Over the last few years, the Dubai branded residence market has grown from a modest 26 in 2015 to 151 in 2025, according to Savills, an extraordinary 6-fold increase.

More branded residence projects are under development in Dubai than in Miami, New York, and London combined. Behind all these data points is a shift in how the world’s HNWIs think about property.

As many as 86% of HNWIs are interested in acquiring a brand residence in Dubai (Knight Frank). This is a big statement of fundamental realignment of global capital.

In this article, we examine:

Some of the trends driving this demand
The best branded residences in Dubai
The Dubai-branded residences investment thesis
What developers and buyers should know, and much more.

The Numbers That Matter

151

Branded Projects

6x

Growth Since 2015

$13.6B

Sales Value (2025)

40%

Price Premium

Dubai’s Branded Residence Market in 2026: The Numbers

It would be an understatement to state that Dubai’s branded residence market has exploded in the last ten years. In this timeframe, the total number of projects has grown from 26 in 2015⁽¹⁾ to 151 in 2025⁽²⁾.

This rise has propelled Dubai to the top of the global branded residence market leaderboard based on the total number of projects(Savills’ Branded Residences 2025-2026 report.

Dubai has a significant lead over major global cities like Miami and New York, with more than double the project inventory in these locations.

Supply and Demand

However, the real story of the market is scarcity. Of the 151 branded residence projects in Dubai, only 64 have been completed⁽²⁾, and 87 remain in the pipeline, highlighting a ready branded inventory that is still largely constrained, especially in the trophy asset segment.

Despite this constraint, investor appetite has not waned. As much as 80% of all sales were off-plan in 2025(CBRE Research⁽³⁾).

>For the period between now and 2030, the outlook is for accelerated availability of ready stock. CBRE Research expects that over 110 branded residence projects⁽³⁾ will become ready, adding over 31,300 units.

If you are evaluating which projects are gaining the most attention in the Dubai-branded residences market, view the latest rankings of projects recognized for design quality, brand pedigree, and investment appeal.

Transaction Volume and Total Sales Value

Transaction volume and sales data further magnify the robust transactional momentum of Dubai’s branded residence market.

In the first nine months of 2025, developers sold over 7,700 units of branded residences, representing a 26% growth over the same period in 2024. This represents a 51% surge in total sales value⁽³⁾, reaching US$13.6 billion (AED 50 billion), driven largely by exceptional volume within the luxury villa segment. (CBRE Research)

Transaction volume in the luxury villa segment increased by as much as 335%⁽³⁾. Case in point is the 460 units sold at Emaar’s Tierra Address Villas with an average price of US$4.7 million (AED 17.3 million).

Per Morgans International Realty, branded residences in Dubai command an average price of $1,029 (AED 3,779) per square foot, representing a 40% premium⁽¹⁾ over the $737 (AED 2,708) seen in the non-branded segment for similar properties.

Property Type Segmentation

Hotel-managed developments comprise the largest share of Dubai’s branded residence inventory at 38%. (Morgans International Realty) Stand-alone branded developments with brand association follow closely at 35%, while developments adjacent to a hotel (17%) and units within hotels (10%) make up the remaining stock.

What’s Driving Demand: Key Trends

Some of the key trends driving demand in Dubai’s branded residence market include:

Massive Influx of Global Wealth (HNWI Migration)

One of the clearest trends driving demand in this market is the high migration of high-net-worth individuals into Dubai. The UAE welcomed over 7,200 millionaires in 2024, a significant rise over figures of 4,700 in 2023 and 5,200 in 2022 (Knight Frank⁽⁴⁾).

It’s no surprise that Dubai has become the capital of the $10 million-plus properties market. In 2024 alone, the city sold 435 properties⁽⁴⁾ valued over this benchmark, eclipsing locations such as London, Hong Kong, and New York City. And in Q1 2025, 111 total $10 million-plus properties were sold in the city, a 5.7% year-on-year increase from Q1 2024.

That said, the arrival of HNWI individuals into Dubai is only half the story. The other half of the story is their open desire to purchase or invest in a property – branded and otherwise – in Dubai. In a survey of HNWI by Knight Frank, 86% of respondents⁽⁵⁾ are “keen on securing a branded residence” in Dubai.

Interestingly, while the appetite for branded residences in Dubai is growing across all wealth tiers, the demand is significantly polarized by net worth.

Only 41% of HNWIs (those with a net worth between US$2-5 million) express a desire to own a branded residence (Knight Frank’s Destination Dubai 2024 report). In contrast, this figure skyrockets to 96% for UHNWIs with a net worth exceeding US$15 million.

