Developer profile
Emaar Properties
Dubai's largest listed developer: strong delivery record, premium prices, little payment flexibility
Emaar Properties built Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa and Dubai Hills Estate, and has delivered more than 130,900 homes since 2002 (company figure, August 2026). It has investment-grade credit ratings, and its UAE development arm held AED 46.8bn in net cash in March 2026, so the risk of a project stalling is low. The trade-offs are price and flexibility: you usually pay more per sq ft than with other developers, and 80% of the price before handover. With Dubai prices 10.2% below their February 2026 peak (ValuStrat, August 2026), do not expect a quick gain on a 2025–26 launch price.
What Emaar does well
- Strong finances: S&P BBB+ and Moody's Baa1 (June 2025). Emaar Development had AED 46.8bn net cash and AED 4m of debt at 31 March 2026.
- The best delivery record of the large Dubai developers: an estimated 85–90% of projects on time, with average delays of 2–4 months (broker analysis of developer track records, March 2026).
- Established communities: schools, malls and parks are already open in Downtown, Dubai Hills Estate and Dubai Creek Harbour.
- Steady income outside home sales: malls 98% occupied and AED 10.5bn of recurring revenue in 2025, which helps in a downturn.
- Fewer than 1% of Emaar Development buyers default on their payments (by sales value, March 2026).
Check before you buy
- You pay a premium. Dubai Hills Estate is AED 2,584/sq ft (Bayut, September 2026) against AED 1,639 at DAMAC Hills (July 2026).
- Most plans need 80% paid before keys. Post-handover plans are not standard (broker guidance, January 2026), so check you can fund the instalments.
- Service charges are high in Downtown (AED 18–35/sq ft a year) and Emaar Beachfront (AED 22–32) (2026 ranges). Check the building on the DLD Service Charge Index.
- There is a lot of new supply. Emaar launched 48 UAE projects in 2025 and has 15,400 homes due in 2029 alone (March 2026). Expect nearby construction and resale competition in Emaar South, The Valley and The Oasis.
- Finishing in the larger communities is standard rather than luxury. Book a snagging inspection before you accept the keys.
History
The milestones that shaped Emaar.
- 1997Founded in Dubai by Mohamed Alabbar with government backing.
- 2000Listed on the Dubai Financial Market. The first property company there to offer shares to foreign nationals.
- 2003Unveiled the Downtown Dubai masterplan, including Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall.
- 2004Formed Emaar International to build in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India and other markets.
- 2008The Dubai Mall soft-opened in November, during the financial crisis. Emaar cut new launches but did not need a debt restructuring.
- 2010Burj Khalifa opened in January.
- 2016Announced Dubai Creek Tower. Foundations were finished in 2017, then work stopped.
- 2017Listed its UAE build-to-sell arm, Emaar Development, in November.
- 2020Profit fell 48% in the nine months to September. Alabbar stepped down as chairman in December and stayed as managing director.
- 2022Bought Dubai Holding's share of Dubai Creek Harbour for AED 7.5bn, taking full control of about 100 million sq ft of land.
- 2025Record property sales of AED 80.4bn and 48 UAE launches. S&P and Moody's upgraded its ratings in June.
- 2026Said in January that Dubai Creek Tower would return in a new design, with no completion date. Announced an AED 200bn central Dubai masterplan for nearly 150,000 residents in June; name and site not yet published.
Delivery track record
Emaar has the strongest delivery record of the large Dubai developers, though it is not perfect. A broker analysis of developer track records (March 2026) estimates that 85–90% of Emaar projects are handed over on time, with average delays of 2–4 months, and names no delayed Emaar project. Emaar said in August 2026 that construction on all its ongoing UAE projects was on schedule. The clear exception is Dubai Creek Tower, announced in 2016 and still not built. The bigger test is ahead: Emaar Development had 52,787 homes under construction in March 2026, due between 2026 and 2031, with 15,400 due in 2029 alone. Emaar does not publish promised-versus-actual dates for individual projects, so check the SPA date and the DLD construction percentage for the building you are buying.
