Shurooq targets a December 2026 opening for the 700-metre beachfront and sets mid-2027 launch for the Khatm Al Melaha Rock Art Centre
SHARJAH, UAE :Development work on the Kalba Waterfront project has crossed the 75 percent completion milestone, positioning the 700-metre shoreline destination for an official opening by December 2026, the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) announced.
The coastal destination forms part of a wider infrastructure initiative aimed at transforming Sharjah’s eastern enclave into a hub for sustainable tourism and commerce. Parallel to the beachfront works, Shurooq is preparing to open the Kalba Rock Art Centre at the Khatm Al Melaha archaeological site in the second quarter of 2027.
Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Chief Executive Officer of Shurooq, detailed the project timelines during an interview on Sharjah Broadcasting Authority’s ‘Direct Line’ programme. He noted that the urban designs integrate Kalba’s distinct geographical profile—spanning the coastline, mountain ranges, and fragile mangrove ecosystems—with community amenities.
The 700-metre Kalba Beach development introduces 11 commercial units designed for homegrown dining concepts, retail kiosks, and regional businesses. Public infrastructure includes dedicated cycling and jogging tracks, football and volleyball courts, children’s play areas, universally accessible facilities, and prayer amenities.
Engineers are executing the waterfront construction in accordance with Blue Flag eco-label standards, utilizing environmentally sustainable building materials. Given the site’s proximity to protected marine sanctuaries and mangrove reserves, environmental protocols mandate strict coastal water quality monitoring and marine habitat preservation during both construction and operational phases.
Organizers also plan to stage inaugural New Year’s Eve fireworks displays at the waterfront to mark the arrival of 2027, introducing an annual gathering point for eastern coast residents.
The companion project, the Kalba Rock Art Centre, focuses on historical preservation at Khatm Al Melaha. The site holds archaeological significance across multiple epochs, including the Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Ages through to the 19th century. Excavations have uncovered stone dwellings, ancient tombs, shell middens, and extensive petroglyphs detailing early trade, metallurgy, horse riding, and regional wildlife.
Across 150 boulders, researchers have documented more than 400 distinct petroglyphs. Shurooq is developing the interpretive centre in collaboration with the Sharjah Archaeology Authority and international partner Global Digital Heritage, which is compiling high-resolution digital scans and 3D architectural models of the carvings. The facility will incorporate permanent gallery spaces, immersive virtual reality installations, educational lecture rooms, and dedicated research laboratories for visiting academic institutions.
Both projects operate under the directives of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, alongside oversight from Shurooq Chairperson Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi. The investments reflect a strategic shift to decentralize emirate-wide economic growth, channeling capital into heritage preservation, environmental conservation, and local retail infrastructure across Sharjah’s eastern seaboard.
