August 12: Developing Stories
15-MINUTE CITY
Work has started on the first homes being built at the site of Dubai’s Expo City, which is expected to become the UAE’s first “15-minute city.” The planning concept, which has become popular in global discussions about better urban design in recent years, essentially means all the amenities of daily life will be located in close enough proximity to be accessed on foot or by bicycle. Expo City Dubai authorities say the first apartments, which will have views of Expo landmarks including Al Wasl Plaza, are expected to be handed over in Q1 2026. The development, Mangrove Residences, has already sold out, with prices starting at AED 2 million ($544,590) for a one-bedroom apartment.
ELECTRIC REV HEADS
The Gulf’s love of supercars has attracted a new hustle in the luxury car industry – retooling iconic models into green machines with all-electric engines. One client of British luxury car company Everrati , which is bringing its method of electric restorations to the UAE, has ordered a battery to replace the V12 engine in their “Rambo Lambo” Lamborghini LM002. And the Mercedes G-Wagen, favored by Gulf royals including Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, is about to get the same treatment from Everrati, which has teamed up with Arcade Cars to start electrifying the luxury off-roader. The Middle East is an obvious market for the high-end conversions, Everrati founder Justin Lunny told The National.?"There's a lot of car people, and certainly from what I'm seeing, a lot more interest in electric vehicles," he said.?