At L Zahia, which stakes claim o being Sharjah’s first gated ommunity, last month announced the start of handover of units within Phase Two of Al Lilac, following the completion of the first phase of this neighbourhood community early this year. These two phases have added 290 homes to the masterplanned development which, on completion in 2023, will boast a total of over 2,000 homes. The one-million-sq-m residential community is owned by Sharjah Holding, a joint venture between Majid Al Futtaim Properties and Sharjah Asset Management. “With the second phase of Al Lilac on track, it will be the third neighbourhood to be fully occupied, welcoming an additional 170 home owners. To date, more than 880 families have made their home within the community,” Hawazen Esber, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim Communities, tells Gulf Construction. Strategically located within New Sharjah in close proximity to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and directly on University City Road, Al Zahia includes a mix of villas, townhouses and apartments surrounded by a network of pathways, cycling tracks and parks. Al Lilac is the third of the neighbourhood communities of Al Zahia to be completed and comprises three to fivebedroom villas and townhouses. The other communities include Al Narjis and Al Jouri (both of which have been completed and handed over) and Al Yasmeen (under construction), which are Villa Districts. Other districts include Orchid and Camelia which comprise villa plots (which are purchased to allow owners to build their own villas subject to design review and approval by Al Zahia). Al Zahia also includes Garden Apartments, a complex of three apartment buildings, and Al Zahia Uptown, which is a residential apartment complex currently under construction. The premier lifestyle destination features upscale amenities such as a luxurious clubhouse, two resort-style swimming pools, a full gymnasium, a signature restaurant, and a luxurious private park. The wider Al Zahia development includes the recently opened City Centre mr of Al Zahia, the largest mall in the Northern Emirates offering an exciting and innovative shopping and dining destination. “Embedded in Sharjah’s traditions and lifestyle, Al Zahia embodies a vision to create a progressive community that caters to the needs of families and couples,” Esber comments. The community recently announced the launch of the final phase of its Al Yasmeen neighbourhood development, adding over 200 villas, townhouses and garden homes ranging from two to five-bedrooms. Al Yasmeen is scheduled for completion in 2023. Uptown, which is under construction, is a residential complex of low-rise buildings on top of an integrated parking podium and open retail area that serves both the residents of Uptown and visitors to the area, he explains. It includes a 7,500-sq-m pedestrian food and beverage (F&B) and retail destination. Uptown will include a choice of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom highquality apartment residences, including first-rate facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, and barbecue areas. “With an exclusive pedestrian bridge offering direct access to the newly opened City Centre Al Zahia, Uptown Al Zahia does not only offer an elevated living experience, it also places a premium shopping, dining and entertainment destination on residents’ doorsteps,” he says. Sustainability is accorded high priority at Al Zahia, which claims to be the first community development to achieve BREEAM accreditation in the GCC. Elaborating on its green focus, Esber comments “At Majid Al Futtaim — Communities, we take an ambitious but practical and achievable approach to sustainability. Our aim is to weave sustainable principles and practices across all our destinations that not only have environmental benefits but deliver financial savings for residents. From the infrastructure to the material we use, we continue to look at opportunities to break new grounds and drive our contribution towards a more sustainable future.” “With Al Zahia being the first community development to achieve BREEAM accreditation in the GCC, we continue to drive innovation and sustainability across all our communities,” he adds.