Arada to award Aljada Phase 3, student housing contract in 2020

Sharjah-based real estate developer Arada is planning to award more construction contracts within its $6.5bn (AED24bn) Aljada mixed-use community in Muwaileh, before the end of 2020.

These contracts will be awarded to build its 3.5ha smart city-style student accommodation complex called Nest, which has a $190.6m (AED700m) sales value; in addition to Phase 3 of the megaproject.

In March 2019, Arada told Construction Week that the project is scheduled for handover by the end of 2021.

Once completed, Nest will feature 10 five-storey affordable housing blocks with 1,288 units, ranging from studios to eight-bed dormitories. Students residing within Nest will have access to part-time jobs in the complex’s food and retail outlets, as well as the wider Aljada city.

Meanwhile, the developer will also build male- and female-only gyms, swimming pools, and study areas within the student housing complex, located in proximity to University of Sharjah.

Announcing the project last year, the developer said that the complex will set “a new standard for student housing in the region” owing to its smart technology that will be integrated within the Nest.

Aljada will also be home to SABIS International School – Aljada, the first school within the development, a construction contract with an investment of $59.9m (AED220m) for which was awarded to Al Zamalek General Contracting in September 2020.