Dubai based developer Arada has taken a defining step into the global property arena by acquiring an 80 percent stake in the 2.5 billion pound Thameside West regeneration project in London. Positioned on a 47 acre site in the Royal Docks, this is one of the largest urban redevelopment schemes underway in the United Kingdom. Designed by Foster and Partners, the masterplan will deliver more than 5,000 new homes, extensive public spaces, and over one kilometre of activated riverfront. The project reinforces Arada’s long term strategy to expand internationally and signals growing UAE investment influence in major global real estate markets.
The Royal Docks district is undergoing a major revival driven by transport connectivity, economic development, and strategic public sector investment. Thameside West sits at the heart of this vision. Arada’s entry into the UK market reflects confidence in London’s long term fundamentals, particularly in large scale residential communities with strong placemaking potential.
The acquisition expands Arada’s London development pipeline to 15,000 homes, with a stated target to reach 30,000 units over the next three years. This international growth strategy complements Arada’s strong performance across the UAE, particularly in Sharjah and Dubai, and elevates its position as a developer capable of executing multi billion dollar city shaping projects.
Arada’s majority stake reinforces the UAE’s continued role as a major global investor, particularly in established real estate markets like the UK. The project supports job creation, attracts new capital, and plays a central role in the Royal Docks transformation program led by the Greater London Authority and regional partners.
London continues to attract global developers due to its transparent legal system, strong capital markets, robust demand for housing, and resilient long term economics. The Royal Docks in particular is gaining prominence as a hub for innovation, transport expansion, and creative industries.
Arada’s acquisition of Thameside West demonstrates how UAE developers are shaping global real estate in high value, strategically located markets. The project reflects a growing appetite for large scale, sustainable, mixed use developments that combine urban regeneration with long term investment stability. For UAE advisory firms, investors, and family offices, this move underscores the expanding opportunities in cross border real estate, long term capital deployment, and city scale development partnerships.
