Construction Milestone, Al Marjan Island, 12 January 2026
Rakhat Construction Leads the Build as Ground Breaks on Al Marjan Island
On 12 January 2026 we broke ground on Sheraton Residences Al Marjan Island, and we did it the way we prefer to do everything: before a single residence was sold. Rakhat Construction, our in-house construction arm, leads the build, with enabling works underway and 5 percent of overall progress complete at announcement. Visible progress first, sales second. That is the entire strategy, and it is deliberate.
Enabling works on Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, January 2026.
The groundbreaking ceremony, 12 January 2026. If the player does not load here, watch it on YouTube.
What the Ground Already Shows
Soil improvement works and shoring are complete, with excavation progressing alongside. Enabling works are the unglamorous half of any island build: ground preparation, soil stabilization, perimeter shoring, the chapters no launch video shows. They are also the half that decides whether the glamorous half stands straight. The site sits co-located with the Sheraton Al Marjan Island Resort, and what rises there is fixed: 168 branded residences in one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations, priced from AED 2.2M on a 30/70 construction-linked payment plan, handover scheduled for Q3 2028. The full product lives on the Sheraton Residences Al Marjan Island page; the partnership behind it is documented in our Marriott International announcement.
Why We Broke Ground Before Launching Sales
Sheraton branded residences carry a promise on the flag and a promise on the ground, and we wanted the ground visible first. Most off-plan markets run the other order: sell first, mobilize later, ask buyers to fund the early risk. We run ours the other way because buyer confidence should never depend on a rendering. Ground broken before sales launch means delivery stays on track regardless of sales cycles, escrow releases against certified progress buyers can photograph themselves, and the 30/70 plan keeps our income tied to the same milestones. It also reflects the balance sheet the strategy requires: construction readiness funded by us, not presold by you.
Breaking ground before launching sales reflects ATARA's philosophy of leading with action, not promises. By showcasing tangible construction progress from day one, we reinforce a sales strategy built on trust and visibility, giving future buyers the assurance that their ownership is supported by a developer fully committed to transparency, quality, and timely delivery. With the project scheduled for completion by Q3 2028, buyers can purchase with confidence knowing the timeline is clearly defined and closely adhered to.
Umid Bazarov, Chief Operating Officer, Atara DevelopmentThe Island and the Brand, on the Record
The addition of the Sheraton Residences further strengthens Al Marjan Island's position as a premier lifestyle destination. This project contributes to our vision of bringing exceptional, world-class developments to the island, enriching its residential offering and international appeal.
Arch. Abdulla Al Abdouli, Group CEO of MarjanAs construction begins, we are delighted to see the Sheraton brand emerge in a new and iconic environment. This development will reflect Sheraton's design excellence and community-driven ethos, offering residents a uniquely elevated living experience on Al Marjan Island.
Jaidev Menezes, RVP, Mixed-use Development, EMEA, Marriott InternationalWho Builds It
Rakhat Construction is our in-house construction arm, and its naming matters more than it might appear. The entity digging the island is the same entity that sold you the home, which closes the accountability loop that agency-led development opens. Across the portfolio, ten further residences now stand in construction across Dubai's most sought-after communities, all under the same one-project-at-a-time rule and the same direct structure: no agents, no commissions, one accountable party from excavation to handover and beyond. If you prefer to verify rather than read, the island view from the site answers faster. Questions about progress, plans, or a site visit start at the contact desk.
Progress figures reflect the announcement date of 12 January 2026. Current construction status, pricing, and availability are maintained on the project page.
The Ceremony, in Frames
On site on Al Marjan Island, 12 January 2026.
