UAE developer Arada has reached a significant construction milestone by appointing Engineering Contracting Co. (LLC) as the main contractor for the W Residences at Dubai Harbour. The AED1.55 billion agreement covers the delivery of all three luxury towers within the waterfront development. With preliminary works already in progress, the project is set to provide 490 branded homes alongside a suite of high-end amenities.
The Dubai Land Department is launching Phase II of its Real Estate Tokenisation Project, allowing secondary market trading from 20 February 2026. This move transitions the project from a pilot stage to a regulated operational framework involving 7.8 million tokens. The initiative aims to enhance market liquidity and transparency while supporting the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033. By enabling fractional ownership, Dubai is positioning itself as a global leader in property technology.
Dubai-based AI lab Smart Bricks has secured $5 million in pre-seed funding led by Andreessen Horowitz. The startup is developing agentic AI infrastructure to automate the global real estate investment process. By processing millions of data points, the platform identifies high-value opportunities and handles underwriting in minutes rather than months. The company aims to provide retail and institutional investors with the same sophisticated tools used by major private equity firms.
Danube Properties has unveiled Serenz by Danube, a 50-storey residential landmark in Jumeirah Village Circle. Featuring over 40 amenities across 120,000 square feet, the project offers fully furnished units starting at AED 850,000. Strategically located for quick road access, the development utilizes a 1 per cent monthly payment plan. The launch event included group leadership and brand ambassador Brett Lee, highlighting a significant expansion in Dubai's premium property market.
Dubai has announced a landmark AED100 billion expansion of the Dubai International Financial Centre, known as the DIFC Zabeel District. The project will double the capacity of the current financial hub to accommodate over 42,000 companies and 125,000 employees by 2040. Spanning 17.7 million square feet, the development includes a major focus on AI and future technologies, alongside residential and educational facilities.
A new community destination named BAY360 is coming to Jumeirah Lakes Towers, featuring a flagship Spinneys supermarket and a variety of waterfront dining options. Developed by DMCC and Sweid & Sweid, the project aims to improve the liveability of the district through better pedestrian access and modern lifestyle amenities. Scheduled for completion in 2027, the hub will occupy part of Lake D and include essential medical services and rooftop sports facilities.