Hydra Properties

Hydra Properties, a subsidiary of Royal Group, was founded in 2006 in Abu Dhabi as a private development company. Hydra plays an important role in the development of the emirate through its residential, commercial and retail projects in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The Hydra Properties projects represent large international businesses involved in various areas, including construction and real estate operations, trade and finance, technology and manufacturing and media.

The Hydra Properties key concept is to implement innovative ideas and create outstanding iconic buildings around the world. As of today, the list of its landmark projects includes Hydra 55, Marina Spirit, Abu Dhabi Golf Walk, Hydra Corporate Towers, Hydra Towers Business Bay, Hydra Twin Towers, Hydra Avenue Towers and Hydra Village. It is worth noticing that the company not only operates in the UAE but also in other countries such as Pakistan, Libya, Mexico and Kuwait. Hydra Properties has numerous international projects, including the 5-star Hydra Waves hotel in Mexico and Al Aqeeq Marina in Kuwait.

Since 2009, the position of Hydra Properties CEO has been held by Ali Bin Sulayem, who has 10 years’ experience in the Private Department of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, where he served as Head of the Internal Audit Department. Ali Bin Sulayem is also an active board member of Commercial Bank International, Sorouh as well as other companies in the industries of finance, trade and real estate.

Principles and features of the work

The company's management operates following the `Vision-2030` Abu Dhabi government policy where its goal is to expand the emirate's infrastructure and diversify its economic potential.

Hydra Properties designs real estate suitable for a long-term investment with a solid payback. According to the ValuStrat consulting company, even in 2020, with the pandemic and the financial crisis that followed, the developer’s projects consistently showed high profitability. Based on the results of the year, the most productive one was Hydra Village, with an annual ROI of 6.9%.

The organization pays considerable attention to its customers. A striking example of this is its actions during the Great Recession. The company supported customers who had lost the ability to cover their obligations due to the difficult financial situation. Sulaiman Al-Fahim, who was then the Executive Director of the company, signed an agreement with the National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank that saw these lenders provide mortgage loans to property owners for the amount of up to 70% of the property value. The company's specialists tried to reduce their customers' debt burden by using cheaper construction and finishing materials on the projects they were working on at the time.

Landmark projects

The company's flagship project, the 6 Hydra Avenue towers, is part of the large-scale City of Lights development on Al Reem Island. Its construction is carried out in cooperation with the emirate's authorities following the `Vision-2030`. Currently, the first stage of construction has been completed in which 906 property units, located in three of six towers, are in full operation.

The list of the company's iconic projects include:

Hydra Village

Hydra Village is a large residential complex of 2,400 furnished villas. It is divided into 10 zones and covers an area of 95 hectares. Hydra Village is located along the Al Shahama Road highway in Abu Dhabi. Nearby, is the Al Raha residential complex and Al Raha Beach as well as Yas Island, a major tourist destination in the emirate, is a 15 minute drive away. The project was launched in 2006 and was completed in 2012. In addition to residential real estate, the complex includes hospitals, schools, shops, a community center with a billiard club, a squash court, a swimming pool and a gym. The starting price for a property unit is AED 750,000 (USD 204,200).

Hydra Avenue Towers

Hydra Avenue Towers is a luxury residential complex on Al Reem Island consisting of 2,292 property units that occupy six towers. The complex stands on a 5-story podium, which became home to retail centers, restaurants, a gym, a swimming pool and tennis and basketball courts as well as underground parking for 2,500 cars. The development of Hydra Avenue Towers has been carried out in 2 stages; the first was completed in 2011 and the second is still ongoing. A fully furnished apartment in Hydra Avenue Towers starts at AED 850,000 (USD 231,500).

Why it is profitable to invest in the Hydra Properties real estate

The main advantages of Hydra Properties are the stability and care for its customers. In the UAE, all developers were affected by the pandemic and Hydra Properties was no exception. However, the company has taken all possible steps to recover. For example, they attracted third-party bank financing and resolved to use cheaper materials to save on costs.

In 2020/2021, the Hydra Properties sales figures began to gradually level off. According to the ValuStrat report, in the first quarter of 2021, total capital investment in the company's residential projects increased by 4.1% compared to the previous quarter. The largest rise in value was observed in Hydra Avenue Towers and Hydra Village. Despite all the difficulties associated with Covid-19, in the UAE alone, the total volume of transactions increased by almost 28%.

Projects under construction: Hydra Village, Hydra Avenue Towers, Hydra Waves.

Completed projects: Danet Mall, Al Aqeeq Marina Complex, Hydra Corporate Towers.