UAE-based developer Arada has awarded two major contracts worth AED460 million ($125 million) to build the first residential district at Masaar, Sharjah’s forested megaproject.

Featuring 4,000 villas and townhouses, Masaar is divided into eight gated districts, all set in a woodland and nature-inspired master plan.

Valued at AED228 million, the deal to build 142 villas in the Sendian district of Masaar was won by leading Kuwaiti contractor Mohammed Abdulmohsen Al Kharafi & Sons, which is already working with Arada in the development of two other projects, Aljada and Nasma Residences.

Al Kharafi will immediately start work on the project, which is due for completion in 14 months.

The second contract, worth AED232 million,  to build the remaining 288 homes in Sendian was won by Intermass, a Sharjah-based contractor that has also worked on Aljada and Nasma Residences. Construction on these homes will also begin immediately, with work scheduled to take 14 months to complete.

Arada Group CEO Ahmed Alkhoshaibi said: “Masaar has been the bestselling off-plan project in Sharjah since its launch in early 2021 and excitement has been growing about the incredible amenities and upgraded lifestyle that this community will introduce.”

Featuring over 50,000 trees, Masaar’s signature feature is a lushly landscaped and walkable ‘green spine’ that will be activated by footpaths, cycle tracks, passive zones and different sporting facilities.

Homes at Sendian (Arabic for oak tree), range from two-bedroom townhouses to five-bedroom Sendian Park Villas.