Meraas is one of Dubai's established master development brands, with a track record that extends beyond individual residential buildings into complete urban and waterfront destinations. Established in 2007, the business originally operated as a diversified Dubai holding company with interests spanning real estate, hospitality, leisure, retail and entertainment.
Its corporate position changed significantly in 2020 when Meraas became part of Dubai Holding. Today, the brand operates within Dubai Holding Real Estate, the group's integrated property platform that also brings together Nakheel and Dubai Properties. This structure gives Meraas access to the wider group's land, infrastructure and development capabilities while retaining its own identity in the market.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum is Chairman of Dubai Holding, while Khalid Al Malik serves as Managing Director of Dubai Holding and Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate. Meraas therefore forms part of a much larger institutional property business rather than operating as a standalone privately owned developer.
Its influence on Dubai is particularly visible in destinations such as City Walk, Bluewaters, La Mer and Jumeira Bay. These schemes illustrate an approach built around placemaking, where residential buildings sit alongside retail, hospitality, public spaces, dining and leisure rather than functioning as isolated housing.
Waterfront real estate has become an important part of that identity. Bluewaters created a residential and leisure island opposite Jumeirah Beach Residence, while Jumeira Bay established a highly private island setting connected directly to Jumeirah. Port de La Mer brought low rise Mediterranean influenced residences to the city's coastline.
Meraas has also expanded into suburban family communities. Nad Al Sheba Gardens and The Acres demonstrate a different side of the business, centred on villas, landscaping and lower density neighbourhoods rather than central urban apartments.
Its luxury credentials have been strengthened through selected international collaborations. At Jumeira Bay, Meraas developed Bulgari Resort and Residences Dubai in collaboration with Bulgari, with architecture and design by ACPV Architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel. More recent Bulgari residences on the island continue this long running relationship.
Meraas Projects in Dubai
City Walk remains one of the clearest examples of Meraas's approach to urban development. The district combines apartments, retail, restaurants and pedestrian focused public spaces close to Downtown Dubai and Jumeirah. Central Park introduced a greener residential component, while the newer City Walk Crestlane phases add waterside apartments and duplexes to the master plan.
The continued expansion of City Walk shows how Meraas revisits established destinations rather than treating completion as the end of their evolution. New residential phases are being incorporated into neighbourhoods where infrastructure and lifestyle facilities are already operating.
Dubai Design District has become another important focus. Atélis introduced Meraas residences to d3, followed by The Edit at Dubai Design District. The latter comprises three waterfront towers with apartments and penthouses, extending Meraas into a district already associated with fashion, architecture and the creative industries.
Madinat Jumeirah Living continues to grow through new residential releases including Nourelle. The wider community occupies a prominent position opposite Burj Al Arab and has developed into one of Meraas's principal low rise apartment destinations, combining contemporary homes with landscaped pedestrian routes and a distinctly residential character.
At the upper end of the market, Solaya at La Mer is a collection of beachfront residences being developed under the Meraas brand through a collaboration between Dubai Holding and Brookfield. Its nine buildings reinforce the company's focus on highly limited coastal addresses while introducing an international institutional partner into the scheme.
Jumeirah Residences Emirates Towers takes Meraas back into the heart of the city. Located beside the established Emirates Towers complex, the residences combine Meraas's development role with services associated with Jumeirah, another Dubai Holding business. This creates a hospitality influenced residential proposition without confusing the roles of developer and service brand.
Meraas off plan projects now range from family villas and established master communities to waterfront apartments and ultra luxury residences. That breadth reflects how far the business has evolved from its early mixed use destinations. Meraas properties for sale remain closely associated with prime Dubai locations, strong master planning and residential environments that combine homes with a wider sense of place.
