Dubai Real Estate Market Report — May, 2025

Dubai Real Estate Market Report – May 2025

Dubai closed out May 2025 with 18,659 transactions worth AED 66.71 billion spanning every property category, at a blended median of AED 1,605 per square foot — the strongest month yet for both deal count and value. Confined to the apartment, villa and commercial segments, those three categories accounted for 18,278 deals, 5% ahead of May 2024, while their combined worth of AED 56.59 billion jumped 39% over the same period.

That contrast between a modest rise in volume and a much sharper rise in value sums up the month: buyers were paying more for what they bought rather than simply buying more of it, with villas the main force behind the shift.

Headline figures

Year-on-year performance by category

Villas were the engine of the month's growth. The category recorded 3,831 sales, 35% up on the year and 989 above the same month in 2024 — the strongest May volume across the 12-year series. Value made an even bigger statement, up 83% to AED 25.38 billion, with the median ticket rising 19% to AED 3,556,000 and the median price up 15% to AED 1,503 per square foot, the highest May figure the series has seen and 122% above the 2014 benchmark. The upper tier of the market was in evidence too, capped by a AED 300,000,000 villa sale on Palm Jumeirah.

Apartments continued to anchor the market. With 14,007 sales — just 8 more than the year before, effectively flat at 0% year on year — apartments stayed the most active segment by a wide margin. Prices scarcely shifted, with the median unchanged at AED 1,726 per square foot (0% change, yet still 42% above 2014) and the median ticket down 2% to AED 1,285,338. Nonetheless, total apartment value climbed 15% to AED 29.70 billion, and the largest apartment deal of the month, AED 163,881,000, was struck at Jumeirah Residences Asora Bay in Jumeirah First.

Commercial was the one segment where fewer deals still meant richer ones. Transaction count slid 19% to 440 — 106 short of a year earlier — yet value nonetheless rose 33% to AED 1.51 billion, the median ticket gained 16% to reach AED 1,741,750, and the median price advanced 15% to AED 1,726 per square foot, itself the highest May figure in the 12-year series and 65% above 2014. Put simply, commercial saw fewer buyers but bigger, costlier deals.

Every category, including plots and buildings

Land was traded on a large scale in May. The month saw 380 plot sales bring in AED 10.11 billion — a sum exceeding the entire commercial category — at a median ticket of AED 6,500,000 but only AED 511 per square foot, reflecting the economics of raw, developable land rather than finished space. One building changed hands as well, at a price of AED 20.00 million.

Primary versus resale

The primary market dominated May's activity, capturing 65% of deals (11,935 transactions) and an even greater 68% share of value at AED 38.76 billion. The resale side made up the balance — 6,343 transactions, or 35% of volume, generating a comparatively smaller 32% share of value at AED 17.83 billion — indicating the secondary market skewed toward cheaper stock than developers' fresh releases.

Where the activity was

Measured by value, Me'Aisem Second came out on top with AED 6.00 billion, followed by Al Yelayiss 1 (AED 3.78 billion), Marsa Dubai (AED 3.15 billion), Business Bay (AED 2.75 billion) and Dubai Investment Park Second (AED 2.44 billion). The picture changed by deal count, where Al Barsha South Fourth was busiest with 1,841 transactions, trailed by Al Yelayiss 1 (1,221), Business Bay (1,040), Wadi Al Safa 5 (788) and Marsa Dubai (743). Al Yelayiss 1, Business Bay and Marsa Dubai featured prominently on both rankings.

Rental market

On the leasing side, fresh apartment agreements climbed 7.28% to 11,589 with the median rent up 7.69% to AED 70,000, whereas renewals — the bigger pool at 13,815 — fell 3.10% in number even as their median rent rose 8.32% to AED 56,760, leaving existing tenants paying well under new-lease rates. Villa rents climbed faster still, with new-lease medians up 13.50% to AED 185,000. Commercial broke the pattern: new-lease activity surged 32.84% to 2,601 contracts, yet the median new rent dropped 24.70% to AED 90,000, even as commercial renewal rates repriced 15.50% higher to AED 115,500.

