Transactions Soar to AED 62.1 Billionas UAE Branded Residences Attract Global Capital
The UAE’s real estate market continues to set fresh records in 2025, remarks Josh Gilbert, Market Analyst at eToro. April alone saw AED 62.1 billion in real estate transactions, highlighting growing demand across residential, commercial, and luxury segments. One area in particular gaining attention is the branded residences market, which is quickly becoming the hottest thing in the UAE’s luxury property sector.
According to recent data, Abu Dhabi’s branded residences quadrupled over the past year, and luxury sales topped AED 6.3 billion in 2024. The growth in branded residences across the UAE reflects growing demand from affluent investors and high-net-worth individuals seeking exclusivity. This surge is not just reshaping the skyline but also creating compelling opportunities for listed real estate developers.
Emaar is arguably the biggest beneficiary of the UAE’s real estate upswing. The company is everywhere across the skyline in Dubai and is at the forefront of branded residence development with high-profile projects like Armani Residences, The Address, and Palace Residences. These properties have leveraged partnerships with global luxury brands to offer a premium lifestyle, which is appealing to international investors.
The company is continuing to move from strength to strength with ongoing expansions in Downtown Dubai, Dubai Hills, and the Marina. With the city’s record-breaking transaction volumes and continued influx of wealthy buyers, Emaar’s diversified portfolio and brand power position it strongly for further growth. This is reflected in Emaar’s share price, up over 60% in the last 12 months.
Aldar, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, is increasingly mirroring Dubai’s model by embracing branded residences. The recently announced Nobu Residences on Saadiyat Island adds to its growing luxury pipeline. Saadiyat is emerging as a luxury hub, and Aldar is taking full advantage of this trend.
It’s not just Saadiyat, though. Aldar continues to build a broader presence in the UAE luxury market. Its strategy to work with iconic global brands aligns with the rising demand for these ultra-premium homes. The growth of branded residences in Abu Dhabi suggests that the capital is catching up to Dubai’s pace, which could allow Aldar to unlock meaningful value for investors.
The growth in the UAE real estate market reflects solid fundamentals of robust population growth, surging tourism, ongoing efforts to diversify the economy and the appeal of the biggest corporate names in the world, underscored by these branded residences.
For investors, this opens new avenues for growth, particularly through developers with exposure to high-end and branded projects. Emaar, Aldar, and Deyaar are each positioned to benefit from this demand in different ways, making them worth watching as Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to attract global capital into their real estate markets.
