Construction Update
05/01/08
nearly finished
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/3222421968_2290bc24d4_b.jpg
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgtcaboose/3222421968/
High-Res: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgtcaboose/3222421968/sizes/o/

Ibn Battuta Gate:

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http://www.seventides.com/IBN-Battuta-Gate/

Ibn Battuta Gate hotel website including video

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/2933/l1070069cw8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ Yup, the part on the right (Jebel Ali Village) side is completed and the electricity connected.

^^ any news about second part ?

http://i42.tinypic.com/nlqzgx.jpg
http://hoteliermiddleeast.com/article-4652-technology_to_set_seven_tides_apart/

when I was there last week they were still working on the facade, that was quick

not ready, that is just a photoshop, still scaffoldings there.:)

Why doesn't the metro have a covered walk/overpass, etc. connecting to Ibn Battuta or this hotel?

^^
I was thinking the same.

MOE has one.

because Al Futtaim much clever as the Nakheel :)

Press release

Immediate release 22 July 2009

Asteco opens gateway to new business

Asteco appointed office leasing agents for Ibn Batutta Gate - Seven Tides’ flagship mixed-use property development

Asteco, the largest property services company in the United Arab Emirates, has been appointed sole leasing agents for the offices at the iconic Ibn Battuta Gate mixed-use development which aims to attract businesses with commercial interests in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Ibn Battuta Gate is a new build corporate flagship mixed-use property developed by Dubai-based Seven Tides. The development features a dramatic entrance arch larger than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Located next to Ibn Battuta Mall on the Sheikh Zayed highway, the development offers a combination of 40,000 square metres of office space, residential apartments and a five-star hotel and spa, which will be managed by Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.

A new name for many in the hospitality sector, Dubai-based Seven Tides is an internationally oriented holding company established in 2004. Seven Tides has a portfolio of property comprising new build and strategic acquisitions in the hospitality, commercial and residential sectors in London and Dubai.

“This appointment clearly reflects our position as market-leaders for leasing high-end office space,” said Asteco CEO Elaine Jones. “In keeping with the overall development, the quality of the office accommodation is five-star, located at the very heart of Dubai’s new residential and commercial corridor providing an ideal gateway for businesses with commercial interests in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi.”

With 40,000 square metres of leaseable modern office space spread over 11 floors, the Ibn Battuta Gate office complex is next door to the Ibn Battuta Mall with its 300,000 square metres of retail space and entertainment attractions.

In addition, the offices are adjacent to one of the Dubai Metro stations, which is due to open in September this year, providing easy access via a direct link to the nearby free zones as well as Dubai Financial City and the Dubai World Trade Centre.

There is also direct access to the Sheikh Zayed highway, ideally situated for Jebel Ali Free Zone, new Al Maktoum International Airport or further a field to Al Raha Beach and on to Abu Dhabi. Close by in the opposite direction are Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and the rest of Dubai. The office complex also has basement parking for over 350 cars and additional parking for a further 760 vehicles.

“We are very proud of the Ibn Battuta Gate development. Businesses located here will be able to embrace a lifestyle that balances corporate with leisure - business with pleasure,” said Michael Scully, Managing Director Hospitality for Seven Tides.

For further information about Asteco, please visit www.astecoproperty.com

For more information about Seven Tides, please visit www.seventides.com

because Al Futtaim much clever as the Nakheel :)

Probably more than cleverness, or lack there of, is that Nakheel probably has no money for it and the RTA perhaps requires that it is paid for by the developer. This may also explain why there is no sign of the Palm monorail joining up with the metro.

And what a shame. Just imagine shoppers trudging across the sand and dodging cars to get the metro from Ibn Battuta.

Press release

Immediate release 22 July 2009

Asteco opens gateway to new business

Asteco appointed office leasing agents for Ibn Batutta Gate - Seven Tides’ flagship mixed-use property development

Asteco, the largest property services company in the United Arab Emirates, has been appointed sole leasing agents for the offices at the iconic Ibn Battuta Gate mixed-use development which aims to attract businesses with commercial interests in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Ibn Battuta Gate is a new build corporate flagship mixed-use property developed by Dubai-based Seven Tides. The development features a dramatic entrance arch larger than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Located next to Ibn Battuta Mall on the Sheikh Zayed highway, the development offers a combination of 40,000 square metres of office space, residential apartments and a five-star hotel and spa, which will be managed by Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.

