Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the Persian Gulf. Its emirate’s main city, sometimes called “Dubai City” to distinguish it from the emirate.
Dubai is the most populous and second largest emirate of the UAE after Abu Dhabi. Dubai is distinct from other members of the UAE in that revenues from oil account for only 6% of its gross domestic product. A majority of the emirate’s revenues are from tourism.
Dubai has become world famous place through innovative real estate projects, sports events, conferences and Guinness records. However, this increased attention, coinciding with its emergence as a world business hub have also highlighted potential human rights quagmires concerning its largely immigrant workforce.
Climate: Dubai has a sub-tropical, arid climate. Rainfall is infrequent and irregular. Between November and March, Dubai weather is warm and sunny without being unbearably hot. Winter temperatures are around 23 degrees C in the daytime, while nights are cooler.
Local time: Dubai Time is + 4 Hours GMT
Language: The official language is Arabic, Arabic and English are commonly used in business and commerce. Hindi and Urdu are also widely used.
Culture in Dubai is rooted in Islamic traditions that form UAE National’s lifestyles. However, the UAE is tolerant and welcoming to foreigners who do not practice the religion of Islam. Expatriates are free to practice their own religion, alcohol is served in hotels and the dress code is liberal. Women don’t face discrimination. Courtesy and hospitality are one of the many virtues of Dubai. Rulers are keen to maintain their culture and do so through a number of practices. One is promoting sporting events that are representative of their past. Falconry, camel racing and dhow sailing are still popular in Dubai.
The official language of the country is Arabic, however most people in and out of the workplace communicate in English. There are so many different nationalities in Dubai, English finds common ground with most people. The majority of road and shop signs, restaurant menus etc. are in both English and Arabic.
Dubai is a cosmopolitan city and visitors can dress however they like. Still, a good amount of respect for local customs is appreciated. In deference to local customs and norms it is a good idea for visitors not to wear very short, tight clothing, at least until such time as they are comfortable with the city. UAE nationals usually wear their traditional dress. For men this is the dishdasha or khandura, a white full-length shirt-dress. It is worn with a white or red checked headdress known as a gutra. In public women wear the black abaya, a long black robe that covers their normal clothes. They also wear a headscarf.
Normally tourist photography is acceptable and expected with all the beautiful things to photograph in Dubai. In general, photographs of government buildings, military installations, ports and airports should not be taken. Like anywhere, it is polite to ask permission before photographing people. It is considered offensive to photograph Muslim women.
Arabic cuisine comprises many types of cooking from countries like Morocco, Egypt, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Tunisia, and more. Throughout the city, vendors sell shawarma, a hot sandwich with lamb or chicken, carved from a rotating spit and served in pita bread with vegetables. A variety of juices from pineapple, banana, mango, or a mixed cocktail can be ordered from fresh juice vendors.
Alcohol is served in licensed premises like restaurants and bars. It is also served in a few recreational clubs. Shisha pipes are smoked at most establishments. They are traditional water pipes that use flavored tobaccos like strawberry or apple. Shisha is usually enjoyed while sitting at a cafe or restaurant.
The official language is Arabic, but English and Urdu are also widely spoken, along with Hindi, Persian, Punjabi, Malayalam, and Tagalog. Islam is the official religion of all of the emirates. A vast majority of the locals are Sunnis. There are foreign minority Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians as well. Dubai is the only emirate that has Hindu temples and a Sikh gurudwara.
The Meena Bazaar area of the city has both a Shiva and Krishna temple. Both are believed to be sanctioned by the late ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. There is an electric crematorium run by a group of Indian expatriates. Non-Muslims in the country are free to practice their religion but may not proselytise publicly or distribute religious literature. The government follows a policy of tolerance towards non-Muslims and Polytheist; in practice, interferes very little in the religious activities of non-Muslims.
In early 2001, ground was broken for the construction of several additional churches on a parcel of land in Jebel Ali donated by the government of Dubai for four Protestant congregations and a Catholic congregation. Construction on the first Greek Orthodox Church in Dubai (to be called St. Mary’s) would begin at the end of 2005, members of the Eastern Orthodox Christian community in the UAE have had to use churches of other denominations for services, until General Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister, donated a plot of land in Jebel Ali.
Apart from donated land for the construction of churches and other religious facilities, including cemeteries, non-Muslim groups are not supported financially or subsidised by the government. However, they are permitted to raise money from among their congregants and to receive financial support from abroad. Christian churches are permitted to openly advertise certain church functions, such as memorial services, in the press.
The population of the UAE as of 2001 was estimated to be 3,290,000. The population of Dubai was estimated to be 971,000. The UAE is a highly cosmopolitan environment and a large part of the population are non-UAE nationals, primarily a mix of other Arab nationals, Asians and Europeans. 80% of Dubai’s population is comprised of expatriates with Europeans and Asians accounting for approximately 70% of households. Approximately 71% of the population is male and 29% is female. The UAE population is expected to grow by 3.3% per annum to reach 4.15 million by 2010. Dubai is expected to have a population of 1.4 million by 2010.
