ACCOMMODATION

A two-bed apartment in Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, has come up for auction with the reserve price starting at Dh5.625 million. The total area of the apartment is 2,008 square feet and has been listed on the Emirates Auction website. The minimum bid increment is set at Dh50,000.

Emaar Properties, Dubai-based developer, will be launching Rasha, a new villa extension in Arabian Ranches. Real estate agents had confirmed to Emirates 24/7 of a briefing on the project on Monday.

While waiting to go through passport control at Dubai airport, a sign informed me that as little as 20 years ago there was only one skyscraper amid the desert here. Since then this arid, inhospitable landscape has grown into a major business hub and has created a luxurious service industry to cater for the wealth it attracts.

Following the successful launch of Vida Residence, The Hills, Emaar Properties has launched the second serviced residence project under the upscale hotel concept Vida brand in Downtown Dubai, the company’s flagship mega-development.

A senior executive at real estate firm DAMAC Properties has urged Dubai residents to stop complaining about rising rents, specifically those who live in luxury developments that are above their pay-grade, such as the Burj Khalifa.

Property brokers and investors are bracing themselves for simultaneous sales events in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London and Jeddah as Emaar’s latest crop of serviced apartments go on sale.

The UAE version of the US-based restaurant Ketchup will be opening in Downtown Dubai in September 2013 with an 'Eat One Kilo in Eight Minutes' competition to get into the restaurant's Hall of Fame.

“It is a true honour to be awarded the Green Globe Certification for the second consecutive time, one of the most prominent recognitions in the industry,” said Michael Sorgenfrey, General Manager at The Palace Downtown Dubai. “The certification is a testament to The Palace Downtown Dubai’s efforts to promote sustainability across all facets of the hotel’s operations.

Fashion house Armani is to transform one of London’s best known landmarks into a luxury hotel, it was claimed today. The brand synonymous with style and sophistication plans to open a £100million resort in Admiralty Arch. It is understood to be close to snapping up the gatehouse which leads from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace.

During the course of the festival, goodie bags will be distributed to visitors with VIP tickets in addition to VIP lanyards to ease their access to the dedicated lounge. The Address Hotels + Resorts will also be distributing booklets of complimentary vouchers to all VIP ticketholders.