Property Developers in Dubai

Property developers in Dubai are more than just real estate developers. In many cases they are massive brands so well known, they have become household names.

What Dubai has managed to become in the last twenty or so years is simply astonishing. There are many factors that have made this possible but one thing is for sure, none of it could have been done without Dubai’s property developers. Property development companies have played a huge role in building not only Dubai’s iconic tall towers but also its residential communities and tourist destinations.

There are currently over 100 active property developers active within the Dubai real estate market. Some are small family-run businesses whilst others are multi-national companies with projects all over the world. To keep things simple we are going to look at some of the more prominent developers active today.

 

Top Developers in Dubai

EMAAR Properties

Founded: 1997
Type: Master Developer
Headquarters: Dubai, UAE

Emaar Properties is one of Dubai’s most prominent master developers, best known for creating world-renowned destinations like Downtown Dubai, Dubai Hills Estate, and the Burj Khalifa. With a reputation for delivering high-quality residential communities, Emaar specializes in luxury apartments, villas, and integrated master communities across the UAE and beyond.

Key Projects:

Typical Price Range: AED 1.1M – AED 15M+

Binghatti Developers

Founded: 2008
Type: Private Developer
Headquarters: Dubai, UAE

Binghatti Developers is a fast-growing real estate brand in Dubai, known for its architectural identity and active presence in emerging communities. The company focuses on affordable to mid-luxury apartments, with a strong footprint in JVC, Business Bay, and Dubai Silicon Oasis.

Key Projects:

  • Binghatti Onyx

  • Binghatti Venus

  • Binghatti House

  • Binghatti Emerald

Typical Price Range: AED 600K – AED 3.5M+

Meraas

Founded: 2007
Type: Lifestyle Developer
Headquarters: Dubai, UAE

Meraas is known for creating destination-focused real estate projects that blend culture, design, and community. From beachfront living to urban enclaves, Meraas properties are strategically located and include residential, retail, and leisure experiences.

Key Projects:

  • Bluewaters Island

  • City Walk

  • La Mer

  • Central Park at City Walk

Typical Price Range: AED 1.5M – AED 25M+

Damac Properties

Founded: 2002
Type: Private Developer
Headquarters: Dubai, UAE

Damac Properties is a leading luxury real estate developer in Dubai, known for delivering high-end residential, commercial, and hospitality projects. With a portfolio that includes branded residences and waterfront towers, Damac is associated with bold design and upscale living in areas like Business Bay, Dubai Marina, and Dubai Hills.

Key Projects:

  • Damac Hills

  • Damac Lagoons

  • Cavalli Tower

  • Aykon City

Typical Price Range: AED 950K – AED 20M+

Nakheel

Founded: 2000
Type: Master Developer
Headquarters: Dubai, UAE

Nakheel is the master developer behind some of Dubai’s most iconic coastal projects. Best known for Palm Jumeirah and large-scale infrastructure, Nakheel combines waterfront living, retail destinations, and community amenities across a wide portfolio.

Key Projects:

Typical Price Range: AED 2.5M – AED 100M+

Iman Developers

Founded: 2016
Type: Boutique Residential Developer
Headquarters: Dubai, UAE

Iman Developers is a design-led real estate company known for delivering smart, lifestyle-focused apartment buildings across Dubai. With a strong emphasis on timely delivery, quality finishes, and community-centric design, Iman has established a solid reputation in emerging areas like JVC and Arjan.

Key Projects:

  • Oxford Residence

  • Oxford Boulevard

  • Oxford 212

  • The Grove

Typical Price Range: AED 600K – AED 1.8M

Nshama

Founded: 2014
Type: Affordable & Mid-Market Developer
Headquarters: Dubai, UAE

Nshama is the master developer behind Town Square Dubai, a massive affordable residential project built for families and young professionals. Nshama focuses on quality housing, public spaces, and community living at accessible price points.

Key Projects:

  • Town Square Dubai

  • Noor Townhouses

  • Jenna Apartments

  • The Hamilton

Typical Price Range: AED 540K – AED 2M

Sobha Realty

Founded: 1976 (Dubai operations since 2012)
Type: Ultra-Luxury Developer
Headquarters: Dubai, UAE

Sobha Realty is an international developer with a reputation for delivering ultra-luxury villas and apartments with meticulous craftsmanship. All projects are fully integrated in-house, ensuring consistent quality and attention to detail.

