WASL Island Project is a large waterfront masterplan on the Jumeirah Beach front developed by Wasl Asset Management Group through its Wasl Hospitality and Leisure arm. Presented as a mixed hospitality and leisure peninsula, the scheme concentrates hotels, branded residences and public entertainment within an extended stretch of Dubai shoreline near Burj Al Arab.
What this place is and where it is located
WASL Island Project occupies a purpose-built peninsula along Jumeirah Beach. The site has been presented as one of the longest stretches of newly developed waterfront in Dubai and is intended for a combination of resort hotels, branded residences and public leisure amenities. The development is referenced on local maps under the name WASL Island Project and appears in the Umm Suqeim / Umm Suqeim 2 cluster of Dubai locations.
Transport and approximate travel times
The nearest Dubai Metro reference is the Red Line station coded R31; the station lies about 3,225 metres from the site and is not considered walkable. Standard driving times reported from WASL Island Project to several key Dubai destinations are:
- Dubai Mall — roughly 19 minutes by car
- Palm Jumeirah — roughly 17 minutes by car
- Burj Al Arab — roughly 9 minutes by car
- The Walk, JBR — roughly 22 minutes by car
- Dubai International Airport (DXB) — roughly 27 minutes by car
- Al Maktoum International Airport — roughly 44 minutes by car
These times are indicative and were published as site references; actual journey times vary with traffic and routing.
Masterplan, buildings and amenities
The published project materials and subsequent press coverage present the peninsula as a mixed hospitality and entertainment destination. Key elements and figures associated with the concept include:
- A beachfront development on approximately 26 acres managed in partnership with Wasl Hospitality and MGM Hospitality in an operator/advisory role.
- More than 1,400 hotel rooms and apartments reported across the resort, including a Bellagio-branded hotel described as containing 1,000 rooms plus 10 villas.
- Two million square feet of planned built-up area overall, with a separate 500,000 square foot theatre space noted in project descriptions.
- An entertainment tower approximately 110 metres tall, alongside pools, a business lounge, artificial water features and a major beach club.
- Leisure offers described in project documents include restaurants, museums, adventure zones for adults and children and other public attractions.
Technical and delivery partners cited in project information include Empower for district cooling — a supply figure of 23,853 refrigeration tons has been referenced — and Buro Kling Architectural Engineering Consultants named as a main consultant. A construction contract valued at AED 4 billion was reported to have been awarded to China State Construction Engineering Corporation to begin works on the peninsula.
In operator terms, MGM Resorts International has been reported as entering a non-gaming management agreement with Wasl Hospitality to introduce the Bellagio, Aria and MGM Grand brands to the site. Public statements from MGM leadership have also clarified that the resort will not include gaming facilities. Project launch information places the initial announcement on 22 March 2017; later operator communications include an update that the MGM tower opening has been postponed to the second half of 2028.
Images released with the original material illustrate concept designs. Project communications note that designs can be revised during delivery and that the publicly available visuals reflect early-stage concepts rather than a final, built outcome.
Neighbouring amenities and local services
Published location notes identify nearby education providers by name and approximate distance: BC Academy International School at about 1.2 km and Collegiate International School at about 1.4 km. The site is also presented as being in proximity to high-profile Dubai beach and leisure attractions by virtue of its Jumeirah Beach frontage and short driving times to Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab and JBR.
Who this location is suitable for
WASL Island Project is positioned for several user groups based on its stated programme:
- Hospitality operators and hotel investors seeking large-scale branded hotel and resort exposure in a beachfront setting.
- Buyers or occupants of branded residences who prioritise waterfront location and integrated resort amenities.
- Leisure operators, theatre and events organisers looking for purpose-designed performance and entertainment space within a consolidated coastal complex.
- Visitors and residents wanting direct access to resort-style facilities and proximity to established Dubai attractions such as Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah.
FAQ
Who is developing WASL Island Project?
Wasl Asset Management Group is identified as the developer, with the hospitality and leisure arm (Wasl Hospitality and Leisure) managing the resort and branded components.
Which hotel brands are associated with the scheme?
Public reports state that MGM Hospitality has been advised to introduce Bellagio, Aria and MGM Grand brands to the peninsula under a non-gaming management agreement.
Will there be gaming facilities?
MGM representatives have confirmed that the resort will not include gaming facilities.
What is the current timeline referenced in reports?
The project was originally launched in March 2017 and early communications described a multi-year delivery period. A later update from MGM Resorts indicated that the opening of its Dubai MGM tower has been postponed to the second half of 2028.
