Jabal Omar Development Company (JODC), a leading real estate development company in the region, has signed up Emaar Hospitality Group's premium luxury hotel brand Address Hotels + Resorts to manage its flagship hospitality project in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. This also marks the first expansion of Address Hotels + Resorts to Saudi Arabia, said a statement from the company. The Jabal Omar Address Makkah, scheduled to open in 2019, is located just steps away from the Grand Mosque. With two elegantly designed identical towers, Jabal Omar Address Makkah is centrally located and forms the tallest towers within the master development. An interconnecting bridge linking the two towers serves as a visual landmark of the project. With a built-up area of about two million sq m, Jabal Omar features residences, hotels, malls, retail amenities, prayer areas and other support facilities. Jabal Omar Address Makkah will meet the growing need for luxury accommodation in Makkah with Address Hotels + Resorts to manage 1,490 hotel rooms and suites including units available for freehold sale. Yasser Faisal Al-Sharif, the chief executive officer of JODC, said: "As our single-largest development and located in the heart of the Makkah, Jabal Omar development is our prestigious project that complements our goals to promote a robust infrastructure that supports Hajj and Umrah pilgrims." "We wanted to ensure that the hotel stands out for its unique brand identity and exceptional service standards. Address Hotels + Resorts has proven expertise in managing world-class luxury mixed-use projects, and by choosing a brand that has its roots in the region, we are confident of delivering a hospitality choice that will support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to promote religious and cultural experiences," he added. Mohamed Alabbar, the chairman of Emaar Properties, said: "We are honoured to mark the expansion of Address Hotels + Resorts, the premium luxury hotel brand under Emaar Hospitality Group, to Saudi Arabia with the signing of this important management contract with Jabal Omar Development Company." "As an iconic development situated near the Grand Mosque, Jabal Omar Address Makkah will appeal to visitors from across the world by offering distinctive value propositions including its central location, attentive service and extensive amenities that meet the needs of visitors," he added. Olivier Harnisch, the chief executive officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said: "Saudi Arabia is one of our focal destinations to expand the footprint of our hotel brands. Jabal Omar development stands out for its unique design features and amenities, and will appeal to religious visitors as well as investors." The management deal awarded by JODC underlines the company's confidence in the competencies of the Address team to meet and exceed their expectations by delivering exceptional customer service and bespoke amenities, he added. — SG
