Meraas, a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has announced that it has awarded a contract worth more than AED2 billion ($544 million) to Arabian Construction Company for development of its prime project Design Quarter at d3 in Dubai. The developer has also launched the final phase of The Acres, its exclusive standalone villa community.

Design Quarter at d3 includes the first residential community within the Dubai Design District (d3), a global creative and design ecosystem.

Scheduled for completion by mid-2027, the Design Quarter at d3 comprises a collection of 558 apartments spread across three buildings – one low-rise and two skyscrapers – nestled within a landscaped podium. This elevated podium serves as a communal area, linking the residential towers to form a social hub for the residents, said the developer. This will include co-working spaces, an indoor-outdoor gym, pool facilities, barbecue areas and fun-filled zones for children’s activities.

Meanwhile, the newly-launched final phase of The Acres comprises a selection of elegant three-, four- and five-bedroom villas, alongside The Acres Estates, featuring the exquisite Amber and Ivory Collections with five-, six- and seven-bedroom mansions. Each residence embodies a distinct architectural style while upholding the highest standards of luxury, sustainability, and refined living, according to Meraas.

The Acres villas feature a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor living spaces, centrally located kitchens with easy access to dining and lounge areas, grand master bedroom suites with private terraces and walk-in closets, spacious bathrooms with views of the surrounding landscape, and unique courtyard designs maximising natural light and privacy. 

The Acres Estates range in plot size from 9,000 to 17,700 sq ft across both the Amber and Ivory Collections, with private gardens that are directly connected to the lush green pedestrian pathways that lead to the park and lagoon. The Amber Collection exudes a contemporary aesthetic with clean lines and natural materials, while the Ivory Collection presents a more traditional design with vertical stone-clad walls and minimalist white horizontal lines. 

The Acres is designed with sustainability weaved into every aspect of its architecture and the community is committed to an 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per capita compared to the national average and utilises 33 per cent less water than the UAE average, with 100 per cent of irrigation demand covered by treated wastewater. The project incorporates water-saving fixtures, efficient irrigation systems, and low-water plants.

The community was awarded the LEED Gold for Communities pre-certification, a unique aspect of the LEED programme, underscoring Meraas’ commitment to building environmentally responsible communities from the ground up and to international standards, with sustainability at the heart of its operations.

This prestigious pre-certification, a first for Meraas, was awarded by Green Business Certification Inc (GBCI), the administrative body responsible for verifying LEED and other green certification schemes, following a review of The Acres’ early design stage documentation.