Shamal Holding has announced plans to develop Naïa Island Dubai. This private coastal estate will house the region’s first Cheval Blanc maison, marking the French hospitality brand’s debut in the Gulf.
Construction is already underway, with the project set to open in 2029.
The new development, located just off the coast of Jumeirah near the Burj Al Arab, will offer 30 suites and 40 private pool villas operated by Cheval Blanc, alongside a limited number of branded beachfront residences and estate plots. Each plot will have direct access to the beach, reinforcing Dubai’s growing pipeline of high-end branded residential projects.
Designed as a low-density resort island, Naïa Island will include open green spaces, coastal pathways, and unobstructed views of Dubai’s skyline. Shamal says the architecture has been shaped to follow the natural contours of the island, with amenities including a private marina, spa and wellness facilities, and dining outlets. The development will be connected to Dubai’s main road network, with easy access to major districts.
The project is a strategic move by Shamal Holding to expand its presence in premium hospitality and lifestyle real estate. Abdulla Binhabtoor, Chief Executive Officer of Shamal Holding, called it a defining chapter for the firm, positioning Naïa Island as a benchmark for high-end living and tourism in the region.
The launch of Cheval Blanc on Naïa Island comes as Dubai continues to push forward with its 2030 tourism and property development goals. The addition of LVMH-backed Cheval Blanc, which operates maisons in Saint-Barthélemy, Courchevel, Paris, and the Maldives, signals Dubai’s ambition to attract a wealthier global clientele seeking exclusive residential and hospitality offerings.
With demand for branded residences rising and Dubai’s luxury real estate sector gaining momentum post-COVID, the project adds to the city’s expanding list of private island and ultra-prime developments. Analysts see Naïa Island as part of a wider effort to compete with markets like the Maldives and Seychelles, offering similar seclusion but with proximity to an established urban centre.
Naïa Island will join other major branded residential projects in Dubai, such as the Bulgari Resort and Residences and the planned Mandarin Oriental on Jumeirah Bay Island. Shamal Holding has not disclosed pricing or sales timelines, but the exclusivity and beachfront access suggest the plots and residences will target the upper tier of global investors and second-home buyers.
