Al Huzaifa, a brand synonymous with craftsmanship, precision, and decades of excellence in furniture and interiors, announced its expansion into real estate with the launch of Al Huzaifa Properties last month.  Its first development, Soléva Beach Residences, on Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, is now unveiled to the public. Valued at AED450M, the property will be fully furnished and ready for completion by Q4 2027.

Al Huzaifa is rooted in a culture of craft and backed by five decades of consistent delivery. From furniture and interiors to development, the brand upholds a standard defined by skill, material expertise, and premium design. This legacy continues as the World of Huzaifa now expands to shape the beginnings of Al Huzaifa Properties.

“We are proud to bring Al Huzaifa’s legacy of craftsmanship, precision, and refined design into real estate with the launch of Soléva Beach Residences. The process from concept to detailing to the finish has been brought to life under one roof, allowing us full control of our vision and prioritising quality in every stage of execution. This project embodies our commitment to creating residences that combine luxury, comfort, and a deep connection to nature, while fostering a sense of community. Soléva represents a new benchmark for holistic living, where architecture, interiors, and amenities come together to set the standard for premium lifestyle experiences in the UAE,” said Saif Nensey, CEO of Al Huzaifa Furniture and CEO & Founder of Al Huzaifa Properties.

Set against the iconic Al Marjan Island, Soléva Beach Residences will be a signature project that truly represents the iconic brand’s signature style shaped by skill, luxuriant materials and premium design. An architectural form inspired by the natural curves of the island, Soléva will blend material sophistication with functionality to create spaces that flow seamlessly with their surroundings. Soléva Beach Residences will feature 2 basements, a ground floor, and 8 upper floors. The 232 residences and one retail unit comprise 111 studios (380–560 sq. ft.), 101 one-bedroom apartments (800–1,370 sq. ft.), and 20 two-bedroom apartments (1,500–2,500 sq. ft.), all with private pools. The payment plan is 50% during construction and 50% on handover, with prices starting from AED 1.19M.

“Our venture into real estate at Marjan Island is the proud culmination of decades of design excellence. This project is entirely conceived, designed, and delivered in-house, giving us unparalleled control over quality, speed, and customization. It is an offering that will be hard to match—bringing together timeless design, faster delivery, and bespoke detailing. More than just a development, it represents a new dimension to the UAE’s landscape and lifestyle, while ensuring exceptional value and strong ROI for our buyers and investors,” said Zaheer Rattonsey, Managing Partner at Al Huzaifa Properties.

The development is designed to maximize sea, beach, or park views through floor-to-ceiling glass, private balconies, and elegantly crafted interiors. All two-bedroom units include private pools, while each residence reflects Al Huzaifa’s design philosophy of light, calm, and material continuity. The apartments are fully furnished to create premium living environments with bespoke fixtures that are crafted to reflect smart architecture, luxurious materials of world-class quality and custom design. The interiors feature integrated joinery with concealed storage, natural stone and wood accents with warm finishes, custom furniture in neutral palettes enhanced by accent lighting, and premium bathrooms with rainfall showers and stone vanities.

Soléva offers 50 curated resort-style amenities blending wellness, fitness, leisure, and hospitality services. Highlights include a dedicated wellness level with cryo cabins, thermal suites, massage rooms, saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzi, and a tranquil lounge; a state-of-the-art fitness studio with cardio, strength, and multipurpose zones complemented by outdoor yoga decks and a Zen Garden. In addition, it includes a rooftop escape with infinity pools, floating daybeds, cabanas, fire pit lounges, and dining courtyards with panoramic Gulf views.

It also features hospitality-inspired services such as valet, AI-powered concierge, luggage management, coworking lounges, a water sports pavilion, and seamless park and beach access. The ground floor also features a 9,000 sq. ft. F&B destination and a calming lobby with water features and fireplace, seamlessly integrating hospitality, workspace, and leisure.

Soléva is the UAE’s first residential project to integrate an Owner’s SuperApp, providing residents with instant access to services, amenities, and vacation rental management, redefining convenience and elevating community living.

