Developer news
Construction has started on Water Gardens, a mixed-use project in DIFC with two hotels, homes and offices, due for completion in 2028.
Construction has begun on Water Gardens, a mixed-use development inside the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the city's main banking and finance district. The project is led by H&H Development and, by data from Gulf News on 28 October 2026, carries a value of about Dh5.14 billion. It is one of the final pieces of the original Gate District masterplan and is scheduled for completion in 2028.
Water Gardens comprises four buildings set above street level, with pedestrian links down to Al Sukook Street and Al Mustaqbal Street and a direct connection to Gate Avenue, DIFC's retail and dining promenade. By data from Gulf News, 28 October 2026, the scheme brings together two hotels, residences and office space in a single cluster.
The office component is a 12-storey Grade A tower with, by data from Gulf News, around 21,965 square metres of net leasable space and a members' club, targeting a LEED Platinum sustainability rating. The second hotel is planned with 154 rooms alongside 40 residences, while a separate building named Eden House holds 132 apartments.
A notable feature is how much of the project its developer intends to keep rather than sell. H&H has said most of Water Gardens will be leased and operated as an income asset, including the Eden House apartments. For the wider market, that signals a growing appetite among developers for long-term rental income in prime districts, not only off-plan sales.
For buyers, the for-sale portion is concentrated in branded residences, which by data from Gulf News, 28 October 2026, were around 85 percent sold. A limited sale component in a central location means availability inside DIFC itself stays tight, which tends to keep such addresses scarce.
DIFC is Dubai's regulated financial free zone and has expanded steadily; by data from Gulf News, 28 October 2026, it counted 10,018 registered companies as of 30 June 2026. A denser business population underpins demand for nearby offices, hotels and homes.
For an investor weighing the area, the practical points are the 2028 handover timeline and the project's position within an established, walkable district rather than a new outlying community. Prospective buyers should confirm current pricing, payment terms and availability directly with the developer, since figures can change as construction advances.
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