Michael Belton, CEO of Mered Development, brought 30 years of experience from Russia and other countries to the UAE market. He shares his vision of development where quality of life, rather than immediate profit, takes centre stage. My journey here began in Alaska, where I learned to build in extreme conditions.
Then came thirty years in Russia, working with Hines and eventually heading development at Roman Abramovich’s Millhouse Capital. Moving to Dubai just over a year ago, I was struck by the efficiency: within a week, I had my UAE ID, driving licence, found a flat, and enrolled my daughter in school. Such speed is unimaginable anywhere else.
At Mered Development, we don’t compete with giants building entire districts. Our niche is creating high-class, boutique projects where every detail matters. For people, for life isn’t just a slogan; it reflects our philosophy of building not only for residents but for the entire urban environment.
Our flagship project, Iconic Residences — the tallest building in Internet City — embodies a new standard. The location wasn’t random: Media City and Internet City are essentially the Middle East’s Silicon Valley. European clients, who comprise 85% of our buyers, value our approach.
They come to Dubai for security, tax advantages, and climate, but won’t sacrifice quality. So, we consider European habits: spacious entrance halls for shoes and outerwear, reverse osmosis systems for drinking water straight from the tap, hospital-grade air filtration protecting against smog and sand. Our partnership with Pininfarina isn’t marketing; it’s a deep integration of Italian design philosophy into every aspect, from architecture to the dolce vita atmosphere.
Working with our Turkish contractor, we regularly inspect not just construction progress but workers’ living conditions. It’s unacceptable that someone working in 52-degree heat returns to a stuffy barracks without proper nutrition, then builds premium property the next day. Care for all participants from CEO to labourer is part of our DNA.
My hockey experience taught me the value of teamwork. Even in Dubai, I continue playing locally. Hockey forms a particular personality — disciplined, understanding that a team is only as strong as its weakest player.