| Project | Promised handover | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Creek Tower, Dubai Creek Harbour | Announced 2016 as the centrepiece of the community | Foundations finished 2017, then work stopped and DLD recorded it as cancelled. Emaar said in January 2026 it will return in a new design, with no completion date. | AGBI, January 2026 |
| Emaar Beachfront first towers (Beach Vista, Sunrise Bay, Grand Bleu and others) | Sold from 2018; individual dates not published | Completed between 2021 and 2025 | Propsearch, October 2026 |
| Emaar Development 2026 deliveries | 5,726 UAE homes scheduled for 2026 (March 2026) | Group-wide, 3,633 homes handed over in H1 2026, of which 1,706 abroad. Emaar said in August 2026 that all UAE projects were on schedule. | Emaar Development Q1 2026 presentation; Emaar H1 2026 results |
| All Emaar projects (independent estimate) | SPA handover dates | 85–90% on time; average delay 2–4 months; occasional 3–6 month overruns | Broker analysis of developer track records, March 2026 |
Emaar projects selling or being built now
Starting prices are launch or asking prices at the date shown. Prices move, payment plans change and some projects sell out quickly, so ask us for today’s availability.
| Project | Area | Type | Bedrooms | Sizes | Starting price | Price per sq ft | Payment plan | Handover | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf Vale | Emaar South | Apartments and townhouses | 1–3 (apartments); 3 (townhouses) | 672–1,725 sq ft (apartments); 2,796 sq ft (townhouses) | AED 1.1m for a 1-bed (launch, April 2026) | c. AED 1,636 (1-bed at launch, April 2026, derived) | 10/70/20 | Q1 2030 | Selling. A 1-bed resold for AED 1.18m on 29 June 2026 |
| Golf Hills | Emaar South | Apartments | 1–3 | AED 1.06m (listed October 2026) | Q3 2029 | Selling | |||
| Golf Trails | Emaar South | Apartments and townhouses | 1–3 (apartments); 3 (townhouses) | 719–2,610 sq ft | AED 1.06m (listed October 2026) | 10/70/20 | Q4 2030 | Selling | |
| Vista Ridge | Emaar South | Apartments | AED 1.3m (launch, early 2026) | Q3 2029 | Selling | ||||
| Greenway | Emaar South | Townhouses (232 homes) | 3–4 | c. 3,092–3,512 sq ft | 2028 | Upcoming; prices not yet published (April 2026) | |||
| Rosehill | Dubai Hills Estate | Apartments | 1–3 | AED 1.65m (listed October 2026) | 80/20 | Q2 2029 | Selling | ||
| Palace Residences Hillside A and B | Dubai Hills Estate | Palace-branded apartments | 1–3 | AED 1.71m (listed October 2026) | Q2 2029 (A); Q4 2029 (B) | Selling | |||
| Valia Tower | Dubai Creek Harbour | Apartments | 1–4 | 817–2,561 sq ft | AED 1.96m–2.06m (August–October 2026; portals differ) | 10/70/20 | Q3–Q4 2030 | Selling | |
| Montiva (Green Gate) | Dubai Creek Harbour | Apartments | 1–3 | AED 1.92m (launch, 2026) | Q3 2029 | Selling; construction 3% (October 2026) | |||
| Valo | Dubai Creek Harbour | Apartments (37 storeys, 291 homes) | 1–3 | 752–1,876 sq ft | AED 4.34m (listed October 2026) | Q3 2028 | Selling | ||
| Aeon | Dubai Creek Harbour | Apartments | 1–3 | AED 1.71m (listed October 2026) | Q2 2028 | Under construction, 50% (October 2026) | |||
| Bayview by Address | Emaar Beachfront | Address-branded apartments | 1–6 | AED 5.62m (listed October 2026) | Q3 2028 | Selling | |||
| Aurea | Rashid Yachts & Marina | Apartments | 1–3 | AED 2.31m (listed October 2026) | Q2 2030 | Selling | |||
| Sera Phase 2 | Rashid Yachts & Marina | Apartments | 1–3 | AED 2.12m (listed October 2026) | Q4 2029 | Selling | |||
| Pier Point Phase 2 | Rashid Yachts & Marina | Apartments | 1–3 | AED 1.93m (listed October 2026) | Q4 2028 | Under construction, 6% (October 2026) | |||
| Fior and Fior 2 | Rashid Yachts & Marina | Apartments | AED 2.2m (Fior) and AED 1.8m (Fior 2) (listed October 2026) | Q3 2030 (Fior); Q1 2030 (Fior 2) | Selling | ||||
