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ORA Developers has inaugurated its new headquarters in the UAE at One Central, a prominent location within Dubai’s business district. This development underscores the company’s commitment to expanding its presence in the region, guided by chairman and CEO Naguib Sawiris. This announcement coincides with the launch of Bayn, ORA’s inaugural project in the UAE, which encompasses a 4.8 million square meter master-planned community along the Ghantoot coastline. With 1.2 kilometers of natural beachfront, over 55 percent of the area dedicated to open space, and a “15-minute city” concept, Bayn aims to transform coastal living between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The developer is also enhancing its team and plans to significantly increase its workforce in the UAE by the end of 2025, utilizing its extensive international experience in locations such as Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, Pakistan, and the Caribbean, to establish Bayn as a premier lifestyle destination.
In this conversation, Sawiris discusses the vision behind Bayn, ORA’s regional ambitions, and how global experiences are influencing the development of the UAE’s newest coastal area.
Bayn represents ORA Developers’ first venture in the UAE. What attracted you to Ghantoot for such a substantial community, and how does Bayn distinguish itself from other coastal projects in the area?
ORA Developers’ entry into the UAE with Bayn was prompted by Ghantoot’s unique offering of genuine beachfront and direct connectivity to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This provides an exceptional opportunity to create a destination with a long-term vision. Located strategically between the two cities, Bayn is just 30 minutes from Dubai and 45 minutes from Abu Dhabi, close to the forthcoming Al Maktoum International Airport, offering access to significant markets and tourism hubs such as Yas Island and Palm Jebel Ali.
However, Bayn’s appeal goes beyond its location. The development features a natural 1.2-kilometer stretch along the Arabian Gulf, a rarity in an area often characterized by reclaimed land.
Bayn embodies the “15-minute city” concept, ensuring that daily necessities, nature, and recreational spaces are all conveniently close. The design allocates over 55% of the area to open spaces, promoting movement, community connection, and overall wellness. Sustainability is integrated into the project’s framework, with provisions for clean energy, water efficiency, and pedestrian-friendly mobility.
Bayn is an ideal first home for beach lovers, providing ample space, privacy, and community connectivity. From a 108,000-square-meter sports club to an integrated beach town and marina, the project is meticulously designed to offer a wholesome lifestyle. Essentially, Bayn redefines the concept of coastal living, merging urban conveniences with beachside tranquility.
The initial phase of Bayn consists of 464 villas and townhouses, with occupancy anticipated in 2028. Can you elaborate on your long-term aspirations for the development and its growth over the next decade?
The first phase of Bayn, which includes 464 villas and townhouses within two gated communities, is merely the start of a broader vision. Our intention is to create a comprehensive environment, anchoring key components such as education, community areas, hospitality, and green spaces alongside the initial residential options. We aim for newcomers to feel an immediate connection and sense of belonging upon arrival.
This early success establishes trust among buyers, enhances property value, and ensures the overall sustainability of the development. Rather than just presenting floorplans, we offer a vision that is tangible from the outset.
Our long-term goal is to position Bayn as one of the region’s most advanced and self-sufficient beach communities. This evolution will organically occur while emphasizing livability and exceptional design. Our focus is on creating a harmonious lifestyle ecosystem that balances work, recreation, family, and well-being, all within a walkable environment.
With more than 55 percent of Bayn’s area assigned for open space, how does this reflect ORA’s design values, and what importance do sustainability and wellness hold in crafting the community experience?
Allocating over 55 percent of Bayn to open spaces encapsulates ORA’s design ethos of prioritizing people over properties. We perceive open space not as a luxury, but as essential for the quality of life of our residents. True value in real estate hinges on how a place fosters feelings, mobility, and connections—not just on square meters.
In Bayn, extensive parks, waterfront paths, landscaped trails, and wellness areas are integral elements of the master plan, promoting a lifestyle where movement and nature are integral to everyday living. Adopting a 15-minute city model means that essentials such as schools, retail, and fitness trails are conveniently accessible by walking or biking.
Every aspect of sustainability is woven into the project. Native plants enhance biodiversity and reduce water consumption, while strategic building design maximizes natural light and ventilation, lowering cooling needs. Additionally, we employ solar power and smart water management to ensure ongoing environmental sustainability.
