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Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Why high-net-worth individuals are moving to golf-front homes
Nestled in the golf district of Dubai South, Discovery Dunes is shaping up to look like the blueprint for ultra-luxury golf communities in the UAE. Here, renowned American golf course architect Tom Fazio designed his first 18-hole private layout in the region, with wide fairways, recessed bunkers, and native ghaf trees woven into the desert in a way that feels intentional, understated, and remarkably quiet. Spanning nearly 27 million square feet, Discovery Dunes — developed by Discovery Land Company — includes 340 residences, with 84 per cent of the land preserved as open space. With the value of plots reaching approximately Dh183 million, Discovery Dunes isn't just selling homes — it's selling exclusivity. One of the latest deals, in April 2025, closed at Dh33 million for a 52,000-square-foot plot, underscoring just how much buyers are willing to pay for space and seclusion. The 600-acre development offers three types of land plots — Estate, Signature, and Lifestyle — ranging in size from around 22,000sqft to over 73,000sqft. Beyond golf, residents enjoy amenities like the Lakehouse — a farm-to-table restaurant overlooking the 11th hole — equestrian facilities, wellness centres, and even 'comfort stations' stocked with gourmet snacks. Buyers are required to purchase a membership for access to the amenities, reinforcing a focus on quality over scale. Even though homes that overlook golf course estates typically have a 10-30 per cent price premium, golf-front homes in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have steadily carved out their place in the market over the past two decades. Not for the sport, but for what they offer: green views, fewer neighbours, and a sense of calm that's getting harder to buy. 'There's always been an association globally between green space and golf communities and privacy and exclusivity,' says Ghada 'GG' Benitez, the CEO of GG Benitez International, a luxury real estate company that operates under Prime Capital Realty in Dubai. She also runs the affiliate offices in California and in Spain's Costa del Sol. 'When you have exclusivity, particularly, that equates most times to additional value.' Benitez, who also hosts The Dubai Connect Podcast where she discusses real estate trends in the UAE, launched her property firm in Dubai a little under three years ago but works with her strategic partner, who has operated in the market for over two decades. 'Dubai is a vertical city... It's not as prevalent to find open green areas.' She said that as part of the UAE's Master 2040 plan to develop more green spaces for residents, golf communities are in line with the government's long-term goals. To understand what's driving demand for golf communities, Benitez says you have to look at who's actually moving in. She notes a rise in high-net-worth individuals relocating from the UK, the US, Canada, Russia, and India, with most of her clients coming from Europe and North America. In those parts of the world, golf is already tied to luxury, she notes. But the group to really watch, she says, is families. 'As more families move to Dubai, they're looking for more villas and townhouses,' she explains, adding that they are looking for greenspace. UK families are a big one. The GEMS Education report Exodus & Education: Why British Parents Are Moving to the UAE found that over a third of UK parents with children in private schools are considering relocating abroad due to rising education costs — with many drawn to the UAE for its tax-free income, strong schools, and family-friendly lifestyle. That shift in who's buying is shaping the kinds of spaces people want. It's not just about luxury — it's about liveability. Many of the golf communities are gated, offering privacy, greenery, and a quieter environment that's well-suited for raising families, Benitez explained. 'Because it's green, it lends to that serenity and greenery, and recreational walkways that are associated with more desirable, luxurious, higher value,' Benitez says. It's a clear contrast to typical tower living and speaks directly to the growing number of families choosing to relocate to Dubai. Of the highest rated communities, Dubai Hills Estate topped villa searches in Q1 2025 — and it's easy to see why. It's massive, central, and built with families in mind. At 2,700 acres, it's Emaar's largest community to date, anchored by an 18-hole championship course and filled out with schools, parks, and enough green space to feel like you're not in the city. Prices have climbed fast, according to a Dubai Housing investment guide — Sidra villas, which once went for Dh3.2 million, are now hitting Dh6.6 million, and Maple townhouses have nearly doubled in value. Still, agents say the market hasn't peaked. Kunal Gaur, an economist writing for Dubai Housing, claims it's not too late to invest. 