Abu Dhabi's Al Raha Beach Community Flourishes as New Owners Move In

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Al Zeina and Al Muneera, the Al Raha Beach communities in Abu Dhabi owned and managed by Aldar Properties, are flourishing as owners and tenants start to move in and new facilities are delivered. The communities have been recently handed over to owners and increasing numbers of people are moving in every day.

The majority of the units - 81.5% - have been sold at Al Zeina, with nearly 40% of the sold units now occupied.

As the community grows at Al Zeina, the facilities are growing too. Al Zeina's 500m private beach opened to residents in January, and the community's six swimming pools, six gyms, childcare facilities, male and female prayer rooms as well as a reading and relaxation room, all for the exclusive use of residents, are also open.

A Waitrose supermarket is set to open in the spring of 2012. A number of cafes and restaurants including Café Firenze are also preparing for opening.

Built across the mainland and island, and around a picturesque canal, at Al Muneera nearly 28% of the sold units are now occupied. Al Muneera will also feature an array of retail units with cafés and restaurants alongside its beachfront and boardwalks, including a convenience store, together with retail and eateries such as Costa Coffee, Lilies Café, and La Brioche.

Both communities include apartments, penthouses and a range of town houses and villas, some with private courtyards and pools, and others opening out directly on to a private beach.

Along with Al Bandar, these are the first beachfront residential developments in Abu Dhabi available for purchase by national and international buyers.

Mohammed Al Mubarak, Deputy CEO of Aldar Properties tells World Property Channel, "We are delighted to see our beachfront communities develop at Al Raha Beach. The high standards of design and finishes set Al Zeina and Al Muneera apart, and both offer stunning sea views and real waterfront lifestyles with their beaches and promenades lined by cafes and restaurants."

Making home ownership a more affordable option, and helping to build the communities at Al Raha Beach, Aldar's Rent to Own programme allows tenants to convert their rental payments into equity. Already in operation at Al Bandar to great success, the programme has launched at Al Zeina, and will do so soon at Al Muneera.

Once owners and tenants have moved in to the community, Aldar is making life easy through Aldar Connect, a comprehensive Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and accounting system that will allow Aldar to manage all financial and administrative affairs (including service charge budgeting and invoicing) and support communication with, and between, groups such as owners, committee members, tenants and contractors.

Mohammed Al Zaabi, Director of Estates, Aldar properties said, "Aldar Connect, together with the Rent to Own programme, a transparent and fair service charge system and the on-time delivery of retail and community facilities, all makes Al Zeina and Al Muneera two of the most welcoming and best lifestyle choices for those living in Abu Dhabi."