Nakheel and Spain’s RIU Hotels & Resorts (RIU) have appointed Dar Al Handasah to oversee design, engineering and construction of their Dh900-million ($245 million) joint venture resort and waterpark at Dubai’s Deira Islands.

The 800-room resort is RIU’s first property in the GCC.   

A construction tender is expected to be released by the end of 2016, with anticipated completion in Q3, 2019. Set on a 3.4-million-sq-ft plot on Deira Islands, the resort will have four pools, a kids’ club, spa and fitness centre, an all-day restaurant, a speciality restaurant, four beach eateries, a dining area with a stage for live shows and entertainment and a waterpark.