Latest news with #GulfNetwork
Gulf Today
7 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
Christopher Aleo emerges as potential buyer for Dubai's Palazzo Versace Hotel
Gulf Network The iconic Palazzo Versace Dubai, one of the most prestigious luxury hotels in the city, may soon change ownership. Known for its neoclassical architecture and interiors designed by the Italian fashion house Versace, the property has entered a public auction process due to the financial distress of its current ownership. The auction has drawn attention from various international players, and among the potential bidders is Christopher Aleo, a Swiss-Italian entrepreneur and founder of the international financial group iSwiss. However, the potential acquisition is not expected to be carried out directly by iSwiss Bank, but rather through its U.S.-based investment arm, the iSwiss Hedge Fund, headquartered in New York. According to market sources familiar with the matter, the fund is evaluating the opportunity as part of a broader financial strategy, which may include structuring the investment through a listed vehicle on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). A Strategic Real Estate Opportunity Located in Jaddaf Waterfront, just minutes from Dubai's financial district, Palazzo Versace is being offered at a base price of approximately AED 600 million (around USD 163 million), significantly below its previously reported valuation of over AED 1.3 billion. Despite the financial challenges facing the current owner, the hotel remains fully operational and continues to deliver high standards of hospitality. For investors, the property represents a prime real estate asset, combining strategic location, brand equity, and established luxury credentials. With 215 rooms and suites, multiple high-end restaurants, lounges, a spa, and views over Dubai Creek, the hotel has long been a preferred destination for international travelers, business leaders, and celebrities. Aleo's Role and the Hedge Fund Angle Christopher Aleo, founder and majority shareholder of the iSwiss Group, is a well-known figure in European financial circles and has had an increasing presence in Dubai's business environment in recent years. While he has made no official comment on the matter, his New York-based hedge fund is reportedly among the entities conducting due diligence on the potential acquisition. Industry analysts note that the deal, if completed, could be structured as a public investment vehicle listed on the NYSE, making it not only a hospitality acquisition but also a sophisticated financial transaction involving international capital markets. This model — integrating high-profile real assets into institutional investment frameworks — has become increasingly common among hedge funds and private equity firms, particularly in cases involving luxury or landmark properties. A Return to Italian Style and New Investment Should the acquisition materialize, the new ownership may consider a strategic repositioning of the hotel, involving significant reinvestments in both infrastructure and service offerings. Sources close to the matter suggest the potential for a refresh of the hotel's Italian design identity, with renewed focus on aesthetic coherence and luxury standards aligned with current global trends. The acquisition by a European-led fund could also represent a reintroduction of Italian influence into the brand's identity, preserving and enhancing the stylistic DNA originally conceived by Versace. Any such repositioning would likely be supported by fresh capital for renovations, branding updates, and enhanced guest services, aligning the hotel more closely with Dubai's rapidly evolving luxury hospitality landscape. No Official Statements At this stage, neither the current ownership of Palazzo Versace nor the iSwiss Group has issued formal statements regarding the potential deal. However, the market has taken note of the growing involvement of hedge funds and international financial players in Dubai's real estate and tourism sectors. The city continues to assert itself as a global hub for tourism, finance, and luxury, offering a fertile environment for cross-sector investment strategies that blend real estate, branding, and financial engineering. Institutional Finance Meets Luxury Real Estate If completed, the acquisition by iSwiss Hedge Fund would represent one of the most significant hospitality-related transactions in the Gulf region this year, further highlighting the convergence of institutional finance and the real economy. Such a move would also reflect a broader trend: financial groups increasingly looking to diversify portfolios by integrating tangible assets into structured investment frameworks, leveraging global equity markets as a source of liquidity and visibility. The coming weeks will likely determine whether this interest translates into a formal bid. If so, it would mark an important milestone for both the iSwiss Group and the hotel itself, setting the stage for a new chapter in the life of one of Dubai's most recognizable hospitality landmarks. For now, Christopher Aleo's name remains one of the most closely watched among potential buyers — a sign of how traditional finance is steadily expanding its footprint into high-end sectors like branded real estate and luxury travel.
