Dubai real estate: Meraas awards $517m contract to build 642 villas at The Acres

Meraas, part of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has awarded a contract worth AED1.9bn ($517m) to United Engineering Construction (UNEC) to build The Acres, an exclusive standalone villa community in Dubailand.

The agreement covers the project’s first release, comprising 642 villas and community facilities, with completion scheduled for Q4 2027.

The three-, four- and five-bedroom villas range from 3,048 to 6,001 sq ft, each featuring a private garden connected by landscaped pathways leading to the central Halo Loop Park and a network of swimmable lagoons.

The Acres in Dubai

Khalid Al Malik, CEO of Dubai Holding Real Estate, said: “The Acres represents the next chapter in Meraas’ vision to create neighbourhoods where design, sustainability and wellbeing come together seamlessly.

“This partnership with UNEC reinforces our commitment to delivering homes that reflect Dubai’s architectural excellence and support its broader vision for sustainable urban living under the Dubai 2040 Master Plan.

“To bring that vision to life, we are shaping communities that elevate everyday life and set new benchmarks for future-ready living.”

Eng. Abdul Halim Muwahid, Chairman, UNEC, added: “We are proud to collaborate with Meraas on The Acres, a project that reflects Dubai’s continued leadership in residential excellence.

“Our commitment to international best practices and innovative construction standards will ensure this development delivers outstanding quality and robust sustainability performance.”

Sustainability credentials

Designed around Halo Loop Park, The Acres integrates neighbourhoods through expansive green spaces and community-focused infrastructure. Sustainability measures aim to achieve:

• 80 per cent reduction in per-capita greenhouse gas emissions compared to the national average
• 33 per cent decrease in water usage compared to the UAE average
• 100 per cent irrigation from treated wastewater

The development has achieved LEED Gold Pre-certification, underscoring Meraas’ focus on environmentally responsible urban design.

Residents will have access to a nursery, school, clinic, mosques, clubhouses and a retail zone, all connected by Halo Loop Park and its seven gardens.

Amenities include walking and cycling trails, outdoor fitness areas, children’s playgrounds, swimming pools and dedicated sports facilities.