Dubai’s residential sales up 22.4%, commercial deals rise 18.2% in Q1

Staff Reporter, Gulf Today

The Dubai property market is on a solid growth track and is marching ahead bucking the global trends. Engel & Völkers Middle East, a leader in premium residential and commercial real estate services, has released its Q1 2025 market reports, confirming another standout quarter for Dubai’s real estate sector.

Residential property sales increased by 22.4% year-on-year, with a 29.6% increase in the total value sold, driven by strong investor sentiment, rising population figures, and a steady flow of global capital into the emirate. Commercial real estate sales increased by18.2% YO, with a 29.5% increase in the total value of transactions.

Despite the usual seasonal dip from Q4, Dubai’s residential market delivered broad-based growth. Off-plan sales were up 23.9% and secondary transactions rose 20.3%, with continued demand across both ends of the price spectrum.

Apartments remained the dominant property type, comprising 76% of all residential transactions. Jumeirah Village Circle retained its lead in both off-plan and resale apartment sales, supported by attractive pricing, strong rental yields, and proximity to major road networks. Secondary market momentum was also evident in Business Bay, Dubai Marina, and Downtown Dubai—key areas sought by investors and end-users alike for their connectivity, proximity to amenities and enduring rental demand.

“In the face of global economic uncertainty, Dubai’s real estate market continues to show excellent fundamentals, with cross-sector growth and compelling returns for investors,” said Daniel Hadi, CEO of Engel & Völkers Middle East. “Demand is being fuelled not just by regional wealth and migration, but by strategic policy, infrastructure investment, and the city’s global positioning as a future-forward hub for living and business.” Recent infrastructure announcements—including the acceleration of the Etihad Rail project, the rollout of the Dubai Loop system, and strategic road upgrades in central business zones—are expected to further reinforce the city’s competitive edge.

The villa segment was a clear standout for growth, with transactions increasing by 80.6% year-on-year. The surge was primarily led by off-plan activity in emerging, master-planned communities such as The Valley, Emaar South, and Damac Islands. The total transaction value for villas rose by 55.1%, pointing to a growing preference for more affordable, family-oriented housing in newer developments on the fringes of Dubai.

In the luxury and ultra-luxury segment, Dubai maintained its momentum. Sales above Dhs 10 million grew by 29% from Q1 2024, and are now up 185% from Q1 2022. Palm Jumeirah and the rapidly emerging Palm Jebel Ali accounted for 31% of sales over Dhs 10 million, supported by demand for ultra-luxury, waterfront villas. Noteworthy deals included the Dhs 425 million sale of the Marble Palace in Emirates Hills and an Dhs115 million villa in Palm Jumeirah’s EOME community, brokered by Engel & Völkers Private Office Advisor Fadi Alsalem.

Dubai continues to establish itself as the world’s leading destination for high-net-worth individuals. According to Henley & Partners, the number of resident millionaires has grown by over 100% in the past decade, with the UAE attracting more HNWIs than any other country in 2023 and 2024. Today, Dubai is home to more than 81,000 millionaires, 237 centi-millionaires, and 20 billionaires - a figure that is set to rise as global wealth reallocates toward stable, high-performing destinations.

Dubai’s rental market also reflected sustained demand, with over 51,000 new residents added in the first quarter alone. While rent increases show signs of stabilising, luxury apartments in Bluewaters (+14.1%) and villas and townhouses in Dubai Hills Estate (+33.8%), and Arabian Ranches (+20.6%) registered significant year-on-year growth.

The commercial real estate continued its upward trajectory, with office, retail, and mixed-use segments all posting gains. Office sales transactions increased by 40%, and the average price per sq. ft. rose 15% to Dhs 1,676. Business Bay and JLT remained leading hubs for Grade A office space, recording 315 and 217 sales respectively. Off-plan interest in Capital One helped position Motor City as a leading office investment destination in Q1. Retail sales, meanwhile, rose 6% year-on-year, with concentration in thriving residential and mixed-use communities such as Business Bay, Arjan, and JVC.

Leasing activity also accelerated, with a 17.6% quarter-on-quarter increase across the commercial sector. Office rents grew by 23% year-on-year to Dhs 112 per sq. ft., led by demand in core business districts such as Business Bay, JLT, and Dubai Investments Park. While retail rents remained steady at Dhs 240 per sq. ft., increasing appetite for Grade A space suggests upward pressure on pricing may emerge in the latter half of the year.

Major commercial projects announced in Q1 2025—such as the Dhs 5 billion redevelopment of Mall of the Emirates also signal strong confidence from Dubai’s top developers in the long-term resilience of the city’s retail and consumer sectors.