Gulf Today
12-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Shahriar Shahir Barzegar's elegant hoopoe Launches Global AI-Powered Franchise
Gulf Network Dubai-based health-tech innovator elegant hoopoe has officially announced its global expansion, launching an advanced AI-driven franchise platform engineered to set new standards in the international wellness industry. The venture is the creation of Shahriar Shahir Barzegar, a renowned entrepreneur celebrated for his foundational contributions to business systems and widely known as the 'Father of Franchising in the UAE.' The announcement confirms that the successful Dubai-born model is now being offered to international partners. At the core of the expansion is a powerful, turnkey solution for franchisees. Barzegar has developed a "plug-and-play" business model that integrates all critical operational needs—from digital marketing and client booking to clinical compliance and supply chain management—into a single, intelligent dashboard. This comprehensive system dramatically lowers the barrier to entry for entrepreneurs while guaranteeing that the brand's luxury standards are meticulously upheld in every clinic worldwide. "This isn't just a business—it's a blueprint," said Shahriar Shahir Barzegar during the announcement. "The platform is designed for seamless replication on a global scale. We're providing our partners with every tool they need to launch and grow, ensuring success from day one." The company's clinics, which are already expanding across the UAE, have earned a reputation for a range of high-end, evidence-based services. This includes personalized health plans developed by a certified dietitian and nutritionist , which are seamlessly managed through the platform to track progress and ensure client success. This strategic global rollout marks a significant milestone for the UAE's knowledge-based economy, proving that homegrown innovation can create globally competitive and highly scalable business solutions. The news positions elegant hoopoe as a major new player in the international health and wellness market. The elegant hoopoe franchise model now offers a unique and timely opportunity for investors and entrepreneurs to join a fast-growing, tech-enabled luxury brand with a proven track record and a clear path for international growth.
Gulf Today
30-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
NOVVI Properties' Brian Flanagan champions education for orphans through IronMan 70.3 challenge
Gulf Network In a powerful show of endurance and empathy, Brian Flanagan, Leasing Director at NOVVI Properties, is set to compete in the IronMan 70.3 in Durban, South Africa this Sunday, turning a grueling athletic pursuit into a mission of hope. His goal: to raise awareness and vital funds for Future for Orphans, a non-profit dedicated to providing education for orphaned children in Afghanistan. The IronMan 70.3, comprising a 2km swim, 90km cycle, and 21.1km run is no small feat. It marks the culmination of over seven months of dedicated training for Flanagan, who sees the event not only as a test of personal limits but as a chance to make a meaningful difference. 'This Sunday in Durban, I'll be taking on the IronMan 70.3 – a 2km swim, 90km cycle, and a 21.1km run. It's about six hours of intense effort and the culmination of seven months of training,' says Flanagan. 'Being able to turn this into a platform to help children in need has been incredibly important to me.' The initiative supports Future for Orphans, which currently educates over 130 orphaned children in Afghanistan, offering them a chance at a brighter future through learning. 'I grew up in Ireland where education is free and widely accessible,' Flanagan adds. 'The opportunity to support children who've been robbed of that basic right is powerful for me – it's a deep motivation.' Flanagan's endeavor reflects the broader values and culture at NOVVI Properties. With a leadership team that leads by example and a work culture that celebrates generosity and support, his initiative is a testament to the company's belief in community impact. 'At NOVVI Properties, there's a strong culture of wanting to help each other and those in need. This initiative aligns perfectly with that ethos, which is really driven from the top by our owner's example of generosity,' he explains. 'Everybody likes to see each other succeed here, both professionally and personally.' 'Hopefully, some of the things we do inspire others, whether it's finding out what they are capable of physically or taking the time to help those in need. If we can lead by example, and others understand what NOVVI is about, then we have done something truly meaningful,'he concluded. Through this act of endurance, Flanagan hopes to inspire others to discover their own strength, whether by pushing physical boundaries or stepping up for a cause.
Gulf Today
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Shiva Helali Celebrates 'MY DAY' At Cannes Film Festival
Gulf Network During the eventful nights of Cannes Film Festival, the chairwoman and co-founder of 4Ever Properties, Shiva Helali celebrated the private screening and the press conference of 'MY DAY' as she accepted the honorary invitation by Dr. Mia Jan Malekzadeh the film producer and founder of The M Production Company to join the official film panel. Shiva expressed her gratitude and honor being invited to be part of such inspiring and emotional experience and explained that the film was inspired by the silent battles that many young girls face when their personal identities come into conflict with cultural and familial expectations. The story centers on Bayan, a 15-year-old girl living in Denmark, Her journey reflects the broader theme of how youth navigate between tradition and the desire for personal freedom. 