Construction

Meraas has officially commenced ground works for its latest landmark project, Atélis at d3.

The global pursuit of integrated urban living has redefined how major cities approach property development.

Modern residents are increasingly seeking more than just luxury; they demand a harmonious blend of creativity, connectivity, and natural surroundings.

In Dubai, this shift is particularly evident as districts once synonymous solely with commerce and professional activity are transforming into multifaceted, 24-hour lifestyle destinations. This evolution is central to the city’s long-term vision, where the convergence of design, culture, and community has become a primary driver of high-end real estate demand.

The Dubai Design District (d3) has historically stood as the region’s premier hub for creativity and innovation. However, as the urban landscape matures, the challenge for developers has been to introduce residential infrastructure that respects the district’s unique creative identity while providing the comforts of contemporary waterfront living. The answer lies in master-planned expansions that leverage green corridors, pedestrian-first infrastructure, and architectural designs that echo the local environment. By embedding residential towers into an established commercial ecosystem, developers are creating environments where the lines between work, leisure, and home are seamlessly integrated.

Central to this transformative strategy is Meraas, a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate. As part of its commitment to advancing the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, Meraas has been systematically executing a vision to establish d3 as a global benchmark for design-focused urban living. This progress is underscored by the sustained popularity of its recent residential offerings, which have seen exceptional market performance and rapid absorption by buyers seeking long-term investment opportunities in central locations.

Building on this momentum, Meraas has officially commenced ground works for its latest landmark project, Atélis at d3. The company announced that it has awarded the ground works contract for the project to International Foundation Group. According to Meraas, the contract encompasses a comprehensive scope of work, including “comprehensive site preparation, excavation, soil improvement, dewatering, and the design and construction of shoring and piling works.” These essential activities serve as the foundation for the subsequent phases of construction, ensuring the site is fully prepared for the rise of what is set to be a significant addition to the Dubai skyline.

Designed by the internationally-renowned architectural practice Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Atélis at d3 is envisioned as a 45-storey residential landmark. The tower’s design is particularly notable for its “elegant, petal-inspired balconies inspired by flowers native to the UAE desert,” a feature that bridges modern aesthetic values with local heritage. Once completed, the development will provide a collection of one- to four-bedroom apartments, complemented by exclusive penthouses. Residents will enjoy panoramic views of the Dubai Creek and the iconic city skyline, further cementing the tower’s status as a premium residential address.

Beyond its architectural prominence, Atélis is designed to reflect the creative character of its surroundings. A company spokesman noted that “residents will have access to three levels of premium amenities, including wellness facilities, co-working spaces, and communal areas reflecting d3’s creative character.” By offering these curated spaces, the project supports the broader objective of fostering an environment where creativity, entrepreneurship, and luxury living converge.

As work continues on-site, the development stands as a testament to the ongoing evolution of the Dubai Design District. By transforming a commercial hub into a vibrant waterfront neighbourhood, Meraas is not only meeting the demand for high-end housing but is also setting a new standard for how professional creative districts can evolve into fully integrated, human-centric communities.

epth has unveiled its new AI-driven operating system for the construction industry, aiming to transform how projects are delivered from design to operations.

The construction industry, despite being one of the largest global economic drivers, has long struggled with a fragmented digital infrastructure.

For decades, developers and contractors have relied on a collection of disparate point solutions—separate software for design, procurement, and project management. This "siloed" approach inevitably leads to communication gaps, administrative bottlenecks, and significant project delays. In a rapidly evolving economic landscape, the complexity of these legacy systems has become a structural liability rather than an asset.

The primary industry challenge lies in the sheer volume of data trapped within these disconnected platforms. When information regarding RFIs, submittals, budgets, and site inspections is stored in isolated "filing cabinets," visibility is compromised. Project managers spend an inordinate amount of time chasing documentation rather than focusing on execution. Furthermore, traditional "Big Tech" solutions, while once pioneering, have failed to adapt to the real-time demands of modern job sites. They remain complex relics of a bygone era, no longer fit for the high-pressure, fast-paced requirements of contemporary construction enterprises.

To bridge this gap, Zepth has unveiled its new AI-driven operating system for the construction industry, aiming to transform how projects are delivered from design to operations. Rather than acting as a mere dashboard or a collection of bolt-on features, Zepth functions as a single, connected intelligence layer. By unifying construction (Core), procurement (Vector), and asset management (Edge) on one record, the platform allows for a seamless flow of data.

