Arada Syria Project marks the UAE developer’s entry into Syria through a major partnership with the Syrian Sovereign Fund. The partners plan to create a large mixed-use city near Damascus. The development carries an estimated value of $7 billion, equivalent to around Dh25.7 billion, supporting Syria’s wider reconstruction efforts.
The project will cover approximately four million square metres west of Damascus. It will include housing, infrastructure, commercial facilities, healthcare, education, and public spaces. The development aims to create a connected community while supporting local economic activity and addressing some of the city’s future residential and service requirements.
Arada and the Syrian Sovereign Fund will jointly develop the project. Syrian government authorities will coordinate the master plan with both partners. Therefore, the development will reflect national reconstruction priorities and local planning requirements. The partnership also creates a framework for attracting further international investment into Syria’s real estate sector.
The development will be located near the Mezzeh district in an area known as New Damascus. The site sits on a plateau close to the Syrian capital. It will take approximately 10 minutes to reach Damascus city centre. Meanwhile, Damascus International Airport will be around 25 minutes away.
The planned community will include approximately 11,000 homes across several residential categories. These will include apartments, villas, townhouses, and branded residences. As a result, the development will target different groups of residents and buyers. The residential component will represent one of the largest elements of the project.
The project will also include around 500 hotel rooms and approximately 1,000 serviced apartments. Education facilities will serve around 5,000 students. These components will provide accommodation and services for residents, visitors, and businesses while creating additional opportunities for hospitality, education, and related sectors.
Healthcare will represent another major part of the planned community. The development will include a hospital with approximately 300 beds. Residents will also have access to offices, retail outlets, commercial facilities, and other services. This integrated approach aims to reduce the need for residents to travel elsewhere for essential services.
A public park covering approximately 700,000 square metres will form another major feature. Recreational areas will provide open spaces for residents and visitors. Government service buildings will also operate within the wider development, creating a combination of residential, commercial, institutional, and recreational facilities across the planned community.
The Arada Syria Project represents a significant international expansion for the UAE developer. Arada currently operates across several international markets, including the UAE, the UK, and Australia. Its entry into Syria adds another market to its portfolio and creates an opportunity to participate directly in the country’s reconstruction.
Arada’s overall development pipeline has reached approximately $42 billion, with more than 66,000 homes across its markets. Consequently, the Syrian project adds substantial value to its international expansion strategy. The company’s experience developing large communities could also support the delivery of the planned mixed-use district.
Arada and the Syrian Sovereign Fund are exploring additional development opportunities across Syria. The partners are identifying other potential sites for future projects. Therefore, the initial development could potentially become the foundation for a wider investment programme, depending on market conditions, planning approvals, and future reconstruction priorities.
The partnership agreement was signed in Damascus by senior representatives from both organisations. Arada Group chief executive Ahmed Alkhoshaibi signed for the developer, while Mohammed Al Khayyat represented the Syrian Sovereign Fund’s real estate development sector. The agreement establishes the framework for developing the large-scale project near Damascus.
Arada executive vice chairman Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal highlighted Syria’s current transformation. He described the country as being at an important point in its history. He also emphasized Arada’s experience delivering large communities, which could support the developer’s approach to the Syrian development.
The project could generate economic activity beyond construction and property development. Arada expects the development to support employment, skills development, and opportunities for Syrian businesses. Local suppliers and service providers could also benefit as construction progresses, potentially creating wider economic effects across several sectors of the Syrian economy.
The Syrian Sovereign Fund welcomed the partnership as part of its investment strategy. Its real estate development leadership described the agreement as a step toward attracting international investment. The fund aims to support projects that deliver long-term value for communities while contributing to Syria’s broader economic development and reconstruction.
The scale of the Arada Syria Project highlights the growing focus on large urban developments. The planned community combines housing with healthcare, education, hospitality, retail, offices, government services, and public spaces. This integrated structure could help create a new urban centre while supporting population growth and economic activity around Damascus.
The project will now move through planning and development stages. Further details about construction timelines, financing arrangements, and individual development phases have not yet been announced. However, its proposed scale makes it a significant addition to Syria’s reconstruction landscape and Arada’s international development portfolio.
Overall, the Arada Syria Project represents a major UAE investment initiative in Syria. The $7 billion development could transform a large area near Damascus while creating thousands of homes and new commercial and public facilities. Its progress will depend on planning, investment, market conditions, and the wider reconstruction environment.
