Dubai-based firm United Engineering Construction (UNEC) has been awarded the contract to build the Dreamz by Danube project.

The project is expected to take 18 months to complete.

The 171-villa project forms part of the Al-Furjan Development, a Nakheel masterplanned residential development near Discovery Gardens.

The villas sold out within a day of going on sale early last year.

Works on the project is expected to start by the end of January once permits to commence work have been finalised.

The development works are planned over an area of 65,000 square metres, which includes 171 luxury three- and four-bedroom villas. About 40 per cent of the project is dedicated to open spaces.

The development’s popularity is mainly due to its affordability and, with the recent mortgage cap, end users are seeking cheaper properties to offset capital requirements on villa purchases.

In December, Danube launched its Glitz project, residential development in Dubai Studio City, which will include selection of 292 units offering a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.