'When you compare Dubai property prices to places like Singapore, the US, or the UK, they're still pretty reasonable, especially when you factor in that whole tax-free thing,' Gaur wrote. That optimism is reflected in the numbers. According to Provident Real Estate's Q1 2025 market overview, villa communities built around golf course amenities dominated market share. DAMAC Hills 2, home to the Trump World Golf Club Dubai — an 18-hole championship course designed by Tiger Woods — led the segment, capturing a 5.8 per cent market share. Emirates Living, which offers views of both Emirates Golf Club and the Address Montgomerie, followed with 5.2 per cent, while DAMAC Hills held 5 per cent. Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE) came in close behind with 4.7 per cent. Total sales volume for JGE for Q1 reached Dh882 million, with the average price across listed JGE properties being approximately Dh14 million. That performance tracks with the broader luxury villa market. The Provident Real Estate report also noted a 13 per cent price jump in the luxury villa segment this quarter. Most of the sales happened in the premium range, particularly among four-bedroom villas priced over Dh3.2 million. In total, 1,183 transactions were recorded, with the average sale price hitting Dh11.83 million. Four-bedroom homes made up the bulk of activity, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of all sales. Even within golf communities, supply is tight. 'You have to understand that whether it's Dubai Hills, Jumeirah Golf Estates, or Emirates Hills, the number of homes that actually sit on the course is very limited,' says Tahir Majithia, a Dubai-based real estate agent with over 20 years of experience and managing partner at Prime Capital. Originally from Mumbai, Majithia has seen first-hand how exclusivity and location within these communities can drive demand. Even in newer communities being launched by other developers, you're not seeing many new golf courses, Majithia says. 'When you talk about a golf course, you need a lot of land for it... Obviously, land has become expensive.' Because golf communities are expensive, they don't necessarily dominate overall sales. They tend to sit in the luxury or high mid-market range, which naturally limits how many people are buying in. Over the past five years, only 7.6 per cent of all residential transactions in Dubai happened in golf-focused communities — and more than half of that came from Dubai Hills Estate alone, according to Dubai Residential: Par for the Course, a report by GCP Group and REIDIN. When asked how golf-front homes compare to waterfront properties, Majithia didn't hesitate: ' You would get much better value for money if you're buying on a golf course. You would get a much bigger plot... you'd probably get somewhere around 70-80 per cent more space for the same amount of money.' 'Waterfront has historically performed better than non-waterfront. But again, how much more waterfront is there going to be in Dubai? And in the UAE in general,' Benitez adds. 'You're still going to find that for short-term rental, which tends to provide, let's say, on average 3 per cent higher rental yields than long-term, that there's still that desirability of being in the middle of the city or on a waterfront. Whereas you would see more of the family wanting long-term rental, the larger units, you'll see that in golf communities.' Looking at buyer psychology and investment behaviour, Majithia said most buyers to purchase in golf communities are end users wanting a lifestyle and long-term hold, meaning people who are purchasing homes are actually living in them, not flipping or renting them. There are a few people who are still buying as an investment, despite inventory tightening in prime golf communities. He explained that end user buying in this real estate category has increased because of the increase in demand for the lifestyle affiliated with golf communities. Importantly, Majithia noted that five to seven years ago, demand for golf-facing villas wasn't nearly as strong. The recent surge, he said, aligns with the influx of ultra-high-net-worth individuals relocating to Dubai. Looking forward, Benitez believes that golf-facing villas and real estate will remain a top-tier asset class. 'It's here to stay and it will become the new, what we talk about waterfront,' she said. If you look at what's still available along the waterfront, the options are starting to narrow. 'There's Palm Jebel Ali, Maritime City, La Mer, Rashid Marina — but inventory there is limited.' Then you have Dubai Islands, and that's pretty much it, she explained. As coastal land gets built out, the city is naturally pushing inward, and golf-front living is starting to fill that space in the luxury market. It's a shift that's not just about views and square footage, but about what comes next. 'With healthcare and lifestyle clubs, you're going to see that as more retirees are looking where to retire around the world, golf communities in Dubai are going to be a play,' Benitez said. With long-stay visas, rising healthcare standards, and a growing appetite for wellness-led living, golf communities may end up offering something the city hasn't quite figured out yet: a soft landing for the people who've built their lives here and want to stay.
