Local developer Imkan plans to tender construction contracts for its AED15bn ($4bn) Al-Jurf development in Abu Dhabi in the first quarter of 2019, and award contracts in the second quarter of that year.

Al-Jurf is planned to be built on 3.7 square kilometres of land on the Gulf coast within the Sahel al-Emarat development area that is located at Ghantoot between the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The development includes an inland marina longer than Dubai Marina.

The first phase of Al-Jurf involves building 293 villas and is estimated to cost AED2bn ($544m). Completion of this phase is expected in 2021.

The developer says villas will be larger than those typically sold in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with more extensive gardens. They are being marketed as second homes for people living and working in the UAE as well as primary out-of-town residences.

Once complete, Al-Jurf will have three distinct districts delivered across a series of phases: Al-Jurf Gardens, Jiwar al-Qasr and Marsa Al-Jurf.

It will include: serviced residences and villas, two marinas, private berths, a town-centre, hotels, retail, a wellness resort and clinic, public and private beaches, beach clubs and restaurants, community centres, parks, mosques, clinics and a private school.

Imkan is a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Capital Group. It is also developing the Makers District project on Abu Dhabi Island along with other schemes in Abu Dhabi such as Nudra and Sheikha Fatima Park.

Abu Dhabi developers have launched plans for major developments in the Ghantoot area before. In 2008, International Capital Trading (ICT) launched the 60 square kilometre Ghantoot Green City project. That scheme also included a component known as Al-Jurf that was designed to include a golf course, resort and villas.

The project stalled following the 2008 financial crisis and drop in property prices.