Hazza Zaal launches Elemental Developments with nature-focused Dubai residential projects

Hazza Zaal launches Elemental Developments with nature-focused Dubai residential projects

Hazza Zaal, who became CEO of Al Barari in 2024 after serving in senior operational roles within the company, has launched Elemental Developments as a separate boutique real estate venture focused on nature-integrated urban living. Founded in 2025, the new company represents Zaal's vision for translating the wellness and landscape-focused principles established at Al Barari into a different scale and urban context.

Al Barari, founded by Zaal Mohamed Zaal in 2005 and launched in 2007, spans over 15.3 million square feet with more than 60 percent of its land devoted to greenery. The development was fully completed in December 2019 following two construction phases. Under Hazza Zaal's leadership, Al Barari launched The Cape Apartments in 2026, a 286-unit residential project spanning 55,700 square meters with a value exceeding $463 million, demonstrating the continued scale of operations at the established community.

Zaal, who was recognized by Forbes Middle East as one of the Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders of 2026, emphasizes that Elemental is not intended to replicate Al Barari but rather to explore similar development principles through a more intimate lens suited to Dubai's evolving residential landscape.

Philosophy and differentiation

Elemental Developments operates on the premise that homes should actively contribute to residents' quality of life through integrated consideration of nature, wellbeing, functionality and spatial experience. According to Zaal, the company's differentiation stems from disciplined decision-making where every design element and amenity serves a functional purpose rather than aesthetic appeal alone.

The developer positions itself for buyers seeking tangible, completed projects rather than off-plan commitments. Zaal notes that while Dubai maintains a strong off-plan market, a growing segment values the certainty of experiencing finished spaces before purchase.

Wellness features extend beyond standard amenities to encompass natural light, greenery integration, spatial proportions, air quality, materials selection and spaces designed for disconnection from urban intensity. These considerations are embedded in architecture and amenity planning from project inception.

Elemental 78: Flagship project

The company's first development, Elemental 78, is an 11-storey residential building featuring 45 apartments in Jumeirah Garden City. The project was delivered as a ready-to-move-in development with handover completed in late 2026, with starting prices from approximately AED 1.58 million.

The project name derives from platinum, the 78th element on the periodic table, with the building's design palette inspired by the metal's qualities of rarity, strength and enduring aesthetic value. This conceptual approach reflects the developer's emphasis on materials and design choices that carry meaning beyond surface appeal.

Zaal selected Jumeirah Garden City for its strategic position within established Dubai while offering scope for thoughtful residential development. The medium-density district, developed by Meraas Holding in Al Satwa, covers approximately 9 million square meters along Sheikh Zayed Road and sits opposite DIFC, Emirates Towers and the World Trade Centre. The location provides connectivity to Downtown Dubai, City Walk, J1 Beach and key business districts while remaining integrated with established communities.

Expansion pipeline

Elemental Developments' second project, Elemental 22, is under construction in Jumeirah Garden City using Elemental 78 as a working template. The development features one and two-bedroom apartments with starting prices from approximately AED 1.75 million to AED 1.8 million, and handover planned for the second quarter of 2028.

Zaal states the long-term objective is not to become the largest developer but to build a recognizable development philosophy. As the company grows, each project is intended to maintain individual identity while adhering to consistent principles of considered design, nature integration, functionality and wellbeing.

The measure of success, according to Zaal, is not launch-phase attention but whether residents continue to value their homes years after moving in. This emphasis on long-term livability rather than immediate market impact reflects the company's positioning in Dubai's competitive residential development sector.