Demand for homes in super tall towers being built in the UAE continues to increase, with developers expecting billions of dirhams in sales from a property boom in the Emirates.
Dubai is already home to the world's tallest tower, the 828-metre Burj Khalifa, and last year, Azizi Developments revealed plans for a Dh6 billion ($1.63 billion) tower called Burj Azizi, designed to stand 725 metres tall to become the world's second-tallest.
Azizi expects Dh20 billion in sales this year for the new project, Mirwais Azizi, founder and chairman of Azizi Developments, told The National.
“Sales have been excellent so far. We have sold close to Dh2 billion [from 200 units], with different nationalities from India, Europe and Arab nations [buying homes],” he said.
Once completed in 2028, the Burj Azizi, with at least 131 levels and 1,000 units will surpass the 679-metre Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, the company said. The tower will also feature a “seven-star hotel, the highest observation deck on level 130 as well as other amenities”.
Prices for apartments at Burj Azizi start at Dh7.5 million, with a maximum price of Dh1 billion for a penthouse occupying a full floor on the 100th level.
“A lot of people want to have some property here in Dubai, from India, Arab countries … now the Europeans, a lot of them are purchasing here because of the security and good leadership and the [stable] market,” Mr Azizi said.
Dubai’s property market has boomed in recent years on the back of government initiatives such as residency permits for retired and remote workers and the expansion of the 10-year golden visa programme. The overall growth in the UAE’s economy as a result of diversification efforts is also supporting the property market.
The emirate recorded real estate deals worth Dh761 billion last year, up 20 per cent compared to 2023, with the total number of transactions for the year increasing by 36 per cent to 226,000, according to data provided by the Dubai Media Office.
It also achieved a record in the sale of homes valued at more than $10 million last year, Knight Frank said in a report in February. The emirate recorded 435 home sales valued at more than $10 million, up from 434 home sales in 2023 in the same category, with the total value of deals reaching $7 billion.
By the end of the third quarter, Dubai exceeded other hotspots including New York, Hong Kong and Los Angeles for sales of homes valued at more than $10 million.
The prices of homes in Dubai are not high compared to cities like London, New York, Singapore or Hong Kong, making it attractive for buyers, Mr Azizi added.
As of March, the average property price in Dubai is Dh1,682 per square foot, considerably lower than cities like London at Dh4,097 per square foot, New York at Dh1,862, Singapore Dh5,697, and Hong Kong Dh8,047 per square foot, consultancy Betterhomes said, citing Global Property Guide data.
“This affordability, combined with high-quality developments, high rental yields, no capital gains tax, and a business-friendly environment, positions Dubai as an exceptionally attractive market for both investors and end users,” Christopher Cina, director of sales at Betterhomes, said.
Buyers are drawn to tall towers because of the “prestige and lifestyle” they provide, he added.
“As the region attracts more ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), demand is shifting towards limited-edition, highly exclusive assets. These individuals are not just seeking residences – they are investing in status symbols, and unique ownership experiences,” said Siraj Ahmed, partner, strategy and consulting at Cavendish Maxwell.
“With this trend gaining momentum, we anticipate the proliferation of more iconic skyscrapers across the GCC, further reinforcing the region’s position as a global hub for luxury real estate and high-rise innovation.”
The trend of new tall skyscrapers is also benefitting developers to help them establish their brand in the market and help them boost growth, he added.
Scaling heights
UAE developer Select Group, which is building the 122-floor Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina, has also achieved Dh2 billion in sales so far and expects all the units in the project to be sold by the end of 2025.
“We’ve progressed quite well in sales and demand is still very strong. Market is behaving very well, so we don't see any challenges in that respect,” Israr Liaqat, chief executive of Select Group, said.
The 517-metre tall tower, with a total development value of more than $1 billion, has 251 residences ranging from two- to four-bedroom deluxe residences, half-floor penthouses, as well as duplex and triplex sky mansions. It is scheduled for completion by 2028.
Unit prices start from about Dh9 million, with the most expensive unit being a 14,000 square foot sky mansion on the 120th floor, which costs Dh120 million.
“We have more than 36 nationalities [who have] already bought in the project, and the distribution is very healthy. It's ranging between British, French, Russian, American and Indian,” Georges El Hachem, commercial director of Select Group, said.
Chinese, Spanish as well as Romanian buyers have also bought homes in the tower, with investors constituting about 55 per cent of the total buyers and the remaining being end users.
“People are very attracted to the aspect of living in a very dynamic environment with great views of the whole city, the beach, the marina,” Mr El Hachem said.
“The best part of having this elevation is the amount of facilities that can be introduced to such a tower. The wellness building provides 61,000 square foot of facilities that are accessible only to residents … The swimming pool on the 109th floor or the yoga deck that is available on [the same] floor, which is approximately 430 metres above the ground, is definitely an amazing attraction,” he added.
New tallest tower
With demand for tall buildings on the rise not just in the UAE, but across the region, the Burj Khalifa may soon lose its title as the world's tallest.
In January, Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Holding announced that is resuming construction of the Jeddah Tower project, which is expected to be the world's tallest at a height of more than 1,000 metres.
Work on the project was paused in 2018, with 63 floors out of the total 157 completed. The tower, estimated to cost 100 billion Saudi riyals ($26 billion), will feature luxury residences, commercial spaces, a Four Seasons hotel, and an observation deck. Construction is now scheduled to be completed in 2028.
“The project will host up to 100,000 residents and financing of the project is complete,” Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, chairman of Kingdom Holding, said in a post on X. The project is being financed by banks and money generated through the sale of housing units at the tower.
Meanwhile, in 2023, Kuwait also announced the Burj Mubarak Al Kabir project, proposed to rise 1,001 metres in height, local media reported at the time. However, work is yet to start on the project.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Duminy's Test career in numbers
Tests 46; Runs 2,103; Best 166; Average 32.85; 100s 6; 50s 8; Wickets 42; Best 4-47
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
RESULTS
Welterweight
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) beat Mostafa Radi (PAL)
(Unanimous points decision)
Catchweight 75kg
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) beat Leandro Martins (BRA)
(Second round knockout)
Flyweight (female)
Manon Fiorot (FRA) beat Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
(RSC in third round)
Featherweight
Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB) beat Ahmed Al Darmaki
(Disqualification)
Lightweight
Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) beat Rey Nacionales (PHI)
(Unanimous points)
Featherweight
Yousef Al Housani (UAE) beat Mohamed Fargan (IND)
(TKO first round)
Catchweight 69kg
Jung Han-gook (KOR) beat Max Lima (BRA)
(First round submission by foot-lock)
Catchweight 71kg
Usman Nurmogamedov (RUS) beat Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)
(TKO round 1).
Featherweight title (5 rounds)
Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)
(TKO round 1).
Lightweight title (5 rounds)
Bruno Machado (BRA) beat Mike Santiago (USA)
(RSC round 2).
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Two-step truce
The UN-brokered ceasefire deal for Hodeidah will be implemented in two stages, with the first to be completed before the New Year begins, according to the Arab Coalition supporting the Yemeni government.
By midnight on December 31, the Houthi rebels will have to withdraw from the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa and Al Saqef, coalition officials told The National.
The second stage will be the complete withdrawal of all pro-government forces and rebels from Hodeidah city, to be completed by midnight on January 7.
The process is to be overseen by a Redeployment Co-ordination Committee (RCC) comprising UN monitors and representatives of the government and the rebels.
The agreement also calls the deployment of UN-supervised neutral forces in the city and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure distribution of aid across the country.
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
