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Meraas — Dubai Developer

Dubai Developer

Meraas

Meraas is a Dubai-based developer founded in 2007 and, since 2020, part of Dubai Holding, the investment company owned by…

ABOUT

Meraas Overview

Meraas is a Dubai-based developer founded in 2007 and, since 2020, part of Dubai Holding, the investment company owned by the Ruler of Dubai. It now operates as one of four development brands within Dubai Holding Real Estate, alongside Nakheel, Dubai Properties and Meydan. Meraas is known for building leisure and retail destinations first and then adding homes around them.

Its destinations include City Walk on Al Wasl Road, Bluewaters Island off JBR, La Mer on the Jumeirah coast, Boxpark and Al Seef. Residential projects include Port de La Mer, Bluewaters Residences, City Walk Residences, Nikki Beach Residences on Pearl Jumeira, and the Bvlgari Resort and Residences on Jumeira Bay, where Meraas is also building Bvlgari Lighthouse, scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2027.

More recently, Meraas has moved into family villa communities further inland. The Acres in Dubailand is planned around Halo Loop Park, and in April 2026 Meraas awarded AED 2.4 billion in construction contracts for new phases there. In July 2025 it launched a phase of 201 villas and townhouses at Nad Al Sheba Gardens in Nad Al Sheba. Ahyan Real Estate can share current Meraas availability, payment plans and resale options on request.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Things You Should Know

  • Founded: 2007, in Dubai

  • Parent company: Dubai Holding, which Meraas joined in 2020 following a directive from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai

  • Group structure: one of four development brands within Dubai Holding Real Estate, with Nakheel, Dubai Properties and Meydan

  • Name: from the Arabic for "heritage" or "inheritance"

  • Activities: residential development, leisure and retail destinations, and hospitality

  • Destinations: City Walk, Bluewaters Island, La Mer, Al Seef, Boxpark, Kite Beach and Jumeira Bay

  • Residential projects: Port de La Mer, Bluewaters Residences, City Walk Residences, Bvlgari Residences, Nikki Beach Residences, Cherrywoods, Nad Al Sheba Gardens and The Acres

  • Hospitality links: Bvlgari Resort Dubai on Jumeira Bay, Nikki Beach Resort and Spa Dubai on Pearl Jumeira, and Caesars Bluewaters Dubai

Meraas builds a range of home types, usually in smaller releases within a larger destination:

  • Apartments: Port de La Mer, City Walk Residences, Bluewaters Residences and Nikki Beach Residences

  • Penthouses: in several apartment projects, and four- and five-bedroom penthouses at Bvlgari Lighthouse

  • Townhouses: Cherrywoods, Nad Al Sheba Gardens and Bluewaters Residences

  • Villas: The Acres, The Acres Estates and Nad Al Sheba Gardens, with three to seven bedrooms depending on the phase

  • Branded residences: Bvlgari Residences and Bvlgari Lighthouse on Jumeira Bay, and Nikki Beach Residences on Pearl Jumeira

Unit sizes, specifications and prices depend on the project and release.

Meraas projects are spread across central Dubai, the coast and newer inland districts:

  • City Walk: an open-air retail, dining and residential district on Al Wasl Road, opened in December 2013, with apartment buildings and the Central Park at City Walk residences.

  • Bluewaters Island: a man-made island off JBR with Bluewaters Residences, Caesars Bluewaters Dubai, retail and dining, and Ain Dubai, an observation wheel more than 250 metres tall.

  • La Mer and Port de La Mer: a beachfront leisure destination on the Jumeirah coast, opened in 2017, with Port de La Mer apartments built around a marina next to it.

  • Jumeira Bay: a seahorse-shaped island off Jumeirah that is home to Bvlgari Resort Dubai, the Bvlgari Residences and the Bvlgari Lighthouse tower now under construction.

  • Pearl Jumeira: home to Nikki Beach Resort and Spa Dubai and the Nikki Beach Residences.

  • Al Seef and Boxpark: a creekside heritage-style promenade with a marina, and a retail strip on Al Wasl Road.

  • Cherrywoods: launched in 2019 as Meraas's first townhouse community.

  • Nad Al Sheba Gardens: a gated villa and townhouse community in Nad Al Sheba, with parks, lagoons, sports facilities and a community mall.

  • The Acres: a villa community in Dubailand, near Global Village, planned around Halo Loop Park.

