Jumeirah Group has confirmed plans to build a major extension to Madinat Jumeirah, its Arabian resort in Dubai.

The resort currently houses three hotels – Al Qasr, Mina A'Salam and Dar Al Masyaf – linked by a traditional Arabian souk and a meandering waterway.

The project, known as Madinat Jumeirah Phase 4, will include a luxury five-star hotel, a villa complex, restaurants and a commercial centre with retail stores as well as a pedestrian precinct. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

The luxury five-star hotel in the project will have 420 rooms with sea views as well as a range of international restaurants and other facilities.

The group of 45 villas and hotel apartments will be run by Jumeirah Living, a subsidiary of the Jumeirah Group. The complex will enjoy access to enhanced facilities and residential services and a number of restaurants, a business centre and other amenities.

Gerald Lawless, President and Group CEO of Jumeirah Group said:

"The development of Phase 4 at Madinat Jumeirah reflects the strength of the travel and tourism market in Dubai as well as the success of the Madinat Jumeirah resort. Phase 4 is a natural extension of the current three hotels within Madinat Jumeirah and will be a further enhancement to luxury hospitality in Dubai. Thanks to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the support of our parent company Dubai Holding, Jumeirah Group looks forward to building on Dubai's reputation as a destination for luxury travellers with this magnificent new development."

Jumeirah's ambitious expansion plans to grow its portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts worldwide are well underway, with projects currently under development in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Morocco, India, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Azerbaijan and the Caribbean.