Drake and Scull International has landed a headline AED 127.8 million contract to deliver the full construction and engineering works for Berkeley Square, a new residential project in Dubai's Jumeirah Village Circle. The appointment, confirmed by the company, signals a decisive step in its post-restructuring commercial resurgence and a deepening alliance with developer Prestige One.
Rather than a routine project win, this contract cements Drake and Scull's strategy to focus on high-quality, high-profile developments with established partners. The company's leadership has made clear that the Berkeley Square deal is not a one-off, but the latest milestone in a broader strategic partnership with Prestige One that began with a framework agreement in January. The new contract expands the scope and ambition of that collaboration, positioning both firms to capitalise on Dubai's ongoing appetite for premium residential supply.
Project details and contract scope
Berkeley Square will rise from a basement level through to a ground floor and five upper storeys, with Drake and Scull responsible for every aspect of construction and engineering. The company will take charge of the site as soon as final contract documentation is completed, with all works managed directly under its supervision. The project's location in Jumeirah Village Circle places it at the heart of one of Dubai's most active residential development zones, where demand for new units continues to attract both local and international investors.
Prestige One, the project's developer, has signalled its intent to deliver a high-specification residential offering, leveraging Drake and Scull's technical expertise and track record. The contract value-AED 127.8 million-reflects the scale and complexity of the build, and underscores the developer's confidence in its chosen contractor.
Strategic context and market impact
This latest deal is more than a construction contract-it is a calculated move by Drake and Scull to reinforce its market position after a turbulent restructuring period. By targeting select, high-value projects with reputable developers, the company aims to generate sustainable value for shareholders and restore its reputation in the sector. The Berkeley Square contract is a tangible outcome of this approach, and its location in Jumeirah Village Circle aligns with ongoing trends highlighted in recent analysis of investor-driven demand in Dubai's property market.
For Prestige One, the partnership with Drake and Scull offers operational certainty and a clear path to timely project delivery-critical factors in a competitive off-plan market. The developer's willingness to double down on this collaboration suggests confidence in both the contractor's capabilities and the underlying strength of Dubai's residential sector.
Drake and Scull's renewed focus on quality partnerships and disciplined project selection is a marked departure from the scattergun expansion that contributed to its earlier financial troubles. If the company continues to execute on this strategy, it stands a real chance of regaining its standing among Dubai's top-tier contractors-provided it delivers on the promises made to both partners and shareholders. The Berkeley Square contract is a litmus test for this new era, and the industry will be watching closely to see if the company can turn strategic intent into operational reality.