The projects below are under construction or have recent releases. Status and availability change quickly, so confirm details before reserving.

  • The Acres and The Acres Estates, Dubailand: in April 2026 Meraas awarded AED 2.4 billion in construction contracts for new phases: United Engineering Construction (UNEC) is building 371 three- to five-bedroom villas at The Acres, and GCC Contracting is building 186 five- to seven-bedroom residences at The Acres Estates. The community has LEED Gold for Communities precertification.

  • Nad Al Sheba Gardens, Nad Al Sheba: a phase of 201 villas and townhouses, from three-bedroom townhouses to seven-bedroom villas, was launched in July 2025.

  • Bvlgari Lighthouse, Jumeira Bay: a 27-storey tower of four- and five-bedroom penthouses and an eight-bedroom Sky Villa, designed by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel. Dutco Construction holds the AED 850 million main contract, and completion is scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.

  • Port de La Mer, City Walk Residences, Bluewaters Residences and Nikki Beach Residences: largely completed communities where purchases are typically resale or from remaining developer stock.

Ahyan Real Estate can confirm current prices, payment plans and handover dates for each project.

Meraas homes are usually part of a wider destination, so buyers are paying partly for the setting: beach access at Port de La Mer, the retail and dining at City Walk, or the resort facilities on Jumeira Bay. As a Dubai Holding Real Estate brand, Meraas also has the backing of a government-owned group.

Points to check before buying:

  • Price against comparable homes: compare the price per square foot with recent transactions in the same community.

  • Service charges: branded and waterfront buildings can carry higher service charges, which affect net rental returns.

  • Handover and payment terms: read the completion date, grace period and payment schedule in the SPA.