Mint
06-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Balvinder Singh Sahni jailed in Dubai: From $100mn house to ₹80cr Rolls Royce plate - Look at his lavish spends
Balvinder Singh Sahni, a Dubai-based Indian billionaire, was sentenced to 5 years in jail on money laundering charges. The court ordered the confiscation of 150 million AED ( ₹ 344 crore) from the businessman, in addition to 5,00,000 AED ( ₹ 1.14 crore), Gulf News reported. Balvinder Singh Sahni, popularly known as 'Abu Sabah', is the founder of Raj Sahni Group (RSG), a company operating in the UAE, the US, India, and other countries. He is also known for his lavish spending, including buying a single-digit car plate 'D5' for Dh33 million at a special auction for distinguished number plates, reportedly one of the most expensive in the Emirates. In 2016, Balvinder Singh Sahni gained significant attention for purchasing the Dubai license plate "D5" for AED 33 million (nearly ₹ 80 crore) and the "O9" plate for AED 24.5 million, referring to his belief in the lucky number 9. Sahni is a "businessman whose love for the number 9, the colour blue, luxury cars, and rare licence plates made headlines more often than his commercial ventures," Khaleej Times reported. 'I like collecting unique number plates and I am proud to have got this number. I like number nine and D5 adds up to nine, so I went for it,' Sahni said in a YouTube video on the "Mo Vlogs" channel. He lives in a luxurious and lavish $100 million mansion in Dubai. Sahni also bought a mobile number (058-8888888) for AED 4.5 million. In a 2022 interview, he reportedly said, 'I have both Dubai 5 and Abu Dhabi 5….I don't even know how many cars I have. My number plates alone are worth more than my vehicles.' His other lavish expenses include a collection of Rolls-Royce cars, a Mercedes-AMG G63, a mansion including customised Bentley furniture and a Bugatti Chiron display, the Mo Vlogs video showed.
Mint
06-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Balvinder Singh Sahni jailed in Dubai: From $100mn house to ₹80cr Rolls Royce plate - Look at his lavish spends
Balvinder Singh Sahni, a Dubai-based Indian billionaire, was sentenced to 5 years in jail on money laundering charges. The court ordered the confiscation of 150 million AED ( ₹ 344 crore) from the businessman, in addition to 5,00,000 AED ( ₹ 1.14 crore), Gulf News reported. Balvinder Singh Sahni, popularly known as 'Abu Sabah', is the founder of Raj Sahni Group (RSG), a company operating in the UAE, the US, India, and other countries. He is also known for his lavish spending, including buying a single-digit car plate 'D5' for Dh33 million at a special auction for distinguished number plates, reportedly one of the most expensive in the Emirates. In 2016, Balvinder Singh Sahni gained significant attention for purchasing the Dubai license plate "D5" for AED 33 million (nearly ₹ 80 crore) and the "O9" plate for AED 24.5 million, referring to his belief in the lucky number 9. Sahni is a "businessman whose love for the number 9, the colour blue, luxury cars, and rare licence plates made headlines more often than his commercial ventures," Khaleej Times reported. 'I like collecting unique number plates and I am proud to have got this number. I like number nine and D5 adds up to nine, so I went for it,' Sahni said in a YouTube video on the "Mo Vlogs" channel. He lives in a luxurious and lavish $100 million mansion in Dubai. Sahni also bought a mobile number (058-8888888) for AED 4.5 million. In a 2022 interview, he reportedly said, 'I have both Dubai 5 and Abu Dhabi 5….I don't even know how many cars I have. My number plates alone are worth more than my vehicles.' His other lavish expenses include a collection of Rolls-Royce cars, a Mercedes-AMG G63, a mansion including customised Bentley furniture and a Bugatti Chiron display, the Mo Vlogs video showed. Balvinder Singh Sahni was accused of laundering money through a criminal organisation. He was sentenced and fined for laundering Dh150 million through a network of shell companies and suspicious financial transactions. The Dubai Court ordered Sahni's deportation after release and confiscation of his funds, electronic devices, and financial records. First Published: 6 May 2025, 12:25 PM IST
NDTV
06-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Rs 80 Crore Rolls Royce Number, $100 Million Mansion: The Lavish Life Of Convicted Indian-Origin Billionaire
