Shaikh Holding wins US award

Shaikh Holdings, a Dubai-based real estate investment and development company, has won the 2008 Best International Golf Development award for their Sanctuary Falls development at the International Property Awards in Orlando, Florida.

Imran Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer, Shaikh Holdings, said: "Sanctuary Falls has gained a reputation as a luxury golf development that offers its residents a resort lifestyle in Dubai. As construction progresses, we are steadily moving forward on our promise of delivering a world-class community to Dubai. We have received regional awards and recognition for superior concept and development at Sanctuary Falls; however, winning this award shows that Sanctuary Falls is now considered a benchmark golf community at an international level."

The Sanctuary Falls development by Shaikh Holdings was selected as the overall winner in the category against a number of high-profile golf development projects from around the world. Other nominees included Anahita World Class Sanctuary in Mauritius by Ciel Properties (Africa winners), Meru Valley Resort by Kinta Properties Group in Malaysia (Asia-Pacific winners), Dartmouth Green by Vine Developments in United Kingdom (Europe winners), Louisbourg Resort Golf and Spa by CBI Cape Breton Island Developers in Canada (Americas winners).

Judging criteria for the best international golf development award included the development's location, appearance and finish, safety, innovation, eco-friendly and sustainable elements, marketing and brand development, construction strategy as well as golfing amenities made available to residents.

Sanctuary Falls is a collection of 96 resort-style villas located in a secure double-gated community. The villas are being constructed by Arabtec Holding and residents are able to customise their homes by selecting from a variety of architectural and interior design styles.

Each villa features a complete home automation system, Bang and Olufsen home theatre, a Scavolini designed kitchen, fully landscaped gardens and access to a full concierge service.

Construction started in April and all the villas will be completed by March 2010.