  • Registration: confirm the project is registered with RERA, pay into the escrow account and register the unit on Oqood.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Meraas is a Dubai developer founded in 2007 and part of Dubai Holding since 2020. It is one of four development brands within Dubai Holding Real Estate, alongside Nakheel, Dubai Properties and Meydan. Meraas is behind City Walk, Bluewaters Island, La Mer and Port de La Mer, Jumeira Bay and newer villa communities such as The Acres and Nad Al Sheba Gardens.
Meraas is owned by Dubai Holding, the investment company owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai. Meraas joined Dubai Holding in 2020 following a directive from Sheikh Mohammed, and now sits within Dubai Holding Real Estate.
Meraas comes from the Arabic word for heritage or inheritance. The name reflects the company's focus on creating places intended to become part of Dubai's long-term urban fabric.
Meraas's best-known destinations include City Walk on Al Wasl Road, Bluewaters Island off JBR with the Ain Dubai observation wheel, La Mer beach on the Jumeirah coast, Al Seef along Dubai Creek, Boxpark and Kite Beach. On the residential side, it is known for Port de La Mer, the Bvlgari Residences on Jumeira Bay and City Walk Residences.
Port de La Mer is a Meraas waterfront community next to La Mer on the Jumeirah coast. It consists of apartment buildings arranged around a marina, with beach access and shops and restaurants nearby. It is a freehold area, so foreign buyers can purchase there.
Bluewaters Island is a Meraas-developed island off Jumeirah Beach Residence, with homes, a hotel (Caesars Bluewaters Dubai), shops, restaurants and the Ain Dubai observation wheel. Bluewaters Residences is its residential component, made up of apartments, penthouses and townhouses; the first phase was handed over from February 2019.
City Walk Residences are Meraas apartment buildings inside City Walk, the open-air retail and dining district on Al Wasl Road that opened in 2013. Residents live within walking distance of shops, restaurants and leisure venues, and close to Downtown Dubai and Business Bay. Central Park at City Walk is a related residential project in the same district.
The Bvlgari Residences are branded homes on Jumeira Bay, a private island off Jumeirah, next to Bvlgari Resort Dubai. Handovers began in late 2018. Meraas is also building Bvlgari Lighthouse, a 27-storey tower of penthouses and a Sky Villa scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2027, with residents able to use the facilities of the neighbouring resort.
The Acres is a Meraas villa community in Dubailand, near Global Village, reached via Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street and Emirates Road. It is planned around Halo Loop Park and holds LEED Gold for Communities precertification. In April 2026 Meraas awarded AED 2.4 billion in construction contracts for new phases of The Acres and The Acres Estates, including 371 three- to five-bedroom villas in the latest phase.
Nikki Beach Residences is a Meraas branded-residence project on Pearl Jumeira, next to Nikki Beach Resort and Spa Dubai. Owners have access to resort-linked services and facilities. Check service charges and any rental or management arrangements in the SPA before buying.
Cherrywoods is a townhouse community launched by Meraas in 2019, described as the developer's first townhouse project in Dubai. It is aimed at families looking for a home with outdoor space at a lower price point than Meraas's coastal projects.
The main cost is the Dubai Land Department registration fee of 4% of the purchase price. Off-plan sales are registered through the DLD's Oqood system, and administrative and registration charges apply on top of the 4%. Developers sometimes cover part of the DLD fee as a promotion, so get any offer in writing. Budget too for service charges after handover and for mortgage costs if borrowing.
Yields vary by community, unit type, purchase price and service charges, so there is no single figure for Meraas. To estimate a unit's return, compare recent registered rents for the same building with the purchase price, then subtract service charges, maintenance, letting costs and expected vacancy. Ahyan Real Estate can prepare a yield estimate for a specific unit using current market data.
Meraas is part of Dubai Holding Real Estate, which is owned by the Ruler of Dubai, and has a record of completed destinations and residential projects such as City Walk, Bluewaters and Port de La Mer. That reduces developer risk, but the quality of an investment still depends on the specific unit's price, service charges, payment plan and rental demand. Compare it with similar homes nearby before buying.
Emaar Properties is a listed master developer known for large communities such as Downtown Dubai and Dubai Hills Estate, which it co-developed with Meraas. Meraas, part of Dubai Holding Real Estate, tends to build smaller residential releases tied to leisure destinations such as City Walk, Bluewaters and La Mer. Compare individual projects on price, location, service charges and payment terms rather than by brand.
Meraas and Nakheel are both part of Dubai Holding Real Estate. Nakheel builds large waterfront master plans such as Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Dubai Islands, while Meraas focuses on destination-led projects such as City Walk, Bluewaters and Port de La Mer, plus villa communities like The Acres. The two brands therefore suit different buyers and budgets.
There is no fixed minimum. Prices depend on the project, unit type and release, and change as phases sell. Apartments in completed communities are usually the lowest entry point, while villas at The Acres and homes on Jumeira Bay cost considerably more. Contact Ahyan Real Estate for current prices on available units.
Meraas off-plan homes are usually sold with a booking deposit, instalments during construction and a balance on handover, though the split varies by project and release. Completed homes are paid in full on transfer, with or without a mortgage. Confirm the schedule and any fee offers in the Sale and Purchase Agreement.
Yes. Foreign nationals can buy freehold property in designated areas of Dubai, which include Meraas communities such as Port de La Mer, Bluewaters, City Walk and The Acres. Buyers do not need UAE residency, and property ownership can support a residence visa application, including the 10-year Golden Visa for property investments of at least AED 2 million, subject to the rules in force.
It depends on the community. City Walk and Port de La Mer are close to schools in Jumeirah, Al Safa and Umm Suqeim. Nad Al Sheba Gardens has a school within walking distance, according to Meraas. Families buying at The Acres or Bluewaters should check drive times to schools in Dubailand or Dubai Marina respectively. Always check the latest KHDA inspection report and availability with each school.
There is no single best choice. Completed apartments in established districts such as City Walk, Port de La Mer and Bluewaters can produce rental income immediately, while off-plan villas at The Acres or Nad Al Sheba Gardens earn nothing until handover but may suit longer-term buyers. Compare net yields after service charges and the likely tenant profile for each building.
Meraas's projects are in the emirate of Dubai. They include the Visit Hatta tourism initiative in Hatta, Dubai's mountain exclave, as well as its city and coastal destinations.
Ain Dubai is an observation wheel more than 250 metres tall on Bluewaters Island. It is one of the island's main visitor attractions, alongside its shops, restaurants and hotel, and it reopened to visitors after an extended closure. For owners, visitor footfall supports the retail and leisure offer on the island, but rental demand still depends mainly on the homes themselves, their pricing and their service charges.
Share your budget, preferred community and whether you are buying to live in or to rent out. We will send available Meraas units, both off-plan and resale, with floor plans and payment terms, compare them with alternatives, and handle the reservation with the developer or seller. We also guide you through the SPA, Oqood registration or DLD transfer. Contact the team through the Ahyan Real Estate contact page.

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