Construction & Real Estate

H&G sees big demand for home maintenance in Dubai’s luxury projects

UAE-based home maintenance specialist Hitches & Glitches (H&G), part of the Farnek Group, has witnessed an unprecedented increase in demand for home maintenance in Dubai’s luxury residential property sector.
 
 One notable contract H&G has acquired is for a luxury villa in Jumeirah Bay Island, often referred to as ‘Billionaires Row’, which has a built-up area (BUA) of over 7,200 sq m, equivalent to the size of Manchester City’s football pitch.
 
The Franek group unit provides a fulltime housekeeper, maid, chef, driver, service butler, a technician and a watchman.
 
It also maintains gym equipment, a jacuzzi, home automation, laundry and kitchen appliances, a swimming pool and water features, extensive landscaping and manages pest control and 24-hour security.
 
According to propertyfinder, a 2,237 sq m plot of land in Jumeirah Bay Island is currently valued at AED 155 - 160 million. That obviously doesn’t even include the cost of building a villa! 
 
So, having made that level of investment, these discerning owners recognise that they require regular high-quality management and planned preventative maintenance, particularly if they are away from their home for any extended period,” commented Zohaib Azhar, Director of Operations at Hitches & Glitches.
 
In addition, H&G was recently appointed to manage 900 premium branded apartments and five-star hotel residences in Dubai Downtown, Dubai Creek Harbor and Dubai Marina neighborhood. 
 
Presently H&G’s home maintenance division has more than 1,500 active Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC), valued at over AED 22 million, serviced by 210 qualified technicians.
 
According to research by property consultant Knight Frank, Dubai is currently one of the fastest-growing luxury residential markets in the world. As such, the value of properties in Dubai’s prime residential developments continue to grow exponentially.
 
Over 100 residential properties were sold for more than $10 million during the first quarter of this year alone, a 19 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2023. More than a third of those transactions were for homes on Palm Jumeirah, with investors from the UK, China and India, making up approximately 37% of total transactions.
 
“We initially recognised this trend over two years ago when it became apparent that increasing numbers of wealthy overseas investors were buying luxury properties in Dubai," stated Azhar.
 
"So, we formed a specialist unit of highly trained technicians to compete in this niche market with a tailored offering, providing a convenient one-stop shop for MEP, civil, carpentry, smart home automation, white goods, special renovation projects and fit out works,” he added.

Construction & Real Estate

AI set to transform construction sector: study

The construction industry in the UAE and Saudi Arabia is on the verge of a technological and sustainability-driven transformation, according to The Construction Pulse, a new survey conducted by Versatile International – the region’s first natural stone project management consultancy.

The survey, in collaboration with Ipsos in UAE, captured insights from 168 senior level professionals at all stages of the construction process – ranging from developers, architects and designers – to project management consultants - revealed that 57% of respondents view Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the most prominent trend shaping the sector in 2025.

At the same time, 55% of respondents in the survey emphasised sustainability as a key driver of innovation, with development projects increasingly incorporating renewable energy and green building certifications. However, the findings reveal challenges ahead, with 56% of respondents citing labour shortages as a substantial issue over the next 5 to 10 years, and 46% identifying the need for more specialized skilled employees. In the short term, 51% of respondents pointed to rising costs and project complexity as the most significant obstacles currently affecting the industry.

Key Findings

The survey revealed major trends that will define the Gulf construction landscape:

•              AI’s Impact: 57% of respondents believe AI will revolutionise workflows and decision-making in 2025.

•              Sustainability surge: 55% of professionals highlight sustainability as the top priority across construction initiatives.

•              Labour shortages: 56% of respondents identify labour shortages as a substantial challenge over the next 5 to 10 years, affecting the industry's ability to deliver projects on time and maintain quality standards, with 46% also pointing to the need for more specialised skilled employees as a secondary challenge.

•              Growth focus: 53% of construction industry leaders in the UAE and KSA cited regional market expansion when asked about their primary focus for growth in 2025.

While there is optimism about the potential of AI and sustainability in revolutionising the industry, the survey also identified some concerns for respondents. When asked about the biggest challenges that are currently facing the sector, respondents cited rising costs (51%) as the primary challenge facing construction professionals across both the UAE and KSA, highlighting the need for smarter budgeting strategies and minimizing wasted resource due to rework.

