Nakheel, RIU begin work on Deira Islands beachfront resort

Work has started on the Dhs900m beachfront resort that is being developed by Dubai’s Nakheel and Spain’s RIU Hotels & Resorts at Deira Islands, the companies announced on Sunday.

The joint venture partners have appointed international consultants Dar Al Handasah to oversee design, engineering and construction supervision of the resort.

A construction tender is expected to be released by the end of 2016, with anticipated completion in Q3 2019, a statement said.

First announced by Nakheel in May 2015, the 800-room resort and waterpark is billed as being the first all-inclusive four-star concept in Dubai.

Set on a 3.4 million square foot plot at Deira Islands, the resort will include four swimming pools, a kids’ club, spa and fitness centre.

Dining facilities include an all-day restaurant, a speciality restaurant, four beach eateries and an evening dining area with a stage for live shows and entertainment.

There will also be a waterpark occupying 10 per cent of the overall area.

The property will be RIU’s first property in the GCC. The Spanish brand currently operates over 100 hotels in 19 countries.

Nakheel also confirmed that infrastructure and coastal works are underway at its 15.3 sq km Deira Islands development.

Deira Islands will add 40 km, including 21 km of beachfront, to Dubai’s coastline when complete. Along with hotels, the development will feature the Deira Mall, a night market with 5,300 shops, a marina and an amphitheatre seating 30,000 people.

The new RIU property is one of nine Nakheel hotels across Dubai either open, under construction or in design stage.

The company’s first hotel – a 251-room ibis Styles at Dragon Mart – opened in February this year. Others in the pipeline include properties in Dragon Mart, Ibn Battuta Mall area and Palm Jumeirah.

Nakheel is also building a 500-room Avani-branded beachfront resort in collaboration with the Minor Hotel Group in Deira Islands.

Also read: Dubai’s Nakheel awards Dhs 4m contract for Deira Islands

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