Middle Eastern developer Nakheel is moving forward with plans for the Deira Island development in Dubai, with the announcement that it will build a 750-room, four-star beachfront resort as part of the new mixed-use waterfront city.

The property will be developed in partnership with Spanish RIU Hotels & Resorts, which will also act as operator.

Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah said: “This is a major milestone for our growing hospitality business and a significant step towards creating a new range of affordable, family resort-style hotel accommodation in the emirate, in line with the government of Dubai’s tourism vision for 2021.

“Under this new partnership, we'll introduce one of the world’s most respected names in hospitality and an entirely new concept in hotel accommodation to Dubai."

Nakheel – the company responsible for Dubai's Palm Islands – plans to build 10 hotels at locations in Palm Jumeirah, Deira Islands, Dragon City and Ibn Battuta Mall over the next five years.

PALM DEIRA BACKGROUND

The project – originally conceived as Palm Deira and part of the Palm Islands development – was put on hold in 2008 during the global recession. It came alive again in 2013 when Nakheel announced a redesign, with the project being renamed Deira Island.

When complete it will comprise four linked islands which will add 40 kilometres to the emirate’s coastline, including 21 kilometres of beachfront. It will have 1,400 homes/apartments, a marina, design towers, the Deira Islands Mall, plus the hotel and a 30,000-capacity amphitheatre.

Nakheel – known for its ability to ‘reclaim land from the sea’ – is in charge of masterplanning and completing infrastructure work ready for third party development on each island.

In April 2014 Nakheel appointed AE7 for the design and supervision services for Deira Islands under a contract worth AED28m (US$7.6m, €7m, £4.8m). The same firm was also awarded another contract worth AED19m (US$5.3m, €4.7m, £3.4m) covering architectural and engineering services for the islands’ Night Market and boardwalk.

In June 2014, Nakheel awarded a contract worth nearly AED40m (US$11m, €10m, £7m) to RSP Architects, Planners & Engineers to act as the design and supervision consultant to the Deira Islands Mall – which will comprise 200,000sq ft (18,580sq m) of leasable retail space.

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