Meraas Dubai — Off-Plan Projects 2026
Meraas is a Dubai-based holding company that develops world-class destinations for living, business, and tourism. Known for creating Central Park, Madinat Jumeirah Living, City Walk, Bluewaters Island, and La Mer.
Meraas at a glance
| Founded | 2007, Dubai; part of Dubai Holding since 2020 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Dubai, UAE (government-linked lifestyle developer) |
| Flagship communities | City Walk and Central Park, Bluewaters, Madinat Jumeirah Living, Port de La Mer, Jumeirah Bay (Bulgari Residences), Design Quarter at d3, Cherrywoods |
| Typical payment plan | 60/40 or 50/50 with 20% booking; occasionally 70/30; post-handover plans rare |
| Entry price 2026 | From around AED 1,500,000 (1-bedroom at Design Quarter or Central Park); Bluewaters and MJL from AED 2.5M+ |
| Segment | Premium and luxury lifestyle destinations, strong end-user and holiday-let demand |
Meraas communities
- Central Park at City Walk — A premium mixed-use development in the heart of Dubai offering luxury apartments surrounded by parks and retail.
- Madinat Jumeirah Living — Beachfront residences near the iconic Madinat Jumeirah resort with beach access and panoramic sea views.
Meraas projects
- Castleton Central Park — Apartment in Central Park by Meraas, 1, 2, 3 & 4 BR, 775 – 3,075 sqft, from AED 2.35M
- Erin Central Park — Apartment in Central Park by Meraas, 1 to 4 BR, 780 – 3,265 sqft, from AED 1.59M
- Thyme Central Park — Apartment in Central Park by Meraas, 1, 2, 3 & 4 BR, 765 – 3,850 sqft, from AED 2.2M
- Central Park Plaza — Apartment in Central Park by Meraas, 1, 2, 3 & 4 BR, 875 – 2,917 sqft, from AED 2.73M
- Laurel Central Park — Apartment in Central Park by Meraas, 1, 2, 3 & 4 BR, 743 – 3,264 sqft, from AED 1.5M
- Meraas Bulgari Lighthouse — Villa in Jumeira Bay by Meraas, 9 BR, 11,705 – 14,417 sqft, from AED 70M
- Elara at MJL — Apartment in Madinat Jumeirah Living by Meraas, 1, 2 & 3 BR, 728 – 2,348 sqft, from AED 2.30M
- MJL Jomana — Apartment in Madinat Jumeirah Living by Meraas, 1, 2, 3 & 4 BR, 796 – 3,417 sqft, from AED 1.91M
Meraas off-plan payment plans
Meraas offers 60/40 and 70/30 payment plans with competitive down payments. Premium projects like Bulgari Residences may have customized payment structures.
Why buy a Meraas property through Cevitas
- Premium lifestyle destinations with unique design
- Bulgari and Madinat Jumeirah branded residences
- Strong rental demand in Meraas communities
- Government-linked developer
- Cevitas provides free advisory with 0% buyer commission
Meraas track record and delivery history
Meraas was established in 2007 to develop mixed-use destinations on prime Dubai land, and since 2020 it has operated within Dubai Holding, the government's investment group. Its portfolio reads like a list of the city's best-known leisure addresses: City Walk, Bluewaters with Ain Dubai, La Mer and Port de La Mer, Jumeirah Bay island with the Bulgari Resort, Madinat Jumeirah Living next to the Burj Al Arab, and Cherrywoods on the Al Qudra side.
What the delivery record shows:
- Destination-led model. Meraas builds the retail, hospitality and public realm first or alongside the homes, so residents move into a finished district rather than a construction site.
- Predictable handovers. Residential phases at Port de La Mer, Bluewaters and MJL have been handed over close to their announced dates.
- Government backing. Dubai Holding ownership gives Meraas balance-sheet strength comparable to Nakheel and Emaar.
Meraas launches fewer units per year than the volume developers, which keeps supply tight and supports resale prices in each district.
Best Meraas projects to buy in 2026
Meraas new launches 2026 are phases inside established districts rather than greenfield communities, which lowers execution risk. Our shortlist by objective:
Rental income and liquidity
- Central Park at City Walk: apartments around a large urban park, minutes from Downtown Dubai and DIFC, with strong demand from professionals and a proven resale market.
- Design Quarter at d3: the newest Meraas address, next to Dubai Design District and the Creek, with entry prices below City Walk and a tenant pool from the creative and financial sectors.
Prime and trophy assets
- Madinat Jumeirah Living: low-rise beachfront living beside the Burj Al Arab; later phases still launch at prices below completed resales.
- Bluewaters and Jumeirah Bay: limited-release residences for buyers prioritising scarcity over yield, often above AED 5M.
