19 October 2026Established 2026 · English edition
Arab TimeThe Gulf experience economy

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Samana Developers launches Collecta brand with $1.1bn World Islands project

The new premium residential platform debuts with 840 branded residences and floating villas on Dubai's World Islands.

Waterfront residential development on island with modern buildings and beachesPhotograph by Kindel Media on Pexels

Samana Developers has launched Samana Collecta, a premium residential brand, with its flagship project on The World Islands in Dubai carrying a gross development value exceeding $1.1 billion. The development will comprise 840 branded residences, seven floating villas and two tree villas, according to a company statement reported by Middle East Construction News on 13 January 2025.

Brand positioning and expansion plan#

Samana Collecta is structured as a dedicated platform for residential projects selected for location, design and brand partnerships. The company plans to establish the brand in Dubai before expanding internationally. Imran Farooq, chief executive of Samana Developers, stated that the launch follows the company's initial growth phase focused on scale and market position. The project is planned for permanent residential occupation, according to the statement, with amenities and services planned for full-time residents.

Project scope and residential offering#

The World Islands development will include multiple beaches, a lagoon, swimming pools, a beach club, water sports facilities, spas, indoor and outdoor gyms, co-working spaces and a welcome centre. Retail and essential services will form part of the project, with core residential amenities scheduled to be operational from the first handover. Dining facilities include a floating Italian restaurant developed with a Michelin-recognised culinary partner, according to the statement.

Connectivity and transport infrastructure#

Connectivity with mainland Dubai will be supported by yacht shuttle services operating at 30-minute intervals. The project is planned to combine waterfront access with transport connections and amenities associated with established residential communities. The development is intended to make island living practical for full-time residents, families, entrepreneurs and professionals, according to the company statement.

Development timeline and market context#

The project represents Samana Developers' entry into the premium residential segment following its earlier focus on Dubai's competitive real estate market. The World Islands location is positioned as one of Dubai's distinctive waterfront sites. The company described the development as responding to evolving expectations of residents in Dubai's property market. No construction start date or completion timeline was disclosed in the statement.

Sources2 sources across 2 domains

  1. meconstructionnews.comMiddle East Construction NewsSamana Collecta launch, $1.1bn gross development value, 840 residences, 7 floating villas, 2 tree villas, amenities list, Imran Farooq quotes, yacht shuttle intervals
  2. constructionweekonline.comConstruction Week OnlineAED 4 billion-plus valuation, lifestyle-led destinations, Dubai and international expansion

Each source above carries the claim it supports. Links open the publisher's own page; their text is not reproduced here beyond what the claim requires, and their rights remain theirs.

Filed undersamana collectaworld islands dubaipremium residentialbranded residencessamana developersdubai real estate

Arab Time is published by Arabian Media Network. Pieces are produced by the Destinations Desk with AI-assisted synthesis of the cited sources and automated verification against the network's editorial policy. Every piece carries a desk rather than a reporter. Corrections are recorded on the piece and on the corrections page.

The dataset behind this storyThe Pipeline

Every announced MENA hotel, resort and destination project, with announced versus delivered tracked over time.

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