Phase 1 of Nasma Residences now 95% complete as first handovers draw near

Arada has announced the award of three main construction contracts at its two record-breaking projects in Sharjah, Aljada and Nasma Residences. Together the three contracts will involve the construction of almost 800 new homes, all of which are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019.

At Aljada, the 24 million square foot megaproject that is set to transform Sharjah, the contract to build three Areej Apartments blocks was won by Modern Building Contracting Company (MBCC), a major contractor with extensive experience in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Based within Phase 1, these buildings will together include 366 units. Mobilisation is currently taking place onsite, and construction work will begin by the end of the year. The firm is already working on the first four Areej Apartment blocks, where construction began at the end of July.

The contract to build the first three Rehan Apartments blocks, also based within Phase 1 of Aljada, was won by Intermass Engineering & Contracting Company (Intermass). Construction on these three buildings, which will include 234 units, is expected to begin this month.

Intermass has also won the main construction contract for Phase 3 of Nasma Residences, which consists of 192 villas and townhouses, and is due to start work onsite by the end of 2019. The same company won the package for Phase 1 and split the award for Phase 2 with Klampfer Middle East. Intermass has 40 years of experience in the Middle East market. Arada is also currently preparing to hand over its first ever homes, as construction nears completion on Phase 1 of Nasma Residences. The developer is on track to deliver keys to the first set of homeowners by the end of this year.

HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Arada, said: “We are pleased to be confirming the construction of 800 well-designed and expertly built homes for Sharjah, a market where demand for the types of communities Arada is building remains exceptional. These three new contract awards show the rapid pace of progress at both of our projects.

“In line with our promises to buyers, we are now preparing for the handover of our first homes to buyers at the end of this year.”

The contract to build three Areej Apartments blocks was won by MBCC

The contracts announcement follow the recent award of the first Aljada infrastructure contract, to BICC Contracting, in September, as well as the unveiling of the final masterplan design of the Central Hub, a new leisure and entertainment destination for the UAE, which has been designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.

Launched in September 2017 by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Aljada is the Emirate’s largest mixed-use community. Delivered in phases starting in 2019, the entire project is expected to be completed by 2025.

The Aljada masterplan is carefully designed with walkability and wide green spaces in mind, allowing residents, workers and visitors the ability to live, work, play and be entertained within a fully integrated and sustainable community. Launched in March 2017, Nasma Residences became Sharjah’s fastest-selling project when its first phase sold out in less than a month. Featuring more than 800 villas and townhouses, as well as a host of amenities including a GEMS international school, Nasma Residences is scheduled to be completed by the end of next year.

Related: Arada unveils Smart City plans for Aljada, UAE’s next-generation lifestyle destination