Sheikh Yousef Al Shelash is the chairman and founder of Dar Al Arkan, Saudi Arabia's most prominent real estate developer. Headquartered in the heart of the Saudi capital city of Riyadh, Dar Al Arkan is a leader in luxury living with 27 years of accomplishments. The company specializes in master-planned lifestyle residency communities and mixed-use development, including retail and commercial properties, as a part of large residential communities. Because of this, it's been able to join iconic brands, such as Pagani and Missoni, to create unique, progressive abodes.

According to Yousef Al Shelash, "Our challenge is not profit maximization, but rather how to maintain our business commitments and keep our projects on track - as a result, cash flow management has been our key focus. It is also worth noting that the company has a very solid asset base, which can be used as collateral to secure funding if any gap needs to be plugged."

Al Shelash is a co-founder of Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company and has been the chairman of its board since its establishment in 1994. He said, "Despite the 2009 economic turmoil, the Saudi housing industry witnessed remarkable growth and has become one of the fastest-growing housing industries in the Middle East. The industry's growth is even more remarkable in light of the limited number of large developers who can address the growing demand for residential property."

What's the biggest challenge facing Dar Al Arkan? "One of the most difficult matters in real estate development in Saudi [is] the permit. It takes a lot of effort and time," Al Shelash stated. Working with high-caliber contractors is another difficult challenge for the real estate developer. "The construction industry is the heart of the country - it's bringing blood to the whole body. If you'd like to develop infrastructure, you can't really do without them."

The results are breathtaking when everything aligns for Yousef Al Shelash and Dar Al Arkan. The W Residences in downtown Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is a perfect example. While W Hotels have been redefining the hospitality industry with its unique mix of design, fashion, and music for the past 20-plus years, Dar Al Arkan's sophisticated architectural designs on the W Residences Dubai-Downtown are unmatched. There are 384 impeccably designed residences filling the 49 floors. The stunning views of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper and the fact that the dancing Dubai Fountain, Dubai Mall, Canal, and Opera are just minutes away add to the appeal of this particular project.

Sheikh Yousef Al Shelash and the Pagani Tower

The Dar Al Arkan Pagani Tower is a residential building close to the Dubai Canal in Downtown Dubai and the Marasi Business Bay. The residences, located in J One Tower B, feature impeccable interiors crafted by Horacio Pagani, the famed Italian sports car designer. It's the first time Pagani participated in such a feat of interior design. The exquisite two- and four-bedroom marble homes, ​​featuring stainless steel, carbon fibers, and indulgent leather, have private outdoor spaces and panoramic views.

According to the company, "Every detail is crafted to obsession, every material is of the finest quality, every line is designed with taste and harmony, resulting in the unique experience of inhabiting a masterpiece."

The tower is anything but ordinary. "The avant-garde design concept is brought to life through the instability of lines, a strong uneven approach, transparency, and hidden balances. At the top is one of the most incredible geometric spheres that defies gravity. The tower is a true geometric symphony of perfection comprising three basement levels, a ground floor, and 19 floors of residential masterpieces," explains the company.

Modern Missoni Interiors

Urban Oasis by Missoni Home is a $217 million residential project. Also in Dubai, it's a waterfront escape in the urban jungle. Inspired by the Miami lifestyle, the luxury apartments feature interiors designed by the Italian fashion house Missoni and range from studios to four-bedroom homes. In addition, the building includes impressive views and first-class amenities. 

According to the company, "Each unit captures Missoni's love for color, as well as the vibes of its sister tower in Miami, through varied elements of fashion and art. Waterfront living is therapy for both body and mind." The expansive lobby features an eclectic mix of Missoni's iconic zigzag patterns.

The tower is Dar Al Arkan's first project in the United Arab Emirates. In April, Yousef Al Shelash participated in the topping-out ceremony for the region's first-ever residential space designed by Missoni.

Villas With Versace Interiors

Yousef Al Shelash's real estate company also created the premier villas in the world to feature Versace interiors in Shams Ar Riyadh, the first of its kind city-within-a-city in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located on King Khalid Road, only 12 of the villas exist. According to the company, "Each [is] an architectural masterpiece emanating Versace living inside and out, located in the heart of the most premium communities in Riyadh, Shams Ar Riyadh. The Versace Villas completely disrupt the conventional way of living; each villa has its hosting area on the first floor, its family area is on the ground floor, and both floors are connected with a cascading waterfall."

In addition to the beautifully designed interiors by Versace, the Italian luxury fashion company and trade name founded by Gianni Versace in 1978, every floor-to-ceiling window offers panoramic views of Wadi Hanifa. These notable abodes offer top-of-the-line technology in the form of smart home automation systems.

Sheikh Yousef Al Shelash's Dar Al Arkan built the opulent villas in a great location with effortless access to the capital's top attractions, finest lifestyle destinations, and distinguished educational institutions. "This is the Upside Living concept, an exclusive lifestyle only for the few," reads the company's website.

"We have developed a pipeline of projects and completed a large portfolio of finished projects. Together, these will continue to generate strong sales proceeds along with steady rental streams to support the company over the coming years," adds Al Shelash.