Leading real estate developer Aldar Properties has unveiled Athlon, a first-of-its-kind “active living” concept in Dubai.
Meticulously designed with principles of active living throughout, Athlon is Dubai’s first and only concept designed for the everyday movement of its residents. Featuring world-class amenities, as well as a program of activities exclusively curated by wellness experts, the development redefines fitness-focused living, with the goal of ensuring long-term well-being and a profound sense of community for all residents.
Developed in partnership with Dubai Holding, a diversified global investment company with investments in 31 countries, Athlon represents the joint venture’s second residential project in Dubai, building upon the resounding success of Haven by Aldar, launched in late 2023.
Jonathan Emery, CEO of Aldar Development, said: “The unveiling of Athlon marks a definitive moment in our ambitious Dubai expansion strategy, building upon the tremendous success of Haven by Aldar. As we witness an unwavering demand for unparalleled residential developments in Dubai, from both local and international investors, we are confident that Athlon’s groundbreaking concept will captivate a diverse range of investors and homeowners, setting a new standard for active living in the region.”
Located beside Global Village, the luxurious development is defined by a seamless connection of interactive green spaces — where athletic spaces merge with green walkways and vibrant parks — and features tailored activities to suit every age and interest.
Expertly planned around a captivating central park that forms the community’s beating heart, Athlon — inspired by the Greek word for “place of contest” — features four additional parks — Adventure, Play, Wellness, and Valley — as well as a total of seven clubhouses, weaving dedicated zones for fitness and socializing throughout the community. The community features more than 10 km of tracks, trails, and loops — with the cycling loop connected directly to Al-Qudra’s iconic track — offering boundless opportunities to indulge in jogging, cycling, roller-skating, and functional training within the community.
From activities that push limits, to those focused on well-being, sports, play, and gathering, the entire emotional and psychological spectrum of wellness has been carefully considered throughout Athlon, for the benefit of its residents, visitors, and workers. State-of-the-art amenities here include a café, massage rooms, jacuzzi, sauna, yoga room, gym, and a kids’ playroom.
Surrounding the parks, the residences, featuring 1,492 units ranging from three- to four-bedroom townhouses, three- to five-bedroom standard villas, and four- to six-bedroom premium villas have been designed to maximize natural light and use colors and materials that enhance the sense of space and well-being.
In line with Aldar’s commitment to sustainability and achieving its net-zero targets, Athlon will be developed with an emphasis on efficient and low-carbon design principles. This approach will be supported by the use of locally sourced and low-carbon materials, as well as the adoption of responsible and green construction practices.
The development has achieved LEED Platinum pre-certification, incorporating features such as energy-efficient and water-saving fixtures, electric vehicle charging facilities, smart waste disposal systems, and access to public transportation.

ISLAMABAD: Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition party on Tuesday reiterated its call for a judicial probe into violent protests that hit Pakistan on May 9, 2023 over Khan’s brief arrest in a graft case.

Khan’s arrest saw hundreds of his supporters allegedly pour into the streets across the country, ransacking military and other properties. Thousands were arrested in the aftermath and some were tried by military courts after the authorities promised to bring the perpetrators and instigators of the violence to justice.

The PTI says the May 9 incident was a “false flag operation” and the subsequent crackdown was aimed at keeping Khan, who was ousted from power in a parliamentary no-trust vote in April 2022, and his party from returning to power in Pakistan’s national election held in February this year, after being delayed for months.

Asked about the claims, a Pakistani military spokesman said on Tuesday the May 9 incident was not related to the military alone, but to the whole of Pakistan, noting that the protesters had attacked military installations, burnt the residence of the founder of Pakistan and vandalized martyrs’ monuments.

The spokesman, Maj-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said the perpetrators and facilitators of the riots needed to be brought to justice as per the constitution and law of the land to preserve the credibility and faith in the country’s justice system.

“See, all this what he has said, we challenge him on these things that all what he is saying, its proofs should be brought before the people,” Raoof Hasan, the PTI information secretary, said at a press conference.

“And the easiest way for that is, what we started demanding immediately after May 9, that an independent, transparent judicial inquiry be instituted, which established who committed the crime and who were behind them.”

Last week, the PTI also issued a circular and urged party members to hold rallies in every provincial assembly constituency to commemorate the May 9 protests, citing directives from Khan who has been in jail since August last year.

Khan, 71, was ousted in 2022 after falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military leaders who many say backed him into power in 2018. In opposition, he waged an unprecedented campaign of defiance against the military establishment which has directly ruled the South Asian nation for nearly half of its history.

Arguably Pakistan’s most popular politician, Khan says the cases against him are “politically motivated,” aimed at keeping him from returning to power. The military denies it.