Carter Hones Associates playing key role in delivery of Gran Meliá Hotel in Dubai
The development of the Gran Meliá Hotel in Dubai is one of the largest projects in the portfolio of Carter Hones Associates. Now in its fourth year supporting the delivery of the five-star beachfront resort, we spoke with leaders Zane Heasman and Andrew Snelling about the firm’s role and how it is helping to ensure successful delivery of the project.
The Gran Meliá Hotel in Dubai is a landmark beachfront development at Port de La Mer in Jumeirah. Designed to blend refined Mediterranean elegance with Dubai’s contemporary coastal lifestyle, the five-star luxury hospitality development features world-class amenities and elevated guest experiences.
Work on the project began in 2022, with the hotel scheduled to completed and open in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Carter Hones Associates began working on the project in September 2022, initially providing design management and advisory services in collaboration with lead architectural designer MOMA International Design. In February 2023, the firm’s role expanded to full project and commercial management, including quantity surveying, project management, design management and tender coordination.
Coordinated project management
Other consultants working on the AED 1 billion project include Lagranja as interior designers, SEED Consulting Engineers as design engineers and John R Harris & Partners as building consultant. The main contractor is Dutco Construction, with Alshirawi Contracting and Istana also involved in the realization.
“Our embedded team is working closely with all stakeholders to keep the project moving forward in a controlled and coordinated way,” said Andrew Snelling, Project Director at Carter Hones Associates. “From deep basement levels through to mechanical, electrical and plumbing execution, our focus remains on maintaining quality, programme certainty and commercial value as the build progresses.”
Developed by ASB Investment, the Gran Meliá Jumeirah development comprises two basement levels, a ground floor, a podium, four upper floors and a roof level. The total built up area is 91,097 square metres and the hotel will feature 366 guest rooms and suites, all offering ocean views and direct access to the beach.
“Having been involved from day one, our team understands the complexity of this design and the coordination it demands. The past year has been focused on maintaining progress while protecting overall value for the client, and we are satisfied with the milestones achieved so far through close collaboration with the wider project team,” said Zane Heasman, Chief Commercial Officer and Parter at Carter Hones Associates.
On completion, the resort will include a full-service restaurant, lobby café, ballroom, MICE facilities, retail units, landscaped areas, four main pools, 31 suite pools, a fitness centre, spa and a rooftop terrace. Signature amenities will feature five restaurants including Zuma Beach House, Novikov and Illyos, landscaped retail and leisure areas, and one of the UAE’s longest infinity pools.
In 2025, Carter Hones Associates was named one of the Middle East’s leading construction consulting firms by Consultancy.org.
