Master developer Nakheel and Spain’s RIU Hotels & Resorts’ USD 182 million, 800-room beachfront resort and waterpark is taking shape at Deira Islands, with all accommodation floors almost complete, and roofing work under way.

Façade and installation work at the nine-storey property – the first international hospitality joint venture for Nakheel and the first all-inclusive four-star family beach resort in Dubai – will begin early next year, the master developer said. The resort, RIU’s first in the region, is one of the emirate’s largest in terms of rooms.

It features seven food and beverage outlets, three pools, a fitness complex, children’s club and a water park. Two major new Nakheel projects – The Night Market and Deira Mall – are nearby.