Sobha One: First in the Middle East with Green Mark Platinum SLE, reinforcing sustainability commitment

Dubai, UAE: Sobha Realty, a leading global luxury real estate developer, has announced its flagship Dubai project, Sobha One, has been awarded the prestigious Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy (SLE) certification by Singapore's Building and Construction Authority (BCA). This milestone achievement makes Sobha One the first building outside Singapore to earn this distinction, highlighting Sobha Realty's commitment to environmentally friendly living experience.
In addition to the SLE certification, Sobha One has also been recognised with the Whole Life Carbon badge in testament to the project's dedication to low-impact development and eco-conscious design.
The Green Mark certification is a globally recognised benchmark for environmental resourcefulness, assessing projects across five critical categories: Resilience, Whole Life Carbon, Health & Wellbeing, Intelligence, and Maintainability. Sobha One's innovative design delivers best-in-class energy performance, achieving an impressive 60 per cent energy savings compared to 2005 standards, a testament to Sobha Realty's ethos of 'Art of The Detail'.
Francis Alfred, Managing Director of Sobha Realty, said: 'Sustainability is a commitment woven into every aspect of our work. With Sobha One becoming the first building in the Middle East to achieve the Green Mark Platinum SLE certification, we are proud to set new standards in responsible living and low-carbon development. This milestone reflects our dedication to innovation, quality, and environmental responsibility; aligning with global sustainability goals and the UAE's Net Zero vision for 2050.'
This achievement reflects the meticulous attention to quality, climate-friendly leadership, and design excellence that characterises every Sobha Realty development. Leveraging its unique Backward Integration model, Sobha Realty maintains complete control over the development process, integrating advanced technologies such as CAFM, Common Data Environment (CDE) platforms, digital twins, and predictive maintenance dashboards. These innovations drive energy efficiency, resources optimization, and long-term operational performance.
Sobha One also aligns with climate risk assessments and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework to mitigate and manage climate risks. The project's pre-certification will be verified post-construction to ensure compliance with the highest international sustainability standards. Sobha Realty's dedication to environmental stewardship likewise aligns with the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and global climate goals, while demonstrating the company's leadership and clear strategy for emissions reduction through ESG reports, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) assessments and GRESB benchmarking assessments.
Administered by Singapore's Building and Construction Authority (BCA), the Green Mark Scheme sets a global standard for sustainable design and best practices in construction. With Sobha One earning this distinguished certification, Sobha Realty reaffirms its position as a global leader in low impact real estate development, driving innovation and excellence across the industry.
About Sobha Realty
Sobha Realty is an international luxury developer committed to redefining the art of living through sustainable communities. Established in 1976 as an interior decoration firm in Oman by PNC Menon – a visionary entrepreneur – the company has grown its presence with developments and investments in the UAE, Oman, and India. For nearly five decades, Sobha Realty has been redefining the real estate value chain through 'Backward Integration' by leveraging its inherent in-house capabilities of conceptualisation, design, and development. Today, the firm has developed into one of the most prominent and premium real estate developers in the UAE and aims to become a global real estate developer with its essence, the 'Art of the Detail,' remaining deeply embedded in the organisation's DNA. With a proven track record of delivering projects ahead of schedule, the company has eleven masterplans across the UAE and is continually expanding its presence in the city with a number of other prominent projects. The flagship community of Sobha Realty (Sobha Hartland) is a thriving community that is home to over 11,000 residents.
Sobha Siniya Island, Sobha Realty's masterplan and it's very first-ever luxury island project, features luxury villas, mansions, and resorts in a serene island setting.