Quick Take Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Indian businessman Balvinder Singh Sahni sentenced to five years in jail. Dubai court confiscated 150 million Dirham and fined him 500,000 Dirham. Sahni will face deportation upon completion of his prison sentence. Dubai-based Indian billionaire businessman Balvinder Singh Sahni, popularly known as "Abu Sabah," has received a five-year prison sentence for money laundering through a criminal organisation. According to Gulf News, the Dubai Fourth Criminal Court ordered the confiscation of 150 million Dirham from Sahni and imposed a fine of 500,000 Dirham (1,15,09,510). Additionally, Sahni will be deported after completing his sentence. As the founder of RSG Group, Sahni has built a business empire with operations in the UAE, the US, and India. He gained fame for purchasing the "D5" license plate for Dh33 million, reportedly one of the most expensive in the Emirates. This extravagant purchase showcased his wealth and opulent lifestyle, drawing significant media attention. Into the extravagant life of Balvinder Singh Sahni Born on April 7, 1972, in Kuwait City, he is the founder and chairman of the RSG Group of Companies, a multi-billion-dirham conglomerate operating in real estate, automotive, industrial equipment, and investments across the Middle East, the US, India, and South Asia. Their portfolio includes notable projects such as Qasr Sabah, a $123 million residential complex in Dubai Sports City, and Burj Sabah, a 24-story apartment complex in Jumeirah Village Circle valued at $50 million. Additionally, they have developed Sabah Rotana, a five-star hotel near Umm Suqeim, and Jebel Ali Central Rotana, a four-star hotel close to Jebel Ali Metro Station. Sahni, of Punjabi heritage, started his entrepreneurial journey at 18, dropping out of a business management degree to establish an automotive spare parts business. His company later expanded into property development, with notable projects like Qasr Sabah, Burj Sabah, and hospitality ventures such as Sabah Rotana. He gained public attention for his extravagant purchases, including the Dubai license plate "D5" for AED 33 million (approx. Rs 80 crore) in 2016 and the "O9" plate for AED 24.5 million, citing his belief in the lucky number 9 and a desire to contribute to Dubai's charity and infrastructure, as the city has no income tax. "I like collecting unique number plates and I am proud to have got this number. I like number nine and D5 adds up to nine, so I went for it," he said. The businessman, who lives in a lavish $100 million mansion in Dubai, also bought a mobile number (058-8888888) for AED 4.5 million. His lavish lifestyle, featuring a collection of Rolls-Royce cars, a Mercedes-AMG G63, and a mansion with bespoke Bentley furniture and a Bugatti Chiron display, was showcased in media, including a YouTube video on the "Mo Vlogs" channel. Beyond business, Sahni is recognised for philanthropy, particularly in Punjab. After his father, Amrik Singh, died in 2004, he built an old-age home, "Apna Ghar," in Amritsar. Following his mother Harbans Kaur Sahni's death in 2007, he constructed a tuberculosis hospital and later India's largest hospital for the deaf and mute in the same region. He contributed AED 1 million to Abu Dhabi's "Together We Are Good" program during the COVID-19 crisis and participated in fundraising for medical research. In 2020, he received the "Businessman of the Year" award at the Sikh Awards in Dubai.
The National
04-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Indian businessman to be jailed and deported from UAE for financial crimes
An Indian businessman who flaunted his wealth through snapping up rare number plates worth millions of dirhams at auction is to be deported from the UAE after serving a jail term for money laundering. Balvinder Sing Sahni, who also goes by the name Abu Sabah and who claimed to be a billionaire, was convicted of a string of financial crimes as founder and chairman of property developers, the Raj Sahni Group (RSG). The 53-year-old has been jailed for five years and fined Dh500,000 for money laundering by Dubai's Fourth Criminal Court, Arabic-language dailies Emarat Al Youm and Al Bayan reported. A further Dh150 million of assets have been seized from the billionaire. The company's Dubai property portfolio includes the 24-storey Burj Sabah apartment complex in Jumeirah Village Circle and the Qasr Sabah's residential buildings in Dubai Sports City. RSG also owns commercial property in Bay Square, Business Bay and the five star Sabah Dubai Skyline hotel and residences under construction in Sufouh Gardens. As a luxury car collector who often posted photos of his expensive vehicles on social media, Sahni made headlines in 2016 after purchasing the single-digit 5 Dubai licence plate for Dh33 million, around $9 million at the time. The well connected Sahni was a familiar presence on Dubai's social scene, often seen wearing his distinctive royal blue kandura, baseball cap and matching trainers. His Instagram feed is filled with videos flaunting his wealth to his 3.3 million followers, shopping in luxury stores and posing with lions and chimpanzees in private zoos. A criminal investigation into his business practices opened in late 2024, uncovering a complex network of illicit finance including shell companies and bogus invoices. Sahni will be deported from the UAE on completion of his jail term.
