Asteco to unveil unique franchise model to the Middle East at Cityscape Dubai

Asteco to unveil unique franchise model to the Middle East at Cityscape Dubai

Leading property services company to franchise its 30-year old brand and successful business model to independent real estate agents and start-up brokerages

Asteco, the Middle East’s largest independent full service real estate company, is to enter the franchise arena with the launch of a new Licensing Services division, the first-of-its-kind in the region.

Showcased at this year’s Cityscape Global exhibition, taking place 21-23 September 2014 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre (DICEC), the franchise opportunity has been created to offer real estate companies, independent realtors and regional entrepreneurs looking to diversify their existing businesses, or launch a start-up, access to Asteco’s 30-year brand pedigree and its successful business model.

Asteco is the only locally established, full service real estate business offering this bespoke franchise opportunity. The company has witnessed incredible growth in the last 30 years and in the process built a strong regional presence with a network of offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Jordon and Qatar.

Commenting about the franchise opportunity, in what is a highly competitive industry, market specialist, John Stevens, Managing Director at Asteco said:

“The launch of the new licensing services division will allow us to further propagate the strength of the Asteco brand, image and reputation through an aligned franchisee network, delivering a successful tried and tested sales and leasing brokerage model by trusted and capable partners.

“Franchising is becoming an increasingly popular model around the world, as the only locally established, full service real estate business offering such a unique and bespoke proposition we fully expect interest to be high; already we have received numerous requests,” he added.

Potential franchisees will benefit from direct tailored access to the Asteco brand, tailored setup support services if required, bespoke operating area’s, regional brand visibility and access to an enviable sales and leasing portfolio, predominantly appointed on sole exclusive mandates, that listed in excess of AED 2.1 billion’ worth of sales properties and 1.5 million square feet of leasable space in 2013/14. It doesn’t stop there, instant membership of Asteco’s influential network and 24/7 online marketing support are also provided.

“Many of today’s real estate brokers weren’t even born when Asteco was founded 30 years ago, and many more have no conception of the UAE real estate sector prior to freehold sales to expatriates. We know our business model works, our record speaks for itself - over 7,000 units sold to date generating AED12.8 billion in revenue,” added Stevens.

The licensing model will also provide partners with a high value referrals service, access to Asteco’s dedicated intranet with a comprehensive range of resources, regular communication and updates, as well as use of the industry-leading real estate software and CRM platform.

Asteco is one of the regions few all-round management companies offering a range of services including asset management, sales, leasing, valuation & advisory, sales management and owner association.

“This is a market-first for Asteco moreover for the industry in the region and we are looking to develop franchisees who are equally passionate, service-oriented, commercially astute and credible professionals; working with them to grow their own businesses with our brand presence in what is one of the most dynamic, challenging and fastest developing markets in the world,” remarked Stevens.

For more details, please call +971 600 54 7773 or visit www.asteco.com

Asteco is located in hall 2, stand number 2B30, at Cityscape Global.

Asteco, a major regional and international real estate services firm and the largest property services company in the United Arab Emirates, was founded in Dubai in 1985.  Asteco offers independent market analysis, design development consultancy and valuation services, sales and leasing services, as well as asset and property management services.

Nikken Sekkei to showcase $12 billion worth of projects at Cityscape Dubai

Nikken Sekkei to showcase $12 billion worth of projects at Cityscape Dubai

Japanese architect to design projects in Dubai and Saudi Arabia; creative boundaries pushed with innovative, culturally aesthetic building developments

Leading Japanese architect Nikken Sekkei, will showcase projects from, amongst others, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Mongolia at this year’s Cityscape Global exhibition, taking place 21-23 September 2014 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

In recognition of Nikken’s award winning visionary design capabilities the firm is living up to its global reputation for challenging the world of architecture design by creating innovative, authentic and inspirational buildings and providing the very latest technology in sustainable living.

“Nikken Sekkei is one of the great idiosyncratic architecture firms of its time, our ability to incorporate distinguishing design features and unique cultural references in keeping with the local environment ensures our creativity stands out from anything the world has ever seen,” said Mr. Nakamura Mitsuo, Chairman of Nikken Sekkei.

The pipeline of projects, including developments in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Mongolia, Russia, Japan and China will further underscore the firms’ international standing with developers from around the world.  

Nikken’s Dubai inventory includes Dubai Festival City which will encompass an integrated waterfront community and the second phase of the Dubai Cultural Village another waterfront project in the Al Jadaf area of Dubai.