The project is realized in collaboration with leading design firms: architecture by VELA, specialists in climate-conscious, human-centric design; the landscaping will be undertaken by Square M Design, experts in adaptive, hospitality-focused outdoor experiences; lighting by Studio Lumen, global leaders in architectural lighting solutions; and interiors by MWM Studio, an award-winning Dubai boutique renowned for tailored, distinctive design.

Ultimately, the project comes to life in the heart of Ras Al Khaimah’s Marjan Island, which has emerged as one of the UAE’s fastest-growing investment and lifestyle destinations. In 2024, the emirate welcomed 1.28 million visitors, achieving a 12% increase in tourism revenue, with a vision to triple visitor numbers by 2030. Supported by a GDP of USD 14 billion and thriving industries including tourism, real estate, and logistics, Ras Al Khaimah’s natural landmarks, including Jebel Jais and the world’s longest zipline, provide a compelling backdrop for Al Huzaifa Properties as they debut Soléva Beach Residences.

Marjan, the master developer of freehold properties in Ras Al Khaimah, has announced the completion of infrastructure works at RAK Central, its upcoming mixed-use commercial development in the northern emirate. Along with the appointment of leading Middle East Construction Group, ALEC, as the main contractor for RAK Central HQ Office Complex, it marks a major milestone in the development of Ras Al Khaimah’s upcoming business hub, a vibrant ‘Work-Live-Play’ destination in alignment with RAK Vision 2030.

Spanning 3.1 million sq.ft of prime land with 8.37 million sq. ft. of gross floor area, the progressive integrated destination for living and business is now ready for activation by investors and sub-developers. Comprehensive wet and dry services, including stormwater, sewerage, firefighting, irrigation, potable water, electrical networks and street lighting, are fully operational. Additionally, roads, cycle tracks, landscaping and green spaces with hundreds of trees have been completed. With this foundation in place, sub-developers are scheduled to commence commercial, residential, retail and hospitality projects with RAK Central HQ set for completion in Q1 2027.

Commenting on the progress, Arch. Abdulla Al Abdouli, Chief Executive Officer, Marjan, said: “With the completion of infrastructure works and onboarding of global contractors, RAK Central has progressed into a new activation phase. The involvement of leading developers reinforces our vision to create a world-class hub that brings together business, lifestyle and tourism, enhancing Ras Al Khaimah’s reputation as a compelling destination for international investors and families alike.”

RAK Central is a meticulously planned business district designed to be the commercial nucleus of Ras Al Khaimah, offering rare investment fundamentals: 100% foreign ownership, low taxation and high yield potential. RAK Central’s strategic location and smart design make it one of the most compelling investment zones in the region.

Located on Sheikh Mohammed bin Salem Al Qasimi Street, with spectacular views of Al Hamra Golf Club and the Arabian Gulf, RAK Central offers easy access to the E-11 highway, with ongoing expansions enhancing connectivity. Designed as a future-ready, work-live-play district, RAK Central features Grade A offices, residences, hotels, retail and a vibrant Town Square with premium amenities. The LEED Gold certified office buildings offer dual licensing and investor-friendly frameworks and will be managed under a hospitality-driven model to ensure an exceptional quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors.

Since its announcement in January 2024, RAK Central plots have completely sold out. The masterplan offers three million square feet of rentable office space, more than 4,000 residential apartments, four hotels with a capacity surpassing 1,000 keys, multiple parks and green spaces, various retail and entertainment facilities and several interconnected buildings with over 1,000 parking spaces for visitors.

RAK Central is officially open to welcome international investors, corporations and residents to Ras Al Khaimah’s most dynamic and vibrant new address.

By Charalampos Sarafopoulos, Executive Director, πRism Interiors.

Commercial spaces such as offices, co-working hubs, retail outlets, restaurants and hotels are not just functional – they set the scene for daily human interactions. As an interior designer, I take this into account when working on a project, defining success by aesthetics and efficiency, but also on whether the space makes every individual feel included and valued. This is what we mean by ‘inclusive design thinking’, and it is a powerful and transformative approach.

Beyond Aesthetics

For decades, commercial interiors were designed with a narrow user in mind; the ‘standard’ employee. But in today’s world, there is no such thing as standard. Workplaces are multigenerational environments that welcome people with different abilities, cultural backgrounds, and expectations.

