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US-based Wow Resorts and Marriott International have started the construction works on the JW Marriott resort and residential development on Al-Marjan Island in the UAE emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah.

The enabling works have begun and are being undertaken by the local firm Atlas Star Piling Foundation.

US-based architect Tony Ashai and Dubai-based consultant Architectural Design Unit are the project’s design consultants.

The estimated $1.3bn development is expected to be ready by 2026.

The project will feature 524 one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom residential apartments and a 300-key resort.

The development was launched in November 2023.

The Ras Al-Khaimah real estate market has seen significant investments in recent years. Several new projects have been announced, especially in the Al-Marjan Island area.

The US’ Wynn Resorts, which is establishing the UAE’s first gaming resort, has buoyed real estate demand in the UAE northern emirate. The resort is under construction and anticipated to be completed by 2027.

GlobalData expects the construction industry in the UAE to register annual growth of 3.9% from 2025 to 2027, supported by investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, oil and gas, housing, industrial and tourism projects. 

The residential construction sector was expected to expand by 5.5% in real terms in 2024, before recording an annual average growth rate of 2.7% between 2025 and 2028, supported by private investments in the residential housing sector, along with the government’s initiatives to meet the rising housing demand domestically.