BUSINESS & JOBS

The mood is grim at the Address Hotel in Downtown Dubai. Overlooking the iconic Burj Khalifa, the hotel has become a vantage point for viewing the spectacular dancing fountain that comes to life several times a day. But as we wait for the arrival of two of the UAE’s most senior government leaders, smiles are hard to come by and the music from the fountains is being drowned out by talk of a second global recession.

The celebrations were held at the picturesque and stunning At.Mosphere Lounge on Level 122 at Burj Khalifa - the highest lounge in the world. The event was attended by dignitaries, top company officials and members of the media.

British men’s outfitters Hackett London is due to open a new store in Dubai, in line with Hackett’s approach of opening flagship stores in key cities. The first Hackett London store in Dubai will be located in the Dubai Mall, on the first floor in Fashion Avenue at the bottom of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.

Whether the problem is declining profits or potential political trouble overseas, investors in Emaar Properties have had little to shout about recently. Even the Burj Khalifa, the developer's most famous project, is facing a looming challenge from Jeddah's Kingdom Tower for the title of the world's tallest building.

The company will oversee Damac Properties' first serviced apartment development, 'Burjside Boulevard,' in the exclusive Downtown Dubai/Burj Khalifa precinct. In addition, the service will also be made available to residents of other premium Damac Properties' projects.

The event was held in Burj Khalifa and was attended by 60 senior representatives of clients and partners of the bank from various industries including Retail, Logistics, Oil and Gas, Information Technology and trade.

Greek composer and pianist Yanni, acclaimed for his instrumental music, will perform in front of the iconic Burj Khalifa on October 28, organisers have announced. Yanni's Dubai performance follows a concert in Muscat, Oman, at the Sultan Qaboos University Cultural Centre Grand Hall.

Burned by grand and audacious real estate projects, which became financial burdens when market bubbles burst three years ago, property developers in the Gulf are putting more emphasis on mundane but affordable housing.

Architecture giant Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM) picked up two of the night’s top honours. The firm’s Rolex Tower in Dubai won Best Overall Project while consulting partner George Efstathiou won Architect of the Year. The 235m Rolex Tower was praised by the jury as “an elegant addition to the Dubai skyline in a field of flamboyance”. SOM repeated the success of last year, when it picked up the same award for Burj Khalifa.

More than 5,000 property owners and tenants from Dubai's most iconic commercial and residential towers, including The Burj Khalifa, Oceana and Palm Residences, now have access to MyCommunity, an online property management tool.