Real Estate Developers in the UAE
Ever since the early 1960s, the UAE has been developing rapidly and expanding faster than any other place. As a result, the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah, is one of the wealthiest nations in the world.
One of the most significant aspects of development is their thriving real estate market that’s supported by the rapid infrastructure development, resulting in cities that we couldn’t have even imagined possible.
Due to this expansion, the Emirates has also become a popular place to live and do business. But how do you choose where to live? What are the best neighborhoods? Which are the best real estate developers? Keep on reading to find out.
Purchasing Real Estate
If you’re looking to purchase a villa, townhouse, or apartment that’s already built and ready to move in, you can look at some of the following real estate developers and their portfolios.
Emaar Properties
One of the most well-known real estate developers in the United Arab Emirates ever since 1977 is Emaar Properties. This company has worked on retail, commercial property, residential, and hospitality projects galore. And not only that, but they’ve expanded their field of work into the Middle Eastern and the North African real estate market.
This is probably one of the companies you’ve already heard about since they’re the ones who built the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. In their portfolio, you’ll also find other significant projects they’ve worked on, such as the Dubai Opera, the Dubai Mall, and the Dubai Fountain, located in the city’s center.
Throughout their years in the construction business, they’ve also built a huge number of residential buildings and communities, such as Downtown Dubai, Emaar Beachfront, Dubai Marina, The Lakes, The Greens, The Meadows, The Springs, and Arabian Ranches. So if you’re looking for a company to purchase real estate from, they’ve done it all.
Nakheel
The next big real estate developer on our list is Nakheel, a company that has been on the real estate market for nearly 20 years. Throughout these two decades, they’ve worked on commercial, retail, hospitality, residential, and leisure developments in the UAE.
Their list of projects includes the Palm Jumeirah complex, an archipelago of artificial islands shaped like a palm tree which is one of the most famous landmarks of Dubai. Another significant project they’re known for is the World Island archipelago, a number of artificial islands in the shape of the map of the world located on Dubai’s coast.
They’re also popular in the residential area sector and they’ve built residential projects, such as the Nad Al Sheba Villas, Jebel Ali Village, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, and International City. Nakheel has also been prominent in the construction of retail projects, among which are The Pointe, Golden Mile Galleria, Dragon Mart and Dragon Mart 2, and Nakheel Mall.
DAMAC Properties
DAMAC Properties was established back in 2002 as part of the DAMAC Group formed in 1992, and is now among the top real estate developers in the city of Dubai, across Saudi Arabia, but also in Jordan, Oman, Lebanon, and the United Kingdom.
The company has built over 26 000 homes, but apart from residential buildings it also constructs commercial and leisure developments. The success of this company was confirmed after it became the first middle eastern real estate company to list on the London Stock Exchange.
One of the most noteworthy developments of DAMAC Properties is the premium golf community called DAMAC Hills, a mix of vertical and horizontal community living that has townhouses, apartments, and villas with world-class facilities and amenities. Other notable residential projects built by DAMAC Properties include AKOYA Oxygen, DAMAC Towers, AKOYA by DAMAC, Constella, and many others.
Deyaar
Deyaar Development is another company that has dominated the Dubai real estate market for years. Even though it first was the property management unit of the Dubai Islamic Bank, in 2001, it was established as a private shareholding company.
In 2003, the company started operating and focused on developing and selling residential and commercial properties. For over twenty years, Deeyar has been constructing the real estate market in Dubai and all across the Emirates, and high-growth countries such as Turkey, Qatar, Lebanon, and Egypt. Proof of the company’s commitment to excellence is the “Best in Technology and Innovation” award issued at the Construction Innovation Awards in 2019.
Currently, the company has 16,000 units and more than 700 buildings under its belt and has become one of the largest real estate development and management companies in the region. The company offers the following services: property development, property management, facilities management, community management, hospitality, and asset management.
Deyaar is the company behind a number of impressive buildings that are parts of Dubai’s skyline, such as the 44-story residential Al Seef Tower in the Dubai Marina, the residential Al Dana Tower on the Buhaira Corniche in Sharjah, and many other residential buildings spread around the Dubai Marina, Business Bay, Al Barsha, Jumeirah, and other areas.
Not only do they offer the opportunity for clients to purchase apartments at various prime locations around Dubai, but they also do property management and everything from property inspections and appraisals to complete documentation and legal assistance, and marketing management and operational assistance.
Dubai Properties
Dubai Properties is part of the Dubai Holding Group and handles the property management and development unit. The company was established back in 2004, operates in more than 13 countries, and has an asset portfolio of AED 130 billion.
Their core activity includes the construction of large-scale commercial and residential buildings in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. Apart from that, it’s well-known because it constructed some of the most recognizable real estate buildings in Dubai.
Some of their most notable developments include the Jumeirah Beach Residence, the Dubailand entertainment complex, and a lot of buildings in the Business Bay district, such as the Executive Towers, Vision Tower, Business Bay Hotel, Mudon, Villanova, Serena, and others. They also have a lot of freehold residential projects, such as the Marsa Al Arab and Madinat Jumeirah Living, which are located in Jumeirah.
