“Today, there is real momentum on the ground across infrastructure, utilities, access roads and the first residential communities, laying the foundations for what will become one of Dubai’s most important waterfront destinations,” he said.
The first villas are nearing completion
Nakheel awarded Dh5 billion in contracts in 2024 to Ginco General Contracting, Shapoorji Pallonji Mideast and UNEC for the construction of 723 Beach and Coral Collection villas along Fronds K to P, along with supporting infrastructure and public spaces.
Al Malik said work is progressing steadily as these communities near completion.
“These milestones reflect a clear commitment to provide Palm Jebel Ali with the scale, quality and infrastructure readiness expected of a destination of this importance,” said Al Malik.
Delivery will be done in phases
This was also confirmed by Al Malik Gulf News that Palm Jebel Ali will not open on a single handover date, with the island coming to life in phases.
He said a project of this scale requires careful sequencing across infrastructure, access, services, communities, public realm, hospitality and amenities.
“Our immediate priority is the first phases of housing and the infrastructure needed to support them,” Al Malik noted. “Construction activity is progressing in the prime residential areas of Palm Jebel Ali, with deliveries of ultra-luxury villas underway and deliveries scheduled to begin later this year.”
Future milestones will be announced as each phase is approved and reaches the appropriate stage of readiness, he said.
“The priority is not just speed. It is quality, infrastructure readiness, customer experience and long-term value. Palm Jebel Ali is developing as a destination that will serve Dubai for generations,” said Al Malik.
More than 80 hotels and resorts are planned
Palm Jebel Ali is being developed as a complete coastal destination that will combine homes, hospitality, leisure, wellness, green spaces and community infrastructure.
More than 80 hotels and resorts are expected to be part of the wider masterplan, alongside beach clubs, dining, leisure, wellness, civic infrastructure, public spaces and community amenities.
The master plan is already taking shape through projects such as Palm Central Private Residences and Palm Jebel Ali Friday Mosque, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. The mosque is set to become a cultural and architectural landmark for the island and the wider community.
Al Malik emphasized that Palm Jebel Ali’s position is strengthened by its connection to Dubai’s future growth corridor, including Expo City Dubai and Al Maktoum International Airport.
“It offers waterfront living on a scale hard to find elsewhere in the region, while remaining connected to Dubai’s future growth corridor,” he said.
Global design names included
Design is a central part of the Palm Jebel Ali strategy, with Dubai Holding Real Estate working with international architectural and creative studios on the first residential collections.
Al Malik said the Beach and Coral Collection villas have been developed with NAGA, LOCI, WATG, LW Design, SAOTA and Whitespace.
Each villa collection is designed around space, light, privacy, waterfront views and a direct connection to the coastal environment.
“Since the beginning, the ambition has been to work with leading architectural and creative talent to shape a destination that is globally significant, distinctively Dubai, and built for the long term,” said Al Malik.
Further partnerships across hospitality, branded residences, wellness, leisure and lifestyle are expected as the island develops.
Demand driven by seaside living
Al Malik explained that the project is attracting buyers who see Dubai as a base for family life, wealth preservation and long-term investment.
“What makes the proposal compelling is its rarity,” he said. “Palm Jebel Ali offers new waterfront provision on a scale that is extremely difficult to replicate, within one of Dubai’s most important future growth corridors.”
The demand also reflects a wider shift in Dubai’s property market, where buyers are increasingly looking for larger homes, wellness-led communities, access to nature and planned destinations.
Al Malik said Palm Jebel Ali directly responds to those changing expectations, while also benefiting from Dubai’s security, connectivity, quality of life and long-term vision.
What buyers should look for next
Three areas will define the next phase of Palm Jebel Ali, according to Al Malik.
The first is the timing of delivery, with major construction contracts awarded, infrastructure being advanced and the first residential properties due to be delivered by the end of the year.
The second is the scale and quality of the destination, with Palm Jebel Ali designed as an integrated coastal community rather than a stand-alone residential project.
The third is the character of the island, with built-in mobility, walkable neighborhoods, shaded public spaces and community-led planning expected to shape the way residents live there.
“Over time, people should expect to see more details about hospitality, public realm, mobility, landscaping, art and community amenities,” Al Malik said. “These are the elements that will define Palm Jebel Ali as a destination with its own pace, community and identity, one that people will be proud to call home.”
Nivetha Dayanand is Assistant Business Editor at Gulf News, where she spends her days unpacking money, markets, aviation and the big changes shaping life in the Gulf. Before returning to Gulf News, she launched Finance Middle East, complete with a podcast and video series. Her reporting has taken her from breaking news to feature-length shows and high-profile interviews. Nivetha has interviewed Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed Al Saud, Indian ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and N. Chandrababu Naidu, the IMF’s Jihad Azour, and a long list of CEOs, regulators and founders who are reshaping the region’s economy. An Erasmus Mundus journalism alum, Nivetha has shared classrooms and newsrooms with journalists from more than 40 countries, which perhaps explains her weakness for data, context and a good follow-up question. When she’s away from her keyboard (AFK), you’ll most likely find her at the gym with an Eminem playlist, enjoying One Piece, or exploring games on her PS5.