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The National

13-06-2025

• The National

The Sobha Realty partnership helping Arsenal's training ground get match-fit

Blink and you would miss it. The entrance to the Sobha Realty Arsenal Training Ground is a cutaway in a high hedge running along a row of detached houses where the rolling English countryside meets the motorway network. A trailblazing centre that was bought and opened in the era of Arsene Wegner's 2003-2004 Invincibles team, the 147-acre site north of London is also a jewel in the global ambitions of the Sobha Realty property empire. Naming rights were acquired this year, allowing the real estate company to place the team as its prime marketing vehicle. No one could act as a greater champion of the talking points of the training ground than facilities manager Sean O'Connor. No one except perhaps the former player Tony Adams, who was captain of the club when the 10 new all-weather pitches first opened around the turn of the century. In fact, the pair make a practised double act, with Mr O'Connor still referring to Mr Adams as captain. Figures about the ground trip lightly from O'Connor such as the 17 miles of pipes under the pitches or the £1 million cost of replacing the hybrid grass, cork and fibre first team practice pitch. A hanger-like gym facility with training and rehabilitation equipment, including a gravity-altered treadmill adapted from Nasa technology was the last big opening at the Hertfordshire site in 2018 when Unai Emery was the manager. O'Connor hints that another big redevelopment could be on the cards talking about accommodation facilities and partnerships, including specialist health care and rehabilitation ventures. New levels of ambition for the facility are central to the potential that Juliet Slot, the chief commercial officer of the club and linchpin of the relationship with Sobha, sees as underwritten by the sponsorship template. 'You get a sense of the care and attention that goes into every detail to create the best environment to fuel our teams' performance,' she said. 'Excellence is at the heart of our partnership. Bringing them on board as our naming rights partner for the training ground was something new for us, and their expertise is helping us to realise new opportunities for the space, and ensure we are always moving forward in creating world-class facilities for the future.' The effort to create awareness in the UK of Sobha as a property developer focused on developments in the Middle East, or indeed in Texas and India, is not limited to the TV coverage of the club that came second in the league last season, qualifying for Europe's Champions League football in 2025-26. The company has also raised awareness with a place on the hallowed turf at Lord's during this week's ICC world test championship of cricket. There is also a Sobha showroom on the most prized part of the Monopoly board in Park Lane, central London. The studio on Park Lane is a statement for the business, like the high-profile tie-up with Arsenal, designed for maximum impact. The location is obviously prestigious and a lure for inviting potential clients. It also is well located for people who walk in after recognising the brand or seeking it out online. For the marketing channels that Sobha maintains in the UK such as its real estate agents, the studio is also a place of hospitality. Displays of new developments dot the two floors of the building, which overlooks Hyde Park. Sales staff are able to promote Dubai as attractive to the UK investor for a cavalcade of reasons. Property investors in the domestic market are beleaguered and complain of a lost decade. Property taxes are higher, prices are volatile and not now growing as fast as the previous decade. Rental yields do not clearly exceed the interest and tax levels to give super returns. The attractions of releasing UK property equity and recycling the funds into Dubai holdings have only grown since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. A new trend for the sales team is the wave of UK residents who have reacted negatively to recent increases in taxes and the stalled growth of the overall economy, seeking new careers and better lifestyle options in Dubai and the region. With moving to Dubai on the cards, many new clients are buying off-plan in London with an eye on moving into the development some time after they have set up their new jobs. 'We're witnessing a growing interest in the UK from investors, individuals, and families opting for Dubai as their new home, reflecting an expanding allure of Dubai as an ideal destination globally,' said Ashish Parakh, group chief sales and marketing officer. 'We are dedicated to facilitating this transition by focusing on developing integrated communities that provide physical space, a sense of belonging, opportunity, and long-term value. We offer tailored services designed for international residents. We guide UK buyers through each stage of their journey to Dubai, enabling them to embark on this new chapter in their lives.' The company likes to boast it has central locations, villa communities, penthouse apartments and mansions. Most popular is the four or five bedroom home, which is attractive to the demographic of UK residents in their 30s or 40s who boast globally transferable skills. There are lots of UK professionals working in IT, Finance, real estate and technology businesses that are moving over to the UAE, the Sobha staff said. Where once it was investors or those looking for a holiday home, now it is those moving over. The attractions outside the strictly business aspects are to create a new way of life, to have a lot more day-to-day safety. Many are taking their families on the move and so need that bit more space. There is also a younger layer of buyer in their 20s or sub-30s with a niche set of buyers with YouTube and influencer profiles. At the Arsenal main stadium the Sobha presence is right next to the club's own media parlour. It is awash with YouTube talent every week. Another meeting place of the shared interests between the north London club and the UAE-focused developer.

