Meydan Group's plans for Dubai development in limelight at Cityscape

Meydan Group, had the biggest announcement of the day at Cityscape Global as it outlined its plans for its Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid project, a new 190,000 square meter housing scheme in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai.

A model of the Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid project launched by Meydan Group yesterday. Stephen Lock / The National

To the crowds milling through Cityscape Global, the Middle East's biggest property show which opened yesterday, it almost seemed the boom times had returned.

Meydan Group, the Dubai company behind the world's largest horse-racing complex, had the biggest announcement of the day as it outlined its plans for its Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid project, a new 190,000 square metre housing scheme in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai.

Encompassing English, French and Japanese-style gardens, the homes would be connected by canals and lagoons while the entire water network would run alongside a horse-riding trail, walking and jogging paths, bicycle track and other sports facilities.

The group also took the opportunity to relaunch its stalled Meydan Tower scheme, a 72 storey tower it originally proposed in 2009 and its first foray outside the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Meydan City project. Meydan said the tower would comprise homes, offices, shops and hotels as well as one of the largest spa and fitness centres in the region featuring an indoor running track and tennis courts.

“As the strategic vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum [Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai], Meydan has always sought to play an active role in growing Dubai’s famed urban landscape. Our projects have been designed to position Dubai at the forefront of innovation and progress and we look forward to furthering this vision with these signature developments,” said Saeed H Al Tayer, the chief executive of the Meydan Group.

The company is developing four major residential, retail and business districts supported by a free zone in Meydan City. In total the group’s schemes span a total 5,088,959 sq metres.

In February Meydan sold 700,000 sq metres of land at Meydan City to Indian developer the Sobha Group. The developer has been working up plans for a freehold Sobha City at the site and is exhibiting plans for the scheme at Cityscape.