Dubai’s real estate market is entering a new phase as the city continues to expand and attract an increasingly diverse base of investors and residents. As the urban landscape evolves and buyers’ needs become more sophisticated, competition between developments is no longer defined solely by location or size, but increasingly by the value a property can offer as part of a complete living and investment experience.
Against this backdrop, the sector continues to attract the attention of developers and international investors, while the concept of luxury living is also evolving alongside changing expectations around design, services, and quality of life. The relationship between developers and buyers has also become increasingly important, as the market places greater emphasis on projects with a clear identity and the ability to retain their appeal over the long term.
In an exclusive interview with Lana, Mr. Abdullah Al Tayer Founder and Managing Director of ALTA Real Estate Development discusses Dubai’s real estate landscape and the transformations taking place across the sector, as well as evolving buyer behaviour and changing criteria in the market. He also explores the future of luxury real estate, the role of design, brands and services in shaping the value of developments, and ALTA Real Estate Development’s approach and outlook for the next phase.
A More Selective Dubai Real Estate Market
Regarding the current state of Dubai’s real estate market compared with a year ago, Mr. Abdullah Al Tayer explained: “Dubai’s real estate market is still very strong, but it has become more measured compared with a year ago. In Q1 2026, transactions reached AED 252 billion, up 31% year on year, while transaction volumes increased by 6%.
What we are seeing now is a more selective buyer. People are looking much more closely at the developer, location, product quality and whether it offers real long-term value. I think that is healthy for the market because strong, well-thought-out projects are still attracting demand.
Sources: Dubai Land Department and Savills.”
Regional Tensions and Property Prices
Speaking about the impact of regional tensions on property prices and whether certain segments are experiencing a genuine correction, Mr. Abdullah Al Tayer said: “Regional tensions naturally affect sentiment. Some buyers may pause or take a little longer to make a decision, but that does not automatically mean property values are falling across the market.
It really depends on the segment. Strong projects in established locations tend to be more resilient, while areas with a lot of similar stock or speculative activity may feel more pressure. We are seeing more negotiation in some areas, but I would not describe Dubai as being in one broad correction.”
Normalisation Rather Than Correction
Asked whether Dubai is entering a correction phase after several years of growth or experiencing a temporary pause, Mr. Abdullah Al Tayer explained: “I would call it normalisation rather than a correction across the whole market. Dubai has experienced several years of very strong growth, so it is natural for the pace to become more balanced.
There is also a significant amount of new supply coming into the market, which means buyers have more choice. Location, quality, pricing and delivery will matter even more going forward. In many ways, that is positive because the market becomes more discerning.”
Looking Beyond Transaction Volumes
Regarding the best indicators of the health of Dubai’s property market, Mr. Abdullah Al Tayer noted: “I do not think there is one single indicator. You really have to look at several things together, such as how well new supply is being absorbed, rental occupancy, resale activity, end-user demand and whether developments are actually being delivered as promised.
KORO One is a good example of that. Selling out was important, but completing the project successfully is equally important. A healthy market is not only about sales on launch day; it is also about what happens afterwards.”
What Foreign Investors Are Looking For
Regarding what foreign investors are seeking today, from security and returns to residency, capital appreciation and lifestyle, Mr. Abdullah Al Tayer said: “I think today it is a combination of all of those things. Dubai offers security, economic stability, global connectivity and attractive residency options, but the lifestyle element has also become much more important.
Many international buyers are not simply investing from overseas anymore. They are moving their families here, setting up businesses and making Dubai their home. At the luxury end of the market, they are also looking for something more distinctive – strong design, privacy, service and a property that will remain desirable over time.”
From Investment Destination to Home
Asked whether Dubai has evolved from an investment destination into a place where people genuinely want to live and settle, Mr. Abdullah Al Tayer explained: “Absolutely. That has probably been one of the biggest changes in Dubai over the last few years. The city was once seen mainly as a place to invest, work for a period of time or own a second home. Today, many people are choosing to make it their primary residence.
Dubai’s population reached around 4.58 million by the end of 2025, and that growth is reflected in what buyers now expect from their homes. They are thinking about practical things like layouts, storage, privacy, outdoor space and how the home will actually work for everyday life.
Source: Government of Dubai.”
