Luxury Off-Plan Sales in Dubai Surge 240% in Two Years

Gokul Tavian
Aug 12
3 min read

Dubai’s luxury real estate market has reached new heights, with off-plan property sales above AED 10 million soaring 240% since 2022. This unprecedented growth reflects a structural shift in buyer preferences, fueled by investor confidence, innovative master-planned communities, and the city’s enduring global appeal.

Record-Breaking Sales Momentum

In 2022, Dubai recorded just 952 off-plan transactions in the AED 10 million-plus segment. By the end of 2024, this number had surged to 3,223, and the momentum has only intensified in 2025.

In the first quarter of 2025 alone, 3,731 high-value properties were sold—already 15% higher than the total for all of 2024. This surge underscores Dubai’s status as one of the world’s most resilient and attractive destinations for high-net-worth investors.

Why Off-Plan is Leading the Charge

The boom is driven largely by villa-led launches in expansive master communities. Buyers are committing early in the development cycle, enticed by:

Lifestyle offerings – golf courses, polo fields, wellness centers, and curated dining.
Future value potential – early investment often leads to significant capital appreciation.
Confidence in delivery – top developers with proven track records attract long-term investors.

While ready property sales above AED 10 million have remained steady at around 1,500 annually, the shift towards off-plan highlights changing capital allocation strategies. Many wealthy residents are holding on to their properties longer, preferring asset quality and community infrastructure over immediate availability.

Renovated Legacy Communities: Outperforming Expectations

In established neighborhoods, upgraded resale properties are commanding record prices. A prime example is Jumeirah Islands, completed in 2006.

In 2021, the community saw only 8 transactions above AED 10 million.
By 2024, that figure jumped to 89, with over 90% of transactions surpassing AED 10 million and 40% exceeding AED 20 million.
The highest recorded price in the community reached AED 6,375 per sq ft, surpassing even Emirates Hills in certain cases.

This premium reflects the scarcity of fully renovated homes in mature, highly sought-after areas.

Broadening Global Demand

The buyer profile for Dubai’s prime market is evolving. Wealthy, globally mobile investors are entering with long-term goals—anchoring their wealth in a city offering both quality of life and asset stability.

The sharp rise in AED 10 million-plus transactions reflects a structural shift in demand and the city’s growing appeal as a global investment hub.

Branded Residences: Powering the Prime Apartment Market

While villas dominate the recent surge, apartments still account for about 30% of AED 10 million-plus transactions—driven by branded residences.

Dubai is now the world’s most active market for branded residential development, with over 50 projects completed or in the pipeline. Highlights include:

The Lana Residences – Dorchester Collection
Bvlgari Residences
One&Only One Za’abeel
Upcoming launches like The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Six Senses Residences The Palm, and Four Seasons Private Residences DIFC

Many of these properties, especially in Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, and Dubai Marina, command AED 10,000+ per sq ft and attract buyers seeking luxury, security, and strong resale value.

Strategic Outlook for 2025 and Beyond

Dubai’s prime market offers multiple entry points for different investor strategies:

Off-Plan Villas – Scalable opportunities, pricing flexibility, and high demand from early-stage buyers.
Renovated Legacy Homes – Exceptional ROI for owners investing in complete upgrades.
Branded Residences – Strong potential for capital appreciation and rental yields.

With rising transaction volumes, expanding product diversity, and unwavering investor interest, Dubai’s AED 10 million-plus segment remains one of the most robust, liquid, and performance-driven markets in the world.

Data From Savills Middle East.