Who is Meraas?
Meraas is a Dubai-headquartered developer founded in 2007. In June 2020, following a directive from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Meraas was integrated into Dubai Holding, the investment group chaired by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
Meraas now operates as part of Dubai Holding Real Estate. Its website describes Dubai Holding Real Estate as the master developer of a land bank of around 752 million square feet and says the recent merger brings together the strengths of Meraas and Nakheel. Its portfolio, in its own words, covers waterfront destinations, urban spaces and suburban enclaves.
Beyond homes, Meraas has developed leisure and retail destinations in several of Dubai's newer neighbourhoods. That track record is useful context, but each residential launch still needs to be checked on its own merits, starting with its DLD registration and escrow account.
Because Meraas and Nakheel are now under the same real estate platform, you may see shared sales offices and community services. The developer of record for your project is whichever entity is named in the SPA and on the DLD registration.
Landmark destinations and master communities
Meraas is best known for lifestyle destinations that combine homes with retail and leisure:
- City Walk: launched in December 2013 as an open-air lifestyle destination, with homes including Central Park at City Walk.
- Bluewaters: an island destination that is home to the Ain Dubai observation wheel.
- La Mer: a beachfront destination in Jumeirah, opened in 2017; Meraas also lists the Port de La Mer residential project.
- Jumeira Bay: one of Meraas' master developments; its Bulgari projects include Bulgari Resort & Residences Dubai and Bulgari Ocean Mansions on Jumeira Bay Island.
The master developments listed on the Meraas website also include Madinat Jumeirah Living, Living at D3, Pearl Jumeira, Marsa Al Arab, 1/JBR, La Vie, Cherrywoods, Jebel Ali Hills, Nad Al Sheba Gardens and The Acres, a villa community in Dubailand.
Recent launches named on its website include City Walk Crestlane, The Edit at d3, Nad Al Sheba Gardens Villas and Madinat Jumeirah Living Nourelle.
What buyers look at in a Meraas launch
Meraas buyers typically focus on the destination, the product type and the payment schedule. A City Walk or Madinat Jumeirah Living apartment and a villa in The Acres or Nad Al Sheba Gardens serve quite different needs, so start with how you plan to use the home.
- Destination and phase: check what is already operating around the building and what is still planned.
- Payment schedule: instalments and handover amounts are fixed per project. Model them with our off-plan payment calculator.
- Service charges: destination communities with extensive public realm can carry higher running costs, so ask for the expected service charge basis.
- Completion: read the SPA clauses on the anticipated completion date and permitted extensions.
- Waterfront or villa? Compare with other waterfront and villa off-plan projects before deciding.
How to check a Meraas project's registration
Before paying a deposit on any Meraas launch, confirm three things: the project is registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD), it has a dedicated escrow account, and your purchase will be recorded in the interim register through Oqood. These checks apply to every developer, however well known.
Under Law No. (8) of 2007, a developer must be entered in the Register of Real Estate Developers, must apply to open an escrow account before selling units off-plan, and needs written DLD authorisation before advertising off-plan sales. Buyer payments go into that project account.
Under Law No. (13) of 2008, an off-plan sale that is not entered in the Interim Property Register is void. The developer registers the sale on the DLD Oqood portal and a provisional registration e-certificate is issued by email.
- Ask for the project's DLD project number and the escrow bank and account details, and check that they match the sale and purchase agreement (SPA).
- Track construction progress on the DLD website or smart app by entering the plot number, project number or project name, as the DLD FAQ explains. The same FAQ states that a new project can be launched or announced only after all registration procedures are complete and an accreditation certificate has been obtained.
- Pay only into the escrow account named in the SPA.
Our guides on how to judge a Dubai developer and escrow and RERA protection walk through each step.
