Abu Dhabi developer Aldar Properties has launched a project in Dubai featuring what it claims will be the "largest and most diverse collection of wildlife within a residential community in the emirate”, amid surging property demand.
The Wilds, Aldar's third development in Dubai, is part of a joint venture with state-owned Dubai Holding and will feature about 1,700 homes, including five-and six-bedroom units designed by Lebanese architect Nabil Gholam, the company said.
The project will also offer three to five-bedroom villas and one to three-bedroom apartments Prices will start at Dh5.1 million ($1.39 million), Aldar confirmed to The National.
The project is expected to be delivered in 2029, with work expected to begin as soon as contracts are awarded. Aldar will begin the sale of villas and apartments on February 27.
"A first of its kind in Dubai … [the project] will stand out for its safe integration and retention of a large variety of species, alongside an incredible selection of native plants within a woodland sanctuary,” Aldar said.
Located along Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, opposite Global Village, the project will also feature a pond, lawn, dry stream habitats, duck houses, man-made bird nests and bee-keeping zones. There will be no wild animals, the company confirmed.
The Nest, a community pavilion, will be a gathering space for residents and will feature a "curiosity area” for kids with wildlife observation and environmental learning.
Amenities will include a premium international branded school, a retail hub at the community entrance, clubhouses, a nursery, play areas, splash pads, a clinic, and two mosques. The Wilds will also have fitness zones, meditation spaces, resort-style swimming pools, and walking and cycling trails.
The Wilds comes after Aldar launched its Haven and Athlon developments in Dubai, both in partnership with Dubai Holding, "which saw unprecedented demand with all units sold within hours of release”, it said.
Dubai's property market, which bounced back strongly from the Covid-driven slowdown, has boomed ever since, supported by government initiatives such as residency permits for retired and remote workers, an expanded golden visa programme, as well as robust economic growth in the UAE.
Last year, the emirate recorded real estate deals worth Dh761 billion, up 20 per cent compared to 2023, with the total number of transactions for the year surging by 36 per cent to 226,000, according to the latest data provided by Dubai Media Office.
Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi’s biggest listed developer, in recent years has expanded beyond its home base to other emirates in the UAE, as well as to foreign markets, including Egypt. The company reported a 43 per cent rise in its 2024 profit, as a sharp increase in UAE sales drove revenue.
Net profit attributable to equity holders of the company for the 12 months to the end of December rose to Dh5.6 billion, with revenue and rental income during the period up by more than 62 per cent annually to Dh23 billion, it said.
Aldar’s full-year sales reached a record high of Dh33.6 billion, up 20 per cent from the previous year. UAE sales hit Dh22.2 billion at the end of last year, accounting for about 78 per cent of total sales, a sharp increase from a 66 per cent contribution in 2023.
The company said it plans to launch a number of projects this year in Abu Dhabi, including Al Fahid Island development, as well as projects in Yas and Saadiyat Islands. It unveiled 12 projects last year.
Porsche Taycan Turbo specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
Range: 450km
Price: Dh601,800
On sale: now
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
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Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
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- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
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Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
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National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
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Engine: 3.7-litre V6
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Match info
Uefa Nations League Group B:
England v Spain, Saturday, 11.45pm (UAE)
Draw for Europa League last-16
Istanbul Basaksehir v Copenhagen; Olympiakos Piraeus v Wolverhampton Wanderers
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Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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Banned items
-
Drones
-
Animals
-
Fireworks/ flares
-
Radios or power banks
-
Laser pointers
-
Glass
-
Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
-
Sharp objects
-
Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
Tomorrow 2021
EA Sports FC 26
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Day 5, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Given the problems Sri Lanka have had in recent times, it was apt the winning catch was taken by Dinesh Chandimal. He is one of seven different captains Sri Lanka have had in just the past two years. He leads in understated fashion, but by example. His century in the first innings of this series set the shock win in motion.
Stat of the day This was the ninth Test Pakistan have lost in their past 11 matches, a run that started when they lost the final match of their three-Test series against West Indies in Sharjah last year. They have not drawn a match in almost two years and 19 matches, since they were held by England at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi in 2015.
The verdict Mickey Arthur basically acknowledged he had erred by basing Pakistan’s gameplan around three seam bowlers and asking for pitches with plenty of grass in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Why would Pakistan want to change the method that has treated them so well on these grounds in the past 10 years? It is unlikely Misbah-ul-Haq would have made the same mistake.
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National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
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Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
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Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
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• Could the UAE drive India's economy?
• News has a bright future and the UAE is at the heart of it
• Architecture is over - here's cybertecture
• The National announces Future of News journalism competition
• Round up: Experts share their visions of the world to come
Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
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Price: base / as tested: From Dh632,225
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Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
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Fixtures (all in UAE time)
Friday
Everton v Burnley 11pm
Saturday
Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur 3.30pm
West Ham United v Southampton 6pm
Wolves v Fulham 6pm
Cardiff City v Crystal Palace 8.30pm
Newcastle United v Liverpool 10.45pm
Sunday
Chelsea v Watford 5pm
Huddersfield v Manchester United 5pm
Arsenal v Brighton 7.30pm
Monday
Manchester City v Leicester City 11pm
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
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ODI squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
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Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
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Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
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The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
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