Day 1
Lessons 3
Selecting a developer in Dubai? Here are some factors to take into account
  • Price Statistics - Check if the cost seems fair. Is it reasonable or do you feel the agent might be marking it up?
  • Construction Time - Timeliness is key. Does the company stick to their construction schedules? Delays could point to issues with project management or financial struggles.
  • Quality of Construction - Take a look at their past projects. Consider the quality of materials, finish, and overall durability and reliability of the buildings.
  • Location and Surrounding Infrastructure - Where are the projects located? Are they in sought-after areas or less popular locations? Also consider the nearby amenities like schools, shops, and transport hubs for a comfortable living environment
  • Safety - Understand the settlement and eviction procedures. Are they well-organized and secure? Also, consider the security measures in place for the building and its surroundings
Developers who meet high standards:
1. Emaar
Emaar Properties is a global real estate development and management company headquartered in Dubai, UAE. It is one of the largest real estate developers in the Middle East, specializing in premium-class real estate construction. The company was founded in 1997. Emaar's real estate portfolio includes residential and commercial properties and infrastructure facilities, including the globally famous Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall.


Portfolio:

Emaar Properties was founded as a public joint-stock company on June 23, 1997 by Mohamed Ali Rashed Alabbar and was registered on July 29, 1997. After being listed on the Dubai Financial Market (EMAAR:DFM) on March 25, 2000, Emaar Properties became one of the first companies on DFM to open its capital to foreign citizens with a 20% share package. In 2001, Emaar Properties became the first developer in the region to offer real estate on long-term lease terms, and in 2002 it was the first to switch to selling real estate on freehold terms.

Emaar Properties' first project was Dubai Marina. In 2000, the company announced its plans to build a residential district along the 2-mile coast of the Arabian Gulf. The first phase of the project, consisting of six residential towers, began in 2001 and was completed before the start of the IMF and World Bank conference in 2003.

In 2003, Emaar announced another project, later named Downtown Dubai. A key feature of this project was the construction of two record-size buildings - Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, which are today known as the tallest building in the world and the largest shopping mall in the world. The Dubai Mall opened in 2008, and The Burj Khalifa in 2010.

In 2012, the company announced its plans to open The Address BLVD - a luxury hotel and serviced apartments located in the heart of Dubai, next to The Dubai Mall.

In 2013, Emaar launched several projects in downtown Dubai, including Boulevard Point, The Address Residence Fountain Views, Burj Vista, The Address Residence Sky View and Vida Residence.

Later that same year, a joint venture between Emaar Properties and Meraas Holding started developing the Dubai Hills Estate project, which became the first phase of Mohammed Bin Rashid City. Mulberry at Park Heights became the company's first residential complex in Dubai Hills.

In 2014, it was announced that a new addition to Downtown Dubai - The Opera District. The main attraction of the district was the Dubai Opera House with 2,000 seats, which was the first of its kind in the country.

Emaar Properties also launched Dubai Creek Residences - six residential towers in Dubai Creek Harbour. In 2017, Emaar introduced its new residential project - Creek Gate in Dubai Creek Harbor. The company stated that upon completion, it will be three times larger than Downtown Dubai and will feature the next tallest building in the world - Dubai Creek Tower, the construction of which is now nearing completion.
2. Nakheel
In translation from Arabic, the company's name translates as "palm". Those who know about the artificial island of Palm Jumeirah have probably already guessed that Nakheel is directly related to its creation. It is this developer who carried out the construction of the legendary man-made archipelago, which is shaped like palm leaves. As a result, the coast of Dubai has become 300 kilometres longer than before. However, Nakheel's achievements do not end there. The firm is also famous as a developer of luxury residential complexes, as well as shops, hotels, clubs, cultural-historical, social and business buildings.

The image of Dubai as it is seen by today's tourists, immigrants and indigenous people, has largely been created by Nakheel. An important aspect of its activity is the creation of a maximally comfortable environment for family life and relaxation. In addition to construction, the firm carries out a multitude of types of service maintenance for resorts, shops, residential buildings in its possession. This work is carried out by several divisions of the organization. This year it is celebrating its 20th anniversary.


