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  The 2000 launch of the master-planned multi-billion-dollar Dubai Marina complex by property developer, Emaar, was a historic moment for the city of Dubai.

  For the first time in the country non-GCC nationals were allowed to own property on a 99-year lease basis. This bold move attracted a big flow of foreign investment in the country that paved the way for the current real estate and construction sector boom. Currently, foreign ownership of properties is widely offered in Dubai and other emirates as well as other countries in the region have followed into Dubai’s footsteps.

  According to data supplied by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), the Dubai real estate sector achieved 86 per cent increase during the period 2001-2004, achieving an annual growth rate of 16.7 per cent. The DCCI expects boom to continue in the short and medium-run as the value of the planned projects coming up in the next five years reaches an estimated total of USD30 billion.

  The construction sector in Dubai has grown with an annual average growth of 37.4 per cent in the period from 2001 to 2004, according to DCCI statistics. In 2004, the construction sector contributed 12.2 per cent to Dubai’s gross domestic product (GDP), while the real estate sector contributed 10.6 per cent to the emirate’s GDP. This phenomenal growth would not have been possible if Dubai Marina, one of the first freehold properties on offer in the emirate, was not an outstanding success, putting Dubai firmly on the world map.

  Not only is Dubai Marina a financial success but also it is an engineering feat. The complex is one of the largest man-made waterfronts in the world. According to media statements by developer Emaar, Dubai Marina was planned to be an urban centre on the water, comparable to the most exclusive waterfront developments in the world's most exciting cities. Located around a 3.6 km man-made water channel, the development will eventually cover a total area of more than 50 million square feet. The latest reports say that the project is scheduled to encompass more that 200 high-rise apartment towers as well as a number of luxury villas and would be home to nearly 100,000 people upon its completion.

  The developer’s idea for the complex revolved around the fact that marina living has become one of the most desirable lifestyles in the world. Judging by the high levels of interest in the project, the idea seems to have been enthusiastically accepted by investors and potential home owners. Other developers have followed into Emaar’s footsteps, making luxurious water-front properties the hottest real-estate trend in the region. Five years after the Dubai Marina project was unveiled, many other developers in the emirate as well as in other parts of the country and the region p09are launching projects revolving around similar concepts.

  The USD-10-billion, man-made marina is strategically located near Interchange 5 on Sheikh Zayed Road, the city’s main transportation artery. This unique city-within-the-city is ideally positioned along Dubai's new growth corridor, close to Dubai's well-known landmarks such as Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Knowledge Village, The American University of Dubai and the Emirates Golf Club. Right across the street, another luxurious water-front development, Nakheel’s Jumeirah Lake Towers, where a large number of luxurious high-rise buildings is also coming up.

  With about 700 berths, Dubai Marina is the ideal place for sailing enthusiasts, while a large number of chic restaurants and funky cafes already make the complex one of the liveliest and most desirable addresses in the city.

  Dubai Marina has become a desirable location for starts and socialites the world over. According to press reports, former Real Madrid and Arsenal Football star Nicolas Anelka bought up almost USD4.4m worth of Dubai real estate on a recent trip to the emirate. His personal investment portfolio reportedly includes a penthouse and four apartments at Dubai Marina. Sources say that one of the sons of slain former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri is another famous owner of an apartment at the prestigious luxury complex.

  As one of the most forward-thinking business establishments in the region, Al Habtoor Group has followed the dynamic development of the country and has grown tremendously in the past years thanks to investing in some of the region’s most ambitious projects.

  This trend is set to grow as Al Habtoor Group pushes ahead with new and exciting investment plans. Dubai Marina – one of the most prestigious investment opportunities in Dubai – has become a focus for the Group’s future growth aspirations. Currently, Al Habtoor Group is pushing ahead with the 35-storey Al Habtoor Grand Office Tower at the Marina complex. The company has announced that tower would be built at a cost of Dh335.44 million.

  On 10 September this year, Al Habtoor’s latest and most ambitious hotel project opened its doors just a kilometre away from the Dubai Marina. The luxurious, Dh714-million Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa, offers 442 deluxe rooms and suites at a prime location on the Jumeirah Beach and offers breath-taking views over the Arabian Gulf, Dubai Marina or the landscaped tropical gardens.

  The project spreads to nearly 33,000 square metres and is inspired by the architecture of Andalucian Spain. The development boasts 13 restaurants and bars and banqueting for over 1,000 guests. In addition, the magnificent landscaped gardens are an ideal setting for outdoor banquets in the cooler months where there is ample room to host up to 5,000 guests. The resort’s signature restaurant is an international fine dining experience called the 25th and is appropriately situated on the 25th floor in one of the resort’s towers. The restaurant’s terrace affords panoramic views across the Dubai Marina and the Arabian Gulf.

  The guest rooms and suites suit a variety of budgets but all rooms have lounge areas and equipment such as 28” flat screen TV sets, DVD players and wireless internet access points as the standard.

There is a fully-equipped business centre operating round-the-clock, while guests have an extensive end-to-end wireless network, which gives them Internet access from over 230 wireless access points situated around the hotel.

  Travellers looking for some fun and relaxation can choose from a variety of activities – swimming, tennis, squash and beach volleyball among others. For the ultimate in pampering, a dip in the new Infinity pool or a visit to the Elixir Spa and Health Club, is a must. The spa is equipped with six designer treatment rooms, offering more than a dozen different treatments, from aromatherapy to dry flotation.

  The Al Habtoor Group owns and operates six other hotels in the UAE, Beirut and the United Kingdom. In the UAE, there is the Metropolitan Hotel Dubai, the Metropolitan Palace Hotel Dubai and the Metropolitan Deira Hotel Dubai.

  In Lebanon, there is the Metropolitan Palace Hotel Beirut and the new Habtoor Grand Hotel Conference Centre & Spa Beirut, while in the UK the company owns the exclusive Monkey Island Hotel located near the village of Bray-on-Thames, a mile downstream from Maidenhead, close to both Royal Windsor and London. The company also owns and operates the Habtoorland theme park in Beirut.