Market briefs from the field.
Sobha Realty and Rakbank sign MoU to offer preferential home financing solutions
13 October 2026 · Middle East Construction News
Sobha Realty, a luxury real estate developer, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rakbank, the National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah. This agreement aims to provide home financing solutions to eligible buyers of Sobha properties.
OCU sold after four-year growth blitz
05 October 2026 · Construction Enquirer
Infrastructure contractor OCU Group is changing hands after a four-year expansion spree that has seen revenue rocket to £1.2bn.
Emaar announces new hospitality projects
28 September 2026 · Middle East Construction News
Master developer Emaar Properties has announced the launch of its new ultra-luxury, high-rise waterfront hospitality project – Address The Bay at Emaar Beachfront. The project is taking shape in the heart of Dubai Harbour.
3-UAE backed solar plants inaugurated in Comoros
15 September 2026 · Middle East Construction News
3-solar power plants that were developed with backing from UAE entities have been inaugurated in Comoros. The green energy project was financed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), implemented by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company – Masdar, and managed by Global South Utili
Fehmarnbelt project will expand Denmark by 300,000 sq m
11 September 2026 · Global Construction Review
Denmark will get 300,000 sq m of new territory thanks to a reclamation project using seabed material excavated for the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel linking Denmark to Germany.
Ascot brickwork specialist Harlequin falls into administration
04 September 2026 · Construction Enquirer
Ascot-based brickwork specialist Harlequin Brickwork has fallen into administration after more than 15 years in business.
RSGT and CMA CGM sign agreement to operate the fourth container terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port
27 August 2026 · Middle East Construction News
The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) announced the signing of an agreement between Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) and French shipping group CMA CGM to develop and operate the fourth container terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port, with an investment of US $426.5mn.
OMA-designed affordable housing completed in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury
21 August 2026 · Global Construction Review
730 Stanyan, a mixed-use development with 160 affordable apartments has been completed in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood.
Geopolitical uncertainty sharpens focus on construction costs across KSA and the UAE, says Compass
17 August 2026 · Middle East Construction News
Project development consultancy Compass Project Consulting has released the ninth edition of its latest Construction Cost Benchmark Reports for Saudi Arabia and the UAE, offering a current snapshot of construction costs following a period shaped by geopolitical uncertainty across
Plans in for retrofit of London Charing Cross office icon
09 August 2026 · Construction Enquirer
Plans have gone in to retrofit one of London’s best-known 1980s office buildings above Charing Cross Station.
Saudi Energy obtains US $4bn in Islamic credit to secure operations
30 July 2026 · Middle East Construction News
A US $4.1bn shariah-compliant Murabaha financing facility has been secured by Saudi Energy, the Kingdom’s primary electricity service provider. The facility was secured from a consortium of 7-leading Saudi banks.
Hochtief and Turner team up to build German data centre
23 July 2026 · Global Construction Review
A team featuring Germany’s Hoctief and Dornan Group, an Irish engineering subsidiary of Turner Construction, has won a contract to build a 36MW data centre in Berlin for NTT Global Data Centers.
Stability as strategy
15 July 2026 · Middle East Construction News
In an era where global capital is becoming increasingly cautious, investors are prioritising markets that offer predictability as much as profitability. Against this backdrop, the United Arab Emirates has emerged not simply as a fast-growing real estate market, but as one of the
Linear Living gets green light for Manchester resi tower
10 July 2026 · Construction Enquirer
Linear Living has received planning approval for its 24-storey residential scheme on Lord Street in Manchester’s Green Quarter.
10 Design unveils The Cape, Al Barari
03 July 2026 · Middle East Construction News
10 Design has unveiled its vision for The Cape, a premium residential project within the Al Barari masterplan. The Cape comprises 3 mid-rise building blocks, positioned to align with prevailing wind directions for natural cooling.
Bechtel opens Polish office to oversee country’s first nuclear plant
25 June 2026 · Global Construction Review
US engineering giant Bechtel has opened an office in Gdańsk, northern Poland to support the delivery of the country’s first nuclear power plant and develop a local workforce to grow Poland’s nuclear industry.
Damac records US $136mn in sales through home ownership campaign
19 June 2026 · Middle East Construction News
Damac Properties has recorded US $136mn in sales through its latest home ownership campaign, reflecting continued demand for quality homes in Dubai and the city’s enduring appeal as a place to live, invest and build a future.
Ardmore Construction Group collapses into administration
11 June 2026 · Construction Enquirer
Ardmore Construction Group went into administration on Thursday after mounting concerns over potential liabilities linked to legacy residential projects undermined its ability to secure new work triggered a cash flow crunch.
ORA awards UNEC US $517.36mn main works contract for BAYN
05 June 2026 · Middle East Construction News
ORA Developers have announced the appointment of United Engineering Construction (UNEC) as the main works contractor for Phase 1 of BAYN, a coastal community within Ghantoot located between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Barry Dodd takes charge at PJ Hegarty UK business
20 May 2026 · Construction Enquirer
PJ Hegarty has appointed Barry Dodd as Managing Director UK where he will oversee a business with a projected turnover of £110m this year.
HS2 Cost Rises to £102.7bn as Completion Delayed to 2040s
20 May 2026 · Construction Enquirer
Transport Secretary confirms the full HS2 route will not open until between 2040 and 2043, with the budget revised to £87.7bn–£102.7bn.
Ferrovial wins $1bn Puerto Rico flood defence contract
14 May 2026 · Global Construction Review
Spain’s Ferrovial has landed a $1.078bn contract from the Caribbean District of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to widen and deepen a segment of the Río Piedras channel in Puerto Rico to improve flood defences.
GCC Mega-Projects Drive Surge in Demand for Commercial Talent
12 April 2026 · B7 Market Brief
NEOM, Diriyah and Qiddiya programmes are accelerating hiring for senior QSes, contracts managers and claims specialists across the Gulf.
Dispute Resolution: The Quiet Boom in Construction Claims
02 March 2026 · B7 Insight
Inflation, supply chain shocks and tighter contracts are fuelling a wave of complex disputes across UK and Middle East infrastructure.