A new name for many in the hospitality sector, Dubai-based Seven Tides is an internationally oriented holding company established in 2004. Seven Tides has a portfolio of property comprising new build and strategic acquisitions in the hospitality, commercial and residential sectors in London and Dubai.

“This appointment clearly reflects our position as market-leaders for leasing high-end office space,” said Asteco CEO Elaine Jones. “In keeping with the overall development, the quality of the office accommodation is five-star, located at the very heart of Dubai’s new residential and commercial corridor providing an ideal gateway for businesses with commercial interests in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi.”

With 40,000 square metres of leaseable modern office space spread over 11 floors, the Ibn Battuta Gate office complex is next door to the Ibn Battuta Mall with its 300,000 square metres of retail space and entertainment attractions.

In addition, the offices are adjacent to one of the Dubai Metro stations, which is due to open in September this year, providing easy access via a direct link to the nearby free zones as well as Dubai Financial City and the Dubai World Trade Centre.

There is also direct access to the Sheikh Zayed highway, ideally situated for Jebel Ali Free Zone, new Al Maktoum International Airport or further a field to Al Raha Beach and on to Abu Dhabi. Close by in the opposite direction are Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and the rest of Dubai. The office complex also has basement parking for over 350 cars and additional parking for a further 760 vehicles.

“We are very proud of the Ibn Battuta Gate development. Businesses located here will be able to embrace a lifestyle that balances corporate with leisure - business with pleasure,” said Michael Scully, Managing Director Hospitality for Seven Tides.

For further information about Asteco, please visit www.astecoproperty.com

For more information about Seven Tides, please visit www.seventides.com

way to go - elaine you spotted the massive gap in the market! brilliant!

:banana: With this and JLT combined- hopefully, please please god, office space will be able to meet the overwhelmingdemand. Fingers tightly crossed.

:cheers:

Press release
Immediate release 12 August 2009

Robotic car park first for region

Hi-tech answer to growing parking problems, automated parking for 765 cars is key feature of new office complex - phase one Ibn Battuta Gate now complete

A multi-storey, automated car park – the first of its kind in the Middle East – opens today (12 August 2009). Capable of handling 765 vehicles, it is the first of several large-scale robotic car parks being built to address growing parking problems in the United Arab Emirates.

The car park is a key complementary feature of the commercial office complex (phase one) at the new Ibn Battuta Gate mixed-use property developed by Dubai-based Asteco Development Management appointed by owners Seven Tides. Located next to Ibn Battuta Mall on the Sheikh Zayed highway, the development has 40,000 square metres of office space and residential apartments managed by Asteco Property Management and a five-star hotel and spa to be managed by Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.

Andrew Chambers, Managing Director, Asteco commented, “This robotic car park will be especially convenient for the office tenants, parking or retrieval can be completed in less than 160 seconds. It is safe and secure and obviously doesn’t expose expensive paint work to the abrasive elements during lengthy office hours.”

Asteco, the largest property and services company in the United Arab Emirates, are the sole leasing and property managers for the offices at Ibn Battuta Gate which aims to attract businesses with commercial interests in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The technology behind the automated parking system was developed by US-based Robotic Parking, a world leader in the field, and has been brought to the region by the MAG Group, a leading UAE company.

“In a world of increasing urbanization and traffic congestion, the future is robotic parking,” said Sami K. Issa, General Manager of Robotic Systems, the technology licensor. “As more and more vehicles in the UAE and the Middle East share a limited volume of available space, the need for a solution has become acute. In our view, it is not simply more space but more intelligent use of space which will solve the parking problems of today and tomorrow.
“With this technology, you don’t need to drive through the garage to find a parking space. You simply drive your car to an entry station and leave your car to be picked up by the computerised lifts that will safely place it inside the building on a shelving system. When you leave, you return to a central point and your car is swiftly retrieved for you."

Pre-opening performance tests of the system achieved more then 250 parking transactions per hour – faster than regular gated ramp-style car parks can handle.

Ahmet Oktay Cini, CEO of Asteco Development Management, also representing Seven Tides, described the system as “a key component of the development, a premium valet parking using state of the art technology.” He added: “It means your car is safe from break-ins and accidents, or the dents and scratches that are usually the risk of parking in large car parks. The robotic system also addresses the growing parking problem in Dubai by providing more than twice the number of parking spaces compared with a conventional car park.”

