ALMAL Real Estate Development and Sumosan Restaurant Group celebrated their partnership with an official signing ceremony at The Unexpected Al Marjan Island Hotel & Residences, marking a significant milestone in the development’s premium dining and hospitality offering.

Held on 3 November 2026 at the project site on Al Marjan Island, the ceremony was attended by senior leadership from both organisations. The official signing was led by Dmitriy Starovoitov, Founder of ALMAL Real Estate Development, and Janina Wolkow, Founder of Sumosan Restaurant Group, in the presence of Sylvain Eid, Partner at ALMAL; Vladimir Vysotski, CEO of ALMAL Real Estate Development; Hugo Goncalves, COO of Sumosan Restaurant Group; and Manuel Garcia, General Manager of The Unexpected Al Marjan Island Hotel & Residences.

Following the ceremonial signing, the delegation toured the development, including the restaurant areas and mock-up room, reviewing construction progress and the future hospitality experience.

Internationally recognised for its contemporary Japanese cuisine, Sumosan brings more than two decades of culinary expertise and a presence across leading destinations in Europe and the Middle East. Its signature approach combines traditional Japanese techniques with contemporary creativity and refined hospitality.

Dmitriy Starovoitov, Founder of ALMAL Real Estate Development, commented:

“Our vision for The Unexpected Al Marjan Island extends beyond traditional luxury hospitality. Bringing Sumosan to Al Marjan Island is another important step in creating a destination that combines world-class dining, entertainment and exceptional guest experiences.”

Janina Wolkow, Founder of Sumosan Restaurant Group, added:

“We are delighted to bring Sumosan to The Unexpected Al Marjan Island. This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to introduce our distinctive Japanese dining experience to a new audience in one of the UAE’s emerging hospitality destinations.”

Sylvain Eid, Partner at ALMAL, commented:

“Sumosan is a natural fit for The Unexpected’s entertainment-led concept and aligns with the ambition to create a destination where exceptional dining, lifestyle and entertainment come together, offering guests experiences that go beyond traditional hospitality.”

Developed by ALMAL Real Estate Development and operated by Palladium Hotel Group under The Unexpected Hotels & Residences brand, the five-star property comprises 319 hotel rooms and 103 residential apartments. The Ibiza-inspired destination will feature a combination of hospitality, dining, entertainment, beach club and rooftop experiences.

The ceremony follows the recent completion of the development’s superstructure, with façade, MEP installations and interior fit-out works now progressing across the property.

Nolte Küchen, Germany’s leading premium kitchen brand, opened its flagship showroom at Eiffel Building 1 on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, giving homeowners and industry professionals direct access to its kitchen design expertise and services.  

The grand opening was attended by senior leadership from Nolte’s German headquarters, including Maren Schmitt-Nolte, Chairwoman of the Advisory Board of Nolte Group; Georg Konrad Nolte, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Nolte Group; Torben Leonhard Karasek, Managing Director of Nolte Holding International; and Heiko Maibach, CEO Sales & Marketing, Nolte Küchen GmbH & Co. KG. They were joined by Sherif Abou El Naga, Vice Consul, Deputy Head of Visa Section of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dubai; Daniela Calligaro, Director, Dubai Office & Regional Membership, German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce; Jamal Ramadhan Bin Marghoob, VP Clients and Community Relations, Dubai Silicon Oasis (DIEZ); and senior representatives of Dubai’s real estate sector.  

Centred around the theme of ‘Mastering Nature’, the opening featured four zones, Flame, Terra, Aqua and Stone, inspired by natural elements that shape everyday kitchen rituals. As guests explored the showroom’s collections, materials and design features, they experienced how Nolte Küchen combines these elements with nearly seven decades of German engineering and precision. 

The launch follows Nolte’s establishment of direct UAE operations in 2025 through Nolte Kitchens LLC, a subsidiary of Nolte Küchen Germany. The showroom provides a base for retail growth and closer engagement with developers and design partners, complementing its project business in Dubai’s premium residential market, where Knight Frank recorded 412 home sales valued at USD 10 million or more during the first nine months of 2026. 

