Dubai’s real estate platform has provided abundance for the investors to settle in the market and grow by largely making profits. The international real estate companies contributed to the development of the real estate sector. In 2024, the sector shown a 20% year-in-year increase in property transactions.
Specifically, overseas real estate firms contributed 35% approximately for all new project launches, the top real estate companies in Dubai with their networks and resources helped in achieving such huge numbers in profits and sales.
One of them is Emaar Properties, who is leading in the market with a capitalization of AED 80.5 billion as of 2024. The company’s flagship Downtown Dubai district alone yields an annual property sale over AED 15 billion, next spot is held by DAMAC properties who has a robust portfolio of value AED 30 billion, with 40% of investments made from foreign investors.
Not just them, most factors and conditions are common and serve best for these international firms. Let’s see what they are with the top 10 overseas real estate companies listed down.
List of top 10 international real estate companies in Dubai
These are the top 10 real estate firms from overseas countries providing growth and proving to excel in the market.
| # | Company Name | Website | Established Year | Full Address | Key Projects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emaar Properties | emaar.com | 1997 | Emaar Sales Centre, Next to Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai | Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera |
| 2 | Dubai Properties | dp.ae | 2002 | Vision Tower, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai | Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), Business Bay |
| 3 | DAMAC Properties | damacproperties.com | 2002 | Damac Hills, Dubai | DAMAC Hills, Akoya Oxygen |
| 4 | Sobha Realty | sobharealty.com | 1976 | Sobha Sapphire, Al Khail road, Business Bay, Dubai | Sobha Hartland, Sobha Creek Vistas |
| 5 | Nakheel | nakheel.com | 2000 | Building No.1, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai | Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Park |
| 6 | Azizi Developments | azizidevelopments.com | 2007 | Conrad Hotel, Suite No. 1302, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai | Azizi Riviera, Azizi Jewel |
| 7 | Select Group | select-group.ae | 2002 | Select Group Headquarters, Peninsula, Business Bay, Dubai | Marina Gate, Six Senses Residences |
| 8 | Omniyat | omniyat.com | 2005 | Omniyat Headquarters, Business Bay, Dubai | The OPUS by OMNIYAT |
| 9 | Al Futtaim Group Real Estate | alfuttaim.com | 1930 | Al-Futtaim HQ, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai | Dubai Festival City, Intercontinental |
| 10 | Meraas | meraas.com | 2007 | King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street, Al Sufouh 2 - Dubai | City Walk, Bluewaters Island, La Mer, The Beach JBR |
An overview of the top 5 international real estate companies in Dubai
Emaar Properties
Website: emaar.com
Headquarters: Dubai Hills Estate, Dubai
Established Year: 1997
Key Person: Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Founder
Core Services: Commercial and residential property development
Awards: Won ‘Developer of the Year’ at the Arabian Business Achievement Awards 2024
Dubai Properties
Website: dp.ae
Headquarters: Business Bay, Dubai
Established Year: 2002
Key Person: Khalid Al Malik, CEO
Core Services: Commercial and residential property development
Awards: Received four awards at the Transform Awards MEA 2023
DAMAC Properties
Website: damacproperties.com
Headquarters: Damac Hills, Dubai
Established Year: 2002
Key Person: Hussain Sajwani, Founder
Core Services: Commercial and residential property development
Awards: Won two awards at IRECMS 2023
Sobha Realty
Website: sobharealty.com
Headquarters: Business Bay, Dubai
Established Year: 1976
Key Person: PNC Menon, Founder
Core Services: Commercial and residential property development
Awards: Ranked 9th in the Top 50 GCC Developers Rankings by the Construction Week 2017
Meraas
Website: meraas.com
Headquarters: Al Sufouh, Dubai
Established Year: 2007
Key Person: HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman
Core Services: Development of residential, retail, and leisure projects
Awards: N/A
Factors that favor Dubai’s real estate market for international real estate companies
Strategic government policies
Strategic government policies like Golden visa and residency initiatives, 100% foreign ownership regulations which help even investors from overseas to own the entire profit. The streamlined business setup processes help businesses to maintain clean progress entirely and result in making profits. It also includes a strong regulatory framework via RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency).
Tax-friendly environment with no property tax or income tax makes an excellent attraction for different investors in other countries to come and make use of this market, significantly contributing to the country’s economic growth.
Economic fundamentals
The assigning of stable UAE dirham pegged to the US dollar is highly useful in this market as the momentum of sales and profits is high. This policy ensures stable growth.
Reports say the GDP growth is estimated at 4.5% as of 2024. This was made possible with the help of the diversified economy, offering greater opportunities in Dubai’s market. Due to the high disposable income levels, it is easy for investors to use their money in different investment platforms, hence many choose the real estate market.
Market maturity and transparency
Dubai’s structured and established market regulations are different from the markets of other countries, with policies serving development and profit-making.
The digital transformation of property transactions helped buyers and firms to purchase and sell properties with ease, leading to increased customer attention and income.
Finally, the advanced real estate data analytics help new buyers and seasoned buyers understand the state of the market, helping businesses make decisions accordingly.
Infrastructure development
The emirate’s world-class transportation systems satisfy the transportation requirements of people effortlessly. Measures like smart city initiatives and sustainable urban planning have been a good companion for transportation and infrastructural development.
Investment attractiveness
Dubai’s rental income shows higher rental yields (6-8%) compared to global markets. As Emirates is a place of construction marvels, it has companies with diverse property portfolio options helping to build new constructions. It is a win for real estate companies because of the competitive property prices per square foot in Dubai, and those who make the right call expand their business through the market.
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Geographic advantage
As Dubai is at a strategic location between East and West, it serves as a major aviation hub for trade and tourism. Due to its favorable conditions, Dubai’s platform becomes accessible to emerging markets.
Population demographics
The growing expatriate population is a major advantage to invest in the real estate market, and companies are doing it right. The limelight falls on high-net-worth individuals, as Dubai attracts such people for purchasing properties. The international workforce is also projecting an increasing headcount, further creating demand for residential construction and chances for international real estate companies to extend their growth.
Few other factors that boost performance of this market for global investors are
Market dynamics
Innovation and sustainability
Quality of life factors
Wrapping up
Regardless of the cons, Emirates has shown spotless growth in the real estate field. With many factors favoring and creating the best market environment for international real estate companies to settle and make income in staggering numbers. In relative to this, the real estate sector witnessed a substantial FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) of AED 85 billion in 2023, which was 15% higher than the previous year.
Chinese, Indian and British investors collectively provided 45% of all foreign real estate investments in Dubai.
Companies like Sobha Realty and Omniyat have committed to achieving LEED certification for all their upcoming projects, representing a combined investment of AED 25 billion in sustainable real estate. Convert leads to customers with AI powered property recommendations that match their preferences with our real estate growth platform Acquire customers and increase sales with highly matching property suggestions.
Disclaimer: Retyn does not promote or support any of the companies or services mentioned in the list. The data presented is compiled through online and market research and does not reflect our priorities in any manner.