The Dubai Islands is the new hotspot of the Dubai property market, capturing investors, buyers seeking holiday homes, and high-net-worth individuals. The development is designed to resemble a global tourist destination and embodies the live-work-play expression of a world-class city.
Its unique master planning provides a strong competition to other already well-established city centres such as Palm Jumeirah. Dubai Islands is also attracting long-term growth potential, edging up property prices, and promising rents.
Dubai Islands: A Quick Snapshot
The Dubai Islands is the most recent luxurious project by Nakheel. Occupying over 60 kilometres of waterfront and comprising five islands, over 20 kilometres of beach stretches are also a part of Dubai Islands. The strategic location is only several minutes away from Dubai International Airport, and the historic Deira area.
Snapshot of Property Prices
- The asking property prices in Dubai Islands are already high. As of recent, a semidetached villa at Bay Villas trade starts around AED 5.2M.
- The prices of the average villas throughout the island vary from AED 5,100,000 to AED 55,000,000, which provides further reinforcement to its luxury positioning.
- Off-plan developments such as Rixos Residences and Azura Residences are launched at a minimum of AED 2.6M and AED 1.5M, respectively.
Snapshot of ROI
The picture of the rental yield is favourable to the investors.
- Two and three-bedroom homes will be expected to generate an average of 5.5-6.5 percent gross returns.
- Smaller units, including studios and one-bedroom apartments, will bring 6 -7.5 percent profits.
- Even though there is a lower expected yield of 4.5-5.8 per cent on high-end villas, they are likely to witness long-term capital growth.
- Holiday rentals will push ROI to even higher levels once several hospitality facilities reach completion milestones. The estimated holiday rental yield sits between 7.5 to 9 per cent a year.
Due to limited waterfront supply, flexible developer payment systems, and the vision of the government, the community is forming a DIY perspective. It also offers a broad opportunity in the moving property environment of the emirate.
Top 5 Off-plan Projects in Dubai Islands
1. Wynwood Horizon by Imtiaz
Wynwood Horizon is a waterfront development, offering Miami-style buildings to the Dubai Islands. The project has 1- to 3-bedroom apartments that have floor-to-ceiling windows able to give maximum views of the sea and city landscape.
- Handover: Q2 2028
- Starting Price: AED 1.7M
- Payment Plan: 20% - Down payment, 40% - During construction, 40% - On handover
2. Nakheel, Phase 4 Bay Grove Residences
The Bay Grove Residences, Phase 4 of Nakheel, is a popular community of Bay Grove, which is developed along the marina area of the Dubai Islands. The project will provide a mixture of 1- to 4-bedroom apartments and spacious penthouses, along with providing a mix of modern design and living on the waterfront.
- Handover: Q3 2028
- Starting Price: AED 2M
- Payment Plan: 10% - Down payment, 60% - During construction, 30% - On handover
3. Ocean Bay by Samana
Ocean Bay is a waterfront development that is situated on Central Island (Island A) of the Dubai Islands. The buildings will consist of 1 to 4 bedroom apartments, most of which will have their individual pools, maid quarters, and sea views.
- Handover: Q4 2028
- Starting Price: AED 2.1M
- Payment Plan: 60% - During construction, 40% - On handover
4. Blue Marina Residence by Shakirov Developments
Blue Marina Residence is a low-rise development on the Dubai Islands with 1 to 4-bedroom flats and duplexes located in a contemporary coastal design. It will offer direct access to the beach, infinity pools, fitness centre, and outdoor lounges.
- Handover: Q3 2028
- Starting Price: AED 1.7M
- Payment Plan: 20% - Down payment, 30% - During construction, 50% - On handover
5. Azizi Wasel by Azizi Developments
This is a high-end waterfront development on the islands in Dubai, Azizi Wasel, which will mark the introduction of Azizi into this new luxury market. The development on Island A will consist of 211 apartments, comprising studios, 1- to 3-bedroom apartments, and a 4-bedroom penthouse.
- Handover: Q2 2027
- Starting Price: AED 971K
- Payment Plan: 10% - Down payment, 40% - During construction, 50% - On handover
Growth Drivers
1. Strategic Positioning and Accessibility
The Dubai Islands are nestled on the Deira’s coastline and are within a 20-minute distance of the Dubai International Airport. This translates to a prime location and luxury waterfront destination in the town. Moreover, it is near the commercial and tourism frontiers of old and new Dubai, respectively. Its accessibility is further enhanced by planned road links, bridges, as well as marina connectivity.
2. Tourism & Lifestyle Appeal
Dubai Islands will be a high-end tourist destination and align with Dubai’s vision to receive 25 million visitors per year. The project incorporates a combination of lifestyle and leisure, thanks to the presence of luxury resorts, beach clubs, and marinas, as well as cultural centres in the master plan. Its hospitality-driven environment guarantees the constant attraction of short-term rentals.
3. Branded Residences & Luxury Supply
The Dubai Islands is establishing its brand, and projects such as Rixos Residences and Bay Villas. Branded developments receive price advances as well as high rentals and enhanced foreign investor demand. The low availability of the seashore villas and plots adds further competitive value.
4. Investor-Friendly Policies
Dubai is a global safe haven due to its zero property tax, and no capital gains tax. Also, a decade-long Golden Visa is available to investors buying AED 2M worth properties or above. Dubai Islands directly enjoy the benefits of these favorable policies, which attract foreign buyers and regional buyers who value secure investments with lifestyle benefits.
5. Infrastructure & Future Development
Continued infrastructure development of beach promenades, marina facilities, and green mobility networks is also creating long-term value to the islands. Future retailing and cultural features, coupled with emphasis on greenness, make sure that the masterplan is in line with the 2040 Urban Master Plan of Dubai. Early Investors will reap the benefits of soaring selling prices with every stage being handled.
Challenges and Risks
1. Market Volatility
Although the Dubai Islands have a good long-term potential, the Dubai real estate is cyclical. Changes in the price may happen when global economic requirements become weaker or when the desire of investors changes, particularly in those segments that depend on luxury.
2. Reliance on Luxury & Tourism
The Dubai Islands are also over-positioned in terms of a high-end lifestyle and tourism destination. This dependence refers to the fact that the demand may temper in the event tourism growth decelerates or the travel trends around the world alter, directly affecting the continuity of the short-term lease incomes, as well as the reselling.
3. Construction & Delivery Timelines
Since most of the project is yet to be developed, any change in handovers or infrastructure deployment would have an impact on the early investors. Off-plan sales are prevalent, thus any investor confidence rests on blockage by the builder on time.
4. Supply-Demand Balance
In spite of the small supply in comparison with Palm Jumeirah or Marina, several developers are being launched at the same time within the Dubai Islands. In case a large number of projects are flooded in the market, the effect of rental yields and sales appreciation might be short-term as the demand resumes.
5. Liquidity Risk for High-Ticket Assets
Ultra-luxury Villas will appeal to a high-net-worth investor, although the turnover rate in this category of property can be lower than in the mid-market apartments. When competing at longer holding periods, investors will have to extend their holding period.
Closing In!
Dubai Islands is poised to become one of the best waterfront spots of Dubai with the indicator of luxury lifestyles, tourism, and investment opportunities. The community is already demonstrating its popularity to the lifestyle buyers and the investors, with the villas and branded residences already fetching the premium price.
Although the returns on flats are high and villas potentially rise and fall in the long run, the threats to markets and the construction schedule ought to be taken into account.
Supported by the government vision, strategic location, and increasing rate of global demand for the best real estate, the Dubai Islands presents investors with an opportune opportunity for growth, income, and prestige in the property landscape in the developing city of Dubai.
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