Four hotels, three schools, a business district, a mall, tree-lined avenues and an entertainment complex designed by the acclaimed Zaha Hadid Architects. Welcome to the megaproject that represents a new era for Sharjah.
Aljada, a sprawling 2.2-square kilometre site close to the emirate's airport, universities and the E311 motorway, is now about 30 per cent complete with major elements such as the mall and business district still to be built.
But the development is already buzzing and not just with its own residents. Aljada, which loosely translates as “the district”, has become a destination for people from across the UAE, who come to enjoy its cafes, farmers market, outdoor cinema, restaurants, supermarkets, skateparks and bike paths. There is even a shop selling Emirati farm produce.
Aljada is a very interesting project; very complex and challenging. There is a story behind every spot of this project
Maher Metraji,
Arada
To get a sense of how transformational Aljada could be and why so many people are already spending time there, The National was invited to tour the site, given a rare look inside the major construction areas and shown renderings of the mall that have not been released before.
“In the Sharjah real estate market, we say there is a phase before Aljada and a phase after Aljada,” said Maher Metraji, senior development director at Arada, who is responsible for delivering the project. “Because we have set not only a new standard but a very high standard of how a master development should look; what should it include; how it should be designed; how it should be executed; and handed over.”
Building a destination
Construction of what Arada describes as Sharjah’s largest-ever mixed-use project began in 2018.
In 2020, the first phase of its Madar entertainment complex opened, featuring a skatepark and food district.
Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic with its stay-at-home measures and travel bans, Aljada welcomed more than a million visitors in its first year and by the start of 2021, people were moving into the first homes.
By the end of 2023, it is expected 12,000 people will live in the self-contained city.
There is also a nursery for the trees that line its roads. The trees are indigenous where possible and old ghaf trees that were growing on the site when it was just a remote patch of sand have been preserved.
“When you drive to Aljada, you can see parks, gyms, pools, open cinemas, jogging tracks, shops, restaurants – everything you would require whether you live here or visit,” said Mr Metraji.
“That is very interesting to us – that we have built a destination and not just projects.”
Aljada will also be home to what Arada say will be Sharjah’s largest gym. It is just a few months from opening and an army of workers are racing to complete the job. Located in the Madar entertainment district, the 6,038-square metre facility will have an elevated running track winding around the outside.
A trampoline park managed by Bounce will open beside it.
Construction of the mall will start next year, and while Arada are tight-lipped about what will be inside, the developer said it is going to be something special.
Renderings shown to The National reveal a series of futuristic, curved buildings surrounding an observation deck. It will also feature a “showpiece water feature”.
“We are so excited to start this as soon as we can because it is going to be another transformation … not just for Sharjah but the public of the UAE,” said Mr Metraji. “Trust me: it is going to be wow.”
Green spine
The scope of Aljada does not stop there. Four hotels will be built including a Rove, Address and Vida with construction of the Vida already under way.
The central business district, a network of about 40 buildings, has ambitions to be the new commercial centre of Sharjah. Construction is expected to start next year and is styled as the region’s first “post-pandemic business district”.
A striking feature is its “green spine” of trees along with shaded paths, green terraces and spaces for outdoor meetings.
“In Sharjah there is no [specialised] business district,” said Mr Metraji. “This is where we find it very interesting to develop such a product and introduce it to the market. And we are sure this will contribute to the business success of Arada and Sharjah.”
Arada, a venture between KBW Investments – a company controlled by Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed and Sharjah's Basma Group launched in 2017.
Arada has unveiled three master communities in Sharjah – Aljada, Masaar and Nasma Residences. It also bought land on Dubai’s The Palm Jumeirah for Dh240 million but construction has not begun.
For those wishing to purchase a property in Aljada, units are freehold. This is part of a wider trend in Sharjah that started in 2014 when all nationalities were allowed to buy in the emirate in certain areas on 100-year leasehold.
By 2022, Sharjah allowed freehold to all nationalities. This encouraged a more diverse mix of investors, helped development expand beyond the historic centre and also eased some of the traffic issues in central Sharjah.
Major infrastructure development undertaken by the Sharjah government, such as the Al Badee interchange works that eased a bottleneck on the E611, have also helped in this regard.
Arada said projects in Sharjah were also boosted by rising populations in both Sharjah and neighbouring Dubai. In July it reported a 186 per cent increase in sales during the first half of this year. It sold 1,616 homes worth Dh4.26 billion ($1.16bn) in the first six months. Apartments cost around Dh786,000 to buy, while rent for a two-bed starts at around Dh55,000.
“It has always been the case that whenever the Dubai market does well, it has an effect on Sharjah as well,” said an Arada representative. “We see the effects of that over the past couple of years.”
The entire Aljada site has a total sales value of Dh24 billion (a construction cost was not revealed) and will ultimately have 25,000 residential units of which most are apartments.
As of July, more than 6,000 residential units, the first school, the first phase of Madar, the student housing community of 12 buildings and the first prime retail spaces have been completed.
Arada said residential investors are primarily Emiratis, other Gulf nationals, Indians, and then Europeans, Australians, Britons, Americans and other nationalities.
It is a similar picture when it comes to renting and people commute to other emirates from Aljada.
Cars are still the only way to get to the development but it is expected that public buses will stop at Aljada in the future. The project is set to finish in 2028, when it will have 75,000 residents.
Arada says Aljada is “transformational” for Sharjah as it is the first master development that looks to the future but also tries to incorporate some of its past.
For example, some of the buildings took inspiration from the Al Khan historic neighbourhood where buildings are grouped together in a certain way to channel the wind and keep them cool.
Today, much of the development still lies ahead, But as Mr Metraji, a veteran of the megaproject game who worked on Dubai Mall, drives around the site his passion for helping to deliver what is undoubtedly a new era is clear.
“Aljada is a very interesting project; very complex and challenging,” he said. “There is a story behind every spot of this project. I'm proud.”
Madar at Aljada opens in 2020 – in pictures
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
SERIE A FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Roma v Udinese (5pm)
SPAL v Napoli (8pm)
Juventus v Torino (10.45pm)
Sunday
Sampdoria v AC Milan (2.30pm)
Inter Milan v Genoa (5pm)
Crotone v Benevento (5pm)
Verona v Lazio (5pm)
Cagliari v Chievo (5pm)
Sassuolo v Bologna (8pm)
Fiorentina v Atalanta (10.45pm)
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Duminy's Test career in numbers
Tests 46; Runs 2,103; Best 166; Average 32.85; 100s 6; 50s 8; Wickets 42; Best 4-47
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Pieces of Her
Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick
Director: Minkie Spiro
Rating:2/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
French Touch
Carla Bruni
(Verve)
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%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
CONCRETE COWBOY
Directed by: Ricky Staub
Starring: Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome
3.5/5 stars
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20four-cyl%20turbo%20%2B%20mild%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E204hp%20at%205%2C800rpm%20%2B23hp%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C800rpm%20%2B205Nm%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E9-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7.3L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2FDecember%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh205%2C000%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
Sukuk
An Islamic bond structured in a way to generate returns without violating Sharia strictures on prohibition of interest.
Red Sparrow
Dir: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Egerton, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons
Three stars
Profile Box
Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Mohammed Toraif
Based: Manama, Bahrain
Sector: Sales, Technology, Conservation
Size: (employees/revenue) 4/ 5,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($100,000)
Investors: Two first-round investors including, 500 Startups, Fawaz Al Gosaibi Holding (Saudi Arabia)
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