Key Projects:

  • Sobha Hartland

  • Sobha One

  • Sobha Reserve

  • Siniya Island (Ras Al Khaimah)

Typical Price Range: AED 1.5M – AED 45M+

Dubai Properties

Founded: 2002
Type: Master Developer
Headquarters: Dubai, UAE

Dubai Properties is a government-backed developer responsible for large-scale residential communities and mixed-use districts across Dubai. The company has delivered established areas including Jumeirah Beach Residence, Business Bay, and Dubailand, focusing on mid-market and family-oriented housing.

Key Projects:

  • Jumeirah Beach Residence

  • Villanova

  • Mudon

  • Business Bay

Typical Price Range: AED 900K – AED 6M+

Aldar Properties

Founded: 2004
Type: Master Developer
Headquarters: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Aldar Properties is one of the UAE’s largest publicly listed developers, with major master-planned communities across Abu Dhabi and an expanding footprint in Dubai. The company develops villas, townhouses, and apartment communities, including projects such as Athlon and Yas Island.

Key Projects:

  • Yas Island

  • Saadiyat Island

  • Athlon

  • Fahid Island

Typical Price Range: AED 900K – AED 20M+

BEYOND Developments

Founded: 2023
Type: Boutique Developer
Headquarters: Dubai, UAE

BEYOND Developments is a Dubai-based developer focused on high-end waterfront and boutique residential projects. The company delivers architect-led developments in premium locations including Dubai Maritime City and Palm Jumeirah.

Key Projects:

Typical Price Range: AED 2M – AED 50M+

Omniyat

Founded: 2005
Type: Luxury Developer
Headquarters: Dubai, UAE

Omniyat specializes in ultra-luxury branded and design-led developments in prime Dubai locations. The company is known for landmark projects in Business Bay and Palm Jumeirah.

Key Projects:

  • One Palm

  • The Opus

  • The Lana

Typical Price Range: AED 2M – AED 100M+

Ellington Properties

Founded: 2014
Type: Design-Led Developer
Headquarters: Dubai, UAE

Ellington Properties focuses on mid-rise, design-centric residential projects in established Dubai communities. The company develops apartments and limited townhouse projects in areas such as Jumeirah Village Circle and Dubai Hills Estate.

Key Projects:

  • Jumeirah Village Circle

  • Dubai Hills Estate

  • Costa Mare

Typical Price Range: AED 800K – AED 15M+

Wasl

Founded: 2008
Type: Government-Owned Developer
Headquarters: Dubai, UAE

Wasl manages and develops large residential and commercial assets across Dubai. The company oversees master communities including Jumeirah Golf Estates and mixed-use districts across central Dubai.

Key Projects:

Typical Price Range: AED 900K – AED 25M+

List Of ALL Dubai Real Estate Developers

AldarRAK PropertiesEagle Hills
AltaAjmal MakanPrescott Prime
Arada PropertiesAlef GroupCity Developments
AZIZIEMAAR PropertiesNakheel
DAMACNSHAMATiger Group
Dubai PropertiesOmniyatDeyaar
Ellington PropertiesMajid Al FuttaimSelect Group
IFA Hotels & ResortsMAG GroupAl Barari
MeraasSOBHA RealtyBinghatti
Palma HoldingLIV DevelopersSeven Tides
TebyanReportage PropertiesDanube Properties
Union PropertiesGemeni DevelopersIman Developers

*This table provides a list of all of Dubai’s developers with multiple developments either underway or completed.

 

BEST PROPERTY DEVELOPERS IN DUBAI

The best property developers in Dubai are those with a strong track record of delivering high-quality projects, whether luxury towers, family villas, or master-planned communities. Leading names such as Emaar, Meraas, Nakheel, and Sobha Realty consistently rank among the top for their build quality, locations, and investment potential.

Other top-performing developers like Ellington, Omniyat, Nshama, and Iman Developers specialize in boutique residential projects that appeal to end-users and design-focused buyers. From waterfront developments on Palm Jumeirah to affordable homes in Town Square Dubai, the best property developers in Dubai cater to a range of budgets and lifestyle needs.