Supply

On the supply front, developers brought 15,782 units to market across 62 projects, while a much smaller 2,866 units across 16 projects were actually handed over — roughly 5.5 units launched for every one completed, adding a net 12,916 units to the pipeline. That launch-heavy tilt suggests forward supply will keep building well beyond the current sales high.

Launched

• South Square - S4 – Dubai South (Dubai South), 473 units
• The Orchard Place- Towers D&E – Al Barsha South Fourth (Peak Summit), 400 units
• Waada - Rayhan 1 – Dubai South (Bt Properties), 287 units
• Cove Edition Residence 5 By Imtiaz – Wadi Al Safa 5 (Imtiaz), 198 units
• Tomorrow 166 – Dubai Islands (Tomorrow World Group), 54 units
• Beach Walk Residences 4 By Imtiaz – Dubai Islands (Imtiaz), 70 units
• Beverly Grande – Al Hebiah First (Hmb Homes), 296 units
• Coventry 66 – Dubai South (Gfs), 64 units
• Damac Riverside Views - Azure 2 -E – Dubai Investment Park Second (Damac), 267 units
• Olivia Gardens Residence – Al Satwa (Segrex), 78 units
• Soul By Vision – Me'Aisem First (Vision Developments), 176 units
• Damac Islands - Bali 3 – Al Yelayiss 1 (Damac), 268 units
• Silva – Dubai Creek Harbour (Emaar), 437 units
• The Lx – Al Barsha South 3 (Mulk Properties), 74 units
• Avion Residence – Dubai South (Sky View), 66 units
• Belgravia Gardens - Tower D – Wadi Al Safa 2 (Ellington), 743 units
• Damac Islands - Seychelles 1 – Al Yelayiss 1 (Damac), 204 units
• Damac Riverside - Olive – Dubai Investment Park Second (Damac), 208 units
• The Willows Residences – Wadi Al Safa 3 (Scc Vertex), 56 units
• Essenlife Residence – Al Barsha South Fifth (Object One), 357 units
• Provenza Residences – Al Barsha South Fourth (Ikr Development), 188 units
• The Wilds 1 – Wadi Al Safa 3 (Aldar), 267 units
• Vedaire Residences – Nad Al Sheba First (Elton), 46 units
• Golden Woods Albab Views – Dubai South (Agw Development), 132 units
• Akala Residences – Zaabeel Second (Arada), 284 units
• Waada - Cascada 1 – Dubai South (Bt Properties), 249 units
• Damac Riverside Views - Royal 2 -B – Dubai Investment Park Second (Damac), 335 units
• Montiva – Dubai Creek Harbour (Emaar), 475 units
• Nautis Residences – Dubai Islands (Stamn), 63 units
• Azizi Milan 9 – Wadi Al Safa 4 (Azizi), 991 units
• Omoria Hotel Residences – Dubai Islands (Innovate), 57 units
• Olbia – Al Yelayiss 2 (Nshama), 156 units
• Waha Living By Al Yakka – Al Satwa (Alyakka Developer), 71 units
• Monarch – Al Hebiah First (Zane), 47 units
• Distrikt-4 – Wadi Al Safa 4 (Majid Al Futtaim), 532 units
• Luzora Residences – Dubai Islands (Dia Homes), 108 units
• Gate Eleven Residences -A – Wadi Al Safa 3 (Amwaj), 45 units
• The Wilds 3 – Wadi Al Safa 3 (Aldar), 387 units
• Lumina – Um Hurair Second (Yehiaco), 25 units
• Wellington Grand Villas – Wadi Al Safa 3 (Wellington), 22 units
• Sunset Bay Four By Imtiaz – Dubai Islands (Imtiaz), 63 units
• Damac Riverside Views - Royal 1 -A – Dubai Investment Park Second (Damac), 169 units
• Damac Islands - Bali 4 – Al Yelayiss 1 (Damac), 208 units
• Dalmore Tower – Wadi Al Safa 5 (Dalmore), 120 units
• Damac Riverside Views - Royal 4 -B – Dubai Investment Park Second (Damac), 466 units
• Hills View At Wasl Gate – Jabal Ali First (Suncrest Hills), 350 units
• Chelsea Residences 2 By Damac Tower-B – Madinat Dubai Almelaheyah (Damac), 550 units
• Damac Riverside Views - Capri 2 -E – Dubai Investment Park Second (Damac), 483 units
• Damac Riverside Views - Indigo 1 -C – Dubai Investment Park Second (Damac), 493 units
• Symbolic Zen Residences – Jabal Ali First (Moizziyah), 92 units
• Azha Millennium Residences – Al Barsha South Fifth (Emirates Properties), 201 units
• Rose Gardens 2 – Al Barsha South Fourth (Roz Development), 71 units
• Lilian Residences – Dubai South (London Gate), 66 units
• Reef 998 – Wadi Al Safa 5 (Reef Luxury), 339 units
• Cove Boulevard By Imtiaz – Wadi Al Safa 5 (Imtiaz), 436 units
• Lincoln Star Residence – Dubai South (Lincoln Star), 48 units
• Alton – Al Yelayiss 2 (Nshama), 149 units
• Damac Riverside Views - Capri 1 -E – Dubai Investment Park Second (Damac), 824 units
• Bhuvi Residence – Dubai South (Bravima Development), 70 units
• Damac Riverside Views - Indigo 2 -C – Dubai Investment Park Second (Damac), 388 units
• Sol Levante – Al Barsha South Fifth (Sol Properties), 674 units
• The Wilds 2 – Wadi Al Safa 3 (Aldar), 266 units