At the heart of this "operating system" is a sophisticated AI ecosystem. Unlike generic chatbots, Zepth employs specialised AI agents integrated into every module of the platform. These agents perform the heavy lifting, such as reading complex drawings, reviewing submittals against technical specifications, matching invoices, and flagging potential risks before they impact the critical path. This system maintains human oversight; all consequential decisions require human sign-off, ensuring that the technology serves as a partner to human expertise rather than a replacement.

“Zepth stands at the forefront of the AI revolution, redefining the common-data environment with AGI-driven human-level intelligence,” says Prasoon Shrivastava, Founder of Zepth. “Our platform epitomises intelligence, simplicity, and efficiency, designed for the modern world. Zepth's AI-driven solutions are delivering extraordinary efficiency and precision to clients globally. The traditional Big Tech solutions, while once groundbreaking, now lag in a rapidly changing world. They are complex relics of a bygone era , no longer the best fit for today's dynamic industry needs.

The introduction of this AI-native approach marks a significant shift in the construction sector. By automating routine administrative tasks, Zepth claims it can significantly accelerate project timelines and reduce budget overruns. For stakeholders, ranging from project owners and developers to general contractors—the objective is clear: to transition from a model of reactive "chasing" to one of proactive, data-driven decision-making. As the firm continues to expand its AI ecosystem, it is setting a new benchmark for what a truly integrated digital enterprise looks like in one of the world's least digitised, yet most essential, industries.

The first half of 2026 has witnessed a remarkable milestone in the Middle Eastern property sector, with DAMAC Properties firmly establishing its undeniable dominance in the United Arab Emirates.

The first half of 2026 has witnessed a remarkable milestone in the Middle Eastern property sector, with DAMAC Properties firmly establishing its undeniable dominance in the United Arab Emirates.

Recognised widely as the largest private real estate developer in the UAE and the broader Middle East, the organisation has achieved unprecedented commercial success. According to recent performance metrics, DAMAC recorded an impressive 5,706 transactions during the critical H1 2026 period. These robust sales, which are valued at a staggering AED 15.6 billion, have propelled the developer to the very forefront of the industry, ranking it first in Dubai’s highly competitive primary off-plan residential market by sales volume.

To understand the true magnitude of this accomplishment, it is essential to examine the official governmental figures. Based on comprehensive Dubai Land Department data covering the period from January to June 2026, DAMAC comfortably secured the first-place position by sales volume. The nearest competitor trailed behind with 5,316 units sold. Furthermore, DAMAC ranked second overall in terms of total sales value. The wider context of Dubai’s off-plan primary residential market reveals a sector that remains exceptionally active and resilient against global economic headwinds. During this six-month window, the emirate recorded an astounding AED 92.8 billion in total sales across 46,794 apartment units, showcasing intense competition amongst top-tier developers who are continuously offering a broad mix of both luxury apartments and family villas.

Dominating the Off-Plan Villa Segment

However, it is specifically within the highly sought-after off-plan villa segment that DAMAC’s performance has been truly exceptional. Total sales for villas across Dubai touched AED 56.9 billion across 7,730 individual units over the first half of the year. Capturing a monumental portion of this specific demographic, DAMAC successfully sold nearly one out of every two villa units available on the market. This equates to an extraordinary 44.2 per cent share of the off-plan villa segment alone. To put this commanding market lead into perspective, this figure represents almost twice the overall share achieved by the next-ranked developer and ultimately accounted for a full 20 per cent of the total market share.

Reflecting on this period of robust operational performance and subsequent growth, Amira Sajwani, Managing Director, DAMAC Properties, said: “These results reflect investor confidence in Dubai’s resilient real estate sector. Our focus remains on creating distinctive communities, maintaining disciplined growth and delivering homes that respond to the evolving needs of Dubai’s residents and an ever-expanding global investor base. DAMAC’s leadership by unit volume demonstrates the depth of demand across our portfolio and our ability to convert that demand at scale.”

Strategic Transition and Future Deliveries

Looking ahead, DAMAC’s immense sales momentum serves to actively bolster its broader strategic vision, a strategy that relies heavily upon combining innovative product design with sustained construction timelines and reliable physical delivery. The stellar sales performance witnessed throughout 2026 is structurally supported by a consistent, methodical cadence of property handovers. These scheduled handovers span several of the developer's flagship luxury developments across the city, most notably including renowned communities such as DAMAC Hills, DAMAC Hills 2, DAMAC Lagoons, Chic Tower, and Elegance Tower.

