Key Takeaways
- Dubai has become the world’s leading market for branded residences, with 175 projects, according to Knight Frank’s The Residence Report 2026/27.
- Non-hotel brands account for around 42% of branded residence projects in Dubai, 38% in Abu Dhabi and 52% on Al Marjan Island.
- According to the report, buyers who were not UAE residents represented around 15% of purchasers.
Dubai has become the world’s leading market for branded residences, with 175 projects, according to Knight Frank’s The Residence Report 2026/27.
Abu Dhabi ranked eighth globally with 24 projects, while Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah came ninth with 23 projects.
Knight Frank’s global survey covers around 1,800 existing and planned branded residential developments linked to more than 200 brands across 90 countries.
Dubai has 175 branded residence projects
Dubai currently has 68 completed branded residences projects and another 107 under development.
This means around 61% of Dubai’s total branded residential projects are still in the development pipeline, highlighting the scale of future supply expected to enter the market.
| Status | Number of Projects | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Existing projects | 68 | 39% |
| Projects under development | 107 | 61% |
| Total | 175 | 100% |
Dubai is far ahead of other international markets in terms of the total number of branded residence projects.
Miami ranked second with 73 projects, followed by New York with 38 and Phuket in Thailand with 35.
| Rank | Market | Projects |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dubai | 175 |
| 2 | Miami | 73 |
| 3 | New York | 38 |
| 4 | Phuket | 35 |
| 5 | London | 30 |
| 6 | São Paulo | 29 |
| 7 | Mexican Caribbean | 27 |
| 8 | Abu Dhabi | 24 |
| 9 | Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah | 23 |
| 10 | Bangkok | 22 |
UAE accounts for 19% of global development pipeline
At the country level, the UAE accounts for around 19% of all branded residence projects currently under development worldwide.
The sector is also becoming less dependent on traditional hotel brands.
Non-hotel brands account for around 42% of branded residence projects in Dubai, 38% in Abu Dhabi and 52% on Al Marjan Island.
This reflects a growing trend of fashion, automotive, lifestyle and other luxury brands entering the residential property market.
Dubai luxury property prices rise 180.7% in five years
The report also highlighted the strong performance of Dubai’s luxury residential market.
Dubai recorded a 180.7% increase in prime residential property prices over the five years ending in the first quarter of 2026, placing it at the top of the markets covered by the report.
Dubai has also seen significant growth in its ultra-prime property segment.
Sales of residential properties valued at $10 million or more reached approximately $10.55 billion during the 12 months ending in the second quarter of 2026.
That compares with $9.02 billion in 2025.
| Period | Sales Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $3.98 billion | — |
| 2023 | $7.58 billion | 90% |
| 2024 | $6.91 billion | -8% |
| 2025 | $9.02 billion | 31% |
| 2026* | $10.55 billion | 17% |
*2026 figure covers the 12 months ending in Q2 2026.
Abu Dhabi branded residences expand rapidly
Abu Dhabi currently has 24 branded residence projects, including five completed developments and 19 projects under development.
As a result, around 79% of Abu Dhabi’s branded residential projects are still in the development pipeline.
| Status | Number of Projects | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Existing projects | 5 | 21% |
| Projects under development | 19 | 79% |
| Total | 24 | 100% |
Knight Frank also highlighted strong demand for new luxury residential developments in Abu Dhabi.
During the summer of 2026, Modon sold around 1,700 homes at Hudayriyat Golf Estates within days of launch, with total sales approaching AED 13 billion, or approximately $3.5 billion.
According to the report, buyers who were not UAE residents represented around 15% of purchasers.
The report said Abu Dhabi’s rapid rise as a global wealth centre has been supported by government efforts to transform the emirate’s oil wealth into a broader financial and investment ecosystem.
The growth of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah in the branded residence sector further strengthens the UAE’s position as one of the world’s most important destinations for luxury residential property.