Maren Schmitt-Nolte, Chairwoman of the Advisory Board of Nolte Group, said: “What started as a family business in Germany has grown into an internationally well-recognised brand, represented by dedicated people and trusted partners around the world. Last year, we took an important strategic decision to take full responsibility for our presence here in the UAE market. This decision reflects our confidence in this market, our belief in the people who have built our business here and our ambition to continue growing together.” 

As part of Nolte’s multi-year AED 25 million investment plan, the 450 sq. m flagship is the brand’s only directly owned and operated showroom in the UAE. Designed as a Connection Hub, it offers access to in-house specialists and a space for architects, designers and developers to meet, work and exchange ideas. 

“Over the past decade and a half, we have expanded our footprint across more than 30 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, establishing ourselves as the leading German kitchen brand in the region. Through this growth, Dubai has remained the centerpiece of our operations,” said Selva Kumar Rajulu, Managing Director & Senior Vice President – Middle East, Asia & Africa at Nolte FZE. “Taking direct control of our UAE market presence has brought us closer to our clients, projects and partners. The opening of our flagship showroom marks another important milestone in this journey.” 

The displays feature Nolte Neo, Nolte and Express across five kitchens, two spas, one laundry and one living room, spanning different styles, specifications and price points. In-house designers provide personalised consultations based on lifestyle, space and budget, supported by materials and planning systems, live 3D kitchen visualisation and appliances from international brands. Visitors can access support from concept through installation and learn about Nolte’s FSC- and PEFC-certified materials. 

The showroom also features a podcast corner, product guides, catalogues and sustainability reports. Nolte plans product presentations, guided walkthroughs, training sessions, intimate dinners and workshops with partner brands, designers and creators, making the space an active hub for the UAE’s design and property industry. 

With an order book exceeding AED 90 million, comprising over 4,000 kitchens, Nolte plans to expand into Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates through local partnerships and dealer networks. The Dubai flagship will support this growth through product selection, technical coordination and professional training for homeowners and developers. 

As construction and urban development projects grow in scale and complexity across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), reliable supply chains, efficient procurement and predictable project delivery remain key priorities for the industry. Responding to these priorities, Big 5 Global returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre from 23 – 26 November 2026, helping businesses broaden sourcing strategies and support more efficient project delivery. 

Reflecting the scale of demand across the region, more than 1,800 exhibitors from over 60 countries will showcase 55,000 products, services, systems and solutions at the event, with international companies representing 70% of the exhibitor base. 

Commenting on the exhibition being held in Dubai for the past 47 years and its long-standing partnership with Dubai Municipality, Maryam Al Muhairi CEO of Buildings Regulation & Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality, said: “Dubai’s approach to urban development brings together infrastructure, technology and sustainability to enhance quality of life. International collaboration plays an important role in exchanging expertise and identifying innovative solutions that respond to the emirate’s evolving needs. Our longstanding partnership with Big 5 Global provides a valuable platform to share Dubai Municipality’s experience, engage with global industry leaders and explore emerging technologies and practices that support sustainable urban development. This collaboration contributes to our efforts to create a more liveable and resilient city, in line with the objectives of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.” 

Technology supporting procurement and project delivery 

Alongside evolving supply networks, technology is transforming procurement and project delivery, enabling greater efficiency, visibility and control. Digital technologies are creating new opportunities to improve how construction projects are planned, coordinated and delivered.   

At Digital Construction World, exhibitors including Premier Construction Software, Nemetschek Group, Leica, RIB Software and DJI Drones will represent the digital construction sector. These areas are relevant to project teams seeking to improve coordination, access reliable project information and connect decisions across different stages of delivery. 

Exploring more sustainable construction solutions  

Beyond technological advancement, resource efficiency and sustainable construction remain key considerations; the industry prioritizes low-carbon materials use, waste reduction and building systems’ performance.  

