Boris Becker and ACI launch Dhs3bn "green" Beach Resort & Tennis Academy

Valued at a staggering Dhs3bn, this recreational and residential master-development includes premier holiday homes, world class luxury resort and spa facilities, a five star hotel, and a world-class Tennis Academy. Strategically located at entrance of Ras al Khaimah's lush Al Marjan Island, the sprawling 2.5 million square-foot project offers a rare dual ocean-front advantage, with the estate stretching from one end of isle's shore to the next. A project of this scale and nature has never before been attempted and is attracting significant interest from global investors.

Aimed primarily at global investors in the top-end holiday-homes segment, the Boris Becker Beach Resort and Tennis Academy will offer a 'buy-to-use & lease" option prevalent across major investor holiday-home destinations across the globe. Powered in-part by solar energy, the Boris Becker Beach Resort and Tennis Academy is developed by Middle East Vision and brought to market by ACI Real Estate, the name behind some of the region's most prestigious iconic developments.

Becker Ownership

Becker who holds a 50% partnership in the Academy, and part ownership in the rest of the Resort said that the mega-development holds significant meaning to him, both as an entrepreneur and a former tennis world number one. He explains, "With end-to-end luxury facilities, from residences to spa and a five star hotel - there is simply no integrated resort of this caliber anywhere else. As a former global competitor it is also personally rewarding to bring UAE a world-class tennis training facility, and play a role in grooming young local talent. It has all the makings of a top-seed in the global luxury holiday- home sector"

Becker who will play a significant role in the design of the Tennis Academy, will also co-manage the completed facility, assisted by long-time friend, and fellow German Davis-Cup team partner, Eric Jelen; ensuring standards are carefully maintained. Becker will also offer personal training sessions to a select few, and hand-pick coaches from across the globe to ensure the "Becker way" is well observed, and young talent carefully groomed. The world class structure will feature 6 tennis courts with rebound-ace surfaces.

Integrated luxury resort-residence development
Robin Lohmann, managing director, ACI Real Estate, added, "At this end of the market we need to fend off serious global competition from global holiday home destinations, and have spared no effort in ensuring this is an integrated community of unrivalled standing. The design and engineering of this project salutes Ras al Khaimah's natural splendor as a marine community, and our unique ownership structure will allow us to compete effectively for global investor interest. Ras al Khaimah is one of the fastest growing places in the region, with valid economic fundamentals - European and Asian investors chasing higher yields and promising capital growth will readily understand this offering breath-taking in more ways than one."

Ras al Khaimah is currently one of the fastest growing emirates in the UAE, with the population expected to grow from 150,000 to 750,000 by 2020, and the number of visitors moving from 500,000 to a staggering 2.5 million by 2012. The Resort which has state-of-the-art conferencing facilities will also serve as an unique global conferencing venue and incentive travel destination.

Referring to the unique "buy-to-use & lease" ownership option the property offers, Sanjay Chimnani, joint managing director, ACI Real Estate added, "There is a definite increase in the number of global buyers looking to the region for top-end luxury investments. This ownership option puts it within ready reach, and evens out the playing field so we may effectively compete with global holiday home destinations."

Achim Bullinger, CEO, Middle East Vision, the developer, further added:

"The Boris Becker Beach Resort and Tennis Academy has been carefully planned to integrate the different needs of holiday makers, and long term residents, all with the same ambition for their sojourn here - to find an idyllic setting close to the water, and impeccably luxurious. It is no coincidence that we have included solar energy systems in this project inspired by nature. The Boris Becker Beach Resort and Tennis Academy is without a doubt, a grand tribute to both nature and engineering."

An aerial view of the massive coast-to-coast development tells the story of the sea turtle, noted in folklore for its longevity and resilience, nestling peacefully along the shores of the isle. Using the latest in membrane design and engineering, the Academy will be housed within what would be the 'shell' of the turtle. The project is ready for sale and the escrow account has been established.

The 7-floor Resort & Tennis Academy is located at the start of Al Marjan Island, allowing for easy access for regionally-based weekenders. It will feature a five-star hotel with luxurious water-facing lobby, and a marine life-inspired ballroom. The complex will further include an award winning spa boasting two swimming pools, and state of the art fitness centre and roof terrace. The project is slated for completion by 2010.