Nakheel and Thai hotel group Centara Hotels & Resorts have formed a joint venture company for a 600-room beachfront resort and water park at Dubai’s Deira Islands.
It was also confirmed that a management agreement had been signed between the two companies.
Nakheel chairman Ali Rashid Lootah said: “This strategic joint venture underlines our commitment to bringing new hospitality concepts to Dubai in line with the government’s tourism vision.
“Today’s crucial milestone allows us to move forward with the construction and delivery of this exciting new resort, which will undoubtedly be one of Dubai’s most sought-after destinations for travellers the world over.”
Set to open in 2020, the resort is the first Centara establishment in the UAE and will cover an area of almost 300,000 sq ft.
Features will include a water park, multiple restaurants including alfresco rooftop dining options, kids’ club, spa and fitness centre, and business facilities.
Recent enhancements to the hotel’s design have added 50 rooms to the original plan, bringing the total number of keys to 600.
Nakheel’s partnership with Centara is the developer’s second international joint venture at Deira Islands.
Work on the first, an 800-room, AED670 million beachfront resort with Spain’s RIU Hotels & Resorts, is already underway with construction proposals currently being assessed.
A spokeseperson added that more partnerships with global hospitality firms are being explored.
Deira Islands, where Nakheel has already invested over AED7.5 billion in infrastructure and construction contracts, will add 40 km, including 21km of beach, to Dubai’s coastline.
Suthikiati Chirativat, chairman of the board for Centara Hotels & Resorts said: “The official formation of the joint venture company and signing of the hotel management agreement is the natural next step following the joint venture agreement last December.
“This is the rubber stamp that paves the way for the finalisation of the design and development of our first resort in the United Arab Emirates.”