Portfolio
  • 300 man-made islands under the name The World, made in the shape of different continents.
  • The widely known Palm archipelago, created artificially.
  • Residential, business, trade, cultural-historical, entertainment complexes of a premium level.
  • A panoramic platform 240 meters high on the skyscraper of Palm Jumeirah Island. This is a new landmark of Dubai, from where you can admire stunning landscapes of the archipelago and the entire city, and then visit the gallery and the performance of the interactive theater. Ten meters above the main, there is a VIP platform for review.

In the Nakheel portfolio in total:
  • 15,000 hectares, built with elite real estate;
  • 55,000 homes for maximum comfortable living;
  • serving over 300,000 residents;
  • 27 luxury residential groups, primarily intended for families with children.

The company's principle is an innovative approach to all production processes and real estate management. In early 2022, it was the first in the emirate to build an outdoor pool on the roof of the HUNA Aquatics complex in Circle Mall.


Perspectives
  • Nakheel's real estate is in high demand among tenants and generates stable income for its owners, ranging from 6% to 8% per year.
  • The company manages residential and non-residential buildings at an expert level, which includes: forming a personal strategy for passive income, searching for decent tenants, controlling the receipt of rent.
  • The firm continues to improve the service of the complexes it has built. For this purpose, it has created a virtual voice assistant My Nakheel, which allows you to access hundreds of services in a second.
  • A subsidiary of Nakheel carries out large-scale service maintenance of individual buildings and entire communities, including financial, technical, supervisory management.
3. Meraas
Apartments with a panorama of the Persian Gulf, located on the artificial island of Bluewaters, is one of the luxury properties recently erected by the Arab company MERAAS. Here there is everything, or almost everything, to feel happy. Magnificent swimming pools, spacious tennis courts and other sports grounds. There are places for exciting children's games, and even the most spoilt customers appreciate the first-class service of local restaurants and spa salons.
Sales of elite housing in the Bluewaters Residences complex started four years ago. It includes apartments with different numbers of bedrooms (from one to four), as well as low-rise houses with the highest level of comfort.

The innovative MERAAS holding was created in Dubai sixteen years ago. Now it is one of the top developers in the country, building skyscrapers, cottages and premium townhouses. MERAAS builds not only housing. In the Emirates, and beyond, the company is famous for its cultural and entertainment facilities, business and shopping centers.


Portfolio
  • Collections of elite housing Port de La Mer, Villa Amalfi, Bulgari Residences, Nikki Beach Residences and others.
  • The Central Park Tower, which towers over a large shopping center. Some of its apartments can still be purchased. Their feature - spacious balconies with a stunning overview of the blooming park and the entire metropolis.
  • The picturesque reserve The Green Planet with thousands of species of flora and fauna.
  • The entertainment complex Hub Zero in City Walk impresses with cool rock climbing and other attractions, exciting quests, 3D effects.
  • An observation wheel over 250 meters high on Bluewaters Island.

In the holding's case:
  • about 4,000 apartments, built in five areas of Dubai;
  • more than 2,000 public buildings;
  • about 2,000 hotel rooms;
  • over 5 billion dollars invested in the investment industry sector.

Prospects of MERAAS
  • The holding continues to develop fashionable districts of Dubai.
  • The tourist flow to the UAE from China was activated after the memorandum, which representatives of the holding signed jointly with a delegation from Shaanxi Province. As a result, enterprises from the PRC together with MERAAS opened the Hala China project in the emirate.
  • The holding has contracted with Brookfield Asset Management - a company that owns assets worth about 400 billion dollars and manages funds on different continents. The purpose of the agreement - joint ownership and management of trading platforms in the UAE, as well as in other countries of the Persian Gulf. Global developments and progressive retail models of Brookfield strengthen the positions of MERAAS.
4. Select Group
Another legislator of architectural fashion in Dubai and beyond is the Select Group, which represents high-level global developments. Its sphere of activity is the construction of residential, business, hotel, and other luxury real estate. Over 21 years of operation, the firm has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Forbes award for the best structures in the Middle East and the status of a construction magnate.

The company employs about 1,000 employees, operating in the Persian Gulf region, as well as in countries of Europe, China, and Southeast Asia. The head of the organization, Rahil Aslam, regularly occupies leading positions in the ranking of top contractors, builders and managers of the Middle East.

