The Galleries Plaza

This 22-acre landscaping scheme is part of the Downtown Jebel Ali (DJA) Master Plan developed by Limitless LLC, a sister company of Nakheel, and is located within Zone 1, Block 2 of DJA. The site is bordered on one side by a 229,000 sqm mixed-use development designed by Pei Partnership Architects and xCassia (parcels MX01–04), and on the other by a four-building commercial complex by Burt Hill Architects (parcels CM01–04).

The AED 110 million, 30,000 sqm project features a central plaza, interactive water elements, pedestrian cafés, gathering spaces, custom-designed site furnishings, graphics, rooftop gardens, integrated lighting, and a streetscape network linking the block to future phases of development. A significant portion of the central plaza is constructed above a below-grade parking structure, presenting complex design and engineering challenges.

SWA Group (Houston) served as the lead landscape architect, responsible for the overall design and management of specialty lighting, water features, plaza elements, and environmental graphics. CASSIA & Partners (Dubai) acted as SWA’s local consultant and Engineer of Record, overseeing design and construction. Their scope included comprehensive engineering services for the landscape works, notably the structural design of the plaza above the two-level underground parking beneath CM01–04, as well as coordination of all MEP systems supporting the extensive water features, lighting elements, and hardscape infrastructure. Both firms jointly supervised the construction process.

Additional creative consultants included Environmental Design, Fluidity Design Consultants, SURROUND Creative, and Sweeney & Associates.