Dubai luxury developer shows interest in Brazilian stones for high-end projects

In a meeting with Alpago Properties, Centrorochas reinforces its premium market positioning and supports the creation of a logistics hub in the Middle East

Facing a scarcity of noble materials in the Arab market, the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) presented Alpago Properties with a proposal aimed at meeting the demands of a highly selective clientele and opening definitive doors for Brazilian natural stone in the United Arab Emirates. On October 3, Vice President Fábio Cruz met with the company’s Technical Director, Mustafa Oncul, at Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, to learn about ongoing projects that set new standards in the design and execution of ultra-luxury mansions, covering everything from architecture to post-delivery maintenance.

Alpago Properties specializes in delivering turnkey (*) mansions featuring internationally acclaimed design signatures, including the renowned Italian design firm Pininfarina. Their current project, a 6,000 m² mansion under construction on the iconic Palm Jumeirah, will showcase extensive use of natural stone, including columns and sophisticated architectural details. However, the developer has encountered challenges in sourcing materials that meet the high-quality standards required by its billionaire clients.

The Brazilian representative introduced national stones and the concept of a regional logistics hub under development, which immediately sparked Mustafa Oncul’s interest. The Technical Director expressed a strong intention to establish a partnership to accelerate the project’s implementation, recognizing its potential to fulfill the pent-up demand for premium natural stones in the Gulf region. Centrorochas will now analyze the proposal to assess the strategic viability of this collaboration and determine the next steps to position Brazilian natural stone as a benchmark in luxury architecture throughout the Middle East.

(*) Turnkey mansions are high-end residences fully completed and ready for immediate occupancy, with all design, construction, finishing, and even furniture and décor provided by the developer or supplier. The term “turnkey” refers to receiving a property ready to “turn the key” and move in, without the client needing to manage any phase of construction or furnishing.