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Indian realtor buys Dubai plot for 5-star development

Jude Buttle

Real estate developer Sobha Group has obtained land in prime business location of Dubai.

Indian property and Dubai property developer Sobha Group has acquired a plot of land on Dubai's main route Sheikh Zayed Road for the construction of its first hotel in Dubai.

Over the next three years, the group plans to develop 10 five-star properties - part of its proposed Sobha Hotel chain - with two hotels earmarked for Dubai, six for India, and one each in Oman and Zanzibar.

"It is our intention to have four hotels operational by 2011, with another seven properties under construction," said Ajay Rajendran, Sobha Group Vice Chairman.

"Sheikh Zayed Road is the landmark business address in Dubai, so what better place for us to mark our entry into the hotel development and operations arena?" He added. "We are thrilled to have secured a prominent plot in TECOM, which will afford our guests easy access to the business zones of Dubai Media and Internet Cities, as well as being in close proximity to the Mall of the Emirates and Ski Dubai."

Rajendran believes that the group's experience in outfitting interiors of royal palaces would benefit them in their new venture.

"We have been outfitting palace interiors for a long time and know all about creating high-end interiors. Our hands-on experience in creating residential and commercial buildings, their planning and building maintenance has given us adequate exposure to the build and operate concept of project management. It is now our aim to transfer our expertise to the hospitality sector, to create a chain of five-star properties under the brand Sobha Hotels," Rajendran said.

Founded in 1995, the Bangalore-headquartered Sobha Group will own, develop and operate all Sobha Hotels, with the first one expected to open in 2011.