Who is building Solaya: Meraas and Brookfield
Solaya is built by Meraas (a brand of Dubai Holding Real Estate) and Brookfield Properties. The project was announced on 30 September 2025 as the next step of their partnership: before that the two companies co-owned retail destinations. Enabling works on site began in August 2026.
Updated 21.10.2026. Author: Muhammad, Meraas project expert, 10+ years in Dubai.
Who is who
- Dubai Holding Investments is the investment arm of Dubai Holding. Together with Brookfield Properties it announced the launch of Solaya.
- Meraas is the Dubai Holding Real Estate brand under which Solaya is released. Meraas was founded in 2007 and has been a subsidiary of Dubai Holding since 2020 (according to Wikipedia).
- Brookfield Properties is a global real estate manager. News about the construction in 2026 calls it BGRE.
How they work together
On 22 September 2019 Meraas and Brookfield Asset Management announced a AED 5 billion joint venture that owns and operates retail destinations, including The Beach, City Walk and La Mer. On 30 September 2025 Dubai Holding Investments and Brookfield Properties extended the partnership to residential and launched Solaya.
What Meraas has built
| Project | What is known |
|---|---|
| City Walk | launched December 2013 |
| La Mer | launched October 2017 |
| Bluewaters | first phase of residences handed over from February 2019 |
| Cherrywoods | Meraas’s first townhouse community in Dubai, 2019 |
| Port de La Mer, Jumeira Bay | Meraas projects, no date in the source |
| Dubai Hills Estate | joint venture with Emaar |
Dates are from Wikipedia and are worth checking against the Meraas website. We do not compare handover dates of past projects here: we have no verified data on each one.
What is happening on site
In August 2026 Meraas and BGRE announced the start of works on Solaya. The contractor for the enabling works is Swissboring Overseas Piling, covering shoring, excavation, piling and dewatering. These works are scheduled to finish between September and November 2026. The developer’s indicative completion date for the project is April 2030.
What to check before buying
- The project number in the RERA register.
- The project’s escrow account details: in Dubai, off-plan payments go into it.
- The draft contract and its handover terms.
More on payments on the Solaya payment plan page. This is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the developer of Solaya?
Meraas (Dubai Holding) together with Brookfield Properties. The project is released under the Meraas brand.
Who is the architect of Solaya?
Foster + Partners. The interiors are by 1508 London.
When was Solaya announced?
On 30 September 2025, according to the Dubai Holding press release.
When did work on site start?
In August 2026 Meraas and BGRE announced the start of works. The enabling works are scheduled to finish in September to November 2026.
When is Solaya due for handover?
The developer is working to April 2030. The contract fixes the exact date.
We will answer your developer questions
Tell us what you want to verify and we will show you where to look.
Muhammad, Meraas project adviser, expert. 10+ years experience in Dubai. WhatsApp and calls on +971 56 771 5771, Telegram @MuhammadDubay.
Sources
- Dubai Holding: Dubai Holding and Brookfield Properties launch Solaya (30.09.2025)
- Middle East Construction News: Meraas and BGRE break ground on Solaya (25.08.2026)
- Gulf News: Meraas strikes joint venture with Brookfield (22.09.2019)
- Wikipedia: Meraas
- Meraas: Solaya, design-led beachfront living (15.11.2025)