UAE-based real estate company Arada has entered the UK market through the acquisition of a 75% stake in Regal, one of London’s leading residential and mixed-use developers. The move marks a major milestone in Arada’s international expansion strategy and comes with an AED2.5 billion ($680 million) commitment to accelerate Regal’s residential development pipeline.
Strategic Expansion into London
Founded in 2017, Arada has rapidly become a leading force in the UAE property market. Its acquisition of Regal establishes a direct foothold in the UK capital, giving the company an immediate platform for growth. Regal, with nearly three decades of experience, currently holds a pipeline of 10,000 residential units across 11 projects. Under Arada’s ownership, this pipeline is expected to more than triple within the next three years.
The newly acquired business will operate as Arada London, supported by Regal’s 150-strong workforce. This expansion follows Arada’s entry into the Australian market in 2024, where nine active projects in New South Wales total more than 5,000 units.
Leadership Insights and Market Vision
The transaction was witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Arada and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, who said:
“London is one of the world’s leading cities, and our expansion into this market represents a strategic step for Arada in response to the strong demand for residential space. This investment provides a significant opportunity to accelerate the delivery of new residential assets in London, fully aligned with Arada’s long-term strategy to develop high-quality projects that enable people to live healthier and more prosperous lives.”
Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, added:
“We have been impressed by the platform the Regal team has built, as well as the inspirational schemes they are delivering, which reflect our own, long-term focus on experience, amenity and the customer. Leveraging Arada’s extensive design and placemaking capabilities, delivery track record and capital resources, we are well placed to support Regal’s evolution and unlock new opportunities for growth.”
Jonathan Seal, CEO of Regal, said:
“With nearly 30 years of successful partnerships behind us, Regal has built a reputation for aligning with businesses that share our long-term vision and deep understanding of the real estate industry. It is in this spirit that we have carefully chosen Arada as our partner, a business that shares our values and confidence in the London residential market and our management team’s ambition to continue growing market share and shaping the London skyline.”
Building a Global Portfolio
Arada has delivered more than 10,000 units across its UAE portfolio, including landmark projects such as Aljada in Sharjah, the Masaar master-planned forest community, and Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah. Globally, the company now manages projects worth AED95 billion ($25.9 billion), comprising more than 42,000 units.
The acquisition of Regal strengthens Arada’s financial and operational capabilities in Europe. With Regal’s history of delivering over 4,000 homes and 1 million sq ft of commercial space, combined with Arada’s scale and design expertise, the partnership will accelerate the delivery of high-quality, amenity-rich, and community-focused developments across London.
Current Regal projects include Fulton & Fifth in Wembley, a mixed-use residential-led development with 876 homes, 40% of which will be affordable. The site also features a Regal Academy to provide construction skills training and employment pathways for the military community and local residents.
By retaining Regal’s executive team and founders, Arada ensures continuity of leadership while infusing new capital and expertise to drive long-term growth. The acquisition positions Arada as a transformative player in London’s residential market and a developer with a truly global footprint.
