Leading UAE-based developer Arada has awarded a contract for the construction of Phase One of Arada Central Business District (CBD), the upcoming commercial centre for Sharjah, within the AED35-billion ($9.5 billion) Aljada megaproject.

The AED604-million contract has been clinched by Modern Building Contracting Company (MBCC), which will begin construction of the first cluster of Arada CBD immediately, with completion and handover scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.

The eight smart blocks included in Phase One include Arada’s headquarters, a nine-floor building that will introduce a dynamic new workplace for the master developer’s 1,500 staff.

Arada’s headquarters contains extensive facilities including an accessible roof for events, an amphitheatre, ground floor café and staff restaurant. A grand entrance atrium that extends to the roof will connect all of Arada’s departments both visually and physically, stated the developer.

In total, the cluster will feature 812,000 sq ft of Grade A leasable space, as well as 1,666 parking spaces, 76,000 sq ft of landscaped green space, and 26,500 sq ft of retail space, it added.

According to Arada, the signature feature of Arada CBD is the ‘green spine’, a forest park that runs the length of the district, featuring shaded walkways, an amphitheatre, and green rooftop terraces on most buildings. It also includes a variety of cafés, dining venues, and retail spaces, complemented by extensive parking.

In total, the 40 smart buildings in Arada CBD incorporate 4.3 million sq ft of prime leasable space, setting a new standard for sustainability and connectivity.

The Emirati developer is aiming for all buildings in Arada CBD to achieve LEED, WiredScore and SmartScore certification when the district is completed, in a first for the Sharjah market.