How A.R.M. Holding sustains competitive edge in Dubai’s real estate market

The solid performance of Dubai’s real estate market in the first quarter of 2023 shows no signs of slowing down, even after a 20 per cent jump since 2020, with strong growth seen across the majority of its segments.

CBRE projected a positive outlook for the real estate sectors in the UAE this year, with higher oil prices and resolute economic growth expected to support strong levels of occupier and investment activity.

The country’s residential property market has also bucked the trend in much of the world, where values have largely dropped, witnessed a record of 29,323 transactions during the first three months of the year, up 47.3 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier.

Growth in the industry is being driven by an influx of wealthy investors who are drawn by a flurry of reforms that are being implemented to make the UAE an appealing destination for global companies, investors and talent.

In response to the upward trends and to cater to Dubai’s dynamic property requirements, A.R.M Holding recently unveiled its premium real estate brand, HUNA.

Though the investment firm has grown its portfolio beyond the borders of the UAE into global markets such as China, Japan and the Americas, it remains committed to delivering niche products within Dubai’s booming real estate market.

In his fourth year at the helm, Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, the CEO of A.R.M. Holding, sits down with Gulf Business to give insight into the investment company’s strategy and its growing real estate portfolio.

Tell us more about A.R.M Holdings, the company’s strategy and medium-term outlook.

We are a diversified group that is contributing to economic growth in the country through synergies and opportunities in local, regional and global markets. Our investment portfolio has grown significantly over the years and it ranges from real estate to banking to FMCG and hospitality.

A.R.M is expanding its real estate portfolio and recently we launched, HUNA, our third real estate investment company. We operate Dubai Real Estate Centre – which is one of the biggest real estate companies in the Emirate and was founded in 1991. We also launched Hive Coliv last year – a project that specifically caters to millennials and a diverse mix of young communities.

Hive Coliv focuses on the development and management of ‘co-living’ communities. The first property that we opened under Hive Coliv is Hive JVC, located in Dubai’s Jumeirah Village Circle and was designed in its entirety by Lebanese designer Fadi Sarieddine. Dubai’s luxury property market has performed well over the past 18 to 24 months and we can see a growing number of developers tapping into the luxury property market. The premium segment is becoming competitive, and most developers are focusing on quality which only pushes us to deliver better products.

Our company focuses on niche and unique products that can serve the dynamic requirements of the Dubai property market while differentiating ourselves as well as giving us an edge in the market. We are also expanding these offerings to Abu Dhabi and beyond the borders of the UAE.

What are you most excited about this year, any investments on the horizon?

There are always opportunities in the market and if you look at the right opportunities, you can capture and build on them. Research and risk assessment plays a critical role in getting the right investment.

A.R.M remains committed to Dubai’s real estate sector. Our recent offering (HUNA) will carefully curate and combine celebrated designers, creators, and spaces for the discerning clientele so they can experience a truly bespoke lifestyle.

When we conceived the idea of HUNA, we ensured that art and culture would be central to the premium brand’s identity. HUNA is designed to create a community for designers and creators and it will host a series of activations where members will enjoy exclusive experiences, including monthly talks on contemporary culture featuring leading global speakers, unique dining moments, and quarterly exhibitions showcasing rotating outdoor sculptures by local and international artists.

We aim to launch two flagship projects for HUNA in the last quarter of 2023 and the project will redefine Dubai’s neighbourhoods by creating authentic urban communities which radiate open-mindedness and sociability. We will also continue supporting Hive Coliv while looking for projects that differentiate us from other players in the Dubai luxury property market.

Art is an integral part of the company’s investment portfolio. Tell us more about it.

We believe culture is an important industry and A.R.M is an active promoter of Dubai’s art and culture industry. A.M.R has launched several initiatives such as our yearly art fund that we use to buy art pieces and support emerging artists from the Middle East region and beyond. Hence, A.M.R has a private collection of art just like most corporates that have an art collection as an asset.

We also look at art from that perspective as well as the perspective of supporting emerging artists and the Dubai art scene. Most of our iconic buildings will have pieces of art going forward.

Our children’s programme also brings together artists and designers to collaborate with local schools through bespoke workshops.

Following the success of the programme at Art Dubai, we have expanded the initiative to 80 schools across the seven emirates and it will be expanded further this year. A.R.M focuses on developing communities and culture hence our association with different cultural organisations including Art Dubai.

How is the company contributing towards the D33 vision?

The Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) seeks to boost foreign direct investment, increase the number of companies operating in the emirate as well as the contribution of the tourism sector to the overall GDP. In that context, A.R.M is a small component in the whole Dubai ecosystem and we will continue to play our part to turn the D33 vision into reality through the different initiatives and projects.

Read: Morgan Stanley sees cash buyers and Chinese buoying Dubai property