Solaya 1

Foster + Partners designs the opening act of Port De La Mer

Solaya 1 marks the debut of a nine-building beachfront development on the man-made peninsula of La Mer in Jumeira. This six-storey residential block plus rooftop level houses 234 apartments ranging from two to five bedrooms, including ground-floor garden units and rooftop penthouses. Architecture comes from Foster + Partners, while interiors were entrusted to 1508 London, a British firm with a strong hospitality portfolio. Meraas is developing the project alongside Brookfield Properties, a Toronto-listed real estate asset manager. Handover is scheduled for June 2029, giving buyers a four-year construction timeline to plan their entry.

Two minutes to J1 Beach, fifteen to Downtown

Port De La Mer sits on Jumeira's coastline between the historic shoreline and Dubai Creek canal. J1 Beach, a cluster of thirteen restaurants and beach clubs including Sirene Beach by Gaia and Bâoli, lies two minutes away on foot. Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah is a ten-minute drive, Bvlgari Resort twelve. Downtown and The Dubai Mall can be reached in fifteen to twenty minutes depending on traffic, Dubai International Airport in roughly thirty. Private beach access means residents walk straight onto the sand without crossing public areas. This direct seafront connection sets Solaya apart from inland towers along Sheikh Zayed Road or in JLT.

Six floors only, four-metre ceiling height in penthouses

Solaya 1's architectural approach breaks with the thirty- or forty-storey towers that dominate Dubai's skyline. The building comprises a basement, a ground-floor arrival level and six residential floors topped by a rooftop terrace. Penthouses benefit from a four-metre floor-to-floor height, creating generous interior volumes rarely found at this price point. Facades feature panoramic glazing oriented toward the Arabian Gulf on one side and the Downtown skyline on the other. Grant Brooker, head of studio at Foster + Partners, describes the project as a place to feel the breeze and hear waves from the balcony. Achieving that promise requires careful acoustic insulation and glass rather than solid balustrades.

Private gardens exceeding 280 square metres at ground level

Ground-floor apartments, labelled Signature Residences, come with private courtyards over 280 square metres, each fitted with an individual pool facing the sea. The floor plate is raised above pedestrian level to reduce overlooking. Projecting canopies and garden walls add further privacy. These three-bedroom layouts target buyers seeking a villa experience without the upkeep of a standalone plot. Four-bedroom duplexes on intermediate floors span more than 460 square metres with dual aspect. Five-bedroom units on the penultimate level open onto three facades, ensuring daylight from morning to evening.

Spa, private cinema and separate adult and children's pools

Residents share a spa with sauna and treatment rooms, a hair salon, a fitness centre and a dedicated yoga studio. Two distinct pools cater to adults and children, complemented by a rooftop pool deck. A private cinema, library and multiple lounges allow entertaining without crowding one's own apartment. Penthouses add their own gym, spa, show kitchen and screening room. Concierge operates around the clock, with valet, doorman, buggy drop-off and on-demand maintenance. À la carte services include housekeeping, laundry, grocery delivery and private event planning.

Meraas and Brookfield, a partnership built on large-scale delivery

Meraas has shaped several of Dubai's landmark districts, including City Walk, Bluewaters Island and La Mer itself. Brookfield Properties, the Canadian-listed partner, manages a global portfolio exceeding USD 850 billion in assets under management. Their collaboration on Solaya targets a premium segment without entering the ultra-luxury tier reserved for Palm Jumeirah villas. Choosing Foster + Partners, the firm behind Apple Park in Cupertino and 30 St Mary Axe in London, anchors the project in an international architectural lineage. 1508 London, responsible for interiors, has designed several Corinthia and Rosewood hotels. This dual technical endorsement reassures buyers concerned about finish quality in a market where delivered reality sometimes diverges from off-plan promises.