2024 was an outstanding year for the Middle East’s construction scene, not only because of the sheer number of projects launched (though, trust us, there were plenty), but also because of the creativity, innovation, and bold ambition we saw on display.
So, with all that excitement buzzing around, we’ve put together a little roundup of the most jaw-dropping, head-turning projects that hit the ground last year. From dystopian-esque skyscrapers to dazzling cultural hubs, these developments had us all saying, “Wait, they built what?!”
Let’s take a look at the projects below.
1. Frank Muller Aeternitas
Developer: London Gate
Value: $545 million
London Gate, a premium real estate developer in the UAE, joined forces with Franck Muller, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer, to host a grand event revealing the iconic Franck Muller Aeternitas – The World’s Tallest Branded Residential Clocktower.
This architectural marvel, located in Dubai Marina, represents a transformative moment in luxury living in the UAE, with an estimated sales value surpassing $545 million (AED 2 billion).
Reaching an impressive height of 450 metres, Franck Muller Aeternitas sets a new global benchmark for opulent living, offering breathtaking panoramic views. Crowned by a Franck Muller clock, the structure embodies unmatched craftsmanship and innovation, symbolising the pinnacle of luxury and sophistication.
Click here for the full story.
2. Neptune by Kempinski Floating Palace
Developer: El Bahrawy Group
El Bahrawy Group, a leading marine construction group in the UAE and the Middle East, has unveiled Neptune, the first floating and mobile villa as part of the Kempinski Floating Palace resort project.
Initiated three years ago, the Kempinski Floating Palace project features a main floating hotel surrounded by 48 luxury mobile villas with an estimated market value of $435.6 million (AED1.6 billion) upon completion.
The first Neptune is currently anchored in Dubai Palm Marina.
Each Neptune villa has the capability to cruise at a speed of 6 to 8 knots per hour, thanks to engines that can operate on electric power and also power the villa as well as its waste recycling and water desalination.
Click here for the full story.
3. Mercedes-Benz Places
Developer: Binghatti Developers
Height: 341 metres
The project — first announced in December — breaks ground this year, and will take the form of a 65-storey residential tower that centred around a holistic, connected, and desirable luxury living experience.
Top features of the building include an elliptical shaped tower that allows all units to have panoramic views of the Dubai skyline, a photovoltaic panel façade on one side that will generate power for electric vehicle chargers in the parking area, as well as luxurious amenities for residents, including private, in-unit facilities. Units — of up to five bedrooms — are named after classic and timeless car models from the manufacturer.
The tower’s architectural design is influenced by the flowing lines on a host of ultra-modern Mercedes-Benz cars. These include the futuristic VISION EQXX, the high-performance Vision One-Eleven and the Concept CLA Class unveiled at IAA Mobility 2023.
Click here for the story.
4. Habtoor Grand Residences
Developer: Al Habtoor Group
Al Habtoor Group (AHG), a leading figure in the realm of luxury real estate, is thrilled to introduce its latest masterpiece, the Habtoor Grand Residences (HGR), gracefully positioned in the sought-after Jumeirah Beach, Dubai Marina area.
The luxury ceremony took place at the Garden Lawn at Habtoor Grand Resort with the attendance of Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor; Founding Chairman of Al Habtoor Group, Mohammed Al Habtoor; Vice Chairman & CEO of Al Habtoor Group, AHG management, VIP guests, real estate agents, brokers, and media representatives.
This iconic waterfront development is meticulously crafted to epitomise the pinnacle of elegance and luxury, encapsulating the very essence of resort-style living. Drawing inspiration from Miami-style architecture, the tower’s dynamic facade harmoniously merges with the surrounding sea views, solidifying its status as a true symbol of sophistication.
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5. Formula One circuit and Dragon Ball Themepark
Developer: Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC)
Features: 21 corners on the speed track, including The Blade, a 20-storey high turn; seven distinctively themed zones and over 30 rides with five attractions at theme park
The Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) has unveiled plans for the planned Formula One speed track at Qiddiya, its entertainment and gaming-focused gigaproject city destination near the Tuwaiq Mountains, just outside of Riyadh.
Designed by Austrian former Formula One driver Alex Wurz and German circuit designer Hermann Tilke, the speed track aims to become one of the world’s leading motorsport venues and host leading events.