Dubai has a sub-tropical, arid climate, with perfect weather for at least six months out of the year. Rainfall is infrequent and happens mainly in winter. Usually it amounts to about 13 centimeters, spread over five days per year. Temperatures range from a low of about 10 degrees Celsius on winter nights, to a high of 48 degrees Celsius in the midday summer heat.
Dubai, has an excellent nightlife scene with a large choice of bars and nightclubs for you to be able to enjoy whilst there. You will need to know that most of the bars that can serve alcohol are only in hotels, there are though a few exceptions. Dubai also has some interesting laws regarding clubs; they all must close at 3 am, you must be 21 to drink alcohol, 25 to enter a nightclub, and interestingly they are not allowed by law to refuse entrance to anyone, including members only clubs.
Alamo
At the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa is a Tex/Mex restaurant come bar, with more emphasis on the bar. It is popular with locals, and can get busy especially at the weekends from 10:30 onwards. The crowd is a lot of expats and interestingly quite a few Asian girls. They play live music and have a small area to dance.
Atlantis
Located right next door to the Hard Rock Cafe, this popular disco gets busy around midnight. They have performances such as dancing girls and drum masters, that add to the lively atmosphere. They have ladies night Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday. The crowd is young and hip.
Carter’s
Is a very stylish restaurant/bar. Located inside the AMAZING Pyramid complex, at Wafi City. Opens for lunch at 12 and closes its’ doors at 2 am and 3 am Thursdays. As the evening progresses the restaurant slowly transforms into one of the hottest bars in town, and a DJ starts playing at 10 pm.
Century Village
A beautiful area of Dubai which can be found right next door to the Irish Village mentioned above. One Bar that stands out more than others though is Da Gama. Actually Da Gama is an amazing Portuguese restaurant but they do have a bar style area on the second floor, which offers comfortable and spacious chairs.
Champions
Located at the JW Marriott. Excellent place to go to watch major live sporting events such as Football (or soccer as Americans call it), Rugby, and large boxing matches. The bar is open daily from 12 until 2 in the morning, except for Fridays when it is open from 6pm until 2am. The bar is large and has television sets all over. The bar is popular with resident expats and locals.
Hard Rock Cafe
Popular with locals, expatriates, and families. The building itself is worth travelling to and makes a great holiday picture. The bar area is relatively small, with more space being offered to seating arrangements, for dinner etc.
Kasbaa
The club is located at the amazing Royal Mirage Hotel, which is in itself a magical experience. The club has followed the design of the hotel and has an Arabic theme. The club is built up onto three levels with terraces that overlook the dance floor below, the music again is different with some of the best DJ’s in town playing all the latest dance hits. The upper level is the place to be seen and has comfortable Arabian style sofas that allow for an intimate evening. The club opens at 9:30 and its’ last orders are at 02:45/ Again you must be over 25 to enter..
The Junction
Previously known as Ned Kelly’s can be found at the Century Hotel Dubai. The bar is open seven days a week from 12 (midday) until 2:30am. The Junction also serves food with some very traditional English fare available such as Liver and Onions.
Planetarium
The Planetarium has very strict membership and entrance regulations allowing entrance only to Members, Ladies and Couples. Entrance is free except on special occasions. The club is located next to the Pyramid centre. The busiest nights are Sunday (two drinks for the price of one, Tuesday, and Thursday with Tuesday being Ladies night, where ladies are offered two free drinks before 1am and all cabin crew get a special 50% discount all night. The club is closed Saturday’s.
Tropicana
At the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa, is an Arabic style night club with not many expats, mainly an Arabic crowd, which makes for a very enjoyable evening. They play a mixture of the latest International hits and Arabic popular dance music. It does not get busy until around 11:30/12:00 but is worth a visit when you are in Dubai.
Scarlett’s
Located at the Emirates Towers Hotel this bar is a great place to go for an after work drink, and is very popular with expat corporate types and expats on business as well. Open from 12:30pm until 3 am the bar which also serves food offers last orders until 11: 15pm. The bar also doubles up as a restaurant which serves American cuisine. Upper section of the bar becoming a nightclub of sorts with DJ playing a mixture of classic and new popular songs.
iPad Tower - Omniyat’s iPod inspired tower at Business Bay, Dubai: Real estate developer Omniyat Properties is planning to launch projects worth more than Dh3 billion in 2007, starting with a tower inspired by Apple’s iPod MP3 player. The company will announce at least two residential projects and one commercial development and will open its account in February with the innovative iPad residential tower in Business Bay.
The 23-storey building, which is scheduled to bring more than 200 units onto the market in 2009, was designed by Hong Kong-based architects James Law Cybertecture International. The tower will sit atop a docking station angled at six degrees to give the exact look.
