Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi's biggest developer, said it has sold all apartments at three buildings within the first phase of its new Grove District on Saadiyat Island.
Sales at Grove Museum Views, Grove Beach Views and Grove Uptown Views, which began on June 25, amounted to Dh600 million ($163.3m), Aldar said.
Due to “overwhelming demand”, Aldar released units for sale at a fourth building in the district, Grove Gallery Views, it said.
“Located at the centre of three cultural institutions, Grove District has commanded overwhelming interest from both local and international buyers,” said Rashed Al Omaira, chief commercial officer at Aldar Development.
“The development was so well received by the market that we brought forward the second and third buildings ahead of schedule to meet customer demand and we are now recording strong interest in the fourth building.”
Units at Grove Gallery Views start at Dh905,000 for a studio, Dh1.4m for a one-bedroom unit and Dh2.3m for two-bedroom properties. Sales are open to buyers of all nationalities.
Aldar said that 37 per cent of sales for the first phase of its Grove District were completed by non-resident buyers, representing the highest demand from this segment at any of its developments.
Residents accounted for a further 27 per cent while the rest were purchased by Emirati homebuyers.
The Grove District is located within Aldar’s flagship Saadiyat Grove development, close to Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The development will include a total of five residential buildings with 612 units. Once completed, Saadiyat Grove will feature 60,000 square metres of retail, entertainment and leisure spaces, and will have two hotels and co-working spaces for new enterprises and start-ups.
There will be a residents’ lounge, art workshop spaces, swimming pools, gyms, a luxury games room, and direct access to a jogging track and meditation lawns.
Earlier this year, Aldar also launched Louvre Abu Dhabi Residences, located within Saadiyat Grove, which will feature 400 units and is scheduled for handover in 2025.
Other major developments unveiled in the capital this year include Reem Hills on Reem Island, Bloom Living close to Abu Dhabi International Airport and Jubail Island.
Earlier this week, Aldar announced the launch of Yas Golf Collection, a Dh1.7 billion resort-style development that aims to tap into the growing demand for property on Yas Island.
England v South Africa schedule
- First Test: Starts Thursday, Lord's, 2pm (UAE)
- Second Test: July 14-18, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 2pm
- Third Test: The Oval, London, July 27-31, 2pm
- Fourth Test: Old Trafford, Manchester, August 4-8
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
Sunday's games
Liverpool v West Ham United, 4.30pm (UAE)
Southampton v Burnley, 4.30pm
Arsenal v Manchester City, 7pm
Children who witnessed blood bath want to help others
Aged just 11, Khulood Al Najjar’s daughter, Nora, bravely attempted to fight off Philip Spence. Her finger was injured when she put her hand in between the claw hammer and her mother’s head.
As a vital witness, she was forced to relive the ordeal by police who needed to identify the attacker and ensure he was found guilty.
Now aged 16, Nora has decided she wants to dedicate her career to helping other victims of crime.
“It was very horrible for her. She saw her mum, dying, just next to her eyes. But now she just wants to go forward,” said Khulood, speaking about how her eldest daughter was dealing with the trauma of the incident five years ago. “She is saying, 'mama, I want to be a lawyer, I want to help people achieve justice'.”
Khulood’s youngest daughter, Fatima, was seven at the time of the attack and attempted to help paramedics responding to the incident.
“Now she wants to be a maxillofacial doctor,” Khulood said. “She said to me ‘it is because a maxillofacial doctor returned your face, mama’. Now she wants to help people see themselves in the mirror again.”
Khulood’s son, Saeed, was nine in 2014 and slept through the attack. While he did not witness the trauma, this made it more difficult for him to understand what had happened. He has ambitions to become an engineer.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
