In the first eight months of 2025, 26,103 studio units—both residential and hotel apartments—sold for a total of Dh20.1 billion, demonstrating the impressive activity in the small-apartment segment of Dubai’s real estate market.
The majority, or 76.3% of the total, were off-plan sales, while Downtown Dubai had the highest transaction value and Jumeirah Village Circle had the most deals. This indicates that these units are increasingly being recognized as investment tools that provide steady returns in line with changing living and working patterns.
Residential studio sales made up Dh18.7 billion through 24,734 transactions, according to data from the Dubai Land Department, while hotel-style studio sales made up Dh1.3 billion through 1,369 transactions. This performance demonstrates the growing demand for compact apartments, drawing in young professionals, small families, and locals looking for affordable, useful living.
Hotel-style studios show the market’s attractiveness to short-term rental investors by providing units that are easier to sell or lease than larger flats, especially in bustling neighborhoods like Downtown Dubai and Jumeirah Village Circle.
Off-plan studio sales dominate
With Dh15.3 billion across 18,931 transactions, or nearly 76.3% of total sales, off-plan studios led the way, while ready-to-move-in units brought in Dh4.7 billion via 7,172 transactions, or around 23.6%.
The numbers show that investors favor off-plan projects with competitive pricing and higher future profits, and that purchasers looking for immediate housing options are still in demand for ready units.
In terms of value, studio sales in Downtown Dubai were the highest at Dh3.6 billion through 3,176 transactions, followed by Jumeirah Village Circle at Dh2.6 billion through 3,787 deals, Dubai Land Residences at Dh1,372 deals, Dubai Production City at Dh1.42 billion through 2,405 transactions, and Dubai Marina at Dh1.04 billion through 833 deals.
Downtown Dubai’s value supremacy highlights its allure to investors looking for excellent rental yields and robust occupancy rates, as well as a prime location for corporate hubs and exciting urban life. In the meantime, Jumeirah Village Circle’s highest volume of transactions demonstrates its appeal to middle-class purchasers, which is reinforced by growing infrastructure initiatives that raise the neighborhood’s residential and investment value.