MAG Property Development
MAG Lifestyle Development is a company with a 40-year-old legacy. Part of the Moafaq Ahmad Al Gaddah (MAG) Group, a multinational conglomerate based in the UAE, it’s known across the real estate, engineering, contracting, freight services, industrial and commercial trading, and hospitality sectors.
The MAG Lifestyle Development (MAG LD) was established back in 2003 and has expanded tremendously in recent years with developments ranging from luxury high-rise residential towers to large multi-billion dollar communities. Up until this point, it has delivered over 2,500 units altogether.
The main difference between these companies and the others mentioned on this list is that MAG Property Development also focuses on developing low-cost residential housing. One of their most popular low-cost developments is the MAG 5 Boulevard situated in the low-cost residential community in Dubai South.
As Dubai South, which supports 1 million residents, sets to become one of the most affordable parts to purchase real estate in Dubai, we see how MAG 5 paves the way towards that becoming a reality. MAG 5 offers apartments, villas, and townhouses and is designed as an affordable living community that overlooks the largest network of parks in Dubai. Made up of 13 buildings, the development is close to Expo 2020, Dubai Parks and Resorts, the Al Maktoum International Airport, and the metro station.
The development is surrounded by numerous facilities for its residents, such as playgrounds, running and cycling tracks, as well as community and retail centers. The MAG 5 Boulevard is only another added benefit to living in this community as it offers its residents to be connected with the community and enjoy the dining and leisure outlets close by.
Another notable project by MAG is the mixed-use, residential community development project located in Mohammed bin Rashid City – Meydan District 7. The complex is built close to the Meydan Racecourse and is easily accessible through Al Khail and Sheik Mohammed Bin Zayed Roads.
MAG CITY offers a wide selection of townhouses and apartments that aim to harness the natural power of the wind and increase the ventilation in each apartment. Living in the complex will allow you to use the swimming pools and gymnasium, and enjoy the children’s play area and the spacious internal courtyards, fountains, and landscape.
The residential community also houses one of Dubai’s largest clubhouses and numerous restaurants, cafes, and 5-star hotels. Designed for maximum privacy, the complex has a contemporary style and contains all that you’d want in a modern housing complex. Moreover, each townhouse has a spacious backyard, and this walkable community also contains schools, nurseries, and private health clinics.
Other projects by MAG Property development that are worthy of mention include MAG 318 in Business Bay and MBL Residence in Jumeirah Lake Towers.
Meraas
This Dubai-based holding company is quite popular in the real estate, retail, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, and food and beverage sector is Meraas. This privately held holding company was founded back in 2007 and has quite a large portfolio nowadays, but the most impressive part is definitely the real-estate part of the portfolio.
Their most popular residential developments include the Nikki Beach Resort and Spa in Jumeirah, which consists of apartment townhouses, penthouses, and four-bedroom apartments.
Another notable development is a pristine island located in Jumeirah Bay, called Port de la Mer, which combines living, dining, shopping, and entertainment experiences.
The Bluewaters Residences is another popular project of Meraas that’s located on the artificial island of Bluewaters and captures amazing views of the Persian Gulf. A property that sparks interest is the Bvlgari Residences in Jumeirah Bay designed by the Italian architect Antonio Citterio. The three to six-bedroom mansions, four-bedroom penthouses, and three-bedroom apartments are all branded residences that are one of only six of their kind in the world.
Next, we have Central Park in the City Walk neighborhood, where Meraas has built apartments that overlooks both the park and Dubai’s skyline, which has recently changed due to the addition of Ain Dubai, also a property of Meeras. The 250-meters tall Ferris wheel consists of over 9,000 tonnes of steel and is located on Bluewaters island. After its completion, Ain Dubai became the tallest observation wheel in the world.
Since Meeras was founded, its portfolio has been rather diverse, especially when it comes to their residential projects. Apart from residential and commercial buildings, Meeras is also the company behind the creation of Dubai Harbor, the development that became the first yachting community hub in the Middle East and has a total of 1,100 berths.
Meydan
One of the most impressive projects of the Meydan Group is the Mohammed Bin Rashid City which was created based on the visionary concept of His Highness Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.
The complex is made up of four main components:
- Family tourism (hotel facilities and a park that’s designed with the collaboration of Universal Studios)
- Retail (Meydan One Mall)
- Arts (a large area for art galleries)
- Entrepreneurship and innovation (entrepreneurship initiatives and supporting businesses all over the world)
The City District One consists of 1,100 acres of freehold opportunity, 7km of lagoons, and a 14km shoreline intended for leisure and family gatherings. The city offers a lot to potential buyers, such as the Meydan Racecourse, which hosts horse races and the Dubai World Cup, attracting tourists from all over the world.
The city can house about 83,000 residents and offers a wide range of amenities, such as places to work, relax, exercise, dine, and shop. Part of District One is the Dubai One Tower, with an iconic height of 711m that’s set to be the world's tallest residential tower.
