Liwan Real Estate Development, one of Riyadh’s leading mixed-use property developers, concluded its participation at Cityscape Global 2025 as a Platinum Sponsor, after announcing two strategic partnerships that signal the next phase of its evolution as a developer of human-centric, mixed-use developments supporting the capital’s urban transformation.

During the four-day event at the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Centre (Malham), Liwan signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Unified Asset Property Management (UAPM) and STAY, two industry leaders whose expertise will underpin the delivery of Livein Liwan into a flagship mixed-use community. Upon completion, Livein Liwan will encompass 616 units – 470 of which are residential – bringing together residential, commercial, office, and leisure space in a holistic development that blends Salmani design with modern convenience in the heart of Riyadh.

Liwan’s collaboration with Unified, one of the Kingdom’s major retail facilities managers with over 5 million sqm under management, will enhance Livein Liwan’s ample, walkable spaces with curated lifestyle amenities that add leisure and convenience to daily life for residents and visitors alike.

The company’s partnership with STAY on Livein Liwan represents a major step toward establishing high-standard, long-term leasing models for serviced apartments in Building B3. STAY brings proven operational expertise and strong tenant-market performance, in addition to round-the-clock maintenance services, smart-home technologies, and other leading solutions that ensure the highest levels of operational excellence.

“In addition to serving as a platform to demonstrate our bold vision for human-centered, multiuse community living in the Saudi capital, there is no better venue than Cityscape Global 2025 to announce the strategic partnerships helping us see our vision through to fruition,” said Abdulrahman bin Saud Aldhyem, CEO of Liwan Real Estate Development. “Thanks to partnerships like these, Liwan is en route to delivering one of Riyadh’s most exciting developments.”

Further underpinning meaningful progress on Livein Liwan, it was also announced that the development has reached 50% overall completion, with 100% of structural works built, finishing works underway, and 4 million safe working hours logged. The project remains on track for its Q4 2026 completion, when it will welcome residents to a fully integrated community, offering residential, retail, and hospitality.

As seen at Cityscape Global 2025, Liwan is rapidly advancing to the next phase of project execution by turning the next generation of mixed-use urban communities from concepts into living ecosystems.

Reflecting Vision 2030’s goals, Liwan continues to champion a model of urban development that blends innovation, design excellence, and community value creation. With more than 3,000 residential units currently under development and a target of 10,000 units by 2030, Liwan is helping drive Riyadh’s transformation into one of the region’s most livable cities, in-line with the social and economic goals of Vision 2030.

Through its participation at Cityscape Global 2025 and beyond, Liwan continues to engage with investors, partners, and industry leaders to explore new opportunities and share ideas that will shape the future of real estate in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia. One of these was the announcement of the launch of its Liwan Najd development, a 2,500-unit mixed-use project in Granada District, which has now reached the design concept stage.

IKEA, operated by Al-Futtaim, has officially opened its newest store at JIMI Mall in Al Ain, marking a key milestone in the brand’s ongoing expansion across the UAE. The new location offers customers a memorable shopping experience, reinforcing IKEA’s commitment to providing functional, affordable and modern home furnishing solutions to customers across the Emirates.

The opening was inaugurated by Vinod Jayan, Managing Director of IKEA UAE, Qatar, Oman and Egypt, who commented on the milestone, saying: “Our move to JIMI Mall in Al Ain is a significant step in our mission to make quality and sustainable home furnishings more accessible to people throughout the UAE. Dedicated to enhancing the shopping experience, we’re excited to better serve our customers and continue providing affordable solutions that enhance everyday life.”

A new go-to hub for everyday inspiration and convenience

The new store, the fourth of its kind in the UAE following successful smaller-format launches in Fujairah, Al Wahda Mall and Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi, offers a more compact and customer-focused shopping experience, spanning 8,200 square meters. The store features tailored offerings to meet the tastes and preferences of Al Ain’s residents, including room settings inspired by the local lifestyle and culture.

The thoughtfully designed layout features both the IKEA market hall and showroom area, offering a curated selection of 3,500 products for immediate purchase, alongside a visually engaging environment with over 4,300 items on display – all designed to reflect real-life living spaces and everyday needs. The store also features over 600 lowered price items and more than 200 pieces of furniture available for immediate take-away.