The Select Group not only erects buildings but also finances their construction by other enterprises. Ten years ago, it purchased the residential tower Marina Tower of the recognized global brand Emaar. Its height is 32 floors, and the layout includes 202 apartments with a different number of bedrooms. Some of them are equipped with an individual outdoor jacuzzi.


Portfolio
  • The company erected its first skyscraper with apartments 18 years ago in the Dubai Marina district. The height of the building is 84 floors. Meanwhile, the ninth building that Select Group built on this territory was recently marked with a prestigious industry award as the best residential high-rise.
  • The collection of premium real estate Studio One in the west of Dubai with apartments, priced from 261,642 dollars, is already living its life. The profit from its rental is about 8% annually. The complex also includes compact studio apartments. It meets all the criteria of premium development: a two-level underground parking lot, a pool, a top-class security system that works constantly.
  • The nine-storey complex The Hive from Select Group, which includes 200 studios and apartments, as well as shops, a common hall, a huge gym. To swim under the hot Arab sun, the inhabitants of the house just need to go up to its roof and plunge into the azure water of the pool.
  • The new building Marina Gate has already won the sympathy of investors. It includes more than 100 apartments, 400 cottages, and several villas. Some of them are still realistic to purchase. From any apartment or house of this collection, it is easy to go straight to the harbor to go out to sea on a yacht. Or you can wonderfully relax within the house, swimming in the pool or watching a children's game on a beautiful modern playground.
  • Also managed by the company: The Royal Oceanic residence, the collection of premium housing West Avenue, the residence with an elegant garden Botanica, and many other buildings.

In the Select Group portfolio:
  • more than 20 million square feet of real estate worth about 5 billion dollars, built on the company's own projects;
  • about four thousand apartments only in new buildings worth about 1.5 billion dollars;
  • billion-dollar investments in luxury real estate in the UAE and other countries.
5. Omniyat
The Omniyat Group was founded in 2005 and specializes in the construction of residential and commercial real estate. The founder of the company is Mahdi K.M.Dj. Amjad, who, before starting this activity, was a successful entrepreneur in the IT sphere, which allowed him to gain popularity in the shortest possible time. The development company in Dubai erects premium-class residential complexes and commercial real estate.

A feature of the properties from Omniyat is their individual design and thoughtful architecture, which allow for comfortable living spaces. The developer wants to make each of their projects unique, so they are not similar to any other residential complex.

The Omniyat developer pays great attention to the interior and design of the apartments. The company cooperates with popular architects, artists, and designers, with the help of whom it manages to create individual objects. The developer attracts the best specialists from around the world to implement their projects.

One of the key features is attention to detail, it is thanks to this approach that the developer creates comfortable housing for any buyer. Only proven and durable materials are used for design and finishing. All the equipment in the apartment is from foreign manufacturers, it is functional and looks attractive.


Famous projects of the Omniyat company:
  • Omniyat One Palm. The location and appearance of the complex attract many buyers. It is located in the Persian Gulf on Palm Jumeirah Island and has a chic view from any apartment. The complex is represented by a single 23-story building. Construction began back in 2017, and part of the townhouses had already been sold at low prices. The interior is in a minimalist style, the layouts of each apartment are carefully thought out, the rooms are spacious and cozy.
  • Omniyat Anwa. The 44-story tower also has beautiful views of the coastline. A smart home system is implemented in each residential object, high-quality Italian furniture is installed. Only expensive materials (natural wood, marble) are used for finishing, which add status to the dwelling, and emphasize the taste of the owner. The residential complex is equipped for comfortable living of people, here are beautiful gardens, swimming pools, a yacht dock.
  • Omniyat The Dorchester Collection. This is another complex from the developer Omniyat. It also has a beautiful view of the sea harbor and is represented by two skyscrapers, one of which houses a 5-star hotel. Apartments and penthouses with 2-4 bedrooms are available for sale, there are two-storey apartments. The feature of this residential complex is the high level of service, there is a concierge, maids, apartment managers, who will help in solving any issue. The infrastructure of the residential complex is well developed, here are shops, a promenade, swimming pools, sports grounds.
6. Dubai Properties
Dubai Properties is a state-owned general contractor, part of the Dubai Holding group of companies, which is almost entirely owned by the ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.