Zawya

13-06-2025

• Zawya

Backward integration drives Sobha Realty's expansion and project efficiency

Backed by more than four decades of engineering and real estate expertise, Sobha Realty stand out in the UAE's highly competitive property market through its fully backward-integrated model. 'Sobha Realty is the first developer to pioneer this business model in the UAE, and the only major real estate player that is fully backward integrated in the region,' said Francis Alfred, Managing Director of Sobha Realty. 'This is spearheaded by Sobha Modular Industries and complemented by an integrated operational network. The luxury developer adopted a strategic approach by identifying key construction bottlenecks—such as bathrooms, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) modules, facades, and other critical elements. These insights formed the basis of the backward-integrated model, allowing for greater control, efficiency, and scalability. 'Our rapid success in implementing these technologies has paved the way for expanding modularisation across more areas of the construction process,' said Alfred, who is helming the company's evolution towards factory-based modular construction, sustainable building methods, and end-to-end operational self-sufficiency. 'Modular construction is rapidly emerging as the new norm, and we believe it will become mainstream in the near future,' he noted. Alfred said the company is currently testing volumetric modular construction, which will allow it to offer fully modular solutions for various geographies. 'As building codes and approvals for modular construction continue to evolve in the UAE, we are optimistic about the prospects of fully modular buildings,' he said. He added that the company continues to invest in research, prototyping, and capability-building to manufacture and deliver complete modular solutions. On the business front, the company is expanding its footprint both within the UAE and internationally. Following its successful entry into the Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) emirate with the launch of Sobha Siniya Island in 2024, Sobha Realty announced its next phase of expansion through the new Downtown UAQ project. 'Furthermore, we are entering the Abu Dhabi market as part of our commitment to shaping the UAE's luxury real estate landscape,' stated Alfred. 'On the international front, we have already expanded in key global markets, including the U.S. and Australia, as part of our long-term growth vision.' He credited Sobha Realty's fully backward-integrated model as a key enabler of the expansion, providing greater control over quality, cost, timelines, and environmental impact throughout the development cycle. 'We have always built and maintained our integrated ecosystem in the markets we operate, and we will follow the same approach as we grow into new regions,' he emphasised. Alfred also highlighted Mission 70:70, Sobha Realty's initiative to transform construction execution in the region by automating repetitive tasks and enabling skilled professionals to focus on high-value work. 'We aim to shift 70 percent of on-site work into a controlled factory environment by developing innovative offsite products,' he explained. 'This transition will enhance precision, improve quality, boost efficiency, scalability, and accelerate project timelines.' The second '70' focuses on optimising the workforce within the company's factories through lean manufacturing and automation. 'In a conventional setup, 100 workers may be required to run operations, but under Mission 70-70, we will operate with just 50,' he noted. 'We've already witnessed a remarkable impact through Sobha Modular, and with Mission 70-70, we are poised to expand this impact across multiple domains—driving large-scale change and setting new industry benchmarks.' Interview excerpts: Sobha has clearly invested heavily in its backward integration model. What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) you use internally to assess the success and efficiency of this model over time? At Sobha Realty, our backward integration model is central to our commitment to delivering exceptional quality and value. To evaluate its effectiveness, we monitor several key performance indicators: • Project Delivery Timelines: We track the adherence to project schedules, aiming for early or on-time completions. Thanks to our backward integration model, our projects are delivered on time as per the original project delivery plans. • Quality Assurance Metrics: We assess the quality of our projects through internal audits and customer feedback. At Sobha Group, we use German capabilities across our quality control team to ensure that all our projects adhere to and exceed the highest standards, both on the market level and internationally. • Customer Satisfaction: We regularly survey our clients to identify satisfaction levels, focusing on aspects like build quality, design, and overall experience. • Sustainability Benchmarks: Our commitment to sustainability is measured through rigorous certifications and assessments. Sobha One recently received the Middle East's first Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy (SLE) certification from Singapore's Building and Construction Authority (BCA). It has also been awarded the Whole Life Carbon badge, underscoring the project's dedication to low-impact development and eco-conscious design. Several other projects are currently pursuing LEED certifications across various rating systems. Sobha Realty achieved an impressive score of 91 in the 2024 Annual GRESB ESG Assessment, marking a significant improvement from its 2023 score of 72. With backward integration comes a higher fixed cost base and greater CAPEX exposure. How does Sobha de-risk its model financially during periodic downturns in the real estate market? Real estate development is not an isolated industry, it requires extensive network support and supply chain related