Sector in Transition

“These findings highlight a construction industry at a crossroads,” said Marco Fahd, Chairman and CEO of Versatile International. “AI and sustainability are reshaping how projects are planned and delivered and continue to create opportunities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. On the other hand - challenges like labor shortages and rising costs require practical solutions, such as better workforce development and efficiency. This survey is not just a snapshot — it is part of a long-term effort to establish an industry benchmark, helping to identify key areas of challenge and opportunity. Accessing specialist consultants like Versatile International can play a critical role in avoiding costly delays and supply chain issues that risk project deadlines.”

Regulatory Environment

Across the region, in recent years, updated policy frameworks seek to guide the industry towards achieving sustainable goals. In the UAE, 64% of respondents pointed to regulatory changes as a challenge, reflecting the ongoing evolution of the industry as it redefines sustainability benchmarks in order to reach decarbonization goals.

Opportunities for 2025

It is clear that construction professionals across the Gulf are establishing robust plans for 2025. When asked about their biggest focus areas for growth in 2025, 53% of construction professionals across the UAE and the Kingdom identified entering new regional markets as the top priority. Industry leaders emphasize the importance of collaboration, workforce development, and innovation to meet increasing demands while maintaining cost efficiency and quality.-TradeArabia News Service

 

Construction & Real Estate

Sobha Realty posts record $6.26bn sales in 2024

Sobha Realty, a leading global luxury real estate developer, posted record 2024 sales of AED23 billion ($6.26 billion), underscoring the growing demand for its luxurious developments, the company said. 
 
Of the total sales, AED5 billion came from Sobha Siniya Island, a luxury community in the emirate of Umm Al Quwain, that was launched in Q3 2024. 
 
The company achieved an impressive ~50 per cent growth in sales year-on-year, driven by its diverse portfolio of properties in the UAE. Sobha Realty has surpassed its ambitious target for 2024 and has set its sights on reaching AED20 billion for Dubai Developments and AED10 billion for Sobha Siniya Island in 2025. 
 
This remarkable performance highlights Sobha Realty’s dedication to excellence in design, craftsmanship, and timely delivery. The developer also successfully launched four new masterplans during the year. With these achievements, Sobha Realty continues with ~10 per cent of Dubai’s real estate market share in 2024 with 11 masterplans across the UAE, the developer said.
 
Last year marked a significant chapter in Sobha Realty’s journey to global prominence. The company amplified its international marketing efforts, expanding its footprint into key global markets. Projects such as Sobha Siniya Island, Sobha Elwood, Sobha Orbis, and Sobha Solis set industry benchmarks, driving robust consumer demand. The very first island project – Sobha Siniya Island -- witnessed phenomenal sales of 2,140 units within five months in the year and offers great potential in 2025. 
 
With expansion plans in the US and Australia, Sobha Realty is poised for continued prosperity and growth, it said.
 
Moreover, Sobha Realty was ranked as the second most recalled real estate brand in the UAE for the second consecutive year, according to a brand health study among property seekers. The developer has achieved an impressive rating of 4.7 on Google, further reiterating the love and trust consumers have for the brand, the company said.
 
2024 also witnessed a significant transition in Sobha Realty’s leadership. PNC Menon passed the baton to his son, Ravi Menon, who assumed the role of Chairman of Sobha Group, while PNC Menon continues to serve as Founder of Sobha Group.
 
PNC Menon commented: “2024 has been a landmark year for Sobha Realty, marked by record-breaking sales and transformative partnerships that pave the way for our future. This success underscores our dedication to crafting exceptional properties. As we step into 2025, we are committed to staying agile in a dynamic market, elevating customer experiences, and reinforcing our standing as a global leader in real estate.”
 
To further solidify its status as the foremost fully backward integrated real estate company, Sobha Group expanded its backward integration portfolio by establishing Sobha Modular and Façade Factory for pods and façade manufacturing, along with Sobha Energy Solutions, a new division revolutionising cooling service. - TradeArabia News Service