Dubai Developer Arada Secures £2.5 Billion Royal Docks Project

Dubai-based developer Arada has taken control of the significant Thameside West development in London’s Royal Docks, a £2.5 billion project poised to transform 47 acres of waterfront land. This marks Arada’s second major investment in the London residential market, following its recent acquisition of Regal.

Key Takeaways

Arada acquires the £2.5bn Thameside West development in London’s Royal Docks.
The project, designed by Foster & Partners, will deliver at least 5,000 homes.
Construction is slated to commence in 2027, with 1,000 homes in the first phase.
Half of the site will be dedicated to green space and a kilometre of waterfront.

A Landmark Riverside Development

Thameside West, a mixed-use waterfront scheme at the western end of London’s Royal Docks, is set to become a new neighbourhood. The masterplan, envisioned by Foster & Partners, includes at least 5,000 residential apartments spread across 47 acres, boasting a kilometre of waterfront. The project has already secured planning consent, with the first stage aiming to deliver 1,000 homes.

Arada, which will hold an 80% stake, will collaborate with key stakeholders including the London Borough of Newham, the Greater London Authority (GLA), and Transport for London. This partnership aims to revitalise the former industrial site into a vibrant community.

Arada’s Growing London Ambitions

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, chairman of Arada, expressed strong confidence in London’s market. “Our entry into this market was grounded in our unwavering faith in London and its attractiveness as one of the world’s leading capital cities,” he stated. “Thameside West represents a unique opportunity to create a landmark riverside development, and we look forward to working with our partners and utilising our long-standing track record in large-scale, amenity-rich residential schemes to unlock the delivery of new housing for London.”

This acquisition significantly boosts Arada’s London development pipeline, bringing it to 15,000 homes. The company previously announced an ambition to scale its London residential pipeline to 30,000 units over the next three years.

Vision for Thameside West

Lord Norman Foster, whose firm designed the masterplan, highlighted the project’s integrated approach. “Thameside West is a place where architecture, nature and infrastructure come together in balance,” he commented. “The stepped design ensures exceptional views from every building, while the integration of air, road, rail, river and tunnel links makes this one of the most connected sites in London. Half the master plan is dedicated to green space, including more than a thousand trees and a kilometre of active waterfront, creating a setting that is both restorative and dynamic. Our goal is to build a truly inclusive community – one that brings opportunity, sustainability and vitality to the heart of London.”

Tom Copley, deputy mayor of London for housing and residential development, welcomed the investment. “I am delighted that Arada is investing in London to transform Thameside West – one of the key sites within the Royal Docks,” he said. “This really is a fantastic example of how we can unlock London’s potential to deliver the homes our city so urgently needs. Working together we will be able to deliver at least 5,000 new homes, 35% of which will be affordable as part of a thriving new neighbourhood in the heart of this historic part of East London.”

Keystone chairman Giorgio Laurenti added that Arada is an “ideal and trusted partner” for bringing the transformational destination to life.