“As the UAE advances towards its net-zero goals, the construction and infrastructure sectors must increasingly adopt lower-carbon materials, efficient production methods and sustainable supply chains,” said Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, KEZAD Group. 
“As the Integrated Economic Zones Sponsor of Big 5 Global, we are demonstrating how KEZAD Group supports this transition. Our industrial zones bring together manufacturers of lower-carbon steel, sustainable building materials and smart infrastructure solutions. By connecting these businesses with advanced industrial facilities, integrated supply chains and access to global markets through multimodal transport networks, we help companies manufacture, source and distribute materials more efficiently. Through these capabilities, KEZAD Group is supporting the UAE’s net-zero ambitions while helping the construction sector reduce its environmental impact, improve resource efficiency and deliver more sustainable projects for the future.” 

Supporting the sustainability ambitions, the Big 5 Global Impact Trail provides a dedicated route through the exhibition floor, guiding visitors towards suppliers, products and insights supporting sustainable project delivery. Participating exhibitors include NaturaSeal with VOC-free, crack-bridging waterproofing membranes; Prime Middle East with low-GWP cooling refrigerants; and Deewan Equipment Trading with waste-reducing concrete reclaimers, among others. 

Strengthening supply chains across the project lifecycle 

For buyers and project teams, the event’s global reach creates greater choice and helps them respond to evolving project requirements. From construction materials and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) solutions to building interiors and finishes, prefabrication, fire and safety, infrastructure equipment and industrial construction products, the exhibition covers key requirements across project delivery. 

Seven co-located events extend the sectoral diversification across heavy construction, concrete, marble and stone, urban design and landscape, HVACR, digital construction and geospatial technologies, as well as facilities management. The sectors collectively reflect the interconnected requirements of the built environment, enabling stakeholders to compare solutions, diversify supplier networks and identify technologies that can improve productivity throughout the asset lifecycle. 

The scale and diversity of the exhibition are also reflected in the companies participating in 2026. The exhibitor line-up includes Liebherr, Bauer, Doosan, Zamil Steel, Anchor Allied, Astral, Dutco Tennant, TOPWERK, MASA and RAKNOR, alongside UAE-based companies including Trojan Construction Holding, Al Waseef Industries, Mahy Khoory & Co, Bekaert Emirates, Al Masaood, Danube Building Materials FZE and Al Muqarram Trading. Manufacturers and suppliers from Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman will also be represented. 

Commenting on their participation Eng. Ahmed Al Shamsi, Group Chief Executive Officer, Trojan Construction Holding, Construction delivery partner, said, “Reliable supply chains are important to delivering complex projects efficiently, particularly as construction activity in the UAE continues to expand across major developments and infrastructure programmes. As a UAE-based construction group of companies, we value opportunities to strengthen relationships, connect with reliable suppliers and exchange knowledge on the solutions and capabilities supporting project delivery. Our partnership with Big 5 Global reflects this commitment to stronger industry connections and resilient supply networks.” 

The 2026 edition will also welcome first-time exhibitors, including Midea, Einhell, Reynaers, Innovo Group and Mulk Holding, further expanding the range of companies represented. 

“The next phase of growth across construction markets will be defined not only by the scale of development, but by how effectively the industry can deliver it,” said Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President, dmg events. “Resilient supply chains, technology adoption, sustainable solutions and workforce capability are inseparable from project performance. Big 5 Global connects these priorities in one place, giving regional stakeholders access to global suppliers, practical innovation and the partnerships needed to move projects forward with greater confidence and long-term value.” 

Big 5 Global is proud to collaborate with an esteemed network of partners and sponsors: Main supporting partner, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure; Supporting partners, Dubai Civil Defence, Ministry of Economy & Tourism, Dubai Municipality, The Department of Municipalities and Transport and Riyadh Region Municipality; Headline partner, Italian Trade Agency; Strategic partners TALCO | Saudi Made and Midea; Innovation construction partner, Innovo; Construction delivery partner, Trojan Construction Holding; Integrated economic zones sponsor, KEZAD Group; Global industrial sponsor, National Industries Park; Construction mobility sponsor, United Motors & Heavy Equipment; Premium systems sponsor, Toshiba; Sustainable development sponsor, Dubai Investments Park; Gold sponsor, MIE Groups; and Bronze sponsors, Autodesk, DEWALT, M.A.H.Y Khoory & Co, Nemetschek Group, Premier Construction Software and STANLEY.