United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based master developer Arada has entered into the UK market by acquiring a 75% stake in Regal, a London-based residential mixed-use developer.
As part of the deal, Arada has agreed to an initial capital injection of £500m ($674m) to boost Regal's business. The company also plans to expedite its London residential pipeline over the coming two years.
Regal has 30 years of experience in the London market, building more than 4,000 residential units. It will now be rebranded as Arada London following the deal.
Currently, the company’s pipeline consists of 10,000 homes across 11 projects, including residential for sale, purpose-built student accommodation, and a town centre regeneration scheme.
The acquisition of a stake in Regal offers Arada immediate access to the London market and provides it with a platform to roll out its operations swiftly and at scale.
Arada chair Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi said: “London is one of the world’s leading cities, and our expansion into this market represents a strategic step for Arada in response to the strong demand for residential space.
“This investment provides a significant opportunity to accelerate the delivery of new residential assets in London, fully aligned with Arada’s long-term strategy to develop high-quality projects that enable people to live healthier and more prosperous lives.”
This deal marks Arada's second international expansion after entering Australia last year.
In Australia, the company has nine developments in the pipeline, which collectively offer 5,000 units across New South Wales (NSW).
In May this year, Arada acquired the NSW arm of Roberts Co, an Australian commercial construction company.
Arada, which was established in 2017, has launched ten projects in the UAE, including mixed-use megaprojects.
With a portfolio value surpassing £19bn across the UAE and Australia, the company has more than 42,000 units under its umbrella, with over 10,000 already delivered.
The company also carries a B1 rating from Moody's and a B+ rating from Fitch.
Regal chief executive Jonathan Seal said: “With nearly 30 years of successful partnerships behind us, Regal has built a reputation for aligning with businesses that share our long-term vision and deep understanding of the real-estate industry.
“It is in this spirit that we have carefully chosen Arada as our partner, a business that shares our values and confidence in the London residential market and our management team’s ambition to continue growing market share and shaping the London skyline.”
