Dubai’s skyline welcomes a new landmark with the launch of Wedyan, a 46-storey residential tower along the Dubai Canal. Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, this tower is the first project under Al Ghurair Development’s Al Ghurair Collection. Wedyan aims to redefine luxury living in the city by blending innovative architecture with thoughtful residential amenities.
The project marks Kengo Kuma’s first venture in the UAE. Known for the Japan National Stadium and the Folk Art Museum in China, Kuma brings his philosophy of harmonizing architecture with nature to Dubai’s waterfront. Wedyan is a collaboration between Al Ghurair, one of the Middle East’s largest family business groups, and Kuma, reflecting a shared vision for originality and excellence in design.
A New Standard in Waterfront Living
Wedyan houses 149 residences, including three-, four-, and five-bedroom layouts, two full-floor penthouses, and a three-storey sky villa. The tower’s façade is inspired by the fluidity of water and the desert’s sand dunes, creating a unique presence along the Dubai Canal. This combination of natural inspiration and architectural precision gives Wedyan its distinctive character.
Certain residences feature standalone Japanese teahouse-inspired pavilions. These spaces provide residents with a private setting for meditation, creative work, or quiet leisure, emphasizing a connection with nature even within the comfort of home.
Functional Luxury
Wedyan focuses on practical luxury, ensuring every residence offers comfort and convenience. Integrated outdoor living spaces allow for seamless entertaining, while back-of-house kitchens make catered events effortless. Specialized glazing protects interiors and artworks from UV damage, highlighting attention to detail in design. Privacy, adaptability, and comfort are prioritized, creating homes that meet the diverse lifestyles of residents.
Kengo Kuma described Wedyan as a dialogue between Japanese aesthetics and Dubai’s context. He emphasized connecting architecture, nature, and people through cascading shadows and flowing terraces, creating an atmosphere of calm and softness.
Growing Demand for Luxury Homes in Dubai
Wedyan launches amid a rising market for ultra-luxury residences in Dubai. In the first half of 2025, property transactions reached AED 431 billion, with sales of homes above AED 10 million seeing significant growth. Dubai’s appeal as a permanent home for discerning global families continues to expand, making luxury projects like Wedyan highly sought after.
Al Ghurair Development’s Legacy
Al Ghurair Development has a six-decade history of shaping Dubai’s cityscape. The family introduced the region’s first shopping mall and mixed-use concept, contributed to private banking and insurance sectors, and participated in landmark projects such as the Dubai Metro and the façade of Burj Khalifa. To date, the group has delivered over 20,000 residential and commercial units and nearly 1,000 hotel rooms and serviced apartments.
Sultan Al Ghurair, CEO of Al Ghurair Development, said the Al Ghurair Collection and Wedyan reflect a natural evolution of the company’s commitment to Dubai’s growth, creating living spaces unique to the city. John Iossifidis, Group CEO, described the launch as a milestone for Dubai’s real estate sector, representing a vision grounded in trust, innovation, and quality.
Nature-Inspired Design
Wedyan’s design emphasizes a close connection with nature. Over 30 specialists contributed to integrating greenery and water features throughout the tower. Deep-planted terraces, shaded promenades, and climate-resilient plants such as aloe vera, Bismarck palms, and trailing ice plants enhance the environment. A landscaped promenade along the Dubai Canal provides residents and visitors with a serene waterfront experience.
The tower’s biophilic elements allow sunlight, shade, water, and greenery to flow naturally through the building, creating spaces that are both relaxing and invigorating. Residents can enjoy a sense of harmony with their surroundings, blending city living with nature-inspired design.
Amenities for Every Lifestyle
Wedyan offers more than 65,000 square feet of amenity space. Key features include The Oasis arrival experience, a luxury car stacker, The Shore and The Valley leisure areas, The Cave wellness cocoon on Level 17, and The Mountain on Level 36 for private meetings.
Additional facilities include private treatment rooms, a reformer Pilates studio, a podcast room, and boxing facilities. Filtered air and water systems are available throughout the building. Every amenity has been designed to enhance comfort, convenience, and wellbeing for residents.
Prime Location and Connectivity
Wedyan enjoys a prime waterfront location along the Dubai Canal, providing easy access to Business Bay, Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, and Dubai International Airport. A dedicated sales center at Mashreq HQ Tower in Downtown Dubai allows potential buyers to experience the tower’s design, amenities, and philosophy firsthand.
The location combines luxury living with connectivity, ensuring residents are close to business, leisure, and cultural hubs while enjoying a private, waterfront lifestyle.
Cultural and Architectural Harmony
Wedyan represents a dialogue between Japanese design principles and Dubai’s cosmopolitan environment. Kengo Kuma’s vision focuses on simplicity, transparency, and organic forms, creating spaces that promote contemplation, relaxation, and connection. Cascading shadows, flowing façades, and secluded teahouse pavilions reflect a meticulous approach to blending culture and nature.
The tower’s public spaces, landscaping, and amenities encourage social interaction while preserving privacy, offering a modern lifestyle that balances community and solitude.
Redefining Luxury in Dubai
Wedyan sets a new benchmark for ultra-luxury living in Dubai. Its combination of nature, innovative design, and versatile amenities provides residents with a lifestyle that transcends conventional expectations. Privacy, adaptability, and cultural richness are central to every residence, from apartments to penthouses and sky villas.
The tower demonstrates Dubai’s evolution as a hub for global luxury living, catering to homeowners who seek exclusivity, elegance, and a deep connection with their surroundings.
Conclusion
Wedyan is more than a residential tower; it is a statement of visionary architecture. Kengo Kuma’s first project in the UAE, in collaboration with Al Ghurair Development, blends design, nature, and lifestyle into a cohesive experience. From flowing façades to teahouse pavilions and landscaped terraces, Wedyan offers a holistic approach to modern luxury living.
By creating spaces that harmonize privacy, comfort, and natural elements, Wedyan sets a new standard for ultra-luxury residences in Dubai. The tower is poised to become a landmark destination along the Dubai Canal, reflecting the future of thoughtfully designed, lifestyle-focused homes in the city.
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