Meanwhile, the Dragon Ball-themed entertainment park will span more than 500,000 square metres and, inspired by the seven Dragon Balls, visitors can navigate seven distinctively themed zones and over 30 rides with five attractions, as well as stay at in-park hotels.
A flagship attraction located at the centre of the park has a rollercoaster passing through a massive 70m Shenron landmark.
Click here to read the full story.
6. Omani Mountain Destination
Developer: Oman’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP)
Value: $2.4 billion
Oman’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP) revealed plans today to launch the Omani Mountain Destination (OMD) at Jabal Akhdar.
Located 153 kilometres from Muscat at an altitude of 2,400 metres, the $2.4 billion project will contribute to the nation’s projected pipeline of planned projects worth over $33 billion.
Masterplanned by AtkinsRéalis and designed in consultation with local communities, it will include 2,527 homes and 2,000 hospitality rooms as part of hotels, and a purpose-built health and wellness village, The Vessel.
The destination is expected to attract a residential population of more than 8,000 and an average of 2,350 overnight visitors and 2,000 daily visitors.
Click here for the full story.
7. True Gamers’ eSports Island
Type: Artificial island tourism destination
Value: $1 billion
True Gamers, a gaming lounge operator, has revealed plans to construct the city’s inaugural eSports-centric zone. The island is designed by a team of architects including Abdullah Bin Baz and Haitham Khojali.
One potential location for this ambitious “eSports Island” project is amidst the Al Raha Beach district, strategically situated between Al Bandar and Al Dana developments.
Read more and explore the plans here.
8. The Arena in Diriyah
Developer: Diriyah Company
Features: To seat 20,000 people
Diriyah Company has unveiled the preliminary design for “The Arena in Diriyah,” located near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The arena aims to become the leading venue in the Middle East, attracting global visitors and revolutionising the region’s events scene.
Designed by London-based HKS Architects, the 76,000-square-metre venue is a key component of Diriyah’s $63.2bn masterplan, reshaping cultural and lifestyle offerings in Riyadh.
Click here to read the full story.
9. Ghaf Woods
Developer: Majid Al Futtaim
Type: Forest-living community
Majid Al Futtaim, a leading developer of communities, shopping malls, offices, and hotels in the region, has officially unveiled its latest development, Ghaf Woods, Dubai’s first forest living community.
First introduced at MIPIM 2024, a prominent international real estate event in Cannes, France, Ghaf Woods promotes a lifestyle of harmony with nature, enhanced connectivity, and unparalleled sustainability.
Ghaf Woods, set to unfold in eight phases until 2031, will span 738,000 square metres near the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Highway, close to Global Village. The community will feature over 7,000 premium units, including one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as penthouses, all offering stunning views of the forest ecosystem.
Click here to read more.
10. Treyam
Developer: NEOM
Features: World’s longest sky pool
As the newest addition to NEOM, the dynamic regional development unfolding in northwest Saudi Arabia, Treyam occupies a strategic position overlooking one of the most stunning azure lagoons at the southern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba.
Positioned as a luxurious portal to active living, Treyam features striking bridge-like architecture spanning the northern and southern shores, housing a 250-room luxury resort.
The bridge’s innovative design creates a mesmerising sunset-like illusion from afar, while offering sweeping views of the tidal lagoon and expansive skies from its upper and lower levels, seamlessly blending into the surrounding landscape and preserving the natural integrity of the coastline.
Click here for the full story.
11. Al Maktoum International Airport Expansion
Value: $34.8 billion
Features: Five runways, capacity to handle 260 million passengers and 12 million tons of cargo a year
When completed, the airport will be five times larger than Dubai International and is set to accommodate up to 260 million passengers.
It will have 400 aircraft gates and five parallel runways — three more than it currently has — as well as debut new innovations in aviation tech.
The project spans 70 square kilometres and It will be completed in phases within 10 years, when all operations from the current Dubai International Airport are transferred over.
Read more about the airport expansion project here and how Dubai’s new Al Maktoum International Airport will impact real estate in the emirate here.
12. Dubai Mall expansion
Developer: Emaar Properties
Value: $400 million
Emaar Properties has announced a monumental expansion of Dubai Mall, which will include 240 new luxury stores and food and beverage outlets. This project represents an investment of $400 Million (1.5 billion AED), and the contractor is already mobilising on-site.
In 2023, Dubai Mall became the most visited place on Earth achieving a new attendance record with 105 million visitors, a 19% increase from the previous year, coupled with exceptionally strong sales.
