Ajmal Makan City Sharjah Guide

Ajmal Makan City is the master-planned island development behind Sharjah Waterfront City, one of the largest coastal projects in the emirate. This guide covers what it is like to live there in 2026: the masterplan and islands, the property mix, the ownership structure for buyers, the amenities, and who the community suits best.

What Ajmal Makan City is

Ajmal Makan City is the branding used for a large master-planned coastal development in Sharjah, widely known as Sharjah Waterfront City. It is led by the developer Ajmal Makan, founded and chaired by Sheikh Abdullah F. Al Shakrah, and is planned as a group of interconnected man-made and reshaped islands with residential, retail and leisure districts. The scale is significant: the developer has described a multi-billion-dirham city designed to house tens of thousands of residents across several islands once fully delivered.

Because it is a phased masterplan, different islands and sub-communities are at different stages, from completed and handed-over clusters to areas still under construction. That means the experience of living there depends heavily on which island and phase you choose. For a companion view focused on the waterfront lifestyle itself, read our guide to living in Ajmal Makan City on the Sharjah Waterfront.

Where it sits in Sharjah

Sharjah is the third most populous city in the UAE and is widely regarded as the cultural capital of the country, recognised by UNESCO as World Book Capital in 2019. The emirate sits directly alongside Dubai, and its coastal and northern areas have drawn growing residential development as buyers look for more space and lower prices than the Dubai market. Ajmal Makan City is set on the Sharjah coastline as a self-contained waterfront destination, connected to the mainland road network that links Sharjah with Dubai and the other northern emirates.

The location suits people who want island and waterfront living within commuting distance of Sharjah and Dubai, while accepting that a new masterplan takes years to fully mature. If you are comparing Sharjah communities, weigh it against the more established inland option in our guide to Tilal City.

Property types across the islands

Ajmal Makan City is planned around a mix of home types spread across its islands and sub-communities. Broadly, buyers can expect:

• Villas and townhouses in districts such as Sun Island, aimed at families wanting space and private waterfront plots
• Apartments in areas such as Blue Bay Walk, aimed at singles, couples and investors
• Waterfront and marina-facing homes with direct or near water access in parts of the development

Because the masterplan is delivered in phases, the exact homes on the market at any time depend on which islands have launched or handed over. If you are buying, confirm the island, the sub-community, the plot or floor, and the current construction status, since a completed cluster and an off-plan launch carry very different timelines and risks. Buyers weighing the wider Sharjah market can read our guides to buying a villa in Sharjah and buying an apartment in Sharjah.

Amenities and lifestyle

The masterplan for Ajmal Makan City is built around waterfront leisure and self-contained community living. Planned and delivered amenities across the development have included:

• A large marina with hundreds of berths
• Retail and mall space alongside dining and community facilities
• Leisure and theme-park style attractions within the wider masterplan
• Beaches, promenades and landscaped waterfront areas
• Community facilities such as pools, parks and sports areas within residential clusters

The intended lifestyle is resort-like and family-oriented, with the water at the centre. As with any phased project, it is important to confirm which amenities are already operational at the time you move in, rather than relying on the full masterplan vision, since large developments fill in over several years.

Ownership, tenure and the rules for buyers

Ownership in Sharjah works differently from the freehold system used in Dubai. Sharjah has opened designated developments to buyers of all nationalities, but the tenure is often structured as a long-term usufruct or a renewable long lease rather than the outright freehold title common in Dubai. The exact structure depends on the specific project and phase, so it is essential to confirm with the developer and a licensed agent what you are actually buying, the term, and any renewal conditions, before you sign.

Buying a qualifying UAE property can also support a long-term residence visa. We explain the thresholds and process in our Golden Visa guide, but note that eligibility depends on property value and the current rules, which can change, so verify on the official channels. If you are buying with finance, mortgage limits are set by the Central Bank of the UAE, with expatriate first-home borrowing typically capped at 80 percent of value for homes at AED 5 million or below as of 2026; see our UAE mortgage guide for details.

Renting versus buying

Ajmal Makan City attracts both owner-occupiers and investors, though the rental market is younger than in established Sharjah districts because much of the development is newer or off-plan. Rents and sale prices vary by island, sub-community, size and view, so treat any single figure as indicative only. If you rent, tenancy contracts in Sharjah are registered through the emirate's own municipal system rather than Dubai's Ejari, so follow the local process and keep your standard documents ready. Rent-increase rules are set at the emirate level, so confirm the current position with the relevant Sharjah authority.

Pros and cons of Ajmal Makan City

• Pros: island and waterfront living, a large planned marina and leisure offering, generally lower prices than comparable Dubai waterfront, and open ownership to buyers of many nationalities in designated areas.
• Cons: a phased masterplan still maturing, so some amenities are not yet live, ownership tenure that differs from Dubai freehold and needs checking, and a younger rental market than established districts.

If you want affordable waterfront living and are comfortable with a developing masterplan, Ajmal Makan City is worth shortlisting. If you prefer a completed, established community, weigh it against other Sharjah options and view the specific island and phase before deciding.

Who it suits best

Ajmal Makan City suits families and end-users who want island or waterfront living at a lower entry point than Dubai, and investors comfortable with a phased masterplan and Sharjah's ownership structure. It is less suited to buyers who need a fully built community with every amenity operational from day one. As always, confirm the island, phase, tenure and service charges, and verify current pricing before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the developer of Ajmal Makan City?

Ajmal Makan City, marketed as Sharjah Waterfront City, is developed by Ajmal Makan, a Sharjah-based master developer founded and chaired by Sheikh Abdullah F. Al Shakrah. It is planned as a large coastal city of interconnected islands.

What kind of homes does Ajmal Makan City offer?

The masterplan includes villas and townhouses in districts such as Sun Island and apartments in areas such as Blue Bay Walk, along with waterfront and marina-facing homes. The exact homes available depend on which islands and phases have launched or handed over.

Can foreigners own property in Ajmal Makan City?

Sharjah opens designated developments to buyers of many nationalities, but the tenure is often a long-term usufruct or renewable lease rather than Dubai-style freehold. Confirm the exact structure, term and conditions with the developer and a licensed agent before buying.

What amenities does the development have?

Planned and delivered amenities include a large marina, retail and mall space, leisure and theme-park attractions, beaches and promenades, and community facilities within residential clusters. Confirm which amenities are operational at the time you move in, as the masterplan is phased.

Is Ajmal Makan City cheaper than Dubai waterfront?

Sharjah waterfront property generally carries lower entry prices than comparable Dubai waterfront, which is part of the appeal. Exact prices and rents vary by island, phase and unit, so check current developer information and a licensed agent for figures.

External references: an overview of Sharjah on Wikipedia, the UAE Government guide to the Golden Visa, and the guide to leasing a property in the UAE.