Sustainable home furnishings tailored to local tastes

Many of the items on display feature sustainable materials, reflecting IKEA’s commitment to eco-conscious living. The store has fulfilled the requirements of the LEED green building rating system and received Gold certification from the US Green Building Council, recognising its sustainable interior design and construction, including reduced energy consumption, water savings and improved air quality. It is powered entirely by renewable energy from EWEC.

Jayan added: “Sustainability remains at the heart of everything we do, and this store reflects our commitment to minimising our environmental footprint while delivering exceptional value. With a spacious layout, an expanded product range and a focus on eco-friendly solutions, we aim to offer great value, leading the way in creating a more responsible and affordable home furnishing industry that benefits every household in the UAE.”

The new IKEA Al Ain store empowers customers to make small, more sustainable everyday changes: create less waste, use less water and energy, reduce single-use items, and love their products for longer.

The IKEA dining experience

Customers in Al Ain can also look forward to visiting the IKEA Restaurant, Bistro and Swedish Food Market, offering a menu that combines Swedish dishes, international flavours and sustainable options including plant-based meals, ASC-certified salmon and UTZ-certified coffee. The Restaurant and Bistro together provide seating for over a hundred guests, with the Bistro featuring a convenient self-serve kiosk. Both the Bistro and Swedish Food Market have dedicated check-out counters to ensure a seamless dining experience.

Commitment to inclusion, equality and affordability

IKEA prides itself on creating a diverse and inclusive workspace, maintaining a near-equal gender ratio among its employees. The store exemplifies IKEA’s democratic design principles, ensuring that well-designed, functional and sustainable products are accessible to everyone.

Comprehensive services for a seamless experience

The new store offers a range of services designed to enhance the IKEA experience, such as Interior Design Services, Assembly, Delivery, Kitchen Services, Installation Services, Measuring Services, Gift Cards, as well as dedicated parking for the Click and Collect service.

IKEA strives to enhance the retail experience at its new location to become an integral part of the Al Ain community, welcoming residents with inspiration, value and practical solutions to enhance their homes and everyday living.

Luxury British wardrobe specialist Neatsmith proudly announces the opening of its first international showroom in Dubai, UAE, marking a major milestone in the brand’s global expansion. Renowned across the UK for its handmade, fully bespoke fitted furniture, Neatsmith is celebrated for its uncompromising craftsmanship, timeless design, and white-glove service from concept through to installation.

The new Dubai showroom offers a one-of-a-kind destination for discerning clients seeking tailored wardrobe and living solutions that combine functionality with refined elegance. Designed to reflect the brand’s London heritage while embracing Dubai’s modern luxury aesthetic, the space showcases Neatsmith’s most sought-after collections – including the Decorative Glass and Castille ranges, both debuting for the first time in the region.

Each piece is designed and manufactured entirely in-house in Neatsmith’s factories in the UK, ensuring exceptional precision and quality control at every stage. Unlike other brands, Neatsmith does not subcontract the fitting of its product or employ freelance sales teams, thus being able to offer clients a seamless and personalised experience throughout their journey.

“Dubai is a natural next step in Neatsmith’s expansion, a city that shares our passion for innovation, craftsmanship and luxury living. Our new showroom reflects everything Neatsmith stands for: meticulous detail, timeless style and a truly personal service. We look forward to creating spaces that embody our clients’ individuality while upholding the quality and service that define Neatsmith,” says Philipp Nagel, CEO of Neatsmith.

Affectionately referred to by clients as “The Bentley of Wardrobes,” Neatsmith has become the brand of choice for those who value understated luxury and enduring design – including a host of notable public figures and design aficionados who trust Neatsmith to craft their most personal spaces. The brand’s craftsmanship has attracted an impressive clientele, having created bespoke wardrobes for actors, musicians, footballers and even Royalty.

With this international debut, Neatsmith continues to redefine luxury living through handmade craftsmanship, bespoke design and exceptional service – bringing over two decades of expertise to one of the world’s most design-forward cities.