financial Centre

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (“KKR”), a leading global alternative asset manager, today announced that KKR MENA Limited has been granted a license by the Dubai Financial Services Authority to operate from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

Abdulla Al Awar, Managing Director of the DIFC Authority, pointed out that: “The MENA region, and especially the Arabian Gulf, has been relatively less impacted by the ongoing global financial crisis than North America, Europe or Asia. The Gulf has been particularly well-cushioned by the windfall revenues from the high oil prices witnessed during most of 2008. This surplus income has been earmarked for continued investments in infrastructure projects to upgrade existing ones and build new capacities.

“Concurrently, our region is also witnessing a deepening of the financial markets and private equity is not only abundant here, but is fairly active. We are pleased to note that a globally respected firm such as KKR has chosen Dubai as their base to operate across the MENA region. We wish them the very best and offer all support for their continued success as we welcome them to the DIFC,” Al Awar said.

Led by Makram Azar, Managing Director and Head of Middle East and North Africa, KKR MENA is a newly formed subsidiary of KKR, especially created to do business from the DIFC. Its area of operations will cover the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. KKR MENA Limited will pursue private equity and infrastructure transactions in the MENA region and engage in the distribution of various KKR products.

Mr. Azar said: “We are delighted to officially launch KKR’s office in the DIFC and our operations in the rapidly developing Middle East and North Africa region. There are a wide variety of attractive opportunities in these markets and our professionals here look forward to capitalizing on KKR’s global resources to build an exceptional franchise.”

Dubai in April to May

Boat Racing April and May bring a host of competitions to the Arabian Gulf, including sailing, traditional dhow, rowing, and powerboat races. For a schedule of events, visit www.minaseyahidubai.com

The Palm Islands

The largest artificial islands in the world sit off the coast of Dubai in the Arabian Gulf. Collectively, the Palm Islands are considered by some to be an Eighth Wonder of the World. Developed by UAE-based Nakheel Properties, this triad of islands includes the Palm Jumeirah, Palm Deira, and Palm Jebel Ali. Made with hundreds of millions of cubic meters of reclaimed land from the bottom of the Gulf, the islands are each designed in the shape of a palm tree with a trunk, fronds, and crescent, adding a total of 520km (323 miles) of coastline to Dubai. The Palm Jumeirah is the first island to have opened, and includes a 2kmlong (11⁄4-mile) “trunk,” 17 fronds, and an 11km (7-mile) crescent that surrounds the island, creating a breakwater. Residents are already moving into their luxury homes, and 30 beachfront hotels are being built, including an Atlantis Resort at the apex of the island’s crescent. The Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, which will be much larger than the first island, are still under construction and will take another decade to complete. Bridges attach the islands to the mainland, and each will house multimillion dollar villas, luxury condos, private marinas, and retail and entertainment centers. Environmentalists worry about damage to surrounding marine habitats, and there’s no doubt the enormous Palm Island projects have altered the ecology.