'This film is a tribute to the courage it takes to make a when it means standing up for yourself.' Said Dr. Mia Jan. She added 'The success of this experience at Cannes Film Festival encouraged us to take My Day to a range of international film festivals that focus on human rights, youth voices, and emerging filmmakers' Shiva admired the talent and enthusiasm behind making this film, and the inspiring story and battle behind it as she said 'It is true that to me as a businesswoman, the festival is an opportunity to meet my international clients, and investors who gathers at such prestigious luxurious atmosphere, but I couldn't skip the chance of supporting and celebrating the success of MY DAY, for the valuable and inspiring message this film represents and I am excited to extend my support to this initiative in the future and to think of bigger steps towards boosting its success' Both Shiva and Mia Jan agreed that the next step for the film makers should aim to continue building awareness around the themes of MY DAY, open up dialogue, and connect with a global audience. And when compared with the last year's festival Shiva said that 'each year the level of this international festival is getting higher with more implementation of AI and robotic solutions this year, the films and all side events were a must attend for a real added value at each aspect from art and creativity , to business networking and celebrities gatherings '
Gulf Today
21-05-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
The HUAWEI WATCH 5 Series: A groundbreaking revolution in health monitoring
Gulf Network The HUAWEI WATCH Series is not updated every year. The WATCH 4 came out almost 2 years ago and the WATCH 3 is about 4 years old now. This is a rarity among smartwatch brands. But for consumers, this is a win. There is no constant pressure to upgrade every year and each new iteration of the WATCH Series comes out with more than some superficial glow-up. Naturally, when the HUAWEI WATCH 5 launched there was much excitement and pep. Now, Huawei also has a WATCH GT Series that's entirely separate from the HUAWEI WATCH Series. The WATCH GT 5 was debuted last year. Compared to the WATCH GT Series, though, the WATCH Series is more upscale with premium materials and even more advanced features. So, does the WATCH 5 Series justify the long wait? In more ways than one. It brings a brand-new sensor, a futuristic design, a revamped app ecosystem, and more. X-TAP is a health revolution The WATCH 5 Series makes big strides towards becoming a serious health management device. It draws inspiration from real medical devices and introduces a fingertip sensor called X-TAP. The HUAWEI X-TAP is a 12mm long glass sensor on the side of the watch body that redesigns smartwatch health management with the industry's first all-in-one sensor. In cardiovascular health monitoring, the quality of physiological signals collected through fingertips is much more reliable, which can unlock more accurate, faster, and comprehensive health monitoring. The fingertips contain an abundance of blood vessels and a thinner skin surface, greatly reducing signal interference from skin pigmentation, hair, etc. You can check your SpO2 levels in under 10 seconds by placing your finger on the X-TAP sensor. The watch also has the Health Glance feature, which is a smarter, more accurate and more attentive way to asses your health by analysing 11 bodily indicators and long-term health trends. Despite the comprehensive nature, it only takes Health Glance 60 seconds to generate a report. For most users, raw health metrics don't mean much. Much more important is the correlation between different monitoring results and, above all, what they mean. That's why the WATCH 5 introduces Health Insights. It analyses the correlation between health indicators in sleep and heart health scenarios through visual cues and textual analyses, offering personalised health advice and smarter health management. Futuristic design, tough build The front of the watch has a prominent spherical design that incorporates a spherical sapphire glass screen, second only to diamond in hardness. The use of premium materials goes beyond sapphire. The HUAWEI WATCH 5 42mm, available in Beige and Sand Gold, features a 904L stainless steel casing—the same alloy used in luxury watches known for its exceptional corrosion and wear resistance. Meanwhile, the HUAWEI WATCH 5 46mm, available in Silver and Purple, uses Aerospace-grade Titanium material, which is 45% lighter than 904L stainless steel, 1.8 times stronger, and 1.5 times harder. A finely crafted classic trapezoidal crown tops of the design. The new X-TAP button that sits on the side next to the crow blends into the overall visual language without drawing too much attention. Everything from the spherical watch face to the new retrofuturistic hues and high-end materials lends the watch a unique appeal that exudes precision and craftsmanship. Apps and ecosystem The HUAWEI WATCH 5 Series supports e-sim cellular calling, standalone navigation, onboard music streaming, and access to Huawei's ecosystem of fitness and general apps. It can handle key tasks without needing your phone constantly in your pocket. The watch also introduces new gesture controls designed for one-handed use. Users will now be able to tap and Double Slide with their fingers to instantly interact with their smartwatch. You can easily answer or hang up calls, switch music, and take photos by double tapping or swiping your fingers with one hand, greatly improving the efficiency of smartwatch usage. Battery life that keeps giving The battery life of Huawei watches has always been astonishing. Despite all the added features and even an extra sensor, Huawei has managed to keep it impressively long. In Standard Mode, HUAWEI WATCH 5 46mm can last for up to 4.5 under normal usage and 42mm edition can last up to 3 days on Standard Mode. The battery life can be extended with the Battery Saver Mode, allowing the watch to last up to 7 days on the 42mm edition and 11 days on the 46mm edition. The HUAWEI WATCH 5 brings a whole host of new features to smartwatches while the rest of the industry has been largely in a trickle. And just like that, Huawei once again proves it is far ahead in health and well-being management. What's more, the HUAWEI WATCH 5 works equally well with iOS and Android devices, making it a universal choice for everyone looking for a smartwatch in 2025.
