Sabah Investment Group Puts Azerbaijan on the World Luxury Map
Orkhan Mustafayev, Founder and Head of Sabah Investment Group, gave an extensive interview to Sea Breeze Magazine about the company's strategy, new projects, and Azerbaijan's position in the elite real estate market.
The Beginning of the Journey
«It all started with Qala Group in 2010. Later, we created Sabah Investment Group. Our first premium project was Sabah Residence, and it taught us the main lesson: to scale, you need to create trust that works for years, not just construction», Mustafayev stated.
Marina Village: The First International Project
The first international project was Marina Village, carried out together with an Israeli partner. The result showed itself in a short time: while the share of foreign buyers in the company's city projects did not exceed 15-17%, this indicator rose to 37% in Marina Village.
«We actively invested in the country's image: we brought delegations, bloggers, and influencers from Israel and other countries, and launched large-scale advertising campaigns. Today, it is possible to see the Sea Breeze logo on the uniform of the Israeli football club "Maccabi". As a result, this strategy turned into real contracts», he noted.
Panorama by ELIE SAAB
«Panorama by ELIE SAAB is the first branded residence in Azerbaijan that is not associated with a hotel or an apart-hotel», Mustafayev stated.
The contract with the brand has been signed for a period of 25 years. ELIE SAAB representatives are participating in the preparation of the design and will be directly involved in the management of the building. According to Mustafayev, one of the main facilities of the complex is «the SPA center, which will be the largest among all residences of the same name in the world. Residents will use the Turkish bath, sauna, fitness halls, yoga hall, indoor pool, and meeting rooms for free.
«I personally heard from Mr. Saab that, in his opinion, the complex in Sea Breeze is one of the most beautiful among all projects of this brand», he added. Pre-sales have already started in Russia and the UAE and continue with high demand.
BRABUS Island: A New Level of Development in the Region
On May 22, the official presentation of the BRABUS Island Baku project was held in Baku; this event defined a new level of development in the field of real estate for the entire region. The project will be built on an artificial island opposite Marina Village.
BRABUS Island Baku presents the brand's legendary "One-Second-Wow" philosophy in a residential format for the first time: the combination of German design heritage with modern architecture, Twin villas, and a private marina are specially designed for those looking for a lifestyle beyond standards.
«Our real estate projects allow us to take the BRABUS philosophy beyond the automotive sector. We believe that the new project in Baku will attract great interest», Konstantin Buschmann, CEO of BRABUS, stated.
Steps have already been taken for the first reservations in the special sales zones organized within the framework of the event. The architectural concept is being prepared by the Italian company Pooleng, which has half a century of experience in the field of urbanism and civil construction.
«We want the customer to feel that they are in a special space created by the legendary German concern from the very first moment they step into the residence – both with the surrounding scent and the atmosphere», Mustafayev explained.
«Negotiations with the BRABUS team took about nine months. Our colleagues were amazed by Sea Breeze, and this resulted in the signing of an official contract», he added.
Investment Argument
«A square meter costs 60,000 pounds sterling in London ELIE SAAB, but 4,000 dollars in Baku. The BRABUS project in the UAE starts from 10,000 dollars, but from 4,000 in Sea Breeze. At the same time, the name, management quality, and world standards remain unchanged», Mustafayev explained.
Properties previously bought for 2,000 dollars per square meter are now sold 50-75% more expensive. According to Mustafayev, «the casino, which will be the largest in Europe, will be an additional growth factor.
Next Partners and Ten-Year Perspective
«The success of the cooperation with ELIE SAAB and BRABUS has already caused a chain reaction. Today, legends like Aston Martin, Pagani, and Lamborghini are showing interest in Sabah Investment Group», Mustafayev declared.
The ratio of sales to local and foreign buyers in new projects is already almost "50 to 50".
«In the next ten years, Sea Breeze will turn into the new Dubai on the Caspian. The next three to four years will pass quickly, and our most ambitious plans will come true», Mustafayev concluded.
