Local developer Emaar Properties has announced the launch a new villa project in its Arabian Ranches development in Dubai.

Inspired by Spanish coastal architecture, the new Samara community will feature 177 three- to five-bedroom villas offered in four styles.

The community will also offer a large retail centre, specialty food and beverage outlets, salon, dedicated healthcare centre, day care centre and schools.

Emaar has added several new communities to its Arabian Ranches neighbourhood over the past few years, including Casa, Rosa, Palma, Rasha, and Lila. Most recently, it also announced the launch of Arabesque-styled villa community Yasmin within the development.

Elsewhere in Dubai, Emaar has appointed contractors on various developments over the past year amid a strong rebound in the emirate’s real estate market.

In mid-March, the developer issued letters of intent (Lol) to Lebanon’s Arabian Construction Company (ACC) and the local Dutco Balfour Beatty for two construction contracts totalling AED4.4bn ($1.2bn).

ACC was sent a LoI for the estimated AED3bn contract to build the Address Residence Fountain Views development. The main construction package involves building three towers including a 220-metre-tall, 60-storey building.

The project is one of the largest building schemes in Dubai and the contract will be one of the largest construction deals awarded in Dubai since 2008.

The second LoI was sent to Dutco Balfour Beatty for the estimated AED1.4bn contract to build an extension to Dubai Mall. That contract involves building a fashion avenue next to the existing mall, the lake, Burj Khalifa and the existing Address hotel, offering 75,000 square metres (sq m) of retail space and about 25,000 sq m of parking.

The developer also recently tendered the contract to build the Burj Vista towers in the Downtown District. One tower will have 65 storeys. The other will have 20 levels.