A 193-unit mixed-use scheme
Dubai South has formalised an agreement with Cheval Collection to launch Cheval South Bay. Dubai South describes itself as the largest single-site urban master development dedicated to aviation, logistics and real estate. Cheval Collection is a British group specialising in luxury accommodation.
The project will comprise 193 units: 98 serviced hotel apartments and 95 branded residences. Opening is scheduled for 2030. According to Dubai South, this type of offering, combining luxury serviced apartments with branded residences, is a first across the master development.
The agreement was signed at Dubai South headquarters by Nabil Al Kindi, Group CEO of Dubai South, and Mohammed Alawadhi, CEO of Cheval Collection, in the presence of both organisations’ leadership teams.
A waterfront address at the heart of the Residential District
Cheval South Bay will be located in South Bay, an upscale waterfront residential community. It sits at the centre of Dubai South’s Residential District and is laid out around a lagoon some one kilometre long.
The scheme will be connected to South Bay Mall, giving residents and serviced-apartment guests direct access to the district’s retail offering.
Dubai South brings in an international operator
For Dubai South, the arrival of Cheval Collection marks a turning point in the development of its hospitality business. Nabil Al Kindi said the agreement with Cheval Collection represented an important milestone in Dubai South’s development of hospitality projects, pairing a recognised and experienced international operator with a fast-growing residential offering.
He believes Cheval South Bay will support this growth. In his view, the project will also strengthen Dubai South’s appeal as an integrated master development.
A fourth UAE asset for Cheval Collection
Cheval South Bay will be Cheval Collection’s fourth property in the United Arab Emirates and its sixth in the Middle East. It is also the first project announced since the overhaul of the group’s brand identity and digital platform, unveiled in October.
Mohammed Alawadhi stressed that the Middle East lies at the heart of the group’s development, and that the arrival of Cheval South Bay in Dubai is a major step in its continued growth in the region.
With this scheme, Cheval Collection’s regional portfolio will exceed 800 units, with further projects in progress. In Dubai, the group already operates Cheval Maison – The Palm and Cheval Maison – Expo City Dubai. It has also launched Cheval Residences Dubai Islands, its first branded residences project, due in 2029. In Saudi Arabia, its developments include Cheval Maison – Sulaymaniyah in Riyadh.
A hybrid model gaining ground in Dubai
Analysis – Cheval South Bay brings together in a single scheme the two formats Cheval Collection had until now operated separately in Dubai: the serviced apartment, its historic core business, and the branded residence, a segment it has entered more recently. The structure combines residential sales with hotel-style operation. It reflects the rise of branded residences in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Analysis – For Dubai South, until now known mainly for its aviation and logistics hubs, partnering with an international hospitality operator serves to assert South Bay’s upscale residential positioning. Choosing a long-stay specialist rather than a major traditional hotel chain also signals an intention to target residents and medium-stay guests.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Cheval Collection x Dubai South: Cheval South Bay
Agreement signed on 11 November 2026 at Dubai South headquarters
193 units: 98 serviced hotel apartments and 95 branded residences
Opening scheduled for 2030 at South Bay, a waterfront community with a kilometre-long lagoon, connected to South Bay Mall
Cheval Collection’s fourth property in the UAE and sixth in the Middle East
Regional portfolio to exceed 800 units, with further projects in the pipeline
