Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has inaugurated the 1,650-metre Al Khaleej Street Tunnel, marking a significant milestone in the emirate's Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project. Featuring three lanes in each direction, the tunnel provides a combined capacity of 12,000 vehicles per hour, supporting smoother traffic flow and improved connectivity between residential, commercial and tourism destinations. Approximately 2,200 engineers, technicians and workers contributed to the project, supported by 350 pieces of construction equipment and nearly 11 million working hours. The infrastructure development forms part of the wider 13-kilometre Al Shindagha Corridor programme, reinforcing Dubai's commitment to sustainable mobility, urban expansion and long-term transport…

Dubai Design Week 2026 has opened its 12th edition at Dubai Design District (d3), bringing together architects, designers, and creative professionals from more than 50 countries between November 3 and 8. The programme features over 40 installations, exhibitions, and creative activations exploring how architecture, sustainable materials, and spatial planning influence urban environments and residential communities. Among the highlights is Meraas’ Creative Living Space, presenting its vision for integrated residential development within d3, alongside innovative architectural installations featured in the Urban Commissions programme. Downtown Design brings together more than 300 brands and designers from over 35 countries, while the UAE Designer Exhibition showcases work by 30…

Meraas, a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate, is presenting its vision for future residential communities at Dubai Design District (d3) through an immersive installation during Dubai Design Week 2026. Developed in collaboration with Duette Studio, the Meraas Creative Living Space runs from November 4 to 8, highlighting the integration of architecture, public spaces, and cultural experiences within master-planned urban communities. The installation explores five key districts within the d3 masterplan: The Creekside, Design HQ, SOHO, The Sanctuary, and The Mindspace. The programme features leading architectural practices, including Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Woods Bagot, and U+A, alongside discussions and workshops examining design, creative industries, and urban development

Orascom Development Egypt has launched Skybound Townhome, a new residential collection within SIBA El Gouna on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, designed by Barcelona-based architecture studio Mesura. The development features single-storey residences with two and three bedrooms, positioned on an elevated site overlooking The Nines golf course. The contemporary designs prioritise privacy, natural light, functional living spaces, and integration with the surrounding landscape. Skybound Townhome forms part of SIBA El Gouna’s multi-studio architectural strategy, with Burton Design Studio overseeing the master plan and international architectural practices designing individual residential collections. The approach establishes distinct architectural identities while maintaining a cohesive…

EVA Interiors is highlighting evolving luxury residential design trends in Dubai, as homeowners increasingly prioritise privacy, functionality, and personalised living environments over conventional expressions of opulence. Seema Al Mansouri, Co-Founder and CEO of EVA Interiors, emphasised that modern luxury extends beyond premium materials and finishes to encompass spatial planning, everyday comfort, and individual lifestyle requirements. At Downtown Design 2026, the company presented its Japanese-inspired ICONIC HOME installation, featuring natural materials, minimalist architectural elements, and integrated residential spaces. Al Mansouri explained that EVA Interiors combines architectural expertise with practical construction knowledge, incorporating furniture, lighting, materials,…

Emaar Development reported a 24% increase in net profit after tax to AED10.8 billion during the first nine months of 2026, supported by construction progress and the handover of more than 4,800 residential units. Revenue rose 26% to AED22.2 billion, while property sales reached AED26.2 billion. The company’s revenue backlog stood at AED119.8 billion as of September 30, providing visibility into future earnings. More than 85% of active projects were ahead of schedule, with Emaar awarding 23 main construction contracts worth AED13.5 billion and infrastructure contracts valued at AED4.3 billion. The developer’s land bank spans approximately 285 million square feet of mixed-use development opportunities, supporting its long-term expansion strategy. Emaar founder Mohamed…

Uniestate is targeting the second quarter of 2027 for the handover of Playa Viva, its waterfront residential development on Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, ahead of the anticipated opening of Wynn Al Marjan Island. Designed around contemporary coastal architecture, sea views, and natural light, the project features a swimming pool, health club, sauna and steam facilities, landscaped spaces, and water features. Residences will be delivered fully furnished with ABB smart home automation systems, enabling immediate occupancy or rental following handover. With most units already sold, the development has entered its final sales phase. Uniestate CEO Ebrahim AlZaabi highlighted the company’s long-term commitment to Ras Al Khaimah’s property market. The project’s…

Dubai-based Sobha Group is expanding beyond real estate development through Flaer, its premium furniture brand designed to strengthen the international presence of UAE-manufactured products. Introduced during Milan Design Week in April 2026, Flaer combines the creative direction of its Milan-based design studio with Sobha’s manufacturing capabilities in the UAE. The brand is also showcasing its expanded collection at Downtown Design in Dubai. Anuj Jain, CEO of Sobha Furniture and Flaer, said the launch builds on the group’s vertically integrated business model and more than five decades of experience in interiors and bespoke furniture manufacturing. Following Sobha Furniture’s expansion into the broader business-to-business market in 2025, Flaer marks the…

Sharjah’s Al Dhaid Bridge is scheduled to open to traffic on November 15, 2026, as final construction works approach completion on the 320-metre infrastructure project in the emirate’s Central Region. The development is being delivered by the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA), in collaboration with the Sharjah Initiatives Implementation Authority (Mubadara), to enhance traffic flow and strengthen connectivity between major routes in Al Dhaid. Combining transport infrastructure with architectural and recreational elements, the bridge features four lifts, balconies, and dedicated viewing areas overlooking Al Dhaid Lake beneath the structure. The project represents a significant addition to Sharjah’s transport infrastructure, integrating modern mobility…

Saudi Arabia has launched a tender for a 50-year public-private partnership (PPP) to develop a mixed-use real estate project in Riyadh’s Al-Narjis District, supporting the Kingdom’s efforts to expand private-sector participation in urban development. The project, known as the Joint Development Agreement Project, is being overseen by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, Riyadh Region Municipality, and the National Center for Privatization & PPP (NCP). Spanning 30,015 square metres, the development site is located on Zaid bin Asim Street in northern Riyadh and will accommodate integrated residential, commercial, office, and recreational facilities designed to serve the surrounding community. Under the proposed partnership structure, the private-sector partner will…

Sarmed Contracting LLC has completed an AED16 million residential and commercial tower in Ajman’s Al Jurf Industrial Area 3, marking the largest documented project in the company’s portfolio since commencing operations in 2017. The 11-level development comprises a ground floor, two dedicated parking levels, and eight typical residential floors, alongside commercial spaces designed to serve local businesses and residents working in nearby industrial districts. Acting as the main contractor, Sarmed Contracting delivered the project using a reinforced concrete structure incorporating post-tensioned slabs, enabling more flexible layouts, improved space efficiency, and optimised parking facilities. Construction works covered foundations, structural elements, façades,…

Dubai Studio City is set to host the AED350 million Medcare Royal Hills Hospital, developed through a partnership between Aster DM Healthcare and UAE-based engineering company MENASCO, with operations expected to commence by 2029. The 144-bed, multi-specialty tertiary-care hospital will feature approximately 239,000 square feet of gross floor area and a built-up area of around 430,000 square feet, including six operating theatres designed to support advanced medical services. A central component of the development will be an integrated oncology centre offering medical, surgical, and radiation cancer treatments. The facility will also provide PET-CT imaging, chemotherapy services, and a dedicated breast care diagnosis and treatment unit. Future expansion plans include introducing bone…