The data from Knight Frank also provides an illuminating context of the “why” behind the desire for acquisition. Nearly a quarter (22%) of HNWIs worth above US$15 million intend to use a branded residence as their primary home.

A major takeaway is that, coupled with a growing HNWI buyer base, demand for branded residences continues to significantly outpace supply. While UBS Group AG has issued cautionary notes regarding potential ‘bubble’ risks in the broader real estate market, Dubai’s branded segment remains resilient due to its compelling long-term value proposition.

Specifically, investors can acquire a branded property in Dubai at approximately 50% of the cost of equivalent assets⁽⁶⁾ in global hubs like London, Hong Kong, or New York, while seemingly offering premium amenities, according to Shahab Lutfi, chairman of Dubai-based H&H Development.

Demand for “Safe Haven” Assets in Prime Locations

The second driver of demand is the desire for capital security⁽³⁾ in what is considered a safe haven, according to analysis by CBRE Research. Such a reputation is one of the catalysts for the influx of HNWI into the city.

Thanks to forward-thinking government policies, the broader macroeconomic context of the UAE remains favourable and continues to inspire investor confidence.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects the UAE economy will grow by 5% in 2026⁽⁷⁾. The performance of the non-hydrocarbon sector, which now contributes 77.5% to real GDP⁽³⁾, underpins this bullish outlook.

Moreover, Dubai’s ambitious US$8.7trillion roadmap⁽⁸⁾ aimed at positioning the country as the fourth most prominent financial hub by 2033 is leading to more migrant-friendly policies, such as the abolition of the 30% tax on alcohol and Golden Visas for property investors⁽⁹⁾.

Notable accolades such as the ones below contribute to Dubai’s unblemished reputation as an investor-friendly hub:

Third-bestcity to work in⁽¹⁰⁾, just behind London and Amsterdam
Being crowned the best country to set up a business for the third consecutive year by the GEM 2023/2024 Global Report

All these are particularly noteworthy for HNWIs who intend to make their branded residence a primary home.

As many as 38% of surveyed HNWIs⁽⁵⁾ with a net worth over US$20 million are willing to spend over US$5,000 per square foot on a branded residence. (Knight Frank) This cohort primarily seeks branded residences in Dubai Marina, Dubai Hills Estate, and Downtown Dubai.

Lifestyle Integration & Five-Star Amenities

One of the major themes from the survey by Knight Frank is that many HNWIs seek a branded residence because it appeals directly to buyers seeking curated, hotel-quality, and refined living.

Beyond the brand identity, the most critical factor for HNWI is ‘service provision and physical amenities⁽¹⁰⁾,’ especially amongst those worth US$15 million and above.

Many see it as an easy way to own the “Dubai Life” for a fraction of the cost a similar experience would cost in other prime locations like New York and London.

Diversification of Brand Partners

View Full Details

Key Amenities:

Integrated Six Senses spa with wellness programming
Sleep with Six Senses bedroom amenities
Private pools and direct beach access
Biophilic design throughout all spaces
61-room boutique Six Senses hotel within development

World’s first standalone Six Senses tower • Integrated longevity and wellness programme

With over 150 branded residential projects in Dubai, only a handful have truly distinguished themselves and captured the imaginations of the global affluent. These outstanding projects stand out for their visionary architectural design, strong brand pedigree, and lifestyle amenities and features.

Investment Performance: Branded vs Non-Branded Residences Dubai

More than half (56%) of HNWI who intend to purchase a branded residence in Dubai cite capital value gains as their primary consideration (Destination Dubai Report by Knight Frank⁽¹⁰⁾).

Perhaps the most fundamental metric to gauge Dubai-branded residences’ investment performance is the price premium. Data from Morgans International Realty shows that branded residences in Dubai command an average of $US 1,029 (AED 3,779)⁽¹⁾ per square foot compared to $US 737 AED 2,708 for comparable non-branded properties. That’s a 40% premium.

However, this premium can be as high as 64%(CBRE Research⁽³⁾). It’s also noteworthy to mention that premiums in the ultra-luxury segment can be dramatically higher, up to 198%⁽¹⁵⁾, especially those connected to high-end automotive brands.

Rental yield data also favors branded residences Dubai 2026 over non-branded stock. Branded residences in Dubai and Miami typically yield 6-8% annually⁽¹⁶⁾ versus 4-5% for standard luxury equivalents.

The same source also notes the resilience of the Dubai-branded residence market during any downturn. In the wake of 2020, Four Seasons-branded units appreciated by 20-25%⁽¹⁶⁾ upon resale versus a 5% decline experienced by branded homes in London’s Mayfair.