This strategic operational alignment is particularly vital as Dubai’s dynamic residential property sector actively transitions from being primarily launch-led to becoming fundamentally delivery-driven. In direct response to this ongoing market maturation, DAMAC is actively strengthening its already extensive development pipeline. The developer boasts a formidable historical track record, having already delivered more than 50,000 homes to buyers to date. Furthermore, another 8,800 properties are strongly anticipated to be delivered across Dubai before the end of 2026. Through these ongoing efforts, DAMAC remains resolutely committed to creating premium, lifestyle-driven communities that successfully elevate everyday living into a truly immersive experience for its modern residents.

Ashghal has recently unveiled a series of remarkable sustainability milestones achieved across its various building projects since 2022.

The construction industry has historically been associated with immense resource consumption and substantial waste generation.

However, a significant environmental paradigm shift is currently underway in the Middle East. At the forefront of this ecological transformation is Qatar's Public Works Authority, widely recognised as Ashghal. By deploying an advanced, integrated system for waste management, Ashghal has recently unveiled a series of remarkable sustainability milestones achieved across its various building projects since 2022. By prioritising the reusing and recycling of construction and demolition materials, the organisation is systematically reducing the environmental footprint of the nation's rapidly expanding infrastructure.

This ambitious environmental strategy is deeply intertwined with the country's long-term developmental blueprints, specifically the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy. For Ashghal, the transition towards a circular economy is no longer merely a theoretical aspiration but a highly operational reality. The authority's integrated approach dictates that materials previously condemned to landfills are now rigorously managed, recovered, and treated as highly valuable commodities. This systematic methodology not only enhances overall resource utilisation efficiency but also plays a crucial role in mitigating the sheer volume of waste typically generated by large-scale urban development and building initiatives.

The scale of material recovery achieved by Ashghal over the past few years is unprecedented for the region. According to the latest project data, the authority has successfully reused or transferred a staggering 2.5 million cubic metres of excavation materials. Rather than discarding this massive volume of earth and rock, Ashghal strategically redirected it to the specialised recycling yards operated by the Qatar Primary Materials Company (QPMC). At these dedicated facilities, the excavated matter is processed and readied for integration into future construction endeavours, thereby drastically lowering the sector's dependence on the extraction of virgin raw materials. In addition to the earthworks recovery, Ashghal has completely recycled more than 300,000 tonnes of general construction and demolition waste, further cementing its commitment to sustainable building practices.

Beyond earth and rubble, the organisation has implemented highly granular resource recovery protocols directly at the project sites. Timber, a material frequently discarded after limited use in scaffolding and concrete formwork, has seen an exceptional rate of recovery. Ashghal has managed to repurpose approximately 80,000 tonnes of timber waste within the very perimeters of its active project sites. This localised reuse not only prevents landfill overflow but also cuts down on the logistical emissions associated with transporting waste. The authority has also established strict sorting mechanisms for other common project by-products. Consequently, an impressive 7,000 tonnes of plastic waste, 3,000 tonnes of paper waste, and 1,000 tonnes of scrap metal have been successfully diverted to officially approved recycling facilities.

Perhaps most remarkably, Ashghal’s comprehensive waste diversion efforts extend well beyond conventional construction debris. The authority has also taken responsibility for the everyday biological waste generated across its extensive network of project sites and workforce accommodations. Nearly 8,000 tonnes of food waste have been successfully recovered through this holistic environmental programme. Rather than allowing this organic refuse to decompose in municipal dumps and generate harmful greenhouse gases, Ashghal has ensured it is systematically converted into organic compost or expertly processed at designated treatment facilities. This organic conversion process represents a vital component of the circular economy, transforming discarded meals into agricultural inputs that can support local landscaping and greening projects. Such detailed attention to every waste stream highlights the meticulous nature of the authority's operations.

Through these multifaceted initiatives, Qatar's Public Works Authority is proving that massive infrastructure development does not have to come at the expense of the environment. By carefully managing, reusing, and recycling millions of tonnes of varied waste materials, Ashghal is establishing a robust blueprint for the future of sustainable construction. These achievements highlight how proactive governmental leadership can drive industry-wide change, encouraging private contractors and developers to adopt similar green methodologies. Ultimately, the organisation's unwavering dedication to circular economy principles ensures that Qatar continues to build its physical landscape while simultaneously protecting its natural ecosystem for generations to come.