Model of Omniyat’s iPod inspired iPad tower at Business Bay, Dubai
With a property portfolio worth Dh2.7 billion in its first year of operations – made up of four luxury commercial developments in Business Bay and one residential tower – the company has already made a swift impression on the market. “Our aim was to launch three projects this year but strong market demand encouraged us to deliver more. Out of the entire portfolio, we have sealed sales worth approximately Dh2.4 billion,” said Mehdi Amjad, president and CEO of Omniyat Properties, an arm of Almasa Holdings.
Amjad admitted the company has still to face its biggest challenge. “We are aware that today people are taking us at face value on what we promise, but by 2008 when we hand over our first project, they will judge us on the quality of the product we deliver.”
Next year will see the launch of new companies under the recently-formed Omniyat Holdings parent company. The organisation was set up with an authorised capital of $250 million and initial paid-up capital of $100 million and will manage Omniyat Properties and a host of upcoming companies and projects. Amjad said the first new company will focus on serving the property industry and will be listed on a major international stock exchange.
Via Gulf News
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Dubai Commercial Property Overview:
Dubai is a city undergoing extraordinary growth at present. With a population size that looks set to at least double over the next decade, this breath taking rate of development is only set to accelerate. The introduction of freehold property law in 2002 was the initial impetus to kick start the housing boom, as were spectacular property developments from Emaar and Nakheel. Whilst residential freehold property may have been the initial focus for Dubai property buyers, it is now commercial property that is coming to the forefront. Dubai has long been a trading hub for the Middle East. Its central position as a gateway between the East and West has afforded it many advantages over the ages. It is upon this reputation that developments such as Dubai Business Bay look set to build.
Dubai has not only set out to become the world’s premium tourist destination with its many projects such as Dubailand, Culture Village and City Of Arabia, but also to become the place to do business within the Middle East and Asia. Many companies have already taken advantage of Dubai’s generous tax laws and set up their regional offices, some have even relocated their headquarters to Dubai. As Dubai’s population continues to expand, more and more companies are starting to realise the strategic advantages of an office here, as a result of which, demand for commercial property within the Emirate is very much on the increase.
Companies and investors are starting to see the distinct benefits of purchasing commercial property here. For any company, purchasing commercial property allows them to avoid the high office rents that are currently charged throughout Dubai. Investors can make great returns on their initial investments over very short periods of time. Even with projects like Dubai Media City and Jumeirah Lake Towers completed, and with the likes of Schon Business Park, Dubai Business Bay and Jumeirah Village South on the way, there still remains a large undersupply of commercial property in Dubai.
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This therefore makes the commercial property market; both complete and off-plan, a very lucrative and much sought after commodity in Dubai. Off-plan commercial property offers perhaps the greater potential investment wise. For those evaluating off-plan commercial property opportunities in Dubai, Business Bay is most certainly the place to consider buying. Masterplanned to provide all the infrastructure a company could require, Business Bay looks well placed to become Dubai’s main business district. With towers such as The Opus, The Binary and One Business Bay, the development combines stunning architecture with state of the art technology to provide every conceivable facility any company could require from an office building.
It’s no surprise that Dubai commercial real estate property has become so popular, with many international firms opting to relocate here, looking to take advantage of the Dubai’s numerous corporate incentives. With abundant free zone developments, where foreigners are permitted to own property, and with no income or capital gains tax imposed here, Dubai provides the perfect environment in which to do business. Add in the fact that Dubai has year round sunshine and a life style that’s hard to surpass, the continuing influx of multinational companies to the Emirate makes clear sense. With a government doing its utmost to attract companies and investment to the area, companies can rest assured of a highly co-operative business environment in which to operate.
Dubai commercial office property therefore offers firms and investors a wide range of office options proving an extensive choice of facilities, set in a number of differing locations thought Dubai. So whether it’s a ready completed office at Jumeirah Lake Towers or an off plan property in Dubai Business Bay, Dubai has something to offer all types of buyers and investors.
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Abu Dhabi Investment House (ADIH) is all set to unveil a Dh7.36bn real estate project in the UAE capital by the end of the year. The property will be Porta Moda Abu Dhabi that would mark company three-year-old entry into the UAE real estate market.
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Business Bay will be a freezone business, commercial and residential district that will cover an area of 64 million square feet (5.95 million square meters). It will be located next to Downtown Dubai (Burj Dubai), between interchange 2 and 3 of Sheikh Zayed Road and extend along a new creek from the edge of Dubai Creek (Ras Al Khor), all the way to Dubai’s coast.
Dubai Business Bay is intended to maintain Dubai as the region’s business capital and will be similar to New York’s Manhattan and Toyko’s Ginza business centers. It is intended to provide a conducive environment and infrastructure for businesses from around the world to set up their local, regional and international headquarters.
Dubai Business Bay Index
Business Bay will contain over 230 commercial and residential towers, which include The Executive Towers (residential), Vision Tower (office), Al Manara (office), and The Citadel (office).
Expected Completion Date – In 2010
Real Estate Developer - Dubai Properties [Dubai Properties Projects]
Location – Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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