Nakheel and Centara Sign Joint Venture for Beachfront Resort with Waterpark at Dubai's Deira Islands
DUBAI, U.A.E. January 11, 2017 - UAE master developer Nakheel and leading Thai hotel group Centara Hotels and Resorts today signed a joined venture agreement to create a 550-room, beachfront resort with waterpark at Deira Islands in Dubai.
Under the agreement, cemented in Bangkok by Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah and Centara Chairman Suthikiati Chirathivat, the two companies will deliver an upscale resort on a prime stretch of beach on Deira Islands - Nakheel's new, 15.3 sq km, world-class tourism, leisure, retail and entertainment hub that will contribute significantly to the Government of Dubai's tourism vision.
Nakheel's joint venture with Centara is the latest development in the company's aggressive expansion into Dubai's hospitality sector and its second international joint venture for Deira Islands. The first, an 800-room, AED900 million all-inclusive resort and waterpark with Spain's RIU Hotels & Resorts, was confirmed in February last year.
As the first Centara establishment in the UAE, the new resort will cover an area of 295,900 sq ft. Features include a waterpark, dining facilities, business centre, kids' club, spa and fitness centre. The resort is anticipated to have soft opening in 2019 and grand opening in 2020.
Centara Hotels & Resorts is part of Central Group, one of Thailand's most prominent family-owned conglomerate holding companies that is involved in merchandising, real estate, retailing, hospitality and restaurants. Centara' s portfolio currently includes around 14,000 room keys across 65 hotels and resorts under six distinctive brands in Asia, Indian Ocean, and the Middle East.
The brands of Centara Hotels and Resorts include “Centara Grand” - iconic five-star hotels and resorts in prime or beachfront locations, “Centara” - spacious four-star hotels and resorts with excellent service and facilities, “Centara Boutique Collection” - uniquely intimate boutique hotels, “Centara Residence and Suites” - fully furnished serviced apartment available for both short-term and long-term stays, providing modern living space along with quality facilities, “Centra by Centara” - quality value hotels in the most convenient locations, and “COSI” affordable lifestyle hotels for the tech savvy, smart-minded travellers.
Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah said: “Our joint venture with Centara cements our commitment to partnering with successful, reputable international hotel brands to bring new tourism concepts to Dubai in line with the Government of Dubai's tourism vision. Today's signing is a key milestone in hospitality expansion - and the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership between Nakheel and one of Thailand's biggest, most popular hotel operators. We look forward to seeing this exciting project come to fruition by delivering a new and unique offering at Deira Islands.”
Suthikiati Chirathivat, Chairman of Centara Hotels and Resorts remarked: “We are thrilled and proud to be partnering with Nakheel on this joint venture hotel investment that will see Centara Hotels & Resorts operate and manage a distinguished new resort in an exciting new destination. This partnership is a ground-breaking move for Centara as we continue to extend our upscale resort portfolio internationally. This is Centara's first hotel in Dubai, and the UAE, and represents our arrival in a key gateway city in the Middle East. As we look forward to an even stronger and meaningful business partnership with Nakheel in the near future, we believe that Centara Deira Island Beach Resort Dubai will offer unforgettable holiday experiences to guests through our unique Centara hospitality and service.”
Nakheel currently has over 5,300 rooms across 16 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments in operation or under development, with the first two - at Dragon Mart and Ibn Battuta Mall - delivered in 2016.
Deira Islands, where Nakheel has already invested more than AED3 billion in infrastructure work, coastal works and design services for a range of new projects, will add 40 km, including 21 km of beach, to Dubai's coastline. Nakheel recently completed an AED150 million access bridge to the islands, and has just released a tender for the construction of six marinas. The development is expected to have around 250,000, create more than 80,000 new jobs, and offer hundreds of new hotels, serviced apartments and mixed-use buildings, and extensive retail and leisure attractions. Nakheel itself is building 16 residential towers, five hotels, two serviced apartment complexes, Deira Mall, Deira Islands Night Souk and several marinas at the islands.
About Nakheel
Nakheel is one of the world's leading developers and a major contributor to realising the vision of Dubai for the 21st century: to create a world class destination for living, business and tourism. Nakheel continues to deliver and enhance an iconic portfolio of innovative landmark projects in Dubai across the residential, retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. Our master developments include Palm Jumeirah, The World, Deira Islands, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Heights, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Warsan Village, Dragon City, International City, Jebel Ali Gardens and Nad Al Sheba. Together, these span more than 15,000 hectares and currently provide homes for over 270,000 people. Nakheel has more than 21,000 residential units under construction or in the pipeline. Nakheel's current and future retail project portfolio covers nearly 17 million square feet of leasable space. Developments include Ibn Battuta Mall, Dragon Mart 1 and 2, Golden Mile Galleria, Nakheel Mall, The Pointe, Deira Mall, Deira Islands Night Souk, Warsan Souk, Al Khail Avenue, The Circle Mall and Nad Al Sheba Mall, as well as major extensions to Dragon Mart (renamed Dragon City) and Ibn Battuta Mall. The retail profile also includes several neighbourhood community centres. Our growing hospitality project portfolio comprises 16 hotels and serviced apartment developments with more than 5,200 rooms between them at various locations in Dubai, including Palm Jumeirah, Deira Islands, Ibn Battuta Mall, Jumeirah Village and Dragon City.
About Centara Hotels & Resorts
Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand's leading hotel operator, with a total of 65 deluxe and first-class properties; 43 across major domestic tourist destinations, as well as 22 hotels and resorts located in prominent international destinations, including Maldives, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, China, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. The diversity of Centara properties means that the brand can cater easily to all of the differing needs of couples, families, individuals, and business professionals. Centara also operates 22 branches of Spa Cenvaree, an award-winning spa brand, together with seven branches of the value brand Cense by Spa Cenvaree, which provides core spa services for busy travellers. The company's Kids' Clubs are available at all their family-friendly resorts to ensure that children - and their parents - can enjoy their own kinds of fun. Centara also operates state-of-the-art convention centres in Bangkok and in Udon Thani. The latest Centara brand to be launched is COSI Hotels, an affordable lifestyle brand designed for travellers who predominantly make their bookings via the internet and who want comfort and convenience at affordable prices; the first property is due to open in 2017. Find out more about Centara at www.CentaraHotelsResorts.com
Contact:
Rebecca Rees
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+971 4375 9702
Montakarn Shutt
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+66 (0) 2769 1234 Ext. 6672
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