to different industries, including steel, glass, façades among many others. Sobha Realty recognises that connecting multiple industries with the real estate industry can carry some exposure to market fluctuations. However, our backward integration strategy is built with long-term resilience in mind. Each vertical within our ecosystem is established not only to support internal demand, but also to have the potential to operate as an independent profit centre. This reduces dependency on a single revenue stream and opens up opportunities to serve external markets. While the model is capital intensive, it allows us to keep liquidity within the group, streamline payment terms, and gain significant intangible benefits across the supply chain. Moreover, our fixed costs and capital expenditure are carefully planned based on projected volumes and long-term savings. We are also developing a 5–10-year roadmap for each business vertical to ensure diversification and greater protection against sector downturns. Many developers are still reliant on third-party contractors despite the risks. Why do you think the industry has been slow to adopt backward integration, and how does Sobha's model offer a sustainable long-term edge? Shifting to a backward integration model is a strategic move that requires extensive planning and investment from real estate developers. It involves high capital investment, careful operational planning, and expertise across various domains. Thanks to our backward integration model, we ensure: • Quality Control: Full oversight of design, materials, and construction ensures top-tier standards. Our quality efforts are spearheaded by German Master Craftsmen to ensure German quality — the golden standard in the real estate industry. • Timely Delivery: Sobha Realty's model eliminates delays originating from external suppliers' failure to meet delivery timelines. The latest example is the early handover of Creek Vistas Grande in Sobha Hartland, where residents received their keys six months ahead of schedule. • Innovative Designs: In-house capabilities enable unique, custom-built developments. Sobha Group proudly employs over 500 in-house designers and architects. • Sustainability: We ensure green building practices throughout our supply chain. • Backward integration also protects our operations from global supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures. By relying on our in-house manufacturing units, we reduce dependency on external vendors and service providers. We leverage locally available raw materials and operate within a self-sufficient supply ecosystem. As a result, we ensure uninterrupted progress and deliver projects on schedule, all while upholding the highest standards of quality. With over 40,000 workers under direct employment, how does Sobha manage labour productivity and cost optimisation without compromising on quality or timelines — particularly during market slowdowns or lean phases? At Sobha Realty, we recognise that an evolving workforce and rapid technological advancements require forward-thinking solutions that enhance efficiency and drive engagement. Our people-driven initiatives leverage smart technology to streamline processes, upskill employees, and create a seamless work experience. In line with our commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, we have introduced the Sobha Skill Hub, our proprietary learning management system. This platform offers a wide array of courses and training modules, ensuring employees have access to relevant learning resources that help them develop critical skills and stay ahead in the industry. These efforts, coupled with our constant drive to engage and motivate our people, help us maintain our competitive edge in terms of quality and delivery across business cycles. As a testament to our efforts, Sobha Realty has been re-certified as a Great Place to Work for 2025–2026, and this recognition is a reflection of what we hold most dear: our people. How does Sobha Realty embed sustainability into its developments? Sobha Realty's robust backward integration ensures seamless communication and consistent sustainability messaging across all entities. This approach enables the development and implementation of optimal designs that deliver maximum sustainability impact. Our in-house development, design, construction, and FM teams lay the foundation for sustainability standards at the early stage of every project, which result in high performance and climate-resilient developments and masterplans. All new developments within Sobha Realty's portfolio – including the masterplans – are pursuing global green building certifications, by embracing a judicious blend of active and passive strategies, including energy efficient designs and technologies, water saving solutions, as well as cutting-edge indoor air quality and HVAC systems. Each development reflects a deep respect for the environment by thoughtfully integrating both mitigation and adaptation measures. Currently, more than 25 upcoming projects are pursuing green building certification, and all future projects and masterplans are well positioned to achieve the highest levels of sustainability. The use of sustainable materials, low-carbon technologies, and an effective waste management system contributes to circularity in our construction processes and aligns with the UAE's circular economy policies. Our backward integration model targets the completion of 70 percent of site-related works at the factories, which significantly reduce the environmental footprint of each project. For example, our Sobha Modular Facility minimised on-site impact by delivering ready-to-install aluminium facades and bathroom pods. This approach not only reduces waste and material transport from multiple locations to the construction sites, but also positively contributes to the Whole Life Carbon footprint of our developments. (Reporting by Rajiv Pillai; Editing by Anoop Menon) (

