01-07-2025
Palm Jebel Ali: Nakheel awards Dhs780m contracts for project
The Palm Jebel Ali project is one of the longest-running in Dubai with work on it first carried out in 2002.
Off the coast of the city, the man-made island will be twice the size of Palm Jumeirah once it's finally completed.
Construction paused on the project for more than 15 years following a break in 2008, which has left the island lying dormant for the better part of two decades.
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But, last year, it was announced that property developer Nakheel was coming back to the table to breathe new life into the white elephant.
Latest Palm Jebel Ali announcements
In May 2024, the developer revealed that contracts for the commencement of infrastructure works have now been awarded. Or, to put it more plainly, it's time to build again.
On Monday August 26 2024, a major Dhs810 million update was announced by the Government of Dubai. A contract has been awarded to the Jan De Nul Group to work on dredging, land reclamation, beach profiling and sand placement.
Following this, on Monday November 11 2024, Nakheel announced the release of its first villas on Palm Jebel Ali, The Beach Collection.
On June 16 2025, Nakheel, part of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has awarded three contracts worth over AED 750 million for major infrastructure works on Palm Jebel Ali, scheduled to be completed by Q4 2026.
There will be 10 distinctive architectural styles for the bespoke villas planned for the Palm Jebel Ali.
And on Tuesday July 1, it was revealed that the Select Group will take charge of a large-scale development on the island which will feature upscale residential and hospitality offerings.
The Gateway Bridge on the Palm Jebel Ali original plans
The island spans 13.4 kilometres of land with 10.5 million square metres of development and 16 distinctive fronds offering a total of 110 kilometres of coastline and 91 kilometres of beachfront, which will eventually be home to 35,000 families.
The mega-project aligns with the city's overarching Urban Master Plan for 2040, which aims to increase the population in the city to 5.8 million and increase the length of public beaches by, well, 2040.
So, why is construction back under way at Palm Jebel Ali? What can we expect when the project is finally finished? And when might the project finally be complete?
Why construction has resumed on Palm Jebel Ali
Construction had stalled for more than a decade on Palm Jebel Ali as a result of the global financial crisis of 2008.
Fast forward 15 years and it seemed that hopes of continuing the project were lost and were even close to formal cancellation in 2022.
But in 2023, Nakheel revived the plans and sought reinvestment and new partners to make the project a reality.
Palm Jebel Ali will also provide an additional urban centre to Dubai, forming a major residential and leisure anchor for the new Expo 2020 urban centre. The island spans 13.4 kilometres of land, with 10.5 million square metres of development. It features 16 fronds, with a total…
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 26, 2024
And now, in 2025, contracts to resume construction have been awarded to various parties, which means that the whole project is being brought back to life.
The public access road from Sheikh Zayed Road to Palm Jebel Ali will be built by leading civil and marine contractor DBB Contracting LLC. It will introduce a six-kilometre path directly onto the new palm
Roadway and lighting to Al Hesah Street at Dubai Waterfront, which connects to the new palm, will be built by Khansaheb Civil Engineering LLC.
In October 2024, a Dhs270 million contract for two DEWA substations was awarded which are set to be completed in line with the delivery of luxury villas on the island.
And in January 2025, six international and local architects were chosen for the Beach Collection range of villas on the new Palm. So we're gradually making progress.
What can we expect on Palm Jebel Ali?
At twice the size of Palm Jumeirah, and a promise of 80 hotels and resorts on the man-made island, it's fair to say that we can expect a lot on Palm Jebel Ali.
With so many hotels and resorts, a whole new batch of restaurants, bars and beach clubs will also be in the offing.
Last year, real estate agents faced a fight to be among the first to get their hands on one of the villas on the island. The first properties are expected to be handed over in 2027.
Homes on the island are being sold on beach connectivity, enhanced privacy, abundant greenery, panoramic views and its blended indoor-outdoor living.
Futuristic buildings of the Gateway Bridge on Palm Jebel Ali plans
Several projects have been announced for the island and been assigned names such as 'celebration village' and 'family resort' but details beyond that are quite scarce.
At the centre will be a big tower with 360-degree panoramic views.
To date, here's what's been promised on Palm Jebel Ali:
Beach clubs
Celebration village
Eco-resort
Family resort
Family club and beach
Gateway Towers
Lifestyle mall
Town centres on either crescent
Signature yacht club
Signature wellness resort
Sports and wellness club
Sunrise waterfront promenade
Sunset waterfront promenade
When will Palm Jebel Ali be completed?
No specific date has been given as to when we can finally expect work to be completed on Palm Jebel Ali.
However, with real estate agents saying hand over could come in 2027 then that could be when we first see people move onto the island.
And with Dubai Holding highlighting the project as a key part of the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040, we should expect the project to be finished before then.
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