The luxury and branded real estate market in Abu Dhabi is experiencing remarkable expansion in 2025, with a fourfold increase in the launch of branded residences compared to the previous year, according to Metropolitan Capital Real Estate (MCRE), a real estate firm based in Abu Dhabi.
The boost in this sector is driven by the rising interest from wealthy individuals, foreign investors, and long-term residents. So far this year, luxury property transactions worth Dhs7 million or more have reached Dhs6.3 billion in total, which marks a 5% increase compared to the previous year. Notably, transactions exceeding Dhs10 million make up over half of this figure, indicating growing trust in Abu Dhabi’s high-end real estate market.
“Abu Dhabi has become a key hub for luxury and lifestyle-driven investments,” commented Evgeny Ratskevich, CEO of MCRE. “We observe that buyers who initially intended to purchase a single property are now diversifying their holdings. Additionally, more long-term residents are opting to buy instead of rent, showcasing increased confidence in the local market.”
Emergence of Branded Residences
A significant driver of growth in 2025 has been the surge in branded residences. Developers are actively unveiling lifestyle-centric communities in major regions like Saadiyat Island, Al Reem Island, and Mariah Island. This year, the number of branded projects is expected to surpass 25, a substantial increase from a few launched in 2024.
Prominent projects include Jacob & Co Beachfront Residences, Brabus Residences by Cosmo, Waldorf Astoria Residences, Elie Saab Waterfront, SHA Wellness Residences, Mandarin Oriental Residences, and Nobu Residences. Nobu recently achieved a milestone with a Dhs137 million penthouse sale, setting a new record in Abu Dhabi’s residential market.
Alongside, the secondary luxury market has also experienced significant growth. Transaction volumes in this sector have soared by 158% year-on-year, with nearly Dhs3 billion in resale activities by April. Properties valued at over Dhs10 million formed more than Dhs2.6 billion of these transactions, accounting for 60% of the secondary market’s total sales.
High-End Resale Market
In the first four months, sales in the high-end resale market have reached 22% of the entire 2024 total, highlighting increasing investor interest in high-end, move-in-ready properties.
MCRE has solidified its status as a leader in Abu Dhabi’s luxury sector, holding an 11.5% market share for properties priced at Dhs7 million and above. The firm facilitated over Dhs700 million in sales within this category, including Dhs530 million in the ultra-luxury range (Dhs10 million upwards), capturing 11% of this exclusive market sector.
According to Ratskevich, prices for branded residences now range between Dhs2,500 and Dhs4,000 per square meter, varying with the location. These prices are considerably lower compared to similar offerings in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah, making Abu Dhabi an increasingly attractive prospect for global investors.
Changes in Investor Profiles
Investor profiles have also evolved notably since 2024. Although Russian and CIS buyers were predominant early last year, interest from these regions decreased in Q2. In their absence, buyers from the UK, US, UAE, and other GCC countries have become more active. Nearly half of all buyers are end-users, while the rest are investors looking to take advantage of what they perceive as good deals for high-end properties.
Prime areas continue to drive market activity, with Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, Reem Island, and Al Hidayriyyat leading the growth. Al Hidayriyyat, in particular, has already surpassed 20% of its total sales volume from 2024, establishing itself as a rapidly expanding hotspot.
To cater to this growing demand, MCRE has inaugurated a specialized luxury office—Metropolitan Capital Elite—on Saadiyat Island. This new division aims to offer tailored advisory services exclusively to high-net-worth individuals, end-users, and institutional investors seeking premium and branded real estate assets.