The Ibn Battuta Gate mixed use development has direct access to the Sheikh Zayed highway off interchange 6, connects with Jebel Ali Free Zone, the new Al Maktoum International Airport or further a field to Al Raha Beach and Abu Dhabi. Close by are Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and the rest of Dubai. The Office complex also has additional basement parking for over 350 cars.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

Robot 1 & 2: An automated car park – the first and biggest of its kind in the Middle East – opened to the public today (Wednesday 12 August 2009) at IBN Battuta Gate, Dubai .

Robot 3: Left to right - Andrew Chambers, Managing Director of Asteco; Ahmet Oktay Cini, CEO of Asteco Development Management; and Sami K. Issa, General Manager of MAG Robotic Systems.


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that car park in iRobot looks awesome, but that looks futuristic too :)

Client: Seven Tides Limited

Estimated Value: 250m USD

Contractors: Main Contractor: Arabian Construction Co.

Main Contractor: Higgs & Hill

Main Contractor: Aluma Systems

Project Type: Mixed Use

Project Duration:

From: Q1 2006 Estimated
To: Q4 2009 Estimated

Status: Construction


Scope: The project calls for construction Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel & Spa. The new complex is featuring luxury Hotel and prime commercial office space, located close to Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai. The total built up area is 400,000 square metres.

Schedule: Arabian Construction Co. and Higgs & Hill are the main contractors. Construction is in progress. The hotel is expected to open in 2010.

Remark: Asteco has been appointed sole leasing agents for the offices. The hotel will be managed by Movenpick

way to go - elaine you spotted the massive gap in the market! brilliant!

:banana: With this and JLT combined- hopefully, please please god, office space will be able to meet the overwhelmingdemand. Fingers tightly crossed.

:cheers:

What demand? JLT is empty and plagued by poor building standards.

Anyway that building is pretty hidous looking, hardly a corporate location really.

Ibn Battuta Gate opens in Dubai


http://www.ameinfo.com/207941.html

Found this good video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n7qa9_BfXU)from Construction Week Online.com on YouTube about the Robotic Car Park.

Press release
Immediate release 13 October 2009

Location again a priority as rental prices soften

Dubai Metro expected to play important role in office lease market, says Asteco

With lease rates in Dubai declining as more new buildings become available, office location rather than price will again become a priority in determining where a company sets up business, says Asteco, the largest property services company in the United Arab Emirates.

“The decline in the real estate market is helping to re-position Dubai once again as an attractive business location giving companies the ability to shop around for the best value for money,” said Asteco CEO Elaine Jones. “Offices which can offer substantial amenities for staff will be the first to benefit,” she added.

In addition, evidence from many international markets consistently reveals that land and property values and ultimately rentals, within the vicinity of stations linked to new metro lines increase significantly - 57% in the case of the Tokyo – Kobe line in Japan.

However, what is interesting is that the increases do not occur usually until after the stations physically open, not when the line is announced or under construction. According to the RTA, the Ibn Battuta metro station will be operational by February 2010.

“This is not surprising,” said Jones. “In property matters it has always been a question of location, location, location and office developments like Ibn Battuta Gate - located in close proximity to a Metro station as well as a shopping malls and ample parking - will increasingly become the preferred option.

“As more Metro stations are opened and people become aware of the benefits, the ease of commuting by Metro for office staff will prove to be an increasingly important element in company decision making about where to locate.”

Phase one of the new Ibn Battuta Gate mixed-use development is being managed by Asteco Property Management on behalf of Dubai-based owners Seven Tides.

“Ibn Battuta Gate is located at the very heart of Dubai’s new residential and commercial corridor,” Jones added. “The complex is within 400 metres of a Metro station due to open soon which will provide direct access to the commercial business heart of the Jebel Ali free zones as well as Dubai Marine, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Internet and Media City, Dubai Financial Centre, Dubai World Trade Centre and central Dubai itself.”

With 40,000 square metres of leaseable modern office space spread over 11 floors, the office complex is also next door to the mall with its 300,000 square metres of retail space and entertainment attractions. Ibn Battuta Gate, which features a dramatic entrance arch larger than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, also has direct access to Sheikh Zayed highway. The office complex has basement parking for over 350 cars and automatic parking for a further 760 vehicles.

“In further phases the Ibn Battuta Gate offices, will also benefit from a five-star Moevenpick Hotel and a residence, so office tenants will be able to take advantage of short or long term accommodation as well as the hotel facilities,” added Jones.

Press release
Immediate release 13 October 2009

Location again a priority as rental prices soften

Dubai Metro expected to play important role in office lease market, says Asteco

With lease rates in Dubai declining as more new buildings become available, office location rather than price will again become a priority in determining where a company sets up business, says Asteco, the largest property services company in the United Arab Emirates.