Khaleej Times

08-06-2025

• Khaleej Times

Rising influx of super-rich spurs Dubai luxury property market surge

Dubai's luxury real estate sector is enjoying a spectacular boom, turbocharged by a rising influx of global high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) relocating to the city. Among the most prominent beneficiaries of this surge are Sobha Realty, Emaar, Nakheel, Damac and Condor Developers. This trend underscores Dubai's transformation into a top destination for wealth migration and investment. A combination of tax-friendly policies, political stability, a world-class lifestyle, and high asset yields is attracting record numbers of international investors — particularly from Europe. In May, Dubai's real estate market continued to witness unprecedented growth, smashing records with Dh66.8 billion in sales, a 49.9 per cent surge from the previous year, according to fäm Properties. Despite concerns of a potential price correction, the market's fundamentals remain rock-solid, with an undersupply of office space and a steady influx of high-net-worth individuals driving sustained growth 'European investors are entering the market in large numbers, seeking stability, growth, and a low-tax environment. This has significantly bolstered sales and investment in projects like Golf Links 18,' said Vidhyadharan Sivaprasad, chairman and CEO of Condor Developers, whose flagship project, Golf Links 18 at Dubai Sports City, has already sold nearly 70 per cent of its premium golf-facing residences — even before completion. Set to be completed before Q1 2026, Golf Links 18 is a Dh300 million luxury residential development offering over 250 upscale units across a 47,000 square-foot plot. It boasts an impressive range of 18 premium lifestyle amenities including two infinity pools, a rooftop yoga deck, Sky Retreat, jacuzzi, open-air cinema, and fitness facilities such as a gymnasium, sauna, and steam rooms. The rapid uptake in sales reflects a broader pattern: Dubai's residential property market is seeing unprecedented demand from global elites. According to the Knight Frank Wealth Report, the UAE welcomed 7,200 new millionaires in 2024 alone, building on 4,700 in 2023 and 5,200 in 2022. As of December 2024, the country was home to approximately 130,500 dollar millionaires, ranking it as the 14th-largest wealth hub globally. Most of the inbound HNWIs came from India (31 per cent), followed by the Middle East (20 per cent), Russia and the CIS (14 per cent), and the UK and Europe (12 per cent). The typical non-GCC high-net-worth investor spends Dh134 million ($36.5 million) on Dubai property, either for residence or investment. Henley & Partners' 2024 Wealth Migration Report also names the UAE as the world's top destination for millionaire migration, with 6,700 new millionaires moving to Dubai last year alone. This influx is set to rise, with New World Wealth projecting a 39 per cent increase in the number of HNWIs in the UAE by 2026. Real estate remains the cornerstone of investment strategies for both wealthy individuals and families. 'Real estate continues to be a key asset class for UHNWIs. It provides long-term value, income generation, and capital preservation, especially in markets like Dubai,' notes the Knight Frank report. According to Sivaprasad, these trends have directly contributed to the significant increase in both asset values and rental yields across the emirate. 'We've seen property asset values rise by 20 to 30 per cent in the last year, depending on location. Rental yields are strong, averaging around 10 per cent,' he said. European buyers now form the majority of purchasers at Golf Links 18, led by investors from the UK, Russia, France, Slovakia, and the UAE. Many are relocating from countries with high taxes and cumbersome fiscal regimes, drawn by the UAE's business-friendly ecosystem and simple, low-tax regulations. 'The demographic of our buyers is rapidly diversifying,' Sivaprasad added. 'Dubai's global appeal, combined with strategic government initiatives, has reshaped the real estate landscape. It's no longer just a regional market — it's a global destination for wealth.' Condor Developers is poised to expand aggressively. With a project pipeline worth Dh2.5 billion across Dubai Islands, Al Majan, and Jumeirah Village, the company is gearing up to meet the continued demand from the rising tide of international investors, he said.