Exclusive: MERED CEO Michael Belton on ICONIC Residences and UAE Growth

Dubai, UAE – September 2025 - As Dubai’s real estate market reaches new heights, MERED is emerging as a bold player redefining luxury living across the UAE. At the helm is Michael Belton, who joined as CEO in late 2024 to lead the company’s ambitious projects, including the landmark ICONIC Residences, designed by Italian design powerhouse Pininfarina, and new developments on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi.

In this exclusive interview, Belton shares his vision for MERED, insights into Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s evolving property landscape, and how design, technology, and uncompromising quality are shaping the future of the region’s luxury real estate.

Interview with Michael Belton, CEO at MERED

You were appointed CEO in late 2024 to spearhead ambitious developments across the UAE, including ICONIC Residences Design by Pininfarina. What aspects of MERED’s vision resonated most with you?

Coming from established markets in the US and Europe, where things are often fixed and slow to change, the UAE felt like a place where my experience could really make a difference. MERED’s ambition to push boundaries in design, technology, and lifestyle, combined with its already strong foundations, made joining the company an exciting opportunity to create developments that truly set a new standard.

This is a growing market, but it’s expanding at an extraordinary pace. Investors, entrepreneurs, and creatives are flocking here, which creates a unique energy and appetite for innovation. Dubai has just passed 4 million residents and is aiming for 5 million by 2030. That growth translates into roughly 350,000 new homes needed over the next five years, showing both the scale of the opportunity and the responsibility to deliver projects that meet high expectations.

How would you define the design or development philosophy and vision of MERED?

Design, technology, and quality are the three principles that define MERED. We work exclusively with globally recognized firms such as Pininfarina, Hirsch Bedner Associates, SERA Group, Mirage, Currie & Brown, and Pritzker Prize-winning architects, because great execution requires expertise across disciplines.

But we go further, integrating insights from sectors like sports, yachting, wellness, and fashion, so our projects are complete lifestyle destinations.

On quality, we take a different approach than most. Developers here typically rely on contractors for supervision; however, we have our own dedicated quality controllers, led by both engineers and designers, who monitor every stage of construction. That layer of oversight ensures that what we deliver matches the vision on paper.

Our philosophy extends beyond the product to the people who make it possible. Safety and worker care are non-negotiables for us, and that translates directly into the integrity of the final development. In the end, MERED stands out because we don’t compromise, whether it’s on design, quality, or human standards.

ICONIC Residences Design by Pininfarina is set to become the tallest residential tower in Dubai Internet City, rising to approximately 290 meters with 66 floors and 310 residences. Can you walk us through the main milestones achieved to date and the status of the construction progress?

The project has made significant progress since its inception. Construction is actively underway, and the building is steadily taking shape.

Once complete, the tower will feature a façade with floor-to-ceiling windows, designed to offer panoramic views and maximize natural light, creating bright, airy living spaces. Every interior detail is being developed with purpose, with finishes that aim to set a new benchmark for quality.

Advanced technologies that are still uncommon in the region will be implemented as standard across all residences, including heated bathroom floors, medical-grade air filtration, advanced soundproofing, and full wooden flooring, a first for residential projects in the UAE.

Complementing the design and build is a carefully curated lifestyle ecosystem. Residents will enjoy easy access to destinations such as Palm Jumeirah, just five minutes away, Bluewaters, and nearby golf courses, all while maintaining a sense of exclusivity.

Wellness-driven amenities are a core focus, supported by a dedicated facilities management team to ensure services are delivered at the highest level. With a target completion date in Q3 2027, ICONIC Residences is on track to not only become the tallest tower in Dubai Internet City but also a new point of reference for the area and the city as a whole.

MERED chose the illustrious Italian design icon Pininfarina for ICONIC Residences’ architecture and interiors. What inspired this collaboration, and how did it shape the project’s design ethos?

Pininfarina has a legacy of 95 years in design for brands such as Ferrari and Maserati, bringing its automotive DNA into architecture.

For ICONIC Residences, this translated into a fluid, aerodynamic tower inspired by Dubai’s dunes and waves. The façade, shaped using aerodynamic principles like wind tunnel simulations, is elegant, distinctive, and instantly recognizable.

Floor-to-ceiling windows will provide panoramic views and maximize natural light, creating bright, airy living spaces that feel connected to the sky. Every interior detail is designed with purpose, and the finishes reflect a standard of quality that sets a new benchmark for Dubai.

How do you find the evolution and trend of branded residences in the UAE? Do you see a significantly better investment opportunity in branded residences for end-users?

The hype around branded residences seems overblown to me. Today, nearly anything can carry a ‘brand.’ We see watch brands, football teams, and even ceramic fixtures. I am not sure how this is transferred in a meaningful way to someone’s home.

That’s why we’re seeing stronger interest from value-conscious investors, who are looking beyond big-name associations and paying closer attention to location, long-term viability, and overall quality.

This mindset is guiding increased interest in places like Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. With its proximity to key districts, growing residential base, and unique landscape of beaches and canals, Reem Island is well-positioned to benefit from the next wave of strategic public and private investment. Government-led infrastructure and civic development are expected to accelerate in the coming years, helping the island take its place as one of the capital’s most thriving urban districts.

MERED recently announced the acquisition of prime waterfront plots in Abu Dhabi. Can you share more about your plans for these developments and the potential you see on Al Reem Island?

This development is particularly special because it’s designed in collaboration with Pritzker Prize-winning architects, often regarded as the 'gods' of architecture. Their work is often compared to Swiss watches for its precision and timeless quality.

The first phase will feature urban villas and apartments, all with seafront views. We are also prioritizing wellness throughout, with amenities like ice baths, treatment rooms, a padel court, and family-friendly spaces. There will also be retail amenities integrated into the development, ensuring convenience for residents.

Rather than using a traditional luxury brand name, the project draws its identity from the architects, whose legacy and design philosophy are the brand in their own right. We believe that true premium properties come from design excellence and thoughtful planning, not just branded fixtures. We’re confident this will be a truly exceptional community.

Finally, what kind of buyer or investor are these projects targeting, and how does that influence the design and planning?

The buyers and investors we’re seeing in Abu Dhabi are quite similar to those in Dubai. In fact, some already live in Dubai but are now looking at Abu Dhabi because they recognize the potential here. They’re attracted not only to the properties themselves but also to the lifestyle the city offers—top schools, emerging business hubs, and major developments like ADGM.

We’re also seeing strong interest from both local buyers and international investors, particularly from China, Europe, and North America. That mix brings added expectations around quality, design, and lifestyle offerings.

All of these factors shape the way we plan our developments, from layouts and amenities to infrastructure and long-term value.