“The decline in the real estate market is helping to re-position Dubai once again as an attractive business location giving companies the ability to shop around for the best value for money,” said Asteco CEO Elaine Jones. “Offices which can offer substantial amenities for staff will be the first to benefit,” she added.

In addition, evidence from many international markets consistently reveals that land and property values and ultimately rentals, within the vicinity of stations linked to new metro lines increase significantly - 57% in the case of the Tokyo – Kobe line in Japan.

However, what is interesting is that the increases do not occur usually until after the stations physically open, not when the line is announced or under construction. According to the RTA, the Ibn Battuta metro station will be operational by February 2010.

“This is not surprising,” said Jones. “In property matters it has always been a question of location, location, location and office developments like Ibn Battuta Gate - located in close proximity to a Metro station as well as a shopping malls and ample parking - will increasingly become the preferred option.

“As more Metro stations are opened and people become aware of the benefits, the ease of commuting by Metro for office staff will prove to be an increasingly important element in company decision making about where to locate.”

Phase one of the new Ibn Battuta Gate mixed-use development is being managed by Asteco Property Management on behalf of Dubai-based owners Seven Tides.

“Ibn Battuta Gate is located at the very heart of Dubai’s new residential and commercial corridor,” Jones added. “The complex is within 400 metres of a Metro station due to open soon which will provide direct access to the commercial business heart of the Jebel Ali free zones as well as Dubai Marine, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Internet and Media City, Dubai Financial Centre, Dubai World Trade Centre and central Dubai itself.”

With 40,000 square metres of leaseable modern office space spread over 11 floors, the office complex is also next door to the mall with its 300,000 square metres of retail space and entertainment attractions. Ibn Battuta Gate, which features a dramatic entrance arch larger than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, also has direct access to Sheikh Zayed highway. The office complex has basement parking for over 350 cars and automatic parking for a further 760 vehicles.

“In further phases the Ibn Battuta Gate offices, will also benefit from a five-star Moevenpick Hotel and a residence, so office tenants will be able to take advantage of short or long term accommodation as well as the hotel facilities,” added Jones.

11 floors high ! Change title ! thx

Link with article above:
http://www.ameinfo.com/212203.html

pic (same as before just bigger size)

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still not done , lots of scaffoldings there

26/November/2009

Ibn Battuta Gate , Ibn Battuta Mall

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Done!

17 January 2010

Ibn Battuta Gate ready for handover

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Dubai’s latest mixed-use iconic gateway development of offices, apartments, a hotel and robotic car park now ready for handover to Seven Tides

Construction work is now complete on the latest striking addition to the Dubai city skyline featuring an archway larger than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

The iconic arch at the Ibn Battuta Gateway development is the entrance to a unique combination of modern offices, luxury residential apartments for lease and a five-star hotel.

Tenants are already in place and operating from the 11 storey 400,000 square feet office complex at Ibn Battuta Gate, which aims to attract businesses with commercial interests in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Due to its single ownership structure the offices hold particular appeal to institutions and companies that require multiple units or several floors in a building with the potential for future expansion.

Original text and pics here:

http://imresolt.blogspot.com/2010/01/ibn-battuta-gate-ready-for-handover.html

Atlantis Ugly less attractive sister... completed

What's the smaller detached building on the SZR side that is still under construction? A parking lot maybe?


PS. The scaffolding is still there on the arch :lol:

Construction work at a new 396-room five star hotel at Ibn Battuta Gate in Dubai is almost complete and the property is set to open in May.

The hotel will be handed over to owner Seven Tides at the end of January for the final fitting out with an anticipated opening by the Swiss hotel group Movenpick Hotels & Resorts in May 2010.

Michael Scully, managing director hospitality for Seven Tides said: “Ibn Battuta Gate is already a landmark with its striking architecture and will appeal to those who appreciate sophistication and five-star luxury, whether for business or leisure.”

An archway larger than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris is also nearing completion at the Ibn Battuta Gateway development which will include modern offices, luxury residential apartments for lease and a five-star hotel.

Tenants are already in place and operating from the 11 storey 400,000 square feet office complex at Ibn Battuta Gate, which aims to attract businesses with commercial interests in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Basement parking for more than 350 cars is provided as well as a multi-storey, robotic car park capable of handling 765 vehicles – the first of its kind in the Middle East – which has already begun operations.