Whether you’re buying to live or invest, this guide highlights the top real estate companies in Dubai and what sets each one apart in terms of value, delivery, and design.

 

Types of Property Developers in Dubai

Whilst each Dubai developer is in the same industry per se they are all very different in terms of what they offer and how they operate. This extends to the type and size of projects they build as well as the quality they deliver.

Certain, usually smaller developers tend to specialize in apartment projects consisting of 1 or 2 towers whilst other larger developers often build entire communities. Communities that are more like small towns featuring a mix of property style as well as retail and business premises.

 

Choosing a Property Developer

Choosing the right developer will oftentimes depend on two things; the type of property you are looking for and the location. Whilst some communities feature projects from a wide range of developers others are exclusively built by one single developer. In such cases, if you did wish to purchase in that particular community you would have no choice but to purchase from the master developer behind the project. A good example of this would be Emaar Beachfront where Emaar Properties is the sole developer of all available projects.

Top 5 things to take into consideration when making your decision:

  • Developer Standing and Reputation
  • Track Record
  • Experience
  • Product Availability
  • Price and Payment Terms Offered

For a full breakdown of all considerations see – How to Choose a Property Developer in Dubai

 

Dubai Property Developers – Selling Process

Generally speaking, all property developers develop projects with the ultimate goal of selling them for a profit. How they go about this process will vary however, in most cases, the entire sales process is done via what is referred to as a sales consultant or a real estate agent/broker.

A sales consultant usually refers to someone employed directly by the developer whilst a property broker is a real estate agent who does not work for the company but is licensed to sell their product. Most real estate developers in Dubai do not use exclusive agents but use an open market model instead, where all registered agents have the right to sell any of the developer’s projects.

FAQs

Property Developer vs Contractor. What is the difference?

Whilst on the topic of Property Developers in Dubai it is worth pointing out that property developers are different from contractors. The biggest distinction is that property developers are responsible for the entire project, from planning to the eventual sale and delivery of a project. Contractors, on the other hand, are hired by developers to carry out the actual building and construction work as specified by the developer. It is not uncommon for one particular to use different contractors for different projects. It is also not uncommon for the same contractor to be used by different and often competing property developers.

Who is the biggest property developer in Dubai?

The biggest property developer in Dubai is Emaar Properties. This is both in terms of projects completed and market cap.

Who is the best real estate developer in Dubai?

There is no single developer that is the best. Each one builds a different style of property and does so in its own unique style.

How many real estate developers are there in Dubai?

The number of active developers in Dubai is one that’s constantly changing. However, it’s safe to say that there are at least 30+ medium to large property developers who are active today.

Do all property developers offer payment plans?

The short answer to this is Yes, however the type of payment plans on offer do vary significantly. Different developers have different strategies and offerings when it comes to payment plans. The difference is not limited to different developers but also different projects by the same developer.

For more information on this check out: Payment Plans Explaind

Is my money safe when buying from a Dubai Developer?

The Dubai property market as a whole is extremely well regulated with a wide range of rules and regulations in place to keep buyers safe. Despite this, it always pays to do your research and learn about the developer before signing anything.

What is a master developer in Dubai?

Master Developer is usually a term used to describe a developer that builds communities and not just towers. A community master developer is responsible for the planning, infrastructure, and maintenance of that community. Emaar Properties and its Dubai Hills project would be a good example of this. This is a project solely developed by Emaar and it includes not just residential towers but an array of property types mixed with retail and commercial outlets.

Can I get finance for an off plan property by all developers?

No. Whilst getting finance for an off-plan property is possible it is not something that can be obtained for off-plan properties. UAB banks tend to offer mortgages for only those off-plan projects developed by the country’s major developers.

What is a developer sales office?

A sales office in most instances refers to a developers show room. Just as car dealerships use showrooms to showcase their latest car models property developers use showrooms to showcase their very latest projects. Most sales offices will have various mockups of the latest projects and in some cases entire communities. In addition to this, sales office also offer meeting facilities and serve as the ideal place for clients to book their chosen units.