| Expo Living | Expo City | Apartments | 1 | AED 1.4m (listed October 2026) | Q1 2029 | Selling | |||
| Avarra by Palace | Business Bay | Palace-branded apartments | 1–6 | AED 2.82m (listed October 2026) | Q2 2031 | Selling | |||
| Palmiera 2 | The Oasis | Villas (56 homes) | 4 | 5,627–5,872 sq ft | AED 9.18m (launch, 2026) | c. AED 1,560–1,630 (launch, 2026, derived) | 10/80/10 | June 2028 | Selling |
| Marèva 2 | The Oasis | Villas | 4–6 | 7,254–12,986 sq ft | AED 14.57m (August 2026) | 10/70/20 | Q1 2030 | Selling | |
| Serro, Serro 2 and Salva | The Heights Country Club & Wellness | Villas | 3–5 | 3,340–5,884 sq ft | AED 6.72m for a 3-bed (listings, October 2026) | c. AED 2,012 (3-bed, October 2026, derived) | 10/70/20 (Serro); 10/75/15 (Salva) | Q1 2030 (Serro); Q2 2030 (Serro 2); Q3 2030 (Salva) | Selling; 70% of homes at The Heights sold (March 2026) |
| Address Residences Al Marjan Island | Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah | Address-branded apartments | 1–3 | AED 1.8m (listed October 2026) | Q1 2028 | Selling |
Completed projects
| Project | Area | Completed | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burj Khalifa | Downtown Dubai | 2010 | Apartments, hotel and offices | Opened January 2010. Includes Armani Residences. |
| The Dubai Mall | Downtown Dubai | 2008 | Retail | Soft-opened November 2008. Anchors the Downtown community. |
| Emirates Living (Emirates Hills, The Springs, The Meadows, The Lakes, The Greens) | Emirates Living | 2000s | Villas, townhouses and apartments | Among Dubai's first freehold communities. Emirates Hills villa values rose 7.4% in the year to August 2026 (ValuStrat). |
| Arabian Ranches | Dubailand corridor | From the mid-2000s | Villas and townhouses | AED 2,184/sq ft and 3.87% gross yield for villas (Bayut, H1 2026). |
| Dubai Marina towers (Marina Promenade, Park Island, Marina Gate and others) | Dubai Marina | 2000s–2010s | Apartments | Dubai Marina apartments average AED 2,111/sq ft with a 5.88% gross yield (Bayut, H1 2026). |
| Dubai Hills Estate (early phases) | Mohammed Bin Rashid City | From c. 2018 | Villas, townhouses and apartments | Dubai Hills Mall opened in 2022. 96% of the 9,752 homes still under development were sold by March 2026. |
| Emaar Beachfront (Beach Vista, Sunrise Bay, Marina Vista, Grand Bleu, Beach Isle, Palace Beach Residence) | Dubai Harbour | 2021–2025 | Apartments | Early buyers in 2018–20 paid about AED 1,300–1,600/sq ft (broker analysis of DLD data, January 2026). DLD ready median AED 3,329/sq ft in January–September 2026. |
| Dubai Creek Harbour first towers (Creek Horizon, Harbour Views, Creek Rise, Creekside 18, The Grand, Creek Edge, Address Harbour Point) | Dubai Creek Harbour | 2019–2024 | Apartments | Bayut index AED 2,621/sq ft (September 2026). |
How owners have done
Emaar's main communities have held their value better than the wider market in 2026, but growth has stopped. Bayut's listing index shows Dubai Hills Estate at AED 2,584/sq ft (+0.97% year on year, September 2026), Dubai Creek Harbour at AED 2,621 (+1.95%) and Downtown Dubai at AED 3,496 (−0.96%, August 2026). Valuation data is weaker: ValuStrat recorded Dubai Hills villas down 6.8% and Burj Khalifa apartments down 20.4% year on year in August 2026, when Dubai prices overall were 10.2% below the February 2026 peak. Early buyers have done well: Emaar Beachfront buyers in 2018–20 paid about AED 1,300–1,600/sq ft against a DLD ready median of AED 3,329 in January–September 2026, though that median slipped from AED 3,425 in Q1 to AED 3,179 in Q3 2026. For recent launches the evidence is thin: one Golf Vale 1-bed bought for AED 1.1m in April 2026 resold for AED 1.18m in June 2026, a single sale rather than a trend. Gross yields are moderate: 5.46% for Downtown apartments and 6.30% for Dubai Hills apartments, against 4.30% for Dubai Hills villas and 3.87% for Arabian Ranches villas (Bayut, H1 2026).