The jewel in the crown of the Nikken Sekkei designed Saudi developments, five of which will be showcased at Cityscape, is the mixed-use Riyadh Tower. At 338 metres tall and consisting of 73 levels it will house 201-key five-star hotel, private residences, penthouse units and at the very top a ‘Sky Palace’ apartment. Leisure facilities, retail outlets and office space complete the makeup of the project, which will be the tallest building in Riyadh.

The design has already been recognised by the International Property Awards in London winning the ‘Best Mixed-Use Architecture - Arabia’ category.

Nikken is also designing Expressbank’s new headquarters’ building in Baku, which will become one of the highest buildings in Azerbaijan. It is located next to the Heydar Aliyev Center and its unique features include the building’s flowing, curved design, in addition to the sky lounge observatory on the 40^th floor, which offers panoramic views across Baku city.

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Ulaanbaatar, capital city of Mongolia, will be transformed when designs created by Nikken are completed. The Mongol Tower and WOO City developments, both to be unveiled during the exhibition, will symbolise a modern day Mongolia and reflect the burgeoning economic prosperity.

Located in the downtown area of the city, the design of the tower has been created to give the impression of rising from the ground and melting into the sky because of the ratio of glass to concrete on the exterior; which increases gradually on higher floors. WOO City will mark Mongolia’s first world-class resort benefiting the country’s tourism industry and overall economy.

Three projects in Russia will also grace Nikken’s exhibition space; they include the 500,000 square metre, US$1 billion K City development in northern Krasnoyarsk. The development will accommodate 15,000 residents with a total of 6000 units ranging from five to 25 storey buildings and utilise a range of technologies to promote sustainability, ultimately creating a ‘Smart City’ concept.

Botanicheski Sad and Novyi Bereg developments, based in Moscow and Saint Petersburg respectively, complete the trio of Russian projects.

Completing Nikken’s line-up of creative designs for Cityscape are the Menara Astra in Jakarta, Indonesia and the Guangzhou Library, Guangzhou and South Bund Financial Center Shanghai in China.  

“Our ability to create designs that encompass cultural sensibilities sympathetic to the local environment while utilising the latest energy saving technologies has ensured a range of projects wins that showcase our extraordinary capabilities and underscore our reputation in architecture design and creativity on the world stage,” added Dubai-based, Dr. Fadi Jabri, Nikken Sekkei’s Regional Manager for CIS, MENA & India.

Nikken Sekkei is located in hall 2, stand number 2A30, at Cityscape Global.

Photo caption:  

Dubai Cultural Village.

About Nikken Sekkei:

One of the world’s largest architectural design firms and led by Chairman Mitsuo Nakamura, Nikken Sekkei employs over 2,500 professional staff in eight group companies offering comprehensive design, engineering, management, consulting and R&D services. The company’s portfolio consists of over 20,000 projects in 40 countries and have successfully achieved international recognition with a variety of industry awards. For more information, please log on to www.nikken.co.jp

Iskandar Malaysia ,Legoland Malaysia at the Cityscape Dubai 2009, 05/October/2009

Cityscape Dubai to explore how best to survive and prepare for the recovery in a still rapidly changing economic environment

World comes to Dubai seeking answers

Cityscape Dubai to explore how best to survive and prepare for the recovery in a still rapidly changing economic environment

The world of real estate investment is to descend on the United Arab Emirates this autumn to seek solutions from what some have referred to as the first great depression of the 21st century, say the organisers of the Cityscape Dubai.

“With reduced liquidity and many projects on hold, investors, developers, architects, indeed the entire real estate industry around the world, is looking for answers to the same questions,” said Chris Speller, Cityscape Group Director. “How do we survive the recession? When can we expect stabilisation? When will the banks start lending again? When will the crisis turn into an opportunity?”

Cityscape Dubai, now in its eighth year and part of the largest business-to-business real estate investment and development brand in the world, encompasses a major exhibition and a series of conferences taking place at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre from 5-8 October 2009.

“With the radical worldwide economic shakeout, attention has firmly turned onto realistic perspectives on the real estate investment landscape both globally and regionally,” Speller added. “Thousands of participants from more than 100 countries throughout the world have already registered to attend. They are serious players searching for specific answers, which is why Cityscape Dubai 2009 is embracing realism and transparency.”

Among them are companies such as ING Real Estate Investment Management of Hong Kong. Richard T.G. Price, CEO Asia, said: “It is more important than ever to get first hand insights from our clients and partners as to their objectives and expectations for the real estate markets around the world.”

