Dubai luxury off-plan sales surge 240% in two years

Khaleej Times

04-08-2025

Dubai luxury real estate market — units priced above Dh10 million — has witnessed a surge of 240 per cent since 2022, data showed on Monday.
Savills' latest Prime Residential Report reveals a sharp rise in resale values across renovated legacy communities, where pricing now exceeds some of Dubai's most established ultra-prime locations.
These movements highlight a structural evolution in buyer behaviour. Off-plan villas are gaining traction through early capital commitments in large-scale communities, while upgraded resale stock is achieving record prices in established neighbourhoods with mature infrastructure.
In 2024, 69 per cent of all Dh10 million-plus transactions were off-plan. This marks a sharp shift from 2022, when just 952 off-plan deals occurred in this price segment. By the end of 2024, that number had reached 3,223, demonstrating a 240 per cent increase over two years. This momentum has continued into 2025. Market data shows that 3,731 properties priced above Dh10 million were sold in H1 2025, representing a 15 per cent increase over the full-year total of off-plan transactions in 2024. The sustained rise in high-value sales reflects growing investor confidence and reinforces Dubai's positioning as a leading global destination for prime residential capital.
Villa-led launches in large-scale master plans are driving this trend. Buyers are entering early in the development cycle, drawn not only by the potential for long-term value but also by the lifestyle on offer. These communities typically feature expansive amenities such as polo and golf courses, sports and leisure facilities, and curated F&B options, which further add to their appeal. The capital entering this segment reflects greater confidence in developer delivery and long-term market stability.
While ready sales above Dh10 million have remained steady at around 1,500 transactions per year, the acceleration in off-plan volumes confirms a shift in how capital is being deployed in Dubai's prime market. The stability in ready sales reflects longer ownership cycles among existing homeowners, as well as sustained demand from a growing base of high-net-worth individuals choosing to establish themselves in the city. Many purchasers are focused on asset quality, product positioning, and delivery track records over immediate availability.
Renovated legacy communities are outperforming
In parallel, strong demand is supporting premium pricing in mature communities with upgraded stock. Jumeirah Islands provides the clearest example.
Originally completed in 2006, the community had just eight Dh10 million-plus transactions in 2021. In 2024, that figure reached 89. As of 2025 year-to-date, more than 90 per cent of all transactions within Jumeirah Islands have exceeded the Dh10 million mark, and over 40 per cent have crossed Dh20 million.
The highest achieved rate in the community now stands at Dh6,375 per square foot. That figure surpasses comparable averages in Emirates Hills and nearly doubles pricing in many villa-led off-plan communities. This reflects the premium being paid for fully renovated, ready-to-occupy homes in established neighbourhoods with limited supply.
Buyers targeting this segment are placing greater value on renovation quality, plot layout, and location maturity. Capital is being deployed with clear criteria around finish, privacy, and access to infrastructure.
Dubai's prime demand is broadening
Both off-plan and renovated resale activity are benefiting from a deeper pool of globally mobile buyers with varied objectives. While motivations differ, the consistent trend is capital being allocated toward high-quality products in locations that meet long-term lifestyle or investment criteria.
'Dubai is no longer a stopover market. Buyers entering the prime space today are globally mobile, long-term focused, and looking to anchor their wealth in a city that offers both quality of life and asset strength,' said Andrew Cummings, Head of Residential Agency at Savills Middle East. 'The sharp rise in Dh10 million-plus transactions speaks to a structural shift in demand that indicates global capital's attraction to Dubai Real Estate.'
This shift is also influencing how developers design and launch new products, and how sellers in the secondary market prepare properties for listing. Layout optimisation, design consistency, and wellness elements are being prioritised across both segments.
Branded residences strengthen apartment-led prime demand
While villas dominate recent transaction growth, apartment sales still account for nearly 30 per cent of all Dh10 million-plus activity, with branded residences forming a significant share of that volume. Dubai is now the most active market globally for branded residential development, according to Savills' 2025 Branded Residences Middle East and Africa report.
The city is home to more than 50 branded residential developments, both completed and under construction, ranging from standalone residences to full-service hotel partnerships. These include completed developments such as The Lana Residences – Dorchester Collection, Bvlgari Residences, and One&Only One Za'abeel, as well as upcoming projects like The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Six Senses Residences The Palm, and Four Seasons Private Residences DIFC. Many of these schemes are commanding prime and ultra-prime pricing, particularly along the waterfront and in central neighbourhoods such as Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina.
Branded residences are attracting both investors and end-users seeking a lock-and-leave lifestyle, professional management, and premium design consistency. These homes typically offer curated amenities, hotel-style services, and strong resale potential, with pricing in some schemes now exceeding Dh10,000 per square foot.
With Dubai forecast to account for 40 per cent of all branded residential development across the Middle East and Africa by 2031, this segment is set to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of the Dh10 million-plus apartment market.
Strategic outlook for investors, developers, and owners
Dubai's prime market now offers multiple strategic entry points. For those engaging in early-stage acquisition, off-plan villa communities continue to provide scale, pricing flexibility, and strong forward demand. For existing owners in established districts, capital invested in full renovations is resulting in valuations that match or exceed legacy trophy locations.
Transaction volumes and pricing strength are rising together, and product diversity across the Dh10 million-plus bracket is widening. This reinforces Dubai's positioning as a liquid, resilient, and performance-driven market at the global prime level
The current momentum is underpinned by product quality, planning visibility, and buyer alignment. These factors will continue to define the next phase of Dubai's prime residential market evolution.