In addition, work is nearing completion on the 166 luxury residential apartments which are expected to be released for long term rental in February.

Brett Whalley, head of Commercial Leasing at Asteco, which is managing the flagship mixed-use development on behalf of Seven Tides, said: “Now that the scaffolding has been removed and the preparations for the handover are in their final stages, the complex is attracting considerable interest from entrepreneurs both established and new to Dubai.”

www.arabianbusiness.com%2F579072-new-dubai-five-star-hotel-slated-for-may-opening

Countdown is on for Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel

*United Arab Emirates: 2 hours, 18 minutes ago | PRESS RELEASE

Dubai's newest five-star hotel is confirmed as on track to open to the public on October 1, according to the property's general manager, Jan Kaiser.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/large/1/102321-Jan.jpg
Jan Kaiser, General Manager, Ibn Batutta Gate Hotel Dubai looks through a model of the 60-metre high Ibn Battuta Gate - set to be a Dubai landmark.

He indicated that the 396-room Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel will actually start hosting guests from mid September, including Tim Mackintosh-Smith, the author of a three-book series depicting the travels of the hotel's namesake.

"The hotel is cleverly inspired by the journeys of the 14th century Arabian explorer, Ibn Battuta and Tim's visit to Dubai could not have been better timed. Indeed, it is perfect that Tim will be one of our first guests. It is almost like having Ibn Battuta himself pay us a visit," Kaiser said.

The destination hotel is located in the area that Kaiser and his team are calling 'New Dubai'- adjacent to the Ibn Battuta Mall and the iconic Ibn Battuta Gate, which at 60 metres high is said to be larger than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

"There is quite an interesting design journey going on in the hotel, from the tastefully themed Battuta Suites to our mammoth lobby which spans 90x30 metres in length and height, respectively," he added.

"We have named the hotel lobby Al Bahou, or Grand Hall. It is huge yet inviting and has numerous signature photo opportunities for visitors, including 88 huge eastern-style lanterns dangling elegantly into the wonderful lobby space that is best described as 'the hub on the house'," Kaiser said that Al Bahou is also the gateway to the hotel's equally iconic restaurants and bars.

"Like the 29 Battuta Suites, the interiors and menus of our six signature outlets elegantly reflect Ibn Battuta's trial," he concluded.

Mackintosh-Smith will be in Dubai to support next year's Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and to launch Landfalls, the third book on the travel log of the explorer. There is a scheduled storytelling and book signing (on September 28) at Magrudy's bookshop in Ibn Battuta Mall, next to the hotel.

ameinfo (http://www.ameinfo.com/241287.html)

add a height of 60 meters to the title :)

Published Today - 10:18 GMT | Press Release

Dubai-based property management company Asteco, today announced that the apartments at Ibn Battuta Gate are now available for lease, offering residents a perfect balance between comfort and convenience thanks to its proximity to new state-of-the-art offices, leisure amenities and five-star service.

Adjoining the recently-opened Ibn Battuta Gate hotel, which is managed by Swiss hotel operator Mövenpick, featuring the iconic 60-metre gateway arch, and a stone's throw from the mall, the complex provides superior living with annual rents starting from just AED 70,000 in an environment that fosters a healthy work-life balance.

The apartment building which consists of 156 stylish one- and two-bedroom apartments, spread over ten floors, is just 400 metres from the new Ibn Battuta Metro station, which provides direct links to Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai International Financial Centre.

"The apartments offer luxury living at an affordable price. In addition, tenants also have the unique choice of using either the Mövenpick's pool and health club or the state-of-the-art leisure facilities within the apartment building," said Camilla Van Der Merwe, Head of Sales and Leasing at Asteco, which is managing the flagship mixed-use development on behalf of building owners Seven Tides.

Meanwhile, the office tower, located at the opposite end of the archway, spans 454,000 square feet across 11 floors and is perfectly positioned to attract businesses from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In addition, all Ibn Battuta tenants have access to dedicated secure covered car parking, located underneath the building.

"Living within walking distance of work is not often feasible, especially in a climate such as we have in the UAE, but Ibn Battuta Gate allows people to do just that. However, we are also seeing more and more people commuting between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and this development is perfectly placed to service both markets, as well as the more local commercial hubs of Jebel Ali Free Zone and Dubai Media and Internet cities," said Van Der Merwe.

Annual rents at the apartments include access to the five-star Mövenpick hotel's swimming pool and gym, in addition to 24-hour security, internet connection, satellite television, utility bills and parking. Each apartment also features with built-in wardrobes, lavishly finished bathroom, and solid wood floors in the bedrooms and marble flooring in the main living area.

