Dar Al-Arkan to launch branded towers in Saudi Arabia

Dar Al-Arkan Real Estate Development Company is looking into introducing branded residential projects in Saudi Arabia, company CEO Ziad El Chaar told Argaam in an exclusive interview.

“Our collaboration with Roberto Cavalli is going very smoothly, and we aspire to take this partnership in most of the areas that we are developing, particularly in Saudi Arabia,” he said.

In December, the Riyadh-based developer launched its first Roberto Cavalli designed “I Love Florence” tower in Dubai.

Asked if there was a market for luxury projects, El Chaar said there was demand for luxury properties, with Saudi buyers expecting far more superior quality compared to their GCC peers.

“I think we proved that big brands would enhance demand for luxury products and through Roberto Cavalli, we have proven that Dar Al-Arkan is a developer that big brands would like to collaborate with and this is just the first in many.”

Supported by the launch of mega-projects such as NEOM and Entertainment City last year, the CEO said 2018 would be the "year of recovery” for the residential property market.

"Everybody saw that 2017 was a challenging year, but we all believe with all the measures that the government is doing to enhance the market – from more mortgage options and making it more accessible to the biggest number of people – we see 2018 to be the start of the recovery."

Meanwhile, the developer has started discussions with the Ministry of Housing to offer ready apartments in Riyadh with a price tag of less than SAR 700,0000 for Saudi nationals – a move in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform plan, which aims to increase the rate of homeownership among citizens.

"It will be one of the few projects under the Ministry of Housing where the units are ready. So, once you're mortgage-approved and you have paid the deposit, which has been reduced from 15 percent to 10 percent, you can take the key and start enjoying that apartment," El Chaar said.

So far, Dar Al-Arkan has handed over 15,000 units in the Kingdom and is currently developing master developments in Riyadh and Jeddah, he added.