According to data released on Monday, the Dubai luxury real estate market, which includes properties costing more than Dh10 million, has grown by 240% since 2022.
According to Savills’ most recent Prime Residential Report, resale values in remodeled legacy communities have increased significantly, and prices now surpass those in some of Dubai’s most exclusive ultra-prime neighborhoods.
These shifts demonstrate how buyer behavior has evolved structurally. In large-scale communities, off-plan villas are becoming more popular due to early capital commitments, while in well-established neighborhoods with developed infrastructure, upgraded resale stock is reaching record values.
Sixty-nine percent of all transactions totaling more than Dh10 million in 2024 went awry. Compared to 2022, when there were only 952 off-plan sales in this price range, this represents a significant change. By the end of 2024, that figure had risen to 3,223, indicating a two-year increase of 240%. Into 2025, this momentum persisted. According to market statistics, 3,731 houses costing more than Dh10 million were sold in the first quarter of 2025, which is 15% more than the total number of off-plan transactions in 2024. The steady increase in high-value sales is indicative of rising investor confidence and supports Dubai’s standing as a top worldwide location for luxury real estate.
This trend is being driven by villa-led debuts in expansive master plans. Early in the development cycle, buyers are coming in because of the lifestyle offered as well as the possibility of long-term value. The allure of these communities is increased by the presence of extensive amenities including golf and polo courses, sports and recreation centers, and carefully chosen food and beverage alternatives. Increased confidence in developer delivery and long-term market stability is reflected in the capital entering this industry.
Although ready sales over Dh10 million have stayed consistent at about 1,500 transactions annually, the increase in off-plan volumes indicates a change in the way capital is allocated in Dubai’s prime market. Longer ownership cycles among current homeowners and ongoing demand from an expanding number of wealthy people who are choosing to settle in the city are the reasons for the stability of ready sales. A lot of buyers prioritize delivery history, product positioning, and asset quality over instant availability.
Renovated legacy communities are outperforming
Simultaneously, in developed neighborhoods with updated stock, premium pricing is supported by high demand. The best illustration is Jumeirah Islands.
In 2021, there were only eight sales totaling more than Dh10 million in the community, which was first finished in 2006. In 2024, that number rose to 89. Over 90% of all transactions within the Jumeirah Islands have exceeded Dh10 million as of the current year, while over 40% have surpassed Dh20 million.
At Dh6,375 per square foot, the community’s highest rate to date. That amount almost triple the cost of many villa-led off-plan communities and exceeds comparable norms in Emirates Hills. This is the premium paid for completely remodeled, occupied homes in well-established neighborhoods where there is a shortage.
Dubai’s prime demand is broadening
A larger pool of internationally mobile buyers with a range of goals is helping both off-plan and refurbished resale business. Despite varying reasons, there is a continuous pattern of capital being invested in high-quality goods in areas that satisfy long-term investment or lifestyle requirements.
“Dubai is no longer a stopover market. Buyers entering the prime space today are globally mobile, long-term focused, and looking to anchor their wealth in a city that offers both quality of life and asset strength,” said Andrew Cummings, Head of Residential Agency at Savills Middle East. “The sharp rise in Dh10 million-plus transactions speaks to a structural shift in demand that indicates global capital’s attraction to Dubai Real Estate.”
This change is also having an impact on how secondary market sellers get properties ready for listing, as well as how developers create and introduce new items. In all segments, emphasis is being placed on layout optimization, design coherence, and wellness components.
Branded residences strengthen apartment-led prime demand
Even though villas have dominated recent transaction increases, apartment sales still make up around 30% of all activity totaling more than Dh10 million, with branded homes making up a sizable portion of that amount. According to Savills’ 2025 Branded Residences Middle East and Africa research, Dubai is now the most active market for branded residential development worldwide.
From standalone homes to full-service hotel partnerships, the city is home to over 50 branded residential developments, both finished and in the planning stages. In addition to upcoming projects like The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Six Senses Residences The Palm, and Four Seasons Private Residences DIFC, these also include finished developments like The Lana Residences – Dorchester Collection, Bvlgari Residences, and One&Only One Za’abeel. Particularly along the shoreline and in central neighborhoods like Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Marina, many of these developments are fetching prime and ultra-prime prices.
Investors and end users looking for a lock-and-leave lifestyle, expert management, and superior design consistency are drawn to branded residences. These residences, which are now priced in some plans beyond Dh10,000 per square foot, usually have carefully chosen facilities, hotel-style services, and significant resale potential.
The future of the Dh10 million+ apartment market is expected to be significantly shaped by this segment, since Dubai is expected to account for 40% of all branded residential developments in the Middle East and Africa by 2031.
Strategic outlook for investors, developers, and owners
Several strategic entrance points are now available in Dubai’s core market. Off-plan villa communities continue to offer scalability, pricing flexibility, and significant future demand for those involved in early-stage purchase. Capital expenditures for complete renovations are yielding valuations for current owners in established districts that are on par with or higher than legacy prize locations.
Together, transaction volumes and pricing power are increasing, and the range of products available to those making above Dh10 million is growing. This strengthens Dubai’s standing as a robust, liquid, and performance-driven market at the top level of the world economy.
The current momentum is supported by buyer alignment, planning visibility, and product quality. These elements will continue to shape the development of Dubai’s premium residential market in the coming years.