Family villas
- Cherrywoods townhouses near Al Qudra, one of the few Meraas products under AED 3M.
Handover windows run 2027-2029. Compare these against other off-plan properties in Dubai to judge the Meraas premium in each area.
Meraas payment plans and post-handover options
The Meraas payment plan is more front-loaded than the Dubai average. Typical 2025-2026 structures are 60/40 or 50/50 with a 20% booking, sometimes 70/30 on larger phases, and the balance at handover. Post-handover schedules are rare and 1% monthly plans are not offered; Meraas targets end-users and established investors rather than first-time buyers stretching for a deposit.
Example for a AED 2,200,000 one-bedroom at Central Park on a 60/40 plan:
- Booking: AED 440,000 plus 4% DLD fee and Oqood registration.
- Construction: around AED 880,000 in 4-5 instalments over roughly 30 months.
- Handover: AED 880,000, readily financed by UAE banks given Meraas's Dubai Holding backing.
A heavier handover tranche is an advantage for investors who plan to resell before completion, because less cash is committed during construction, and the AED 2M-plus price of most Meraas units qualifies buyers for the Dubai Golden Visa in a single purchase. For lighter cash schedules, compare with DAMAC or Binghatti in our off-plan property guide.
Meraas vs other developers
Meraas competes at the top of the market, where location and design carry more weight than payment terms.
- Meraas vs Emaar: Emaar offers broader inventory, larger master plans and the deepest resale market; Meraas offers lower-density, design-led districts on coastal or central land that Emaar does not hold. Prices per square foot are similar to Downtown, higher at Bluewaters and MJL.
- Meraas vs Nakheel: sister companies within Dubai Holding. Nakheel builds islands and villa communities at scale; Meraas builds curated urban and beachfront districts. Meraas is usually the more expensive of the two per square foot.
- Meraas vs Ellington: both prioritise design. Ellington is a private boutique developer active in JVC and MBR City; Meraas has sovereign backing and controls the surrounding retail and hospitality.
- Meraas vs Sobha: Sobha wins on interior finish; Meraas wins on address and lifestyle infrastructure.
Meraas suits buyers seeking a finished lifestyle district and strong long-term resale, less so investors chasing the highest gross yield or lowest deposit.
Resale, rental demand and how Cevitas helps you buy Meraas off-plan
Meraas districts attract two tenant groups: professionals who want walkable, central living at City Walk and Design Quarter, and holiday-let guests at Bluewaters, Port de La Mer and MJL. Long-term gross yields of 5-6.5% are typical for apartments, while licensed short-term operation at beachfront addresses can lift income further. Resale demand is deep because each district is finished and visible before buyers commit. Off-plan resale is allowed once the SPA threshold is paid, usually around 30-40%, with a Meraas NOC and Oqood transfer.
How Cevitas Real Estate LLC, RERA-licensed and founded in 2023, supports Meraas buyers:
- 0% buyer commission; Meraas pays our fee.
- Early access to phase releases at Central Park, Design Quarter and MJL, which often sell out in days.
- Unit-level advice on park, sea and skyline orientation, the main driver of resale premiums.
- Full support for remote buyers, from reservation to DLD registration.
Learn more about investing in Dubai real estate or contact Cevitas on WhatsApp at +971 58 597 0791 for the latest Meraas availability.
FAQ — Buying Meraas property in Dubai
Is Meraas a good investment choice?
Yes, Meraas projects in Central Park and MJL deliver strong rental yields of 6-8% and excellent capital appreciation due to prime locations and premium quality.
Does Meraas offer post-handover payment plans?
Rarely. Meraas typically sells on 60/40 or 50/50 construction-linked plans with 20% at booking and the balance due at handover. Post-handover schedules have appeared on a small number of phases but are not a standard feature. Most buyers finance the handover balance with a UAE mortgage, which banks approve readily for Meraas projects because of the developer's Dubai Holding ownership.
Which Meraas community is best for short-term rentals?
Bluewaters, Port de La Mer and Madinat Jumeirah Living perform best for licensed holiday lets because of beach access, restaurants and proximity to landmarks such as Ain Dubai and the Burj Al Arab. City Walk and Central Park also attract business travellers. Owners need a holiday-home permit from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and should budget 20-30% of revenue for management.
What is the entry price for a Meraas off-plan apartment in 2026?
One-bedroom apartments at Design Quarter and Central Park generally start around AED 1.5M, while beachfront addresses such as Madinat Jumeirah Living and Bluewaters start closer to AED 2.5M and rise well beyond AED 5M for larger units. Cherrywoods townhouses offer the lowest Meraas entry for families. Prices move with each phase release, so ask Cevitas for the current list.