| Community | Price per sq ft | Change | Gross yield | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Dubai | AED 3,496 (August 2026) | −0.96% (August 2026) | 5.46% apartments (H1 2026) | Bayut price index; Bayut H1 2026 sales report |
| Dubai Hills Estate | AED 2,584 (September 2026) | +0.97% (September 2026); villa valuations −6.8% (August 2026) | 6.30% apartments; 4.30% villas (H1 2026) | Bayut price index; ValuStrat; Bayut H1 2026 sales report |
| Dubai Creek Harbour | AED 2,621 (September 2026) | +1.95% (September 2026) | 5.89% apartments (2025) | Bayut price index; Bayut 2025 sales report |
| Emaar Beachfront | AED 3,329 DLD ready median (January–September 2026) | Ready median AED 3,425 in Q1 to AED 3,179 in Q3 2026 | 4.8% (July–September 2026) | DLD transaction data (broker analysis) |
| Arabian Ranches (villas) | AED 2,184 (H1 2026) | 3.87% (H1 2026) | Bayut H1 2026 sales report | |
| Dubai Marina (apartments, all developers) | AED 2,111 (H1 2026) | 5.88% (H1 2026) | Bayut H1 2026 sales report |
Bayut and Property Finder figures are mostly asking prices and rents, not completed sales. Yields are gross, before service charges, maintenance and empty periods.
Payment plans and what’s on offer
- Payment plans
- Usually 80/20: 10% on booking, 70% in instalments during construction and 20% on handover. Some 2026 villa launches vary this, such as 10/80/10 at Palmiera 2 and 10/75/15 at Salva. A few prime launches use 60/40 or 50/50 (2026).
- Post-handover plans
- Not standard and should not be expected (broker guidance, January 2026). Brokers have advertised them on some unsold ready homes, such as Urbana and Golf Views in Emaar South.
- Golden Visa
- Homes bought for AED 2m or more qualify under the standard rule. Many current launches start below AED 2m for smaller units (October 2026), so check the price of the unit you choose.
- Mortgages on off-plan
- Emaar does not publish an off-plan mortgage partnership (October 2026). Ask your bank before you commit.
- Branded residences
- Emaar owns the Address, Vida and Palace hotel brands, and built Armani Residences in Burj Khalifa. Current branded launches: Bayview by Address, Palace Residences Hillside, Avarra by Palace and Address Residences Al Marjan Island (October 2026).
- Service charges
- AED per sq ft a year (2026 ranges): Dubai Hills Estate apartments 14–22, Dubai Creek Harbour 14–23, Downtown 18–35, Emaar Beachfront 22–32, Emaar South 10–14, Arabian Ranches villas 3–6, The Valley villas 3–4.5 (broker surveys, March and September 2026). Check the exact building on the DLD Service Charge Index.
Who Emaar suits
Emaar suits buyers who want the lowest delivery risk in Dubai and are willing to pay for it. That includes first-time overseas buyers, end-users who want a finished community with schools, parks and shops, and investors who value easy resale over the highest yield. It suits buyers who can fund 80% of the price before handover. It suits less well investors chasing yield (DAMAC and mid-market communities often rent for more relative to price), buyers who need a post-handover plan, and anyone hoping to sell quickly at a profit in the 2026 market.
Thinking of buying? We have sold off-plan for the major developers and can compare Emaar projects with similar homes from others, including resales that may cost less than a new launch.
Emaar FAQs
Is Emaar a good developer to buy off-plan from?
On delivery and financial strength, yes. Emaar has delivered more than 130,900 homes since 2002 (August 2026), holds investment-grade ratings (S&P BBB+, Moody's Baa1, June 2025) and its UAE arm had AED 46.8bn net cash in March 2026. The trade-offs are premium prices, mostly 80/20 plans and standard rather than luxury finishing in its larger communities.
What is the Emaar payment plan?
Usually 80/20: 10% on booking, 70% in instalments during construction and 20% on handover. Some 2026 launches vary this, such as 10/80/10 at Palmiera 2 and 10/75/15 at Salva. A few prime launches use 60/40 or 50/50.
Does Emaar offer post-handover payment plans?
Not as standard. Broker guidance (January 2026) says they should not be expected. They appear only occasionally, on unsold ready homes.
Does Emaar deliver on time?
