Arada plans 100,000 homes in Saudi Arabia

In October 2026, Sharjah developer Arada announced a move into Saudi Arabia. Its chief executive, Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, told The National that the plan is to build 100,000 homes in the Kingdom over three to five years.

Who is Arada?

Arada is the developer behind Aljada in Sharjah. It says it has completed about 17,000 homes and has more than 70,000 in its portfolio. It has now set up Arada KSA, with XTOPIA, chaired by Mohammed AlDhabaan, as a partner.

What is the first project in Riyadh?

The first project is a SAR 14 billion villa community in Al Rimal, north-east Riyadh. Arada’s figures:

• About 2.5 million square metres of land
• An estimated 3,500 villas and townhouses
• 100,000 trees, a school, shops, a community centre and sports facilities
• Construction and sales start in 2027

It is a low-rise community of villas, not towers. Arada’s own land bank is far bigger: 10 million square metres worth SAR 50 billion across Riyadh, Jeddah and Makkah.

How big is that compared with Dubai?

2.5 million square metres is about 620 acres. Downtown Dubai covers about 500 acres, and Dubai Marina about 700. So the Al Rimal project is bigger than Downtown Dubai and almost the size of the Marina, and it is only project one.

The 100,000-home target is also large next to Dubai’s own pace. Dubai delivered about 46,700 new homes in all of 2025, according to Khaleej Times. Arada’s Saudi target is more than two years of that, although it is spread over several years and several cities.

What is Arada’s wider plan?

The Saudi push is part of a bigger group target. Arada’s CEO has spoken of 200,000 homes for the group as a whole, with half of them in Saudi Arabia. The company’s land bank is held across three cities: Riyadh, Jeddah and Makkah. Al Rimal is the first project to be revealed,.

What does it mean if you are thinking of buying?

Three things stand out from the launch reports.

1. The price guide. Arada’s CEO pointed to SAR 1,000 to 1,400 per sq ft, which is about AED 980 to 1,370. Prices are a guide and can change.
2. Who can buy. Foreign buyers can purchase only in designated zones of Riyadh and Jeddah, so ask which rules apply to you before you plan.
3. The wait. Sales open in 2027 and construction takes about five years, so this is a long-term purchase.

The Al Rimal masterplan is a residential community with a school, retail and a community centre, so it is closer to a new town than a single block. What is still open: Arada has not published a payment plan, and the price guide can change. For Dubai readers, the story shows UAE developers betting big on Riyadh.