Abu Dhabi: Nakheel, a leading Dubai-based developer, today announced a net profit of Dh1.47 billion ($400.22 million) for the first quarter of 2016, an eight per cent increase over the net profit of Dh1.35 billion in Q1 2015.
Nakheel handed over 536 completed units to customers during the first three months of the year, with its retail, residential leasing and hospitality businesses all showing a strong performance. All of these businesses together contributed to the first quarter results, which are in line with company forecasts, the company said.
During the first quarter, Nakheel officially opened Dragon Mart 2, almost doubling the size of the Dragon Mart mall complex to 2.2 million sq ft of leasable space. Q1 2016 also saw the opening of Nakheel’s first hotel: a 251-room property attached to Dragon Mart 2, managed by Accor.
The new mall and hotel have received an overwhelming response since opening, it said. Footfall at Dragon Mart now reaches 120,000 visitors a day at peak times, with the hotel achieving an average occupancy of 60 per cent during its first two months of operation.
Nakheel is on target to officially open a 300,000-sq-ft extension to its flagship Ibn Battuta Mall in Q2, 2016, and will continue to grow its portfolio of retail and residential leasing assets, the company said. A number of projects in the retail, hospitality and residential leasing sectors are under construction by Nakheel at Palm Jumeirah, Deira Islands, Jumeirah Village, Warsan Village and other areas across Dubai.
Nakheel chairman Ali Rashid Lootah said: “Our first quarter results are very encouraging and reflect investor confidence in Dubai and its real estate sector. The figures set the benchmark for us to further improve and generate better results. We remain confident and will continue to execute our business plan, in turn contributing positively to Dubai’s real estate sector in line with the Government’s 2021 vision.
“Our strategy to create more cash-generating assets and strengthening Nakheel’s asset base to further boost our business and financial results in the coming years is beginning to yield results. We thank our investors for their increasing trust and confidence in Nakheel and the Government of Dubai for their on-going support.”
Nakheel’s master developments include Palm Jumeirah, The World, Deira Islands, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Heights, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Warsan Village, Dragon City, International City, Jebel Ali Gardens and Nad Al Sheba Community. Together, these span more than 15,000 hectares and currently provide homes for over 270,000 people. Nakheel has nearly 21,000 residential units under construction or in the pipeline.
Nakheel’s current and future retail project portfolio covers more than 15 million sq ft of leasable space. Retail destination developments include Ibn Battuta Mall, Dragon Mart 1 and 2, Nakheel Mall, The Pointe, The Golden Mile, Deira Mall, Deira Islands Night Souk, Warsan Souk, Al Khail Avenue, The Circle Mall and major extensions to Dragon Mart (renamed Dragon City) and Ibn Battuta Mall. Nakheel also has several neighbourhood community centres in operation or under development. The company’s hospitality project portfolio comprises 10 hotels at various locations in Dubai, including Palm Jumeirah, Deira Islands, Ibn Battuta Mall and Dragon City.