Mostly. A broker analysis of developer track records (March 2026) estimates 85–90% of Emaar projects are handed over on time, with average delays of 2–4 months. Emaar said in August 2026 that all its UAE projects were on schedule. The main exception is Dubai Creek Tower, announced in 2016 and still not built.
What are Emaar service charges?
Roughly AED 14–23 per sq ft a year for Dubai Hills Estate and Dubai Creek Harbour apartments, 18–35 in Downtown, 22–32 at Emaar Beachfront and 3–6 for Arabian Ranches villas (2026 ranges). Always check the exact building on the DLD Service Charge Index.
Which Emaar community has the best rental yield?
Among Emaar's main areas, apartments yield most: 6.30% gross in Dubai Hills Estate, 5.88% in Dubai Marina and 5.46% in Downtown (Bayut, H1 2026). Villas yield less: 4.30% in Dubai Hills and 3.87% in Arabian Ranches. Emaar Beachfront was about 4.8% on DLD data (July–September 2026).
Can I get a Golden Visa with an Emaar property?
Yes, if the property costs AED 2m or more. Many current launches start below that, such as Golf Vale (AED 1.1m), Rosehill (AED 1.65m) and Expo Living (AED 1.4m) (2026 prices), so check the unit price.
Have Emaar prices gone up in 2026?
Mostly flat. Bayut's listing index shows Dubai Hills Estate +0.97% and Dubai Creek Harbour +1.95% year on year (September 2026), and Downtown −0.96% (August 2026). ValuStrat's valuations show Dubai Hills villas −6.8% and Burj Khalifa apartments −20.4% year on year (August 2026). The gains of 2022–2025 have paused.
Who owns Emaar?
Emaar is listed on the Dubai Financial Market. Its largest shareholders are the Dubai government's Investment Corporation of Dubai (24.07%, 2022 figure) and Dubai Holding. Founder Mohamed Alabbar is managing director.
What is Emaar's next big project?
In June 2026 Emaar announced an AED 200bn masterplan in central Dubai for nearly 150,000 residents. Its name and site had not been published by October 2026.
Sources and how we checked (30)
Facts checked October 2026 from the developer’s own announcements and results, Dubai Land Department records (via Property Finder, DXBinteract and Propsearch), Bayut market reports and the press. Figures given by the developer are labelled as theirs. This page is information, not financial advice.
- Emaar H1 2026 results (Gulf News, 7 August 2026)
- Emaar: over 51,000 units under development in the UAE (Reuters/Zawya, 7 August 2026)
- Emaar Development investor presentation Q1 2026
- Emaar record 2025 results (Gulf News, 12 February 2026)
- Emaar Q1 2026 results press release (11 May 2026)
- S&P and Moody's upgrade Emaar's credit ratings (Emaar, 11 June 2025)
- Emaar credit rating upgrade (Gulf News, 11 June 2025)
- Emaar to fully acquire Dubai Creek Harbour (Gulf News, 2022)
- Dubai ruler becomes second largest investor in Emaar (AGBI, 2022)
- Emaar Properties (Wikipedia)
- Dubai Creek Tower plan returns after decade of delay (AGBI, January 2026)
- Emaar AED 200bn Dubai masterplan (Gulf News, 11 June 2026)
- Off-plan handover delays in Dubai: developer track records (Real Estate Club Dubai, March 2026)
- Dubai property prices August 2026, ValuStrat data (Property Portfolio Investor, 16 September 2026)
- ValuStrat Dubai VPI Residential, August 2026
- Emaar developer investor guide 2026 (Oliva, May 2026)
- Emaar Beachfront investor guide 2026 (Oliva, January 2026)
- Emaar Beachfront guide 2026, DLD transactions (M&M Real Estate)
- Emaar Beachfront (Propsearch, October 2026)
- Emaar payment plans (Engel & Völkers, January 2026)
- Dubai service charges by area 2026 (VILA Properties)
- Dubai service charges by area and developer 2026 (Oliva)
- Emaar new projects (Property Finder, October 2026)
- Golf Vale project page (Property Finder, October 2026)
- Latest Emaar projects 2026 (Dubai Housing, August 2026)
- Emaar new projects 2026 (Casttio, April 2026)
- The Heights by Emaar new launches (APIL Properties, December 2025)
- Bayut price index: Dubai Hills Estate, Dubai Creek Harbour, Downtown Dubai (2026)
- Bayut Dubai Sales Market Report 2025
- Bayut H1 2026 sales report