Leading UAE developer Arada has awarded a major contract to Gulf Asia Contracting Company for the construction of four premium buildings at the Vida Aljada hotel complex within its Aljada megaproject in Sharjah.

As per the deal valued at AED475 million ($129 million), the Dubai-based contractor will be responsible for the construction of the 175-room Vida Aljada hotel, as well as 255 branded residences and 149 branded serviced apartments, all of which are based in Aljada’s cultural district.

Work on the Vida Aljada complex will begin immediately and is scheduled to take 30 months, said Arada.

Owned and developed by Arada and operated by Vida Hotels & Resorts, the Vida Aljada is the first of three Emaar Hospitality properties that will be built at Aljada, which include The Address Aljada and Rove Aljada.

Set in the heart of the AED24 billion Aljada master community, the Vida Aljada complex is located along a lush green tree-lined boulevard that contains multiple shopping and dining experiences.

The four buildings form part of Naseej District, a new cultural neighbourhood that also contains a world-class museum and makers’ district.

Group CEO Ahmed Alkhoshaibi said: “We are confident that Vida Aljada and the further properties we are building in partnership with Emaar Hospitality will set a new benchmark for hospitality in Sharjah.”

 The Vida Aljada hotel and Vida Residences Aljada buildings focus on bold, modern social spaces in line with their sister properties in Dubai and the Vida Hotels and Resorts brand.

Apartments are fitted with smart home features, a standard in all Vida Residences, alongside warm and simple designs with immaculate finishes.

Spread over a 24-million-sq-ft area, Aljada is Sharjah’s largest ever project and a transformational destination for the emirate. It contains numerous residential districts, as well as extensive retail, hospitality, entertainment, sporting, educational, healthcare components and a business park, all set within a green urban master plan.