Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance advises Expo City Dubai on the Off-Plan Launch of two Sustainable Residential Developments

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance has advised Expo City Dubai on the recent off-plan launch of two sustainable residential developments, "Mangrove Residences" and "Expo Valley".

Mangrove Residences will comprise apartment units overlooking landscaped gardens with views of Expo City Dubai's attractions, while Expo Valley (which comprises villas and townhouses) will feature a nature reserve and have access to various attractions via a ‘green link’ corridor for pedestrians, cyclists and autonomous vehicles.

The launch is a key milestone as part of the transformation of the Expo 2020 Dubai event site into a vibrant mixed-use master community. Expo City Dubai intends to serve as a model for environmentally conscious urban planning. The city has strategically preserved 80% of the infrastructure developed for Expo 2020, showcasing sustainable design, construction and operations. Expo City Dubai also envisages leading sustainability initiatives in the region, including being a car-free zone. The city will also be Dubai’s first community to be fully 5G enabled.

Clifford Chance prepared the full suite of residential off-plan sale and jointly-owned property documentation required for unit sales and the ongoing management of the developments following completion.

The Clifford Chance team advising Expo City Dubai was led by Dubai Partner and Head of Real Estate Tariq Imam with support from Sher Khan (Senior Associate), Nicholas Chan (Senior Associate), Leen Kayali (Trainee Solicitor), Johnson Cortelek (Trainee Solicitor) and Hessa Al Qassim (Legal Advisor).

In reference to the development, Tariq comments: "We are delighted to have supported Expo City Dubai on the successful launch of these eco-friendly residential developments, which will hopefully raise the bar in terms of sustainable living in Dubai and the UAE. We have also advised Expo City Dubai on various aspects of the wider development and repurposing of the Expo 2020 Dubai event site, and the launch of these unique projects is an important step in that process."

Clifford Chance's leading Middle East Real Estate team advises on the full range of real estate transactions in the region, with particular expertise in investment transactions, development projects, real estate financing, as well as hotel and leisure matters. The team has a strong track record of advising on some of the largest and most complex transactions in the sector in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, including advising DP World on the recent sale of a minority stake in its strategic Dubai free zone and port assets to CDPQ for US$5 billion, the largest real estate M&A transaction in the UAE in recent times.