Dubai’s most walkable lifestyle hub is getting a sleek new extension. Meraas, part of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has awarded a Dh440 million contract to GCC Contracting to develop City Walk Northline, a premium residential expansion that’s set to reshape life in one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.

Expected to be completed by 2027, City Walk Northline will feature three modern residential buildings that seamlessly blend with the area’s contemporary energy, offering residents a fresh take on urban living with more space, more light, and more lifestyle experiences right at their doorstep.

A new home in the heart of the action

City Walk Northline 1 will house 114 one- to three-bedroom apartments, while Northline 2 will feature two eight-storey towers with 190 units, all designed with open layouts, elegant finishes, and private terraces that extend the indoors into Dubai’s year-round sunshine.

Set between Jumeirah Street and Sheikh Zayed Road, the new development gives residents instant access to the best of the city, from Coca-Cola Arena and Dubai Mall to Jumeirah Beach, all just minutes away.

Designed for the way Dubai lives

The new residences will introduce a refined, minimalist aesthetic, inspired by City Walk’s architectural rhythm and landmarks such as The Green Planet and Central Park. Interiors will be bathed in natural light, with premium materials, sleek kitchens, and timeless design touches that balance comfort and style.

Residents can look forward to infinity-edge pools, modern gyms, shaded terraces, and stylish communal lounges, all designed to offer a private retreat from the city buzz while staying connected to its energy.

A community built around lifestyle

For residents, the expansion means even more walkable dining, leisure, and green spaces, reinforcing City Walk’s identity as a place where people can live, work, and play without ever needing to leave the neighbourhood.

Move over, Burj Khalifa, Saudi Arabia could soon claim the crown for the world’s tallest building. A proposed mega-project in Riyadh aims to build the Rise Tower, a jaw-dropping 2,000-metre-tall skyscraper that would soar more than twice the height of Dubai’s iconic 828-metre Burj Khalifa.

Unveiled by global architectural firm HKS, the Rise Tower is planned to feature a staggering 678 floors, with luxury hotels, fine dining restaurants, observation decks, and premium offices. The record-breaking structure will serve as the centrepiece of North Pole, a futuristic 306-square-kilometre urban development envisioned as a “city of the future” built around innovation, technology, and sustainability.

If built as planned, the Rise Tower would not only shatter height records but also become a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, positioning Riyadh as a global hub for business, tourism, and design.

The project is currently in the design and tender phase, with construction expected to commence around 2026; however, a completion date has not been set yet.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Tower, another skyscraper project designed by Adrian Smith, the architect behind the Burj Khalifa, is also racing toward completion. Expected to stand 1,000 metres tall, the Jeddah Tower has faced multiple delays but is now progressing, with completion anticipated by 2028.

At 2km, Rise Tower would rise nearly four-and-a-half times the height of New York’s Empire State Building, featuring energy-efficient glass facades, vertical gardens, and smart climate systems.

If realised, it would redefine the global skyline and mark a new era of architectural ambition, not just for Saudi Arabia, but for the entire world.

Big 5 Global, the largest construction and urban development event in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), is set to return to Dubai World Trade Centre from November 24 – 27 for its 46th edition.

The event is expected to gather more than 2,800 exhibitors and welcome over 85,000 professionals from across the global construction value chain, from planning and design to operations.

Big 5 Global comes as the Middle East and Africa account for $7 trillion in pre-construction projects, driven by large-scale urban development programmes and national visions such as We the UAE 2031 and Saudi Vision 2030.

“The global construction sector is at a tipping point,” said Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President, Construction at dmg events. 

“The scale of urban development underway in the MEASA region is historic, but the pressure to deliver is just as significant. Big 5 Global provides direct access to active projects, key stakeholders and insights, enabling the sector to navigate complexity with clarity.”

This year’s edition will feature nine specialised events, highlighting shifts in construction trends and innovation. Companies from more than 20 countries, including Germany, Italy, China, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and the UK, are confirmed to participate.

Big 5 Global continues to serve as a key platform for collaboration, networking, and shaping the future of construction in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.