Backed by extensive experience gained over the past 35 years in the business, Dubai-based Al Rostamani Real Estate Company (ARRE) is poised to scale further heights with a number of landmark projects on its drawing boards and a major programme to revamp its properties in the UAE.

The leading real estate developer holds credit for the 21st Century Tower which enjoys a prominent position along Sheikh Zayed Road and is recognised as the world’s tallest residential tower. The 269-m signature residential building, completed last year, now boasts full occupancy, according to Wessel Witthuhn, general manager of ARRE.
Among the prestigious projects being developed by the firm is a 50-storey residential tower, which is now coming out of the ground near the Dubai Islamic Bank at Dubai Marina.  The consultant for the estimated Dh200-million-plus ($54.5 million) project is Khatib and Alami and the contractor is Rostamani Pegel.
Work is also under way on a Dh100 million mixed-use building in Hamriya. The 18-storey Al Hamriya building, as it is known, offers residential and commercial space.
The commercial space has been taken up by a bank, which will occupy the ground and three upper storeys for its offices.  Above these levels will be 12 residential floors. The building also includes two basement levels, which will house parking facilities as well as the bank’s vault.
While the building offers both commercial and residential property, efforts have been made to keep these two areas separate. For instance, the lifts have been configured so that users of the commercial space do not have access to the residential areas, says Witthuhn.
Diaphragm walling work is currently under way on site of the building, which sits on a raft foundation.  The building will be clad with an aluminium and glass structural glazing system. The project has a contract duration of 16 months.
ARRE is part of the Al Rostamani Group, one of the largest conglomerates in the UAE.  The parent company – which holds agencies for leading automakers including Nissan, Suzuki and United Diesel – has launched a major programme involving a visual identity change as well as a facelift.
New showrooms for Suzuki and United Diesel Truck division are to be built in Dubai  while Nissan showrooms are to be expanded. ARRE is now charged with the responsibility of implementing these projects, which will also include projects elsewhere in the emirates. For instance, a new showroom and residential tower for these auto-makers is on the cards for Fujairah and Khor Fakkan.
The company has also started work in February on a ground-plus-16 storey building in Fujairah.
Meanwhile, ARRE is poised to forge ahead with plans to ensure that its existing properties are on par with the latest developments coming on the market.
“Part of our mission is to enhance our property portolio which entails upgrading our existing buildings,” says Witthuhn.  “We are undertaking marketing studies on these building to evaluate the type of upgrade –which can call for a facelift, repair or demolition and reconstruction.”
Commenting on the real estate market, he says: “Dubai is becoming a very competitive market and demand is on the rise for well-maintained and well-managed property.  The purchaser and tenant has become more discerning. The market is price and amenities driven.”
Al Rostamani holds a competitive edge on the market for a number of reasons, he says.
“Al Rostamani, however, is an established name in the UAE with a portfolio of 90 buildings in Dubai alone. We are not a fly-by-night operator, so we have a steady base to start from.”
ARRE’s core businesses are property development and asset management. It operates and manages a diversified portfolio of residential, commercial and industrial properties in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.