Dubai real estate market has kicked off the new year with strong performance, driven by sustained demand from a growing population and increasing investor interest. According to research conducted by Emirates NBD Bank, demand rose by 19% on a monthly basis and by more than 55% year-on-year. This marks the highest monthly level recorded so far this year. The first quarter of the year saw a strong 23% year-on-year increase in transaction volume, highlighting the emirate’s ability to strike the perfect balance between investment potential and quality of life.
Key Numbers:
- +55% – Year-on-year increase in real estate demand in Dubai, according to Emirates NBD.
- AED 4.4 billion – Total value of 73 luxury property transactions (over $10M) between January and April 2025.
- +126% – Growth in residential unit deliveries in the first four months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
- 15,171 units – Number of residential units delivered from January to April 2025.
Bloomberg reported that Dubai real estate market is witnessing a notable boom, attracting the attention of major investors from Wall Street, following a nearly 70% increase in property values over the past four years. According to informed sources, Canadian firm Brookfield Corporation is considering a plan to develop an integrated residential and commercial project in the Dubai Hills area, marking its first residential real estate investment in the region. At the same time, an asset management company owned by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, Temasek, is exploring investment opportunities in the city.
These companies have joined other major institutions such as Goldman Sachs and the Asian investment firm Hillhouse Investment, both of which have recently invested millions of dollars in Dubai real estate market. This boom is largely attributed to the strong momentum in market activity. Over the past two years, Dubai has seen the sale of eight office towers — a number that exceeds the total recorded over the entire previous decade, according to data from real estate consultancy Knight Frank. Additionally, Dubai has recorded 15 hotel deals over the past 30 months — an unprecedented figure. In the first quarter of this year, the city also recorded record-breaking sales of properties valued at over $10 million.
A significant increase in the inflow of global wealth into Dubai is expected by 2025, which will further strengthen the emirate’s position within the global financial system, according to a recent report by real estate brokerage Betterhomes. Currently, Dubai is witnessing not only the arrival of global wealth, but its settlement — in the form of investments in branded residences, prestigious properties, and high-quality, sustainability-focused real estate projects. As the migration of millionaires accelerates, Dubai real estate market is set to continue evolving from a cyclical opportunity into a structural asset class.
The number of luxury real estate transactions in Dubai exceeding the value of $10 million (AED 36.7 million) reached 73 deals between the beginning of 2025 and the end of April. These transactions, which included apartments, villas, and office spaces, amounted to a total value of AED 4.4 billion, according to data from the Dubai Land Department’s official website.
These high-value transactions were concentrated in 14 areas, with the highest value recorded in Palm Jumeirah at AED 180 million, followed by Island 2 Second with AED 156 million, Dubai Water Canal in third place with AED 140 million, Jumeirah Second in fourth with AED 116 million, another set of transactions in Palm Jumeirah in fifth with AED 115 million, and Jumeirah Lakes Towers in sixth place with AED 106 million.
Dubai real estate market is witnessing a notable acceleration in the execution and delivery of residential projects, reflecting developers’ confidence and their responsiveness to the growing demand for property in the emirate. In a remarkable development, the number of residential units delivered during the first four months (January to April) of 2025 rose to 15,171 units, compared to only 6,700 units during the same period in 2024 — a 126% increase, more than double the previous year’s deliveries.
DMDC, a Dubai-based company specializing in design and construction, has announced a strategic partnership with Okta Real Estate Development, the development arm of Okta Properties, to execute three projects in the heart of the Dubai Hills Estate community. This initiative marks the beginning of a collaboration that brings together architectural excellence and expertise in real estate project management, aiming to elevate construction and design standards in the luxury real estate sector in the UAE and the wider region.
The first project of its kind will involve the development of three high-specification luxury villas in the “Emerald Hills” area within Dubai Hills Estate. The villas will range in size from 12,000 to 24,000 square feet, including one villa to be built on a double plot covering 24,000 square feet.
DMDC will be fully responsible for the design and execution of the interior finishes of each villa. In turn, Okta Real Estate Development will contribute its expertise in property development and strategic marketing. Okta Properties has established a strong presence in the market by overseeing real estate projects branded by global names such as Marriott, Elie Saab, Missoni, and most recently, Mouawad Jewelry as a global partner in property development.
In this context, Raji Doue, General Manager of DMDC, stated: “In these projects, we have been keen to blend form, function, and design in a meticulous manner that reflects the attention to detail our company is known for. We have designed spaces that embody a refined lifestyle, featuring leisure facilities such as spas, saunas, private cinemas, and other elements of comfort and luxury that distinguish these villas from others currently on the market.” DMDC is also nearing completion of two prominent projects in Arabian Ranches.
For his part, Fawaz Sous, CEO of Okta Real Estate Development, said: “We are excited about this partnership, which brings together our development vision with DMDC’s expertise in high-quality execution. Our goal is to deliver unique residences that embody a new concept of modern luxury.”
