ORA Developers appoints AtkinsRéalis for BAYN coastal project in UAE

ORA Developers, led by Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris, has appointed AtkinsRéalis to deliver master planning, infrastructure, and public realm design services for BAYN, its flagship waterfront development in Ghantoot, a fast-emerging coastal corridor between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The appointment marks a key milestone in ORA’s vision to develop BAYN into a large-scale mixed-use coastal community, aligning with growing demand for integrated, lifestyle-driven developments across the UAE.

ORA’s vision for BAYN
BAYN is positioned within Ghantoot, an area gaining recognition for its rare beachfront land, strong connectivity, and long-term potential for urban expansion. The 4.8 million square meter development is designed as an integrated coastal destination, combining residential neighborhoods with public spaces, mobility networks, and lifestyle amenities. 

The project will feature approximately 1.2 kilometers of natural Arabian Gulf beachfront and more than 7 kilometers of waterfront, alongside marinas, lagoons, promenades, parks, sports facilities, and retail and hospitality offerings. More than half of the site is allocated to open spaces, landscaping, and water features,  setting a new standard for master-planned communities in the UAE and reinforcing ORA’s focus on livability and environmental integration.

AtkinsRéalis to drive design of a $39.2 billion waterfront vision

AtkinsRéalis will oversee master planning, infrastructure coordination, and public realm design, integrating these elements from the early stages of development. The firm’s appointment strengthens its regional portfolio and deepens its collaboration with developers shaping next-generation urban communities.

Bayn, set for handover by 2028, will feature a private clubhouse, curated retail, and dining, designed with sustainability at its core, and aligning with the UAE’s carbon-cutting goals, the Phase 1 will deliver 464 residences across four gated clusters, offering three- to five-bedroom homes in 10 distinctive designs, all within a compact model where schools, retail, sports, and wellness hubs are a 15-minute walk or ride away.

Its master plan includes 9,000 homes, from grand mansions to sleek apartments, with over 55 percent of land dedicated to parks, trails, and open-air recreation. Anchored by a marina, beach town, and business park, Bayn redefines waterfront living, reconnecting residents with the site’s natural heritage. A 100,000-square-metre sports club will offer world-class facilities for athletes and families alike, fostering an active, community-driven lifestyle. 

Amr Abdel Moneim, Chief Technical Officer of ORA Developers, said the project reflects the company’s ambition to create a thoughtfully designed waterfront destination grounded in long-term planning and everyday usability. “BAYN reflects ORA’s ambition to create a waterfront destination shaped by a clear and considered approach to how people experience the spaces they’re in,” he said. “Our priority is to translate this long-term vision into efficient, high-quality design that remains connected to its natural surroundings.”

Ora Developers: Shaping global real estate excellence

Founded in 2016, Ora Developers has swiftly emerged as a global force in real estate, managing over $4 billion in assets and a development portfolio exceeding $45 billion across Egypt, Cyprus, Pakistan, the UAE, and Iraq. Under the leadership of Naguib Sawiris, ranked among Bloomberg’s top 500 wealthiest individuals with a $5.6 billion net worth, the subsidiary of Orascom Investment Holding, Ora has expanded aggressively. 

The partnership underscores a broader shift toward master-planned coastal developments in the UAE, where lifestyle, sustainability, and connectivity are becoming central to urban design. For ORA Developers, the collaboration with AtkinsRéalis represents a critical step in advancing BAYN from concept to execution, as the company seeks to establish the project as a benchmark for integrated waterfront living in the Dubai–Abu Dhabi growth corridor.