What Developers Should Know: Getting Listed & Positioned

Opportunities abound for developers eyeing the branded residence market in Dubai. That said, successfully executing a branded residence is complex and dependent on other factors beyond partnering with a marquee brand.

Choose Your Brand Partner Strategically

Don’t just go with the trend. Carefully choose a brand partner based on project emphasis. For example, a brand like Six Senses is ideally suited to a wellness-driven development, while an automotive name like Bugatti works better for a project emphasizing engineering artistry.

With a shortlist of brand partners in place, give careful consideration to the branded residences’ price premium associated with each. This analysis is fundamental to the business case, as the right association can enhance the project’s returns.

However, note that hospitality brands offer greater insurance when it comes to brand residences because of a stronger emotional pull (Savills Branded Residences report⁽²⁾).

Prioritize Quality of Delivery

The supply of branded residences in Dubai 2026 is ever-growing. This places a big responsibility on developers to deliver projects with well-tailored value propositions beyond gimmicky offerings (Savills’ Branded Residences report⁽²⁾). The report further notes that “it’s schemes with the strongest lifestyle offering that ultimately achieve the best long-term returns.”

Cutting corners or leaning on plastic, gimmicky offerings risk damaging both the brand partner’s reputation and your project’s resale value.

Location Remains the Non-Negotiable

In Knight Frank’s Destination Dubai 2025⁽⁵⁾ insights, many HNWI surveyed identified key areas they would like to invest in, including Dubai Marina (14%), Dubai Hills Estate (14%), and Downtown Dubai (12%).

It is, therefore, prudent to situate branded projects in prime locations with demand. No brand, no matter how marquee it is, can compensate for a poor location. One of the things in common with successful brand residence projects is that they share world-class waterfront living or urban positioning.

Invest in Market Research

Carla McInrue, Associate Director, Savills Residential Development, highlights the importance of market research when she noted that “Developers need to know⁽²⁾ their buyer profile early on and then convey this in their marketing, viewing experience and ‘touch and feel’, e.g, show apartments.”

Knowing who your potential buyers are, what drives them, their brand residences expectations, and long-term aspirations will make marketing easier and thus accelerate sales.

Getting Listed in the Right Places, like Best Branded Residences (BBR)

One of the recurring themes we’ve echoed throughout this guide is the growing competition in Dubai’s exclusive branded residences market. With a burgeoning pool of buyers to choose from, visibility is no longer automatic, irrespective of your partner’s brand prestige.

That’s the problem Best Branded Residences (BBR) is built to solve.

BBR is the first platform dedicated exclusively to showcasing branded residences globally. The mandates include helping affluent buyers discover and evaluate properties through curated, lifestyle-driven rankings and giving developers a verified, high-credibility presence in front of a targeted HNWI audience.

As a developer seeking greater visibility, submit your property for review and get ranked.

Buyer’s Checklist: Evaluating a Branded Residence

Buyers who want to compare top projects side-by-side should view the latest rankings of the best branded residences in Dubai to see which developments are currently leading the market.

If you’re considering buying branded residences, know that each project offers a different level of quality and experience. So what factors should a potential buyer examine?

Verify the Brand Relationship

Is the brand genuinely involved in design, operations, and service delivery, or is it purely a licensing arrangement? The strongest projects have deep brand integration.

Scrutinize the Developer’s Track Record

Buying off-plan property carries inherent delivery risk, and seeing that most projects are purchased at the off-plan stage, it’s imperative to research whether the developer has completed comparable projects on time and to specification.

Additionally, check if the developer has a history of high resale values. Binghatti and Emaar, for instance, have established their reputations in the market. Newer or smaller developers should face greater scrutiny.

Understand What You Are Actually Buying

Is the unit within a hotel (with shared amenities and higher management fees)? Adjacent to a hotel? Or a standalone branded development? Each structure and operating model carries different implications for privacy, rental potential, and service fees.

Takeaway: Explore the Best Branded Residences in Dubai

Dubai’s branded residence market has morphed from an emerging niche to a global benchmark. The story, in terms of Dubai-branded residences’ ROI, is consistent too: branded residences outperform non-branded equivalents on price, yield, and capital preservation.

For buyers, the advice is simple: buy the brand, but ensure you do due diligence. For developers, the window to carve out a premium branded residence position in Dubai’s market is still open, but it will not stay that way indefinitely, with competition rising each year. Start today to enjoy what branded residences offer.

For buyers looking for the best branded residences in Dubai, explore our latest rankings.

For developers looking to get their branded residence in Dubai ranked as one of the best, apply for ranking.

Developing a Branded Residence in Dubai?

If your property meets the highest standards of luxury amenities, brand partnership, and investment performance, you may qualify for our rankings.

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Sources