In the hospitality area, Meydan has the luxurious Meydan Hotel, a five-star hotel that’s located close to the iconic Meydan Avenue. The hotel houses a nine-hole golf course, a prestigious tennis academy, and jogging and cycle tracks that guests can enjoy in their free time. Apart from leisure and housing, Meydan also has the Meydan Free Zone that supports businesses from all around the world and an international free zone trading status.
Their portfolio extends beyond extravagant beaches, crystalline lagoons, parklands, and shops. They also offer a wide variety of elegant homes, including multiple-bedroom villas and mansions that appeal to buyers with extravagant tastes.
OMNIYAT
OMNIYAT is one of the most visionary real-estate development companies in the Gulf region. Founded in 2005, the company has created a number of commercial, residential, hospitality, and retail spaces that catch the eye of every visitor as each building is a rare work of art.
Each of OMNIYAT’s developments is placed in a prestigious location that does justice to the design of the building and its surrounding. Throughout the years, the company has worked with a lot of extraordinary architects, interior designers, and artists who helped bring their ideas to life and create a unique home for each resident.
One of the buildings that OMNIYAT is most known for is The Opus building, located in the Burj Khalifa district. The unique building that has a cube-like structure and an amorphous hole in the center was designed by the late Zaha Hadid, one of the greatest architects to have ever lived. Deemed “The building that never sleeps”, the 20-story mixed-use building houses apartments, a hotel, restaurants, and offices.
With a height of 93m and 21 floors, the Opus is a major building in the Dubai skyline with an eye-catching design. When looking at the environment around the building, we see where the architect drew inspiration for the ultimate residence, the place where style, luxury, technology, and furniture blend into a perfect sample of modern living, which is the essence of Dubai.
The interior is just as impressive as the exterior with its striking design. The one-bedroom residences all embody the desert theme and are a combination of comfort and function that has been planned to perfection.
Another building worthy of mention is OMNIYAT’s The Pad, a high-rise residential building that leans at 6.5°. Located in the Dubai Creek and Burj Khalifa District, it has 30 floors of residential and retail units.
The whole building is enveloped in LED lighting, which is why OMNIYAT says that it “shines like a star”. The Pad is one of the most glamorous buildings in Dubai, overlooking the Burj Khalifa and the Persian Gulf. Throughout the day, the building shines and shimmers in the sunlight and reflects the sun, sea, and sky, while at night, it pays tribute to the desert stars.
Other than the two most popular projects we’ve mentioned above, OMNIYAT has a lot of other projects in their portfolio, such as the residential Ava at Palm Jumeirah, One at Palm Jumeirah, The Residences, The Sterling, ANWA, The Square, and so on, as well as the commercial developments like The Binary, One, Bayswater, and SZ21.
Sobha
First established in 1976 in Oman as an interior decoration firm by the Indian entrepreneur PNC Menon, Sobha currently present in the real estate market in the UAE, Bahrain, Brunei, and India. With more than 40 years in the real estate market, Sobha has built a strong brand that stands for quality, luxury, and creativity.
They pride themselves on the excellent service they offer their clients by constructing buildings that combine engineering, design, and development, and incorporate materials of the highest quality. During the time they’ve been present in the real estate market, they’ve won numerous international awards.
The current headquarters of Sobha is Dubai, which is where a lot of their current projects are constructed. One of their most renowned projects in Dubai is Sobha Hartland. Located in the iconic Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City, Sobha Hartland is connected with the rest of Dubai with the famous Ras Al Khor Road. The real estate complex is just minutes away from the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, and the Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Close to the complex are the Dubai Marina, the Palm Jumeirah, the Dubai International airport, and the Emirates Golf Club.
Sobha Hartland is a waterfront community situated in the center of Dubai that has a combination of luxurious apartments, high-end townhouses, and beautiful villas. The most popular out of them all is the Forest Villas, which are surrounded by nature and feature a lot of open spaces. Enclosed by lush green forest, the villas are sought after by families who want to have a blend of urban life and serene landscapes. The interior of the complex is just as appealing as the exterior and combines ease of use, comfort, and luxury.
Apart from the stunning residential buildings, the complex has all the additional amenities, such as nurseries, schools, sports facilities and swimming pools, playgrounds, parks, as well as places to do community activities and have family picnics.
Other than the Sobha Hartland community, Sobha is known for a number of other luxury projects, such as the Gardenia Villas, One Park Avenue, Creek Vistas Reserve, Creek Vistas Grande, The Crest, and many more.
Final Thoughts
If you’re on the market and intend to purchase real estate in the UAE, working with either one of the above-mentioned companies will guarantee that you can have a lot of projects to choose from. Since Dubai is one of the most developed Emirates due to trade and tourism, you can find the largest amount of real estate there. That being said, Abu Dhabi is the richest Emirate, so it’s not to be underestimated when it comes to the real estate market.
Whichever company you decide to purchase real estate from, make sure that you make your wishes known beforehand, so you don’t waste a lot of time looking at apartments or townhouses that you wouldn’t even think about purchasing. During this process, you can even make changes to some of the properties, so you can take a look at some of our previous articles related to “Extending a villa in Dubai” and a “Checklist to check before hiring a contractor” to help you along the way.