WEEKLY MARKET INTELLIGENCE VOL XI

Record Activity Anchors Strategic Expansion Signals Long-Term Demand

Dubai’s residential market opened 2026 with strong momentum, recording AED 55.18B in January sales (+43.9% YoY) across nearly 15,800 transactions.

Weekly activity remained elevated at AED 18.7B in transactions, including a landmark AED 210M Jumeirah apartment deal — reinforcing continued liquidity across both premium and mainstream segments.

Investor Takeaway: Positioning remains favourable for prime villa communities and policy-supported segments. Selectivity remains critical as branded supply expands.

Market Deep Dive

Major Development

Aldar & Dubai Holding Expand JV with AED 10.35B Land Deal

Aldar and Dubai Holding have expanded their joint venture through a AED 10.35B land transaction in Dubailand, with plans to develop approximately 14,000 new homes across mixed-use communities.

The scale of the deal signals continued confidence in long-term population growth, reinforcing supply pipelines aligned with master-planned, end-user-focused residential expansion.

Industry News

DIFC Launches AED 100B Zabeel District Expansion

The formal launch of the DIFC expansion marks a strategic inflection point for demand creation across office, corporate housing, luxury residential, and lifestyle real estate segments.

As commercial density increases, adjacent residential zones are expected to benefit from sustained executive demand and long-term rental absorption.

Off-Plan Homes Account for 65% of Transactions

Off-plan properties represented 65% of total market transactions, marking a record share of activity. The trend reflects sustained buyer confidence in developer-led launches, flexible payment structures, and long-term capital appreciation strategies.