Trust at the Heart of the Buying Decision
Regarding the main question customers ask before purchasing a property, Mr. Abdullah Al Tayer said: “Ultimately, it comes down to trust. Buyers want to know whether the developer can actually deliver what has been promised.
They look closely at the completion timeline, quality, specifications, service charges and how the building will be managed in the long term. Good marketing can attract attention, but confidence comes from transparency and delivery. For us, KORO One is a strong example because we were able to take that project from concept through to successful completion.”
Beyond Price: Brand, Design and Services
Regarding the importance of brand, design and services compared with price, Mr. Abdullah Al Tayer explained: “Price is obviously important, but in the luxury market, buyers are really looking at value.
A recognised brand name alone is not enough. The brand should actually influence the architecture, interiors, materials, services and overall experience of living in the property. The same applies to design. Good design is not just about how something looks; it is also about how well the home functions and how it will age over time.
When all of those elements come together properly, buyers understand why a property commands a premium.”
A Selective Approach to Development
Regarding what differentiates ALTA from other developers, Mr. Abdullah Al Tayer said: “I think one of ALTA’s biggest differences is that we are very selective about what we develop. We are not trying to grow simply for the sake of becoming bigger.
Because we are founder-led, there is a very close level of involvement in the decisions that shape each project, from the location and concept through to the designers, materials and partners. The focus is always on thoughtful design, meticulous craftsmanship and long-term value.
For us, being selective is really how we protect quality.”
ALTA’s 2026 Sales Performance
Regarding ALTA’s sales performance since the beginning of 2026 compared with the same period last year, Mr. Abdullah Al Tayer explained: “As a privately held company, we do not disclose unaudited sales figures or detailed commercial information unless they have been formally approved for publication.
What I can say is that 2026 has already brought some important milestones for us. Villa Gaia was sold for AED 280 million, while KORO One reached completion following its successful sell-out.
For us, performance is not only about how many units are sold. We also look at pricing, the quality of the buyer profile, construction progress and whether the finished product ultimately delivers on its promise.”
A Selective Project Pipeline
Regarding the scale of ALTA’s land bank and project pipeline over the next two years, Mr. Abdullah Al Tayer said: “We do not disclose the value of our land holdings or announce future projects before the relevant commercial, design and regulatory decisions are complete.
What I can say is that our pipeline is very selective. We look carefully at the location, the depth of demand, the strength of the concept and whether we believe we can execute the project to the standard we expect.
The goal is not to launch as many projects as possible. It is to launch the right projects at the right time.”
Dubai and the UAE Remain the Main Focus
Regarding whether ALTA intends to expand beyond Dubai or keep the UAE as its primary focus, Mr. Abdullah Al Tayer explained: “Dubai and the wider UAE remain our main focus. We understand this market very well and we still see significant opportunities here across luxury, branded residences and contemporary urban living.
That said, we are open to opportunities in other markets. But any expansion would need to make sense strategically. There would need to be genuine demand, regulatory certainty and the right environment for us to maintain the same standards from concept through to delivery.
We are not interested in expanding simply to say that we are in more markets.”
Demand for Genuine Luxury
Regarding whether Dubai’s luxury market can maintain its momentum or is becoming saturated, Mr. Abdullah Al Tayer said: “I believe it can maintain its momentum, but buyers are definitely becoming more sophisticated.
There are many developments being described as luxury or branded today, but an expensive property is not automatically a luxury property. Buyers are increasingly able to tell the difference between genuine quality and something that is simply being marketed as exclusive.
There will continue to be demand for exceptional homes, particularly where there is real scarcity, thoughtful design, craftsmanship, privacy and strong service. The greater risk of saturation is with projects that do not have a clear point of difference.”
The Future of Residential Demand
Regarding the types of projects expected to attract the greatest demand in the future, Mr. Abdullah Al Tayer explained: “I think buyers will become even more focused on how a home actually supports their lifestyle.
Family residences with good layouts, privacy and access to established amenities will continue to perform well. Branded and service-led residences will also remain attractive, provided the brand genuinely adds value rather than simply being attached to the name of the project.
We will also see more attention around wellness, outdoor space, flexible working areas, energy efficiency and the quality of building management. Ultimately, the projects that understand how people genuinely want to live will be the ones that stand out.”
