The Dubai off-plan market report 2025 confirms what many investors and end-users felt throughout the year: off-plan wasn’t just active—it was the dominant engine of Dubai’s property growth. In 2025, off-plan homes attracted buyers chasing newer inventory, better amenities, smarter layouts, and future-facing communities, while developers responded with a higher number of launches and wider unit choices.
According to the data shared in the report (with Dubai Land Department figures referenced), off-plan made up 62.6% of total transactions, highlighting strong confidence in Dubai’s development pipeline. The report also states that 134,623 off-plan sale transactions were recorded in 2025, valued at AED 293 billion, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for real estate investment.
This guide breaks down the most prominent areas for off-plan apartments and villas, the pricing benchmarks (transaction price and price per sq. ft.), and the developers driving the most activity—plus what these trends imply for buyers planning their 2026 strategy.
2025 in one minute: the headline numbers
Here are the key highlights from the Dubai off-plan property report 2025:
- Off-plan represented 62.6% of total Dubai transactions
- 134,623 off-plan transactions were recorded, worth AED 293B
- 446 new off-plan projects launched in 2025 (vs 428 in 2024)
- Apartment standouts: JVC led volume; Business Bay led average ticket size
- Villa standouts: DAMAC Islands led transactions; DIP led villa price per sq. ft.
Important pricing note (trust signal): The report’s listed prices are based on advertised off-plan prices on Bayut unless explicitly stated as DLD transaction-based.
Why off-plan dominated Dubai in 2025
Off-plan demand in 2025 wasn’t accidental. Buyers consistently prioritized:
- Modern design + premium finishes
- Smart home features and practical layouts
- Lifestyle amenities (wellness, green spaces, community retail)
- Master-planned communities with stronger long-term positioning
In our experience helping clients shortlist projects, the strongest-performing off-plan decisions usually came down to one factor: buying the right unit type in the right demand corridor, not simply chasing the loudest launch.
Top areas for off-plan apartments in 2025
The report highlights five key apartment zones where off-plan transactions concentrated in 2025: JVC, Business Bay, Dubai Land Residence Complex, Dubai Science Park, and Motor City.
Apartment market benchmarks (2025)
| Area | Avg. transaction price (AED) | DLD price/sq. ft. (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| JVC | 1,080,285 | 1,548 |
| Business Bay | 2,384,126 | 2,672 |
| DLRC | 894,960 | 1,408 |
| Dubai Science Park | 1,234,186 | 1,737 |
| Motor City | 1,293,034 | 1,893 |
JVC: the volume leader
JVC topped apartment transactions (12,285 transactions mentioned in the report). The demand story here is straightforward: entry-to-mid pricing, a deep inventory pipeline, and broad tenant appeal. Projects referenced include multiple Binghatti releases and other mid-rise developments.
Business Bay: the premium ticket size leader
Business Bay recorded the highest average transaction price in the apartment segment at AED 2.38M and AED 2,672 per sq. ft. per the report. This aligns with the district’s positioning: centrally located, high-rise lifestyle, and strong end-user + investor overlap.
DLRC, Dubai Science Park, Motor City: mid-market momentum
These areas sit in a sweet spot for buyers seeking better price per sq. ft. efficiency while still targeting modern stock. In practice, these zones often attract:
- First-time buyers
- Investors prioritizing yield + liquidity
- End-users wanting newer builds without prime-core pricing
Top areas for off-plan villas in 2025
The report lists the key villa zones for 2025 as: DAMAC Islands, Dubailand, Dubai Investment Park (DIP), The Valley by Emaar, and Dubai South—with clear differences in transaction volumes and pricing intensity.
Villa market benchmarks (2025)
| Area | Avg. transaction price (AED) | DLD price/sq. ft. (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| DAMAC Islands | 2,938,516 | 1,427 |
| Dubailand | 3,883,367 | 1,441 |
| DIP | 5,865,112 | 1,763 |
| The Valley by Emaar | 4,299,068 | 1,368 |
| Dubai South | 4,280,449 | 1,425 |
DAMAC Islands: transaction surge zone
DAMAC Islands led the villa off-plan conversation with 5,458 sales transactions cited in the report—driven by cluster launches and an island-lifestyle narrative. For many buyers, it’s the “concept” and community storytelling that pushes decision-making here.
DIP: the high price-per-sqft zone
Dubai Investment Park (DIP) stands out with AED 1,763 per sq. ft. in the villa category (as stated). This signals stronger pricing pressure relative to peers, often linked to the specific product mix and buyer profiles targeting these projects.
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Contact us via WhatsAppDubailand, The Valley, Dubai South: family + value plays
These locations often appeal to families prioritizing:
- Larger layouts
- Community parks + schools access
- Master-plan delivery confidence
- Longer-term appreciation potential
Developer insights: who drove the most activity in 2025
According to the report’s developer section:
- Emaar: 49 new launches, 16,829 transactions, 5,113 units
- Sobha: 16,542 transactions, 4 projects, 11,566 units
- DAMAC: 16,458 transactions, 32 new projects, 12,148 units
- Binghatti: 9,786 transactions, 14 projects, 9,664 units
- Samana: 4,513 transactions, 16 projects, 6,278 units
What this signals for buyers: developer choice isn’t only about brand—it’s about delivery track record, unit liquidity, and end-user appeal at handover.
What this means for 2026 buyers: practical takeaways
Here’s how to turn the Dubai off-plan market report 2025 into a 2026 action plan:
- Pick the demand corridor first (tenant/buyer pool), then pick the tower/community.
- In apartments, prioritize liquid unit sizes (often studios–2BR depending on area).
- In villas, compare price per sq. ft. + family amenities—not just bedroom count.
- Treat advertised pricing vs transaction pricing carefully and verify with official data.
- Always stress-test handover timing against expected supply in the same district.
FAQ: Dubai off-plan market report 2025
Off-plan refers to properties sold before completion, typically with staged payment plans during construction. Buyers usually benefit from early inventory choice, while the key risk is timeline and market conditions at handover.
The report states off-plan accounted for 62.6% of Dubai’s total transactions, indicating strong buyer confidence in new developments and future communities.
JVC led the apartment segment with 12,285 transactions cited, reflecting broad investor interest and strong end-user/tenant demand in that district.
Business Bay recorded the highest average at AED 2.38M, and the highest stated price per sq. ft. at AED 2,672.
The report highlights DAMAC Islands, Dubailand, DIP, The Valley by Emaar, and Dubai South as top villa areas by transaction activity.
Dubai Investment Park (DIP) is listed at AED 1,763 per sq. ft., the highest among the villa areas in the table.
Yes. The report states 446 new off-plan projects launched in 2025 versus 428 in 2024, showing expanding supply and developer confidence.
Emaar, Sobha, DAMAC, Binghatti, and Samana are highlighted, with Emaar recording the most launches (49) and strong transaction volume.
Conclusion: the 2025 off-plan story—and the 2026 edge
Dubai’s off-plan performance in 2025 shows a market powered by new inventory demand, premium lifestyle positioning, and developer expansion, with off-plan taking the majority share of transactions. The smartest 2026 strategy isn’t copying the crowd—it’s using 2025’s winning patterns to select the right area + the right unit + the right delivery timeline.
If you want a shortlist tailored to your budget and goals, we can compare unit liquidity, pricing efficiency, and handover competition across the key districts highlighted above.