Editorials

These five megaprojects – from Greece’s Ellinikon and Asia’s One Bangkok to RAK Central – are testament to the global shift towards integrated, sustainable, tech-enabled urbanism. They are catalysts for economic activity, urban innovation and connectivity. Investors, developers and urbanists should monitor these as benchmarks in scale, ambition and long-term value creation.

1. Ellinikon Smart City – Athens, Greece

One of Europe’s most ambitious urban regeneration initiatives, Ellinikon is transforming the former Athens airport into a visionary 6.2 million sqm smart city. With an estimated investment of €8 billion, the project is expected to increase GDP by 2.5%, generate 80,000 jobs and attract one million additional tourists per year when it’s completed in 2037.

Highlights of the up-and-coming smart city are the Riviera Tower, Greece’s first skyscraper, LEED Gold pre-certified, set to be completed by 2026, and a 600-acre metropolitan park. The impressive masterplan also includes Little Athens – a low-rise residential district designed by BIG and a 155,000 sqm cultural-commercial complex that will become Greece’s largest shopping destination.

Ellinikon embodies a modern “15-minute city” which means it will be walkable, green, sustainable and digitally enabled – creating a compelling nexus for investors, developers and urban innovators.

2. One Bangkok – Bangkok, Thailand

Poised to redefine Southeast Asia’s urban landscape, One Bangkok is a $3.9 billion, 16.7-hectare integrated district in the heart of the city. One Bangkok features five Grade-A office towers, three luxury hotels, residential towers, retail precincts and cultural venues. It also includes 8 hectares of green open space and is directly connected to the MRT via an underground link.

The project is targeting LEED-ND Platinum, WELL standards, district cooling, waste-water recycling and energy-efficient infrastructure – all tied to a central smart utilities and sensor network. The scale is vast; designed to host 60,000 workers, 200,000 daily visitors and about 500 global companies. One Bangkok creates an ecosystem where business, culture and sustainability can come together.

One Bangkok is partially open and operational, offering retail, office, hospitality and recreational elements. Full completion, especially of its signature high-rise tower, is anticipated to extend into 2025 and beyond, with total project delivery expected by 2030.

3. Skywaters Residences – Singapore

Singapore’s new Skywaters Residences will rise 305 m tall as the city-state’s first “supertall” residential skyscraper. This S$3 billion development, backed by Perennial Holdings and Alibaba, epitomises mixed-use sophistication by blending high-end offices, retail, hotel suites and luxury residences. The design integrates 10,000 sqm of green spaces and rainwater systems, demonstrating strong environmental stewardship. Notably, the project secured Asia’s largest real-estate green loan, further reflecting its sustainable credentials

Expected to be completed by 2028, Skywaters will redefine residential luxury and urban density in Southeast Asia. Investors and visionaries keen on combining architectural prestige with environmental foresight will find Skywaters a very attractive opportunity.

4. RAK Central – Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

RAK Central is set to become Northern Emirates’ premier commercial business district, spanning over 3 million sqft, with Grade-A office space, 4,000 high-rise residential units, three hotels (1,000+ keys), retail and entertainment offerings. The development places a strong emphasis on urban design, with a central town square, numerous parks, green spaces and a pedestrian-friendly zones designed to bring the community together in a shared space.

The project is a major play to attract multinational corporations and foreign direct investment (FDI) into non-tourism sectors. By creating a modern, high-quality business district, Ras Al Khaimah aims to compete with other major financial hubs in the UAE, offering a more affordable yet equally connected alternative. This master-planned zone offers a high-value investment opportunity at the intersection of real estate, residential living and economic diversification. The development further advances RAK’s position as a burgeoning business and lifestyle gateway in the Gulf.

5. Centennial Yards – Atlanta, Georgia, US

This transformative $5 billion, 50-acre redevelopment is reshaping downtown Atlanta’s “Gulch” railyard into a vibrant mixed-use district. Designed by Foster + Partners and Perkins & Will, Centennial Yards will bring enhanced connectivity, walkability and 24/7 living to the heart of the Atlanta. Scheduled for completion by 2030, Centennial Yards will feature over 4 million sqft of office space, around 1,000 residential units, more than 1,000 hotel rooms, retail and dining precincts and a state-of-the-art entertainment venue (COSM) with a 5,300-capacity arena. Anchored by major Downtown sporting and entertainment attractions, including State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, it's poised to inject energy, investment and urban synergy into the city core.

For more insights into the biggest projects transforming the real estate sector, visit RISE summit & Expo from 13 – 15 January 2026. RISE will bring together key players and decision makers from across the MENA region to set the course for the next industry-defining shifts in real estate investment.