UAQ plans Dh25b resort

Shaikh Saud and PNC Menon at the launch of Firdous Sobha on Wednesday.

 The emirate of Umm Al Quwain will have a new 'heaven' resort worth Dh25 billion in 10 years, according to Shaikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain.
Shaikh Rashid, who is also the Chairman of the UAQ Executive Board, made the announcement on Wednesday in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain.
The government of Umm Al Quwain and Sobha Group, a leading luxury real estate developer, unveiled the 'Firdous Sobha' project, an integrated world-class resort and residential island development in Umm Al Quwain.
Aimed at setting new heights in destination living, the two parties will collaborate to develop an initially protected island on a total land area of 53 million sqft, Shaikh Rashid stated. "This is three times bigger than the Palm Islands."
The new development will leverage the growth and emergence of Umm Al Quwain as a commercial and tourist attraction with a luxurious villa community, hotels and resorts, and boutique retail outlets, he explained.
"These are added to an 18-hole golf course, sea front villas and apartments, wellness destination and an array of recreational and entertainment options that are inspired by an island lifestyle."
'Firdous Sobha' will have unrivalled panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf, unspoilt beaches, world-class water-sport facilities and feature state-of-the-art luxury amenities, he elaborated.
"The development will also be home to terraced apartments, which will reflect classic modernity while maintaining a balance of style and functionality."
The flagship project has been launched in line with the vision of transforming Umm Al Quwain into an active tourism and commercial destination, he pointed out. "Located on Al Seniyah Island, along with Khor Al Beidah, one of the largest areas of undisturbed and varied coastal environment remaining anywhere in the UAE, 'Firdous Sobha' is an untapped heaven with a beautiful mangrove coastline."
PNC Menon, founder and chairman, Sobha Group, said the island is set to offer incomparable living with leisure options including waterfront homes, ecological zones, canals and lagoons and a marina that will offer world-class facilities for berthing. "We are jointly transform the island into a world class destination and a hot spot for iconic properties."
Menon told Khaleej Times that the $6 to $7 billion project will stand tall against the global economic slowdown which is "more or less cyclical or full of ups and downs, and that is a normal phenomenon."
The UAE is not only surrounded with a massive population of more than three billion people, but is attracting more visitors, tourists, investors and businessmen every year, he added.
"Umm Al Quwain is one of the best destinations in the world, and we are going to create a heaven here."
The masterplan of the Dh25 billion ten-year project is to be announced by the end of 2017 or beginning of 2018, Shaikh Rashid said.
"The first phase is to take some three years whereas the other phases are yet to be decided as per the dynamics of the market."
The island, located 1.2km off the mainland will be bridged with the mainland and highway as well, he said.
"The freehold development project is the first of its kind in the UAE that strictly considers environment protection, let alone the economic impact."
- ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com