Holistic wellness is also a cornerstone of the community. With features like a 108,000 square meter sports complex, pedestrian-friendly zones, and active lifestyle paths, Bayn promotes balance and mental clarity, in sharp contrast to developments that prioritize building density over livability.
With ORA Developers expanding globally, including projects in Egypt, Pakistan, and Cyprus, how does your overseas experience shape your real estate development strategies, particularly in the UAE?
ORA Developers’ diverse international portfolio spans Egypt, Pakistan, Cyprus, Grenada, Greece, Iraq, and now the UAE, encompassing over 76 million square meters and valued at over $45 billion. With a strong reputation for design excellence and successful delivery, ORA aims to create spaces that transcend mere architecture, establishing lifestyle destinations that are enduring and harmonious. As we enter the UAE market, ORA commits to offer elevated living experiences that are purposeful and sustainable.
What differentiates ORA is our ability to develop integrated destinations that harmoniously combine residential, commercial, and hospitality components into cohesive living ecosystems. We have notable hospitality projects such as Silversands Grand Anse and Silversands Beach House in Grenada, a forthcoming five-star hotel in Mykonos, and other projects in development.
ORA redefines luxury through expertly crafted spaces that resonate with both elegance and emotional significance. Through strategic collaborations with governments, global designers, and renowned brands, ORA maintains a commitment to excellence from conception to completion. Major projects like ZED and Silversands in Egypt, Ayia Napa Marina in Cyprus, and Eighteen in Pakistan exemplify our capability to deliver transformative developments across different contexts.
Our strength is rooted in adapting proven global concepts to meet local market demands.
Beyond real estate, you are an active investor in various sectors. How does Bayn align with your overall investment philosophy and perception of regional economic trends?
My investment philosophy centers on creating environments that enhance quality of life. I strive to recognize potential in overlooked locations and to accentuate their innate character rather than drastically altering them. Our focus extends beyond erecting structures; we aim to cultivate vibrant communities that provide enriching experiences and a strong sense of belonging.
The Middle East’s economic landscape, particularly in the UAE, offers tremendous potential for thoughtfully designed lifestyle developments. The region’s growing affluence, coupled with ambitious government initiatives meant to improve city living and attract global talent, has amplified the demand for sophisticated residential choices. People desire environments that fulfill not only practical necessities but also align with their aspirations for a high-quality lifestyle.
Our investments in this area reflect a conscious response to this shifting market, aiming to contribute positively to the region’s development by creating distinguished destinations that establish new standards for quality and design.
Moreover, our vision extends beyond financial gains; we aspire to leave a lasting and positive impact on the communities we develop, establishing a legacy of innovation and excellence associated with our name for generations to come.
Recognized for your advocacy for the private sector’s role in economic growth, how do you see developments like Bayn contributing to the UAE’s economic diversification and Vision 2031?
As a proponent of private sector leadership, I view initiatives like Bayn as essential in diminishing the UAE’s dependence on oil and promoting economic diversification, a key aspect of Vision 2031’s “Forward Economy” initiative. The non-oil sector accounted for 74.6 percent of the UAE’s GDP in the initial nine months of 2024, confirming the country’s successful transition towards a more robust economy.
The Emiratisation program, which saw over 131,000 citizens join the private sector by 2024, further highlights the increasing role of the private sector in national progress. Additionally, private investments spur innovation, introduce new technologies, and facilitate business models critical for realizing the UAE’s ambition to emerge as a global leader.
With private sector credit making up 66.59 percent of GDP in 2022, the UAE’s strong financial framework is well-equipped to support ambitious projects aligned with the country’s long-term objectives.
From a real estate perspective, I see projects like Bayn as fundamental to enhancing livability and promoting sustainable settings central to Vision 2031. Bayn responds to the urgent demand for well-planned communities that prioritize quality living spaces and emphasize wellness and long-term resilience.
In the context of growing urban congestion, Bayn presents a low-density, nature-integrated option that aligns with the UAE’s Green Spine initiative while pursuing the broader goal of improving residents’ quality of life.
In summary, developments like Bayn transcend being mere real estate projects. They are integral to the UAE’s strategy in fostering sustainable, livable communities and propelling the nation’s ambitious economic transformation.