Marjan expects the first phase of earthworks at Marjan Beach in Ras Al Khaimah to conclude within two months, marking a key early milestone for one of the emirate’s largest mixed-use waterfront programmes.
The 85 million sq ft development is planned as a long-term district with residential, hospitality, commercial, civic, education and logistics uses. Full delivery is expected to run across a 10-year programme, with early ground preparation now setting up future infrastructure and plot development activity.
For organisations involved in destination planning, hospitality investment, visitor infrastructure and urban development, the progress at Marjan Beach signals another step in Ras Al Khaimah’s wider growth as a regional location for large-scale waterfront projects.
The first phase of earthworks is focused on preparing individual plots and infrastructure corridors for later construction stages. Once this phase is complete, activity across the masterplan is expected to move into broader site delivery, with multiple developers already attached to key land parcels.
Masterplan Scale and Land Use Priorities
Marjan Beach was launched in October 2025 as a major coastal district structured around eight neighbourhoods. The masterplan includes three kilometres of beach frontage and 6.5 million sq ft of open green space.
Residential development represents the largest share of planned land use, accounting for 62 per cent of the scheme. Hospitality makes up 21 per cent, while commercial and retail space accounts for a further 4 per cent. The plan also includes cultural, civic, education and logistics components, reflecting a broader approach to district planning.
At full buildout, Marjan Beach is planned to include 22,000 residential units and 12,000 hotel keys. The district has been designed for an estimated residential population of about 74,000 people, with a projected workforce of 32,000. Visitor capacity is expected to reach up to 180,000 annually.
For B2B stakeholders across attractions, placemaking, hospitality design and operational planning, the scale of the project creates significant demand for integrated public realm, movement planning, guest services, leisure provision and destination management.
Developer Activity Builds Momentum
Several major developers have already secured positions within Marjan Beach, giving the project a multi-plot delivery structure from an early stage.
Wasl acquired a major beachfront site in 2025 for a luxury development, with construction scheduled to begin in 2026 and phased openings expected from 2029. OMNIYAT also entered Ras Al Khaimah through a land agreement with Marjan in November 2025. Its 36,600 sq m beachfront site sits opposite Wynn Al Marjan Island and is planned for completion by 2030.
BEYOND has also secured land within the district, while Major Developments joined the project pipeline in December 2025 with a planned residential scheme. These commitments point to parallel development activity across residential, hospitality and mixed-use plots as the main infrastructure programme advances.
Destination Infrastructure and Wider Market Context
Marjan Beach sits near Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra Village, RAK Central and Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, with highway links connecting it to the wider UAE. The district is planned with walking, cycling and micromobility routes alongside conventional road access.
Public areas are set to include promenades, shaded pedestrian routes, food outlets, commercial streets and green spaces. For destination operators and design teams, these components will be central to how the district supports resident, workforce and visitor use across day and evening periods.
The project also adds to Marjan’s wider portfolio, which includes more than 140 million sq ft of masterplanned land. Al Marjan Island continues to carry a substantial hospitality and residential pipeline, including Wynn Al Marjan Island, scheduled to open in 2027.
With initial earthworks due to complete by November 2026, Marjan Beach is moving from early site preparation into a more active delivery period. Its progress will be closely watched by investors, operators, consultants and suppliers serving the region’s visitor economy and mixed-use development sectors.
