The recent collaboration between Arada and Tashas Group beautifully mirrors the UAE’s evolving narrative of community living — one that keeps pace with the nation’s dynamic growth story
Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, and Natasha Sideris, Founder and CEO of Tashas Group, reveal how their collaboration is set to redefine the boundaries of community living and dining, setting new benchmarks for lifestyle excellence across the UAE.
The partnership builds upon Arada’s long-standing vision of creating communities that transcend the concept of housing. Since its inception, the developer has redefined urban living through destinations like Aljada and Masaar, where F&B, retail, culture, wellness, and lush green spaces are seamlessly woven into the master plan. Each development is designed not merely to be lived in, but to be experienced, felt, and celebrated every day.
The joint venture with Tashas Group elevates this philosophy, introducing refined dining concepts that serve as social landmarks within Arada’s communities. It also mirrors the ongoing evolution of the UAE’s property landscape, where the focus has shifted from simple residential delivery to lifestyle-driven placemaking—shaping neighbourhoods with soul, character, and a distinct sense of belonging.
Arada is positioning its developments as lifestyle-first communities. How central is F&B in creating emotional connection and long-term loyalty within these master plans?
Food is incredibly powerful in building connections. It’s where families gather, where friends meet, where communities are formed. If you think about loyalty, people might buy a home once, but they’ll return to a restaurant or cafe dozens of times a year. So yes, F&B is central because it helps create that emotional stickiness, it turns a neighbourhood into a community.
The UAE’s property market has evolved from residential-led models to integrated lifestyle destinations. How are dining experiences redefining what people expect from where they live?
Dubai’s property market is becoming increasingly hyper-local, with residential communities evolving into full lifestyle destinations. Developers like Arada are integrating health, wellness, and leisure into their projects, which naturally shapes dining expectations. Restaurants in these areas need to reflect that lifestyle by offering menus with health-conscious options and convenience at their core.
At tashas in Arada’s Aljada development in Sharjah, for example, our “Inspired By” menu will be created with nearby students in mind, featuring fast, balanced and more price-conscious dishes suited to their routine. Convenience is now a major factor, and restaurants must cater to early risers and late diners alike.
With growing populations and traffic congestion, people want everything within reach. Communities such as Aljada are being transformed into self-contained ecosystems with diverse dining choices from cafés and bakeries to Asian, Arabic and Italian concepts, ensuring residents no longer need to travel far for quality food experiences.
We’re seeing a convergence of property, wellness, culture, and gastronomy. How is Arada integrating these elements to future-proof its developments against shifting market trends?
For us, it’s about integrating these elements together from day one. Take Aljada, for example, it’s not just about homes, but about creating a complete community, with a vibrant retail boulevard, wellness and fitness facilities and now premium dining experiences. By integrating these elements from the planning stage, we future-proof our developments. No matter how lifestyle trends evolve, people will always value places where they can live well, eat well, stay active and feel part of a community that has its own energy and character.
As the line between residential, retail, and recreation continues to blur, how do you see the role of the developer evolving in shaping not just homes, but entire social ecosystems?
The role of the developer today is about much more than building homes. At Arada, we see our communities as carefully designed environments where every element, homes, open spaces, cultural spots and leisure areas work together to create a sense of belonging. Thoughtful design helps people interact and feel proud to call a place home. It’s about creating neighborhoods that support real lives, where people don’t just live, but truly belong.