About the company:
Dubai Properties was founded in 2002 to implement the ambitious Jumeirah Beach Residence project, which involved the simultaneous construction of 40 high-rise buildings on an artificial island in the Dubai Marina area. Just a year later, the company announced the launch of another grandiose development - Business Bay. Since then, the company's portfolio has been supplemented with half a hundred projects, two-thirds of which have already been fully completed. The main task of the company is to realize the plans of the emirate's ruler for the development of Dubai as a world-class capital, attracting investment and diversifying the economy. Not all large projects announced back in the early 2000s were able to be implemented due to the global economic crisis of 2008-2013. Some objects, for example, 1/JBR, the company handed over with delays after the recession. Nevertheless, the company is firmly standing thanks to not only the support of the royal family, but also the investments of Dubai Holding in such promising sectors of the economy as green energy and telecommunications. Dubai Properties projects are extremely diverse and include both entire communities and separate housing complexes, both iconic skyscraper districts and affordable real estate in medium and low-rise communities, such as Remraam and Mudon. On the company's website, you can download brochures with descriptions of objects and floor plans, and a special section publishes detailed information about the progress of construction, including photo and video materials.
7. Ellington Properties
The Ellington company is among the young ones, it was established in 2014 and is successfully developing its activity, constantly releasing new projects. You can choose apartments with different layouts, 1-2 bedroom apartments, spacious villas. Even one-bedroom apartments have a large area. For the construction of its facilities, the developer chooses only prestigious areas of Dubai, which are popular with tourists and residents of Dubai.

The CEO of the company is Eli Naaman. The co-founders are Robert D. Boutou, Joseph Thomas, Nitin Bhatnagar. One of the main missions is the implementation of innovative technologies, thanks to which it is possible to create objects of excellent quality.

The peculiarity of Ellington in the construction of comfortable residential facilities, which allows to create a high standard of living. In addition to this, all ready and under construction facilities are distinguished by unique design and memorable architectural style. The company produces not only beautiful real estate, but also quality housing. Impeccable architecture and quality construction materials allow to create premium class housing.

Even after the handover of the finished facilities, the Ellington developer does not cancel its obligations to clients, all facilities are under warranty, which confirms the high quality of construction and the use of durable materials for construction.

The company does everything to regularly improve customer focus. Thus, a contract was recently concluded with Microsoft to update and automate all systems.


How reliable is the Ellington developer?
The company can be considered reliable, it has many awards in the field of real estate. At the international real estate awards held in 2020-2021, the following awards were received:

  • Wilton Park Residences was awarded as the best residential complex, it also received an award as the best bathroom design; the Eaton Place apartment received the title of the best in the "Residential Interior" category.
In 2019, the company received the award as the most innovative company of the year. All this underscores the fact that the developer pays special attention to the quality of materials and design of its projects.


Famous projects of the Ellington company
Each apartment is created according to the trends of European design. The interior looks not only beautiful, it is distinguished by good functionality, which allows to create comfortable conditions for living.


The most popular projects of the developer:

  • Ellington KW. The developer releases elite real estate, in this area there are 12 skyscrapers with carefully thought-out design. The exterior facade of the buildings differs from other residential complexes. Apartments are distinguished by their layouts, design, area. In addition to the quality of the apartments themselves, buyers are attracted by the well-kept area with necessary developed infrastructure.
  • Ellington’s DT1. The area is represented by one skyscraper of elite class. This is one of the safe projects, here the video surveillance system works around the clock. Buyers are attracted by green well-kept territories, swimming pools, shops. Natural wood is used in the decoration of apartments, which underlines the individuality of design projects. This residential complex has received many awards and is one of the best and luxurious residential complexes.
  • Ellington beach house. This is the first project of the developer, located on the island of Palm Jumeirah. Here are villas and apartments with 1-4 bedrooms. For buyers here there is a lobby with all amenities, gyms, necessary shops, areas for walks and rest. For the comfort of those living here there are services of concierge, maids, porters.
Developers who do not meet high standards:
  • DAMAC
    Poor quality of construction and possible delays in construction.
  • Azizi
    They are delaying the construction lines.
  • The First Group
    Overpriced. They don't work with agents, and sell 3 times more expensive through good marketing.
  • Tiger Group
    Poor property management, then these buildings are made into dormitories. Which reduces the value of the property.
Lesson learned? :)