- April 22, 2026
- 3
- News&Media
New rent contracts in Dubai up 10%. Dubai office market hits 11-year high with $3.6bn sales.
Blue Square enters UAE with new Dubai Islands residential project
Blue Square has entered the UAE with Vayla Residences on Dubai Islands, an eight-floor project offering 1–2BR apartments and 1–3BR duplexes. Backed by founders with 30+ years’ regional experience, the group cites past developments across Lebanon, Egypt, Kuwait, plus construction and major F&B brand expertise.
Read the full article on Zawya
New rent contracts in Dubai up 10% as demand rises, housing choices expand
Dubai’s 2025 rental market saw 513,000+ new leases (+10% YoY) and 1.38m total contracts (+6%), worth Dh126.4bn (+17%), DLD said. Completions rose to 124 projects (+7%) worth Dh27.5bn (+23%); 937 projects under construction (+25%). Sales hit 147,500 units (+25%) worth Dh280bn (+30%).
Read the full article on Khaleej Times
Dubai office market hits 11-year high with $3.6bn sales, rents up 35% in DIFC
Dubai office sales values more than doubled to reach AED13.1bn ($3.57bn) in 2025, marking the sector’s strongest annual performance since 2014, according to leading real estate advisory and property consultancy Cavendish Maxwell.
Read the full article on Arabian Business
Insight: Dubai real estate nears digital tipping point as deals move online
Dubai real estate is rapidly digitising: about half of transactions now start (and many finish) online via platforms like Dubai Now’s Digital Sale, UAE Pass and blockchain tools. With government strategy and PropTech adoption, it’s predicted around 55% of transactions will be completed end-to-end digitally by 2027.
Read the full article on Zawya
Arada awards main contract for W Residences at Dubai Harbour
Arada awarded Engineering Contracting Company an AED1.6bn main construction contract for W Residences at Dubai Harbour. The AED5bn waterfront project will deliver 490 luxury branded homes across three towers plus podium amenities.
Read the full article on Arabian Gulf Business Insight
Building fractional real estate on regulation, not hype
Tribe CEO Gary Blowers argues regulation (VARA) is essential for scalable trust in Dubai’s fractional real estate investing. He says compliance must be built in from day one, enabling transparency, real-time reporting and investor protection. Long-term winners will prioritise governance, careful asset selection and restraint over rapid, fragile growth.
Read the full article on Gulf Business
Dubai strong office demand pushes sell-out of 69-storey AHS Tower
AHS Properties, the UAE’s leading ultra-luxury real estate developer, has confirmed the full sell-out of AHS Tower during the development phase, generating more than $700 million in revenue and signalling strong demand for its flagship commercial project.
Read the full article on Arabian Business
H&H and Mubadala partner to bring Eden House to Al Maryah Island
H&H partnered with Mubadala to launch an Eden House luxury residential tower on Al Maryah Island, within ADGM. Designed by dxb Lab, it will offer 200+ high-end units across 60 floors with 3m floor-to-ceiling heights, aiming to enhance Al Maryah’s live-work appeal and expand its residential and retail offering.
Read the full article on Middle East Construction News
Over 100 nationalities invest $2.2bn in Abu Dhabi real estate
Abu Dhabi property attracted buyers from 100+ nationalities in 2025, with foreign direct investment rising 13% year-on-year to AED8.2bn, Adrec data showed. Investment zones drew 72% of overseas inflows, with their value up 65% to AED54bn.
Read the full article on Arabian Gulf Business Insight
Dubai Real Estate Transactions as Reported on the 23rd of February 2026
On the 23-Feb-2026, the total transacted value reached AED 1.83bn. Off-plan dominated with AED 1.28bn (69.9%), while Ready accounted for AED 551.7m (30.1%).
| Category | Off-Plan (AED millions) | Ready (AED millions) |
| Flats | 1,112.3 | 359.3 |
| Villas | 134.6 | 112.1 |
| Hotel Apt. & Rooms | 7.2 | 13.1 |
| Commercial | 28.4 | 67.2 |
| Total | 1,282.5 | 551.7 |
Off-Plan Market Performance
Total Value: AED 1.28bn
- Flats: AED 1.11bn (86.7%)
- Villas: AED 134.6m (10.5%)
- Hotel Apts & Rooms: AED 7.2m (0.6%)
- Commercial: AED 28.4m (2.2%)
Off-plan activity was overwhelmingly driven by apartment sales, with villas contributing a meaningful secondary share while hospitality and commercial remained marginal.
Ready Market Performance
Total Value: AED 551.7m
- Flats: AED 359.3m (65.1%)
- Villas: AED 112.1m (20.3%)
- Hotel Apts & Rooms: AED 13.1m (2.4%)
- Commercial: AED 67.2m (12.2%)
Ready transactions were more balanced than off-plan, led by flats, with a notable contribution from commercial deals and steady villa turnover.
On The Micro Level
Market Insights & Outlook
The day’s performance highlights a clear off-plan-led market, with flats acting as the primary engine of value. Meanwhile, the ready segment’s stronger commercial share suggests continued end-user and business demand, supporting broader market depth even as off-plan captures the majority of capital flow.
Data Source: Dubai Land Department
*Only freehold transactions were used