Inclusive design thinking pushes us, as designers, to move beyond surface-level beauty and function. It challenges us to ask: Does this space empower people of all abilities, ages, and identities to feel comfortable, safe, and valued?

Why Inclusivity Matters

Commercial interiors must serve a wide spectrum of people at once, each with unique needs and expectations. In workplaces, this might mean creating spaces where younger employees can thrive in collaborative zones while older staff benefit from ergonomic, quiet areas.

Cultural inclusivity is equally important. Thoughtful features like prayer rooms, gender-neutral restrooms, or clear multilingual signage show respect and sensitivity, making diverse users feel valued.

At its core, inclusivity in commercial interiors is about more than accessibility. It is about dignity, equity, and belonging. When spaces are designed to accommodate a range of people and tasks, they become not just functional environments, but human-centered ones that foster comfort, loyalty, and connection.

Inclusive Design in Practice

When we began the process of designing our new offices, we wanted to take a truly inclusive approach, and so we asked each team to nominate a member to work with us on the “office re-design team”. Seven team members were tasked with speaking with the rest of their teams to gather and compile their feedback. Through this process, we were able to get all kinds of information that we might otherwise have missed: storage space requirements; whether phones and PABX systems were helpful or not; where people eat; chair comfort… The list goes on; my point is that in bringing all this information to bear on our design brief, we were able to create a space that responded to the team’s needs as much as possible. Inclusive design thinking enriched the design process for us, allowing us to:

• Empathize: Spend time understanding the diverse needs of the people who will use the space. For an office, this may include younger staff who prefer collaborative zones, older employees who need ergonomic seating, and neurodiverse individuals who benefit from quiet pods.
  
  
• Define: Frame challenges in terms of barriers. For example: How might we design a reception area that feels welcoming for both guests/visitors and team members?
  
  
• Ideate: Bring multidisciplinary perspectives, for example consult architects, furniture designers, facility managers, HR teams, and even end-users for ideas.

• Prototype: Create mock-ups of installations such as workstations, retail displays, or check-in counters that can be tested with different user groups.
  
  
• Test: Measure success by evaluating aesthetics, operational efficiency and inclusivity.
  
  

Benefits and Challenges

Office interiors profoundly shape how employees feel and perform. From my experience, inclusive workplaces foster loyalty and morale. Employees who feel supported by their environment, whether through ergonomic furniture, flexible work zones or accessible meeting rooms, are more engaged, productive, and motivated to remain at a company.

However, designing inclusively is not without challenges. Budgets can be tight, timelines demanding, and clients sometimes prioritize aesthetics or branding over inclusivity. But as designers, we hold the responsibility to advocate. We are not just decorators; we are shapers of human experience.

In the many projects that I’ve worked on, I’ve learned that inclusivity often leads to creative breakthroughs. The no-man’s land at the top of the stairs was a real challenge for us during the design process. It had served as a barren waiting area for guests, and an informal divider between two divisions within Al Shirawi. It was a suggestion from a team member that led us to turn that dead space into a coffee bar and breakout area for everyone, including guests. These days, some of the team’s best ideas and concepts come to life in the coffee bar. A design decision made for inclusivity can spark a change in culture. What may seem like an additional cost often pays off in long-term usability and satisfaction.

Looking Ahead

The future of commercial interiors is fluid and dynamic. Hybrid work, smart buildings, and globalized commerce demand spaces that are not only functional and stylish but also adaptable to diverse users. Technologies like voice-activated systems, adjustable lighting apps, and AI-driven spatial analytics can further enhance inclusivity. Yet technology cannot replace empathy.

As designers, our role is to weave inclusivity into every layer of the interior, from circulation planning to furniture details, so that commercial spaces become not just places to transact or work, but places where everyone belongs.

Inclusive design thinking in commercial interiors allows us to create environments that are accessible, flexible, culturally sensitive, and emotionally resonant. By embracing inclusivity, we elevate commercial interiors from functional workplaces or retail destinations to human-centered spaces that empower all who enter.