Similarly, Jesper Koll, President and CEO of Tantallon Research, Japan, said: “We all want to know when the global crisis will turn into an opportunity. Cityscape Dubai is poised to help us find a solution.”

Kosta Petrov, Director of the Cityscape Dubai conference and the World Architecture Congress that runs in parallel, said this year’s event – while still the world’s largest real estate show of its kind – would not be about “out of this world” creations.

“Last year saw the beginning of what is being referred to by some economists as the first great depression of the 21st century,” he added. “With liquidity issues and many project developments still on pause, this year is about how best to survive and prepare for the recovery in a still rapidly changing economic environment. In terms of potential new business opportunities, Cityscape Dubai - as the world’s largest real estate show - has no global equivalent.”

Petrov said the Cityscape Dubai conference will bring together “some of the most powerful investors, developers and economists on the planet.” Meanwhile, the World Architecture Congress (5-7 October 2009) has been put together in association with Continental Europe, Hong Kong, Japan and UK chapters and the International Committee of the American Institute of Architects. “The world’s most respected visionaries will share their experience and outlook in a global recession,” he added.

In addition, the Cityscape Dubai Facilities and Asset Management Conference is on 4 – 8 October attracting delegates in the design, build and post-occupancy of buildings. There will also be a Cityscape Dubai “Green Day” on 7 October which will include green communities, green construction methods, energy saving issues, financing green buildings, regulations, facilities management, whole life costs and new materials and products.

For more information about Cityscape Dubai 2009, please visit www.cityscape.ae

About Cityscape

Cityscape, organised by IIR Middle East which is part of Informa plc, is the largest business-to-business real estate investment and development brand in the world, encompassing a series of major exhibitions and conferences that take place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi; Asia; Saudi Arabia; USA; Latin America; India and Russia.

Dubai said to emerge stronger from property crisis

Dubai said to emerge stronger from property crisis

New regulations seen as key to recovery by participants in open debate on challenges facing Dubai real estate market

Dubai’s property market has taken a beating but could emerge from the economic crisis stronger and more transparent, leading legal and financial experts said today (Wednesday 11 March 2009).

They were taking part in the Cityscape Connect business breakfast ahead of Cityscape Dubai from 5 to 8 October 2009 at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre. Attended by more than 150 property executives, legal advisers and investors, the business breakfast was called to explore the challenges facing the Dubai real estate market.

The “not for profit” Cityscape Connect initiative has been introduced to stimulate networking, transparency and open debate on the key issues affecting the Dubai real estate industry which has dramatically changed market dynamics and growth prospects.

Lisa Dale, a partner in legal firm Al Tamimi & Company, summed up: “As we come out on the other side of the economic troubles we are in at the moment, Dubai will have a more regulated and much more transparent real estate system.”

New laws and regulations, both at Dubai government and at federal level, will emerge in the coming few months establishing more clearly the rights of property owners, she added. In addition, the Dubai Land Department is developing one of the most sophisticated and transparent online property transaction systems.

“These things are going on now and will come into effect in the next few months,” Dale said. “As we emerge, Dubai will have a more regulated and transparent jurisdiction than now.” Sohail Zubairi, CEO of Dar Al Sharia Legal and Financial Consultancy, agreed saying Dubai would emerge much stronger “if we regulate ourselves properly.”

Barmak Besharaty, Managing Director of Almas Capital, pointed to property speculation and reliance on off-plan sales as one of the main reasons for the problems in the Dubai market. Nevertheless he was bullish on the longer term prospects.

He said “Dubai will become a better place to live” when the price of property and levels of rent fell to levels affordable for the vast bulk of the population living and working in the UAE. That had not been the case in property price boom on recent years.

“As the largest event of its kind in the world, it is crucial in these times of economic uncertainty that Cityscape Dubai leads by example,” said Rohan Marwaha, Managing Director of the Cityscape series.

“While there is a slowdown in the market, there remains a substantial growth pattern across most of the region – which is something many other parts of the world will struggle to achieve. On a regional and global level, it will be those companies that carefully plan in the down market which will recover fastest and further post-recession.”

Cityscape Dubai, now in its eighth year, is established as the largest business-to-business real estate investment and development event in the world and last year drew a record of more than 70,000 visitors over four days.

Cityscape Dubai is also the flagship event of a brand developed in Dubai that has achieved international recognition and success. Cityscape events are held in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, New York, Mumbai, Moscow, Saudi Arabia and Latin America. Cityscape Dubai attracts regional and international investors, property developers, governmental and development authorities, leading architects, designers, consultants and senior professionals involved in the property industry.