Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah has been fully sold out, and developers are now focusing on community development projects that will function as the 'downtowns' and new 'lifestyle destinations on the mountains,' according to a senior official. Arch Abdulla Al Abdouli, CEO of Marjan, the master developer of freehold properties in Ras Al Khaimah, revealed that 15,000 hotel rooms and 12,000 residential units are planned for Al Marjan Island. 'Al Marjan Island is already sold out, and following this success, we are now working on diverse projects across several locations to create world-class master-planned communities that will serve as the 'downtowns' of the future, in addition to new lifestyle destinations on the mountains,' Al Abdouli told Khaleej Times in an interview.
Marjan has been highly successful in creating a world-class, sustainable beach resort-style community at Al Marjan Island. The destination now spans 2.7sqkm of reclaimed land, with 15,000 planned hotel rooms, 7.8km of pristine beaches, 12,000 planned residential units, 23km of waterfront, and 450 holiday homes. Demand for freehold properties has surged across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah post-pandemic, driven by a rapid influx of foreign investment.
Al Marjan Island comprises four islands with 7.8 kilometres of pristine beaches and 2.7 million sqm of reclaimed land. It currently hosts six operational hotels, including Rixos Bab Al Bahr, DoubleTree by Hilton, Movenpick Resort, Hampton, Pullman Resort, and Radisson Resort, offering over 3,000 room keys. The Island, which gained global recognition after the launch of the US gaming Wynn Resort, offers 100% foreign ownership, zero personal tax, 100% repatriation of capital and profits, and long-term residency through investment.
The Island has experienced significant growth in demand from both local and foreign investors over the past few years, attracted by top global hospitality brands and real estate developers launching projects there. In 2024, major branded projects were launched, including Tonino Lamborghini Residences, Manta Bay, Dh4-b Tonino Lamborghini Residences in partnership with Arista Developments, Dh4-billion Sora Beach Residences, Aston Martin-branded project, and others. In July, Marjan launched La Mer by Elie Saab, the first Elie Saab branded residences at the premium destination, developed by UAE-based Arte Developments at Al Marjan Island.
'Our strategic master-planning approach is to leverage Ras Al Khaimah’s natural assets and lay the foundation of the Emirate’s future expansion,' Al Abdouli said. Marjan offers land acquisition for various uses, including hotel, residential, retail, leisure, or mixed-use development in its projects. 'These are ideal criteria for existing as well as new developers who can lay their hands on pristine real estate open to any permutations. Our main role is to provide suitable plots depending on the investor’s requirements. We then go on to agree with the investor on development rights including land uses and Gross Floor Area (GFA),' he said, noting that Marjan’s investors are from diverse nationalities across the globe, with a significant segment from the region.
Al Abdouli added that investors can capitalize on lower development costs and tourism growth to achieve attractive returns in the Northern Emirate. 'Over the past few years, the emirate has witnessed tremendous growth in its hospitality market and with low development cost which is approximately 10 per cent lower than the regional average and attractive returns,' he added.
