Arada, the UAE-based master developer, has acquired an 80 percent stake in Thameside West, a major mixed-use regeneration project spanning 47 acres at the western end of London’s Royal Docks. Master-planned by Foster + Partners, the development will deliver at least 5,000 homes—35 percent affordable—alongside a kilometre of activated waterfront and extensive green space, making it one of Europe’s most significant urban redevelopment sites. Construction of the first 1,000 homes is set to begin in 2027.
Twice the size of New York’s Hudson Yards and valued at AED 12 billion (£2.5 billion), Thameside West occupies central London’s largest stretch of undeveloped riverfront, overlooking Canary Wharf and the Greenwich Peninsula. The site benefits from major transport links, including the new Silvertown Tunnel, Custom House station, London City Airport, the IFS Cable Car, and multiple rail connections. Arada is also exploring plans for a new DLR station in partnership with Transport for London.
The acquisition, purchased from private developer Keystone, follows Arada’s recent purchase of local developer Regal and raises its London pipeline to 15,000 homes. The company plans to triple this to 30,000 units within three years, working closely with the London Borough of Newham, the Greater London Authority, and GLAP to deliver the project.
Designed as a stepped, waterfront-oriented district, Thameside West aims to balance high-density living with access to nature, integrating more than 1,000 trees, new public spaces, and panoramic views. Foster + Partners describes the plan as a model of connectivity and inclusivity, where infrastructure, landscape, and architecture converge to create a sustainable new community.
City leaders have hailed the project as a key catalyst for revitalizing the Royal Docks. Deputy Mayor Tom Copley called the acquisition “a landmark moment” in efforts to deliver new housing and re-establish the area as a major economic hub. Keystone noted that Arada’s involvement brings the scale and experience required to move the long-anticipated development toward delivery.
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