3 tower projects in Saudi Arabia, UAE set to be ‘taller than Burj Khalifa’. Dubai still top for executive nomads says Savills.

Riyadh and Jeddah office rents surge as Saudi vacancies hit record lows

Saudi Arabia’s office market is undergoing rapid expansion, marked by exceptionally tight supply and strong rental growth in Riyadh and Jeddah, according to JLL’s KSA Office Market Dynamics report for Q2 2025.

Dubai Islands draws global buyers with prime waterfront appeal and capital growth potential

Dubai Islands (ex-Palm Deira) is surging. May 2025 sales near AED 3.5bn amid Dubai’s record Q2 2025 AED 151.8bn (+46% YoY). With strong connectivity and DHG’s AED 260m launch, it’s positioned for sustainable, long-term value under Dubai’s 2040 Master Plan.

Apartments Drive Growth as Confidence in Dubai Real Estate Continues

Dubai logged AED 40.45bn in August sales, 22% below July but 6% higher YoY. Apartments led (89% volume, 71% value); prices averaged AED1.9m (DLD) to AED2.6m (A&A), with sub-AED1m deals up 25% MoM. Rentals surged (+43% value, +48% transactions). Population hit 4m, sustaining demand.

Knight Frank signed up to lead sales launch of Residences of SHA Island

Knight Frank will lead sales for SHA Residences Emirates Island at Al Jurf, the world’s first longevity-focused private island by Imkan. The 2027-delivery project offers apartments and villas with access to SHA health services; prices AED 9m–130m. Between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it targets wellness tourism.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid confirms Dh2billion investment in Emirati housing

Dubai approved 2,971 Emirati homes in 2025, allocating over Dh2bn via the Zayed Housing Programme. H1 delivered Dh1.725bn support to 3,027 beneficiaries. Backed by Real Estate Strategy 2033, targeting Dh1tn transactions, +70% activity, Dh73bn GDP impact, housing remains a national priority for stability, transparency and AI-enabled quality.

A distinct investment and lifestyle opportunity for first-time buyers in Dubai Silicon Oasis

The Hillgate by Ellington launches in Dubai Silicon Oasis, a design-led, wellness-focused community spanning studios to four-bed homes with rich amenities. On the future Blue Line, it joins the First-Time Home Buyer Programme (cap AED 5m). Completion Q4 2027, targeting livability, connectivity, and long-term value.

Abu Dhabi real estate: Aldar to launch 450 new townhomes on September 12

Aldar has announced the launch of 450 townhomes exclusively for UAE nationals at the family-oriented Al Deem community, located northeast of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

3 tower projects in Saudi Arabia, UAE set to be ‘taller than Burj Khalifa’

Saudi plans the 2 km Rise Tower in Riyadh and has resumed the >1 km Jeddah Tower (target 2028); Dubai’s Burj Azizi (725 m, possibly taller) targets 2027–28. Together, these projects aim to eclipse Burj Khalifa and spur investment with record-breaking mixed-use skyscrapers.

Foreign investors fuel Dubai apartment boom as sales hit AED 40.5bn in August

Buyers from South Korea, South Africa, Australia and Canada helped drive demand for apartments, which accounted for nearly nine in ten property transactions last month.

Dubai still top for executive nomads says Savills

Dubai tops Savills’ 2025 Executive Nomad Index for a third year, with Abu Dhabi second. Dubai leads on flight connectivity, Abu Dhabi on internet speed. Top five unchanged (Malaga, Miami, Lisbon). The 30-city index targets remote workers; new entrants include Auckland, Tokyo, Crete, Vancouver and Berlin.

Dubai Real Estate Transactions as Reported on the 3rd of September 2025

On the 3rd of September 2025, the total transacted value reached AED 2,769,972,851. Off-plan dominated with AED 1,829,290,309 (66.04%), while Ready accounted for AED 940,682,541 (33.96%).

Category	Off-Plan (AED millions)	Ready (AED millions)
Flats	1,692.24	586.37
Villas	104.89	205.78
Hotel Apt. & Rooms	0.99	33.94
Commercial	31.17	114.60
Total	1,829.29	940.68

Off-Plan Market Performance

Total Value: AED 1,829,290,309

• Flats: AED 1,692,242,196 (92.51%)
• Villas: AED 104,886,762 (5.73%)
• Hotel Apts & Rooms: AED 988,623 (0.05%)
• Commercial: AED 31,172,728 (1.70%)

Off-plan activity was overwhelmingly flat-led, with villas a distant second and minimal commercial/hospitality volumes.

Ready Market Performance

Total Value: AED 940,682,541

• Flats: AED 586,369,381 (62.33%)
• Villas: AED 205,776,857 (21.88%)
• Hotel Apts & Rooms: AED 33,938,872 (3.61%)
• Commercial: AED 114,597,431 (12.18%)

Ready sales were broad-based but still flat-centric, supported by solid villa trading and meaningful commercial deals.

On The Micro Level

Market Insights & Outlook

With two-thirds of value in off-plan, demand skews toward new launches and longer-term investment horizons, while the ready segment reflects steady end-user and rental-driven appetite. Expect momentum to track upcoming project releases, financing conditions, and affordability tiers, particularly mid-market flats.