Business | Property
Finding that balance between dream and reality
There might be a huge gulf between dream and reality. However, there's one man who tries to bridge the gap - especially when it comes to designing lifestyle to match dreams.
- By Saifur Rahman, Business Editor
- Published: 00:41 May 14, 2008
- Image Credit: Ravindranath/Gulf News
- A robot interacts with visitors at the Omniyat pavilion on the opening day of the Cityscape exhibition.
Dubai: There might be a huge gulf between dream and reality. However, there's one man who tries to bridge the gap - especially when it comes to designing lifestyle to match dreams.
"With innovative designs and employing technology, we try to find the right balance between the two," Mehdi Amjad, president and chief executive of Omniyat Holdings, told Gulf News.
Omniyat Holdings has already launched eight projects in Dubai with a development value of Dh7 billion.
"Within the next year, we are going to launch a number of projects that will add Dh14 billion to the portfolio value raising it to Dh21 billion," quips the Iranian-born young entrepreneur, while chatting at his 26th floor office at Bur Juman Business Tower.
"Out of the eight projects, two will be delivered this year while four others are under construction. The rest two will go into construction later this year."
He said the company will launch a Dh5 billion mixed-use development at the Waterfront in Dubai, which will have a five-star hotel, retail area, commercial and residential units.
"We are looking at vast spaces for master-development planned projects," he said. "Once we have the right space and location, we will create neighbourhood communities."
In the next two to three years, the company has plans to become a regional developer, entering Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Robot-powered life
Robots delivering coffee at office, or cook and serve dinner at home might no longer be limited to dreams or science fictions. This futuristic lifestyle is soon going to be a reality in Dubai. Robot-powered homes and offices are coming to Dubai, as early as next year, thanks to Omniyat.
Amjad, who first ventured into information technology before shifting to property business, is preparing to deliver remote-controlled lifestyle - both at home and work - when specially-designed robots arrive in the country to help manage one's life.
It's not buy a property and get a robot free. It's more than that, he says.
"Technology is not an objective, but a tool to ease life and work," he said. "When we deliver the projects with the robots early next year, our customers will feel the difference. It will be an experience that will differentiate between now and future."
Amjad said with an additional 15 per cent cost, a customer could enjoy this lifestyle. "In fact, with a smart and intelligent building, one can ensure 10-20 per cent cost saving throughout a building's life."
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