Delivered

• Alef Noon Residence – Al Barsha South Fourth (Al Bait Al Duwaliy), 113 units
• Mudon Al Ranim 1 – Al Hebiah Sixth (Dubai Properties), 224 units
• Dawn By Binghatti – Al Barsha South Fourth (Binghatti), 97 units
• Damac Hills-Bel Air – Al Hebiah Third (Damac), 215 units
• The S Tower – Al Safouh Second (Sobha), 94 units
• Aura By Grovy – Al Barsha South Fourth (Grovy), 151 units
• Mass Residence – Al Barsha South Fourth (Jaiedco), 69 units
• District One Views – Al Merkadh (Meydan), 104 units
• The Paragon By Igo – Business Bay (Invest Group Overseas), 330 units
• Maha Townhouses – Al Yelayiss 2 (Nshama), 500 units
• Sanctuary Falls – Me'Aisem First (Shaikh Holdings), 97 units
• Westwood Grande Ii By Imtiaz – Al Barsha South Fourth (Imtiaz), 153 units
• The Regent – Al Yelayiss 2 (Nshama), 238 units
• Grand Glow – Al Barsha South Fourth (Aizn), 14 units
• Mudon Al Ranim 2 – Al Hebiah Sixth (Dubai Properties), 176 units
• The Pulse Beachfront 3 – Dubai South (Dubai South), 291 units

Most expensive sales

Top apartment sales

1. AED 163,881,000 – Jumeirah Residences Asora Bay, Jumeirah First
2. AED 64,845,641 – Peninsula Dubai Residences - Tower 1, Jumeirah Second
3. AED 42,000,000 – Bulgari Residences 2, Jumeirah Bay Islands
4. AED 36,655,020 – W Residences At Dubai Harbour - Tower 1, Marsa Dubai
5. AED 31,500,000 – The Address Jbr 2 (Jumeirah Gate Tower 2), Marsa Dubai

Top villa sales

1. AED 300,000,000 – Palm Jumeirah
2. AED 158,000,000 – Wadi Al Safa 3
3. AED 79,200,000 – World Islands
4. AED 67,000,000 – Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid
5. AED 64,092,000 – Al Hebiah Fourth

Notes on methodology

Scope. Headline totals and the category table cover every property category recorded in the data, including Plot and Building. The primary/resale split, top-area rankings and the year-on-year series cover Apartment, Villa and Commercial only, so those figures are deliberately smaller than the headline and should not be added across sections.

Rounding. Headline totals are the authoritative rounded figures. Category-level breakdowns are rounded independently and may not sum exactly to the headline.

Definitions. Price figures are medians, not averages. Year-on-year compares the period against the same period one year earlier. All values in AED; areas in square feet.