UAE's Arada takes 80% stake in London Waterfront development

UAE developer Arada has agreed to acquire an 80% majority stake in the Thameside West development, a waterfront mixed-use project in London's Royal Docks.

Thameside West

This 19-hectare site, master-planned by Foster + Partners, is set to become a vibrant urban hub with at least 5,000 homes, dedicating half its area to green spaces and featuring a kilometre of active waterfront. 
With a Gross Development Value of £2.5 bn (€2.97 bn), Thameside West is considered one of Europe's most crucial regeneration projects due to its strategic location and unparalleled transport connectivity, including air, road, rail, river, and tunnel links.
Already approved, the first phase will see 1,000 homes built, with construction starting in 2027. This acquisition marks Arada's second major London residential investment in less than two months, following its purchase of Regal in September.
Arada will collaborate with the London Borough of Newham, Greater London Authority (GLA), and Transport for London (TfL) to transform the former industrial site. GLA Land and Property Limited (GLAP), another major landowner, will also work closely with Arada.
Thameside West boasts excellent connectivity through the new Silvertown Tunnel, Custom House station (Elizabeth, Jubilee, DLR lines), City Airport, and the IFS Cable Car. Arada also plans to develop a new DLR station in partnership with TfL.
His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, chairman of Arada, said: At the time of the Regal acquisition, we articulated our ambition to scale our London residential pipeline to 30,000 units over the next three years, and we have swiftly delivered on growing that pipeline. Thameside West represents a unique opportunity to create a landmark riverside development.”
Tom Copley, deputy mayor for Housing and Residential Development, commented: “I am delighted that Arada is investing in London to transform Thameside West – one of the key sites within the Royal Docks. This really is a fantastic example of how we can unlock London’s potential to deliver the homes our city so urgently needs.”
Giorgio L. Laurenti, chairman of Keystone, added: “One of the most significant development opportunities in Greater London, Thameside West is a transformational destination designed to deliver thousands of new homes while generating substantial economic and social value for the wider community.”