The Eighth Gate
Emaar’s own project in Syria: a mixed-use district in Yafour, first launched in 2005 and revived in 2026.
Syria · New developments Last reviewed:
Emaar projects in Syria
One development in Syria belongs to Emaar Properties: The Eighth Gate in Yafour, near Damascus. The two destinations now registering interest for homes, Damascus Heights and Latakia Yachts & Marina, are by Eagle Hills, the Abu Dhabi developer led by Emaar’s founder, Mohamed Alabbar.
The projects
A short overview of each, with a link to the project’s own site where there is one.
Damascus Heights
A courtyard-led community of villas, apartments and townhouses by Eagle Hills, about 20 minutes from Old Damascus.
Latakia Yachts & Marina
A Mediterranean waterfront by Eagle Hills: homes around a marina and yacht club, 15 minutes from the centre of Latakia.
Three projects, two developers
What each project is, who is building it and how far along it is. Scale figures are as reported in the press and are marked as such.
| Project | Developer | Location | Scale | Homes | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Eighth Gate | Emaar Properties | Yafour, near Damascus | 300,000 sq m site; US$500 million (reported) | Residential zone planned; unit details not published | Emaar to develop it alone after leaving the joint venture (May 2026) |
| Damascus Heights | Eagle Hills | Damascus | Eagle Hills’ Damascus masterplan: 33 million sq m (reported, May 2026) | Villas, apartments and townhouses; 1 to 5+ bedrooms | Registering interest |
| Latakia Yachts & Marina | Eagle Hills | Latakia coast | Eagle Hills’ Latakia masterplan: 15 million sq m (reported, May 2026) | Villas, apartments and townhouses; 1 to 5+ bedrooms; from USD 1,600 per sq m | Registering interest |
Emaar or Eagle Hills?
Mohamed Alabbar founded both companies, which is why Eagle Hills’ Syrian destinations are so often searched for as Emaar projects. They are separate developers with separate projects.
Emaar Properties
Emaar Properties
- Based in
- Dubai
- Ownership
- Listed on the Dubai Financial Market
- In Syria
- The Eighth Gate, Yafour
Eagle Hills
Eagle Hills
- Based in
- Abu Dhabi
- Ownership
- Private
- In Syria
- Damascus Heights and Latakia Yachts & Marina
How it unfolded
The announcements behind the three projects, in order.
-
2005
Emaar launches The Eighth Gate near Damascus as a joint venture with IGO, an investment and property development company.
-
After 2011
Emaar’s Syrian projects, The Eighth Gate and Damascus Hills, are halted.
-
May 2026
During an Emirati delegation’s visit to Damascus, two Eagle Hills masterplans are reported: 33 million sq m in the Dummar district of Damascus and 15 million sq m on the Latakia coast, together valued at more than US$50 billion and described as being at the presentation stage.
-
18 May 2026
Emaar says it will leave the joint venture and develop The Eighth Gate on its own.
-
16 July 2026
Semafor reports that Alabbar plans at least US$20 billion of developments in Damascus and Latakia, run through Eagle Hills rather than Emaar.
-
Autumn 2026
Eagle Hills presents Damascus Heights and Latakia Yachts & Marina, each with villas, apartments and townhouses.
Questions people ask
Does Emaar have projects in Syria?
Yes, one. The Eighth Gate in Yafour, near Damascus, is an Emaar Properties development. In May 2026 Emaar said it would leave the project’s joint venture and develop it independently.
Is Damascus Heights an Emaar project?
No. Damascus Heights is developed by Eagle Hills, a private developer founded in Abu Dhabi. It is often associated with Emaar because Mohamed Alabbar founded both companies.
Is Latakia Yachts & Marina an Emaar project?
No. Latakia Yachts & Marina is developed by Eagle Hills Syria. It is a waterfront destination on the Latakia coast with villas, apartments and townhouses, a marina and yacht club, and a beach club.
What is the difference between Emaar and Eagle Hills?
Emaar Properties is a Dubai-based developer listed on the Dubai Financial Market. Eagle Hills is a private developer and investor founded in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed Alabbar founded both, but they are separate companies. In Syria, Emaar has The Eighth Gate; Eagle Hills has Damascus Heights and Latakia Yachts & Marina.
Is Damascus Hills the same as Damascus Heights?
No. Damascus Hills was an earlier Emaar project in Syria that was halted after 2011, according to The Syrian Observer. Damascus Heights is a 2026 Eagle Hills project. Its Arabic name, تلال دمشق, translates literally as “Damascus Hills”, which adds to the confusion.
Where is The Eighth Gate?
In Yafour, west of Damascus. The National reports a 300,000 sq m site with commercial, retail, hospitality and residential zones.
Can I buy property in these projects now?
Damascus Heights and Latakia Yachts & Marina are taking enquiries for villas, apartments and townhouses. Prices at Latakia Yachts & Marina start from USD 1,600 per square metre and vary depending on the unit’s location, view and specifications; Damascus Heights prices are shared on request. For The Eighth Gate, no unit details, prices or construction timeline had been published when this guide was last reviewed.
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Sources
The facts in this guide come from the developers’ own project material and from the reporting below.
- Project material published by Eagle Hills for Damascus Heights and Latakia Yachts & Marina