Another attraction, Ibn Battuta shopping mall spans 1.3 kilometres in length and features more than 250 retail outlets, a hypermarket and over a dozen food and beverage outlets, in addition to a 21-screen cinema.

© 2010 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

Movenpick to operate Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel

Five-star development will add 396 rooms to hospitality market

# By Samia Badih, Staff Reporter | Published: 00:01 September 22, 2010 | Gulf News

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The Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel near Jebel Ali Village will be officially open to the public from October 1.

*Image Credit: Gulf News Archive

Dubai: A new five-star hotel is scheduled to shortly open its doors in Dubai. The Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, near Jebel Ali Village, will add 396 rooms to Dubai's hospitality market, in addition to a number of restaurants.

The building's design, which its owners said was inspired by the travels of the 14th century Arabian explorer Ibn Battuta, is expected to officially open to the public as of October 1.

It will be operated by Movenpick Hotels and Resorts, who said they believed that its location next to the Ibn Battuta Mall and Ibn Battuta Metro station would be a prime driver of its occupancy rates.

Michael Scully, Managing Director of Seven Tides, the real estate developer of Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, said: "The fact that we are close to Abu Dhabi, Dubai Media City and the free zones is key for us."

Opening room rates start from Dh695. Scully told Gulf News that research had revealed that hotels in the areas had the highest bookings in October and November.

Buoyant period

"We're very fairly priced and we believe Dubai will be very buoyant over the September, October and early December period," he said.

The Ibn Battuta Gate is also expected to serve as a strong link between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, he said.

"Bearing in mind that there's a lot of traffic between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and that some of the shopping centres are recording 60 per cent of their weekend credit card receipts from [people who live in] Abu Dhabi," Scully said.

He also said that the hotel would be better positioned in the market because it was themed. Visitors from the GCC countries and Europe would be more attracted to the Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel than a regular five-star hotel, he said.

Guy Epsom, Director of Business Development at Movenpick Hotels and Resorts, told Gulf News that the key target markets for the hotel's guests would be the surrounding business area, Abu Dhabi and the GCC markets.

"We're utilising e-marketing on various platforms to reach out to those markets," he said.

The Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel is to be part of a multi-million dollar complex which includes 460,000 square feet of office space and 150 apartments.

Gulf News (http://gulfnews.com/business/property/uae/movenpick-to-operate-ibn-battuta-gate-hotel-1.685306)

As the first guests arrive Guy Epsom, Director of Business Development, Movenpick Resorts & Hotels talks to Phil Blizzard about the challenges of 'selling' a new hotel and provides an overview of what the Ibn Bintutta Gate property has to offer.

Video: http://www.ameinfo.com/242952.html

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http://www.realestatechannel.com/international-markets/commercial-real-estate/real-estate-news-ibn-battuta-gate-asteco-ibn-battuta-gate-hotel-movepick-camilla-van-der-merwe-seven-tides-3207.php

We visit Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel to get an exclusive preview of the interior design concept.

By Naheed Akram; Features Writer, InsideOut | Published: 00:01 January 1, 2011

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Polished to perfection, the Andalucía Suite on the tenth floor has gorgeous interiors which impart a refined elegance to the room. The hotel has ten themes over ten floors all of which are decorated with inspiration taken from Ibn Battuta’s journey across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Turkey and Spain. The estimated cost spent on the interior design is Dh158.5 million. Image Credit: Silvia Baron

Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel is not your typical Arabian themed hotel, in fact the interior designers behind the property made a lot of effort to create a concept which merges the best of East and West decor without the Arabian royal opulence. The main atrium is heavily influenced by Moroccan design while the rest of the hotel is inspired by the travels of the 14th century explorer Ibn Battuta. One of the striking aspects of this five-star hotel is the relationship between the architectural elements and the interior design.

Despite the numerous changes in the exterior and interior design process, the owners were fixated on the idea of having a grand atrium. "This area which is now called the Al Bahou, was one of the main architectural influences of the building and the owners wanted this to be a focal part of the Moroccan design," says Allam Al Shalabi, director of engineering, Movenpick Hotels and Resorts.

http://gulfnews.com/polopoly_fs/io-101101-hospitality-42-1.737266!image/3384067250.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_475/3384067250.jpg
http://gulfnews.com/life-style/travel/journey-arabia-through-ibn-battuta-gate-hotel-1.733731

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