Dubai’s Arada buys 80% stake in Thameside West East London

Key Points

• Dubai developer Arada acquires an 80% majority stake in Thameside West, a £2.5 billion waterfront development in East London.
• Thameside West spans 2 million square feet (47 acres) and will deliver at least 5,000 homes.
• The project features London’s longest undeveloped waterfront, with views of Canary Wharf and the Greenwich Peninsula.
• Arada’s Chairman, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, emphasised the acquisition as part of expanding the company’s UK residential portfolio to 30,000 homes within three years.
• The development sets aside 35% of units as affordable housing and includes extensive green spaces and eco-friendly facilities.
• Construction is scheduled to start in 2027 with the first phase delivering 1,000 homes.
• Arada previously acquired Regal, another London-based developer, underscoring its UK expansion strategy.
• The project will involve partnerships with London Borough of Newham, Greater London Authority, and Transport for London.
• The acquisition deal from Keystone developer involved an upfront payment of £225 million plus further investment commitments.

What is the significance of Arada’s acquisition of Thameside West?

As reported by Reem Khalil of Gulf News, Dubai-based Arada has taken an 80% stake in Thameside West, a major regeneration project valued at Dh12.3 billion (£2.5 billion), covering approximately 2 million square feet in East London. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of Arada, attended the contract-signing ceremony, highlighting the company’s continued expansion into London’s property market following its earlier acquisition of Regal.​

The acquisition establishes Arada as a key player in one of Europe’s largest urban renewal schemes, with a plan to build over 5,000 new homes on the site. The project also aims to contribute to London’s affordable housing targets by dedicating 35% of units to affordable housing.​

How will Thameside West be developed and what are its key features?

According to AFP’s report, Thameside West is master-planned by Foster + Partners and spans 47 acres—twice the size of New York’s Hudson Yards. It offers central London’s longest undeveloped riverfront, boasting views across Canary Wharf and Greenwich Peninsula. The first phase of construction is planned for 2027, with 1,000 homes to be delivered.

Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development, praised the investment in transforming Thameside West, calling it a significant opportunity to unlock London’s residential growth.​

The project dedicates half the site to green spaces, including a one-kilometre active waterfront, eco-friendly facilities, and excellent transport links, blending air, road, rail, river, and tunnel connections to make the area one of London’s most accessible new destinations.​

Who are the key stakeholders and what partnerships will support the development?

As highlighted by the Reuters report, Arada will collaborate with the London Borough of Newham, Greater London Authority (GLA), and Transport for London to ensure the successful development of Thameside West. GLA Land and Property Limited will be a major landowner working closely to unlock this redevelopment.​

The acquisition deal was made with Keystone, the private developer of Thameside West, for an upfront fee of £225 million with further investments planned. The London project is part of Arada’s ambitious goal to scale its UK residential projects to 30,000 units over three years, significantly increasing its London footprint from 15,000 units post-acquisition.​

What are Arada’s plans for London and its wider UK market strategy?

Bloomberg journalist Sara Ahmed explains that Arada’s acquisition of Thameside West is its second large-scale London investment in under two months, following the purchase of Regal in September. The company is focused on expanding its presence in key urban centres globally, with London being a strategic priority.​

Sheikh Sultan, speaking in an interview covered by The Telegraph, remarked that Arada’s faith in London as a global capital remains strong, and the company is committed to delivering new housing that blends modern architecture, sustainability, and community amenities. The firm aims to leverage its 30-year track record in real estate development to fast-track the delivery of new homes in this landmark riverside project.​

What is the broader impact of this development on the East London area?

The Thameside West development is poised to be transformative for East London’s Royal Docks area, a historically industrial district undergoing significant regeneration. The project is expected to create a vibrant new urban neighbourhood with thousands of new homes, extensive green space, and integrated infrastructure.

Transport connectivity will also improve dramatically, with multi-modal links enhancing accessibility to central London, London City Airport, and other key hubs. This aligns with London’s broader strategic goals to increase housing supply while promoting sustainable urban regeneration.​

Dubai developer Arada has acquired an 80% stake in Thameside West, a landmark £2.5 billion redevelopment site in East London, cementing its presence in the UK market. Covering 2 million square feet, the scheme will deliver over 5,000 homes, with significant commitments to affordable housing and green spaces. The development represents one of Europe’s largest regeneration projects and includes extensive transport links and waterfront amenities. Arada’s Chairman Sheikh Sultan highlighted the acquisition as part of a wider UK expansion strategy to increase its London residential footprint to 30,000 units within three years. Collaboration with local authorities and other stakeholders will drive the project forward, with construction set to start in 2027. This acquisition positions Arada as a major player in East London’s ongoing urban transformation.Dubai’s Arada buys 80% stake in Thameside West East London