14 April 2025, Chicago—The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) is pleased to welcome PNC Architects and Sobha Realty as premier partners in its 2025 Tall + Urban Innovation Program, an initiative that brings together industry leaders to explore new frontiers in skyscraper design, sustainable construction, and urban resilience.

With a steadfast dedication to redefining luxury living, PNC Architects and Sobha Realty have earned a reputation for architectural ingenuity, superior craftmanship, speedy project delivery, and a strong commitment to sustainability. Their expertise is shaping the future of Dubai’s vertical expansion, driving the next evolution of high-rise innovation and contributing to CTBUH’s ongoing research and thought leadership initiatives.

"The skylines of tomorrow will be defined by those who embrace not just height, but intelligent, sustainable, and human-centric design," said CTBUH CEO Javier Quintana de Uña. "PNC Architects and Sobha Realty are pioneers in this space, creating environments that push the boundaries of architecture while prioritizing efficiency, livability, and environmental stewardship. Their involvement in our Tall + Urban Innovation Program will help advance groundbreaking solutions that respond to the evolving needs of cities worldwide."

Transforming Dubai’s urban identity

For decades, Sobha Realty has been synonymous with uncompromised quality, sustainability, and luxury, setting global benchmarks through its backward integration model. The company’s "Art of the Detail" philosophy ensures that every project embodies seamless functionality and cutting-edge innovation, reflecting its commitment to precision and craftsmanship at every stage of development.

PNC Architects, a leading force in Dubai’s design and development sector, specializes in master planning, built-form, and next-generation urban concepts. The firm’s influence is evident in landmark projects such as Sobha Hartland II, where green spaces, energy-efficient materials, and forward-thinking engineering define a new standard in urban luxury.

"At Sobha Realty, we create ecosystems where people thrive," said James Marvin Skaines Jr., CEO of PNC Architects. "Our partnership with CTBUH reflects our vision for an urban future that seamlessly integrates sustainability, design excellence, and technological advancement, aligning with the UAE’s dynamic growth story and its commitment to pioneering world-class urban developments. We look forward to collaborating on research that will redefine the possibilities of livable vertical urbanism."

As a brand dedicated to sustainable urbanism, Sobha Realty continues to lead with LEED-certified buildings, Estidama Pearl-rated projects, and smart city developments. Through innovation Sobha aims to create communities that balance luxury with environmental responsibility, enhancing the well-being of residents while contributing to a greener future.

Redefining the high-rise landscape through research & innovation

The CTBUH Tall + Urban Innovation Program fosters collaboration between developers, architects, and engineers to address the pressing challenges of urbanization, climate adaptation, and the built environment’s future. Through this partnership, PNC Architects and Sobha Realty will actively engage in:

· Cutting-edge research on high-rise efficiency, resilience, and occupant well-being, such as the CTBUH 2025 Global Activity Series;

· Technical studies exploring new advancements in structural design and material innovation; and

· Global industry forums where leaders discuss emerging trends shaping the next generation of skyscrapers.

About Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to smarter, more sustainable cities and a more viable future for global populations. Specifically, CTBUH focuses on the critical role of density in addressing climate change. CTBUH is headquartered in Chicago and has offices in Shanghai, China, and Venice, Italy. CTBUH’s worldwide membership network includes companies from fields such as real estate development, architecture, engineering, cost consulting, building management and construction, among others. In addition to hosting leading industry events, CTBUH produces research and reporting on issues of significant consequence to its membership. Its most utilized asset is its building database, a compendium of detailed data, images and technical information on more than 40,000 tall buildings throughout the world. CTBUH is best known to the public as the arbiter of tall building height and the global authority that bestows titles such as “The World’s Tallest Building.” For more information, please visit https://www.ctbuh.org/

About PNC Architects & Sobha Realty

PNC Architects, a subsidiary of Sobha Realty, is a leading full-service consultancy practice specializing in master planning, urban design, architecture, mechanical and structural innovation. Sobha Realty is an international luxury developer committed to redefining the art of living through sustainable communities. Established in 1976 as an interior decoration firm in Oman by PNC Menon—a visionary entrepreneur—the company has grown its presence with developments and investments in the UAE, Oman, and India. For nearly five decades, Sobha Realty has been redefining the real estate value chain through ‘Backward Integration’ by leveraging its inherent in-house capabilities of conceptualization, design, and development. Today, the firm has developed into one of the most prominent and premium real estate developers in the UAE and aims to become a global real estate developer with its essence, the ‘Art of the Detail,’ remaining deeply embedded in the organization’s DNA. With a proven track record of delivering projects ahead of schedule, the company has eleven masterplans across the UAE and is continually expanding its presence in the city with a number of other prominent projects. The flagship community of Sobha Realty (Sobha Hartland) is a thriving community that is home to over 11,000 residents. Sobha Siniya Island, Sobha Realty's masterplan and it’s very first-ever luxury island project, features luxury villas, mansions, and resorts in a serene island setting. For more information, please visit https://sobharealty.com/

Press Contact: Charles Mutscheller, [email protected]