The momentum continues in 2024, as Dubai Mall remains a global retail and leisure icon, offering innovative experiences while maintaining high customer satisfaction ratings.
Click here to read more.
13. Arabian Hills Estate, Abu Dhabi
Developer: ARA Real Estate Development
Value: $6 billion
The project is a gated master-planned community spanning 244 million square feet offering open, freehold ownership. It is located in Al Faqa’ along Tahnoun Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan Road in the eastern region of Abu Dhabi emirate.
The project is expected to be completed in Q2 2027.
Arabian Hills Estate is designed for long-term primary residents as well as brief stays. Residents can expect lagoons, natural pools, parks, and a range of recreational amenities including equestrian facilities, wellness services, and resorts and spas.
Read more about the project here, and why Dubai’s real estate is seeing increased demand for family villas here.
14. ROSHN Stadium
Developer: ROSHN
Features: To seat 45,000 people
ROSHN Group, a leading real estate developer in Saudi Arabia and a PIF Company, has unveiled plans for an iconic 45,000-seat stadium in Southwest Riyadh.
Covering over 450,000 square metres, this landmark mixed-use development will feature an array of shops, restaurants, and hospitality venues. At its core, the main sports and event floor seamlessly connects various facilities through an open and cohesive design.
ROSHN Stadium, with its modern crystalline architecture inspired by Saudi Arabia’s central region, will stand as a new icon in Southwest Riyadh. This project marks a significant step in ROSHN’s expansion into mixed-use developments, highlighting its dedication to enhancing the quality of life through sustainable real estate in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Click here to read more.
15. Muraba Veil
Developer: Muraba
Type: Region’s thinnest skyscraper
Features: 380 metres tall, 73 storeys
A new development by Muraba and Pritzker Prize Laureates (2017) RCR Arquitectes introduces a contemporary style of architecture that draws upon vernacular heritage and tradition to its latest collaborative project, Muraba Veil.
The culmination of a ten-year partnership is the fifth collaboration between Dubai-based Muraba and Spanish RCR Arquitectes, bringing a shared aspiration to work in harmony with the natural environment, and allowing each location’s unique characteristics to guide the concept.
With Dubai’s culture and climate, Muraba and RCR present a new form of skyscraper for the region – an exercise in acclimatising architecture to place, working with nature rather than against it.
Click here to read more.
16. Land of Legends Qatar
Developer: FTG Development, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company
Area: 650,000m2
Under the patronage and attendance of HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the groundbreaking ceremony for Land of Legends Qatar took place last week, launching the development of a landmark destination set to transform tourism and entertainment in the region.
This milestone project, was born of a dynamic partnership between FTG Development and Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, establishing itself as a premier attraction in the heart of Simaisma.
Land of Legends Qatar is a foreign investment project in the State of Qatar’s tourism sector, and the first major development within Simaisma Project, which spans over 8 million square metres and stretches along a stunning 7-kilometre beach.
Click here to read more.
17. Global Sports Tower
Developer: Sports Boulevard Foundation
Type: Tallest sports tower in the world
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Sports Boulevard Foundation, has approved the designs for the Global Sports Tower, a key landmark within the Sports Boulevard project on Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road.
The Global Sports Tower, standing at 130 metres, will be the tallest sports tower in the world. It has an internal area of 84,000 square meters and will feature over 30 sports facilities, including the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall at 98 metres. This wall caters to climbers of all levels, from beginners to professionals, making it accessible to everyone.
The tower will also boast the world’s highest running track, a fully digitised 250-metre circuit offering athletes a unique training experience with stunning views of Riyadh.
Click here to read more.
18. Sun City
Developer: DAMAC Properties
Features: Forest hiking trails, outdoor yoga studios, barefoot reflexology areas, crystal healing spaces, and more
UAE real estate developer DAMAC Properties has announced the launch of its fifth master community, Sun City.
The residential community project is located in Dubailand. A completion or handover date has not yet been revealed.
The new development will offer a blend of wellness-focused living, nature, and modern luxury.
Key amenities will include forest hiking trails, outdoor yoga studios, barefoot reflexology areas, and crystal healing spaces. Also included are a sunrise outdoor gym, camping areas, a suspension bridge, open auditorium, forest hiking trail, reflexology area, monkey bar arena and a Grand Water Fountain that serves as the community’s centrepiece.
Click here to read more.
