Emaar Properties is one of the UAE's largest and best-known real estate developers. It was founded in 1997 by Mohamed Alabbar and is based in Dubai. The company is a Public Joint Stock Company listed on the Dubai Financial Market under the ticker EMAAR, and it operates across four areas: real estate, retail and shopping malls, hospitality, and leisure.
Emaar built some of Dubai's most recognised landmarks, including Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, and The Dubai Mall. Both sit inside its Downtown Dubai district. Through its build-to-sell arm, Emaar Development, the company has handed over more than 109,000 homes in Dubai and other markets since 2002.
As of 31 December 2023, Emaar reported a net asset value of AED 177.5 billion (USD 48.3 billion). It holds a land bank of around 618 million square feet across the UAE and international markets, with operations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Lebanon, the USA, Italy, and Canada.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Emaar Properties PJSC |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder / Chairman | Mohamed Alabbar |
| Headquarters | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Listing | Public Joint Stock Company, Dubai Financial Market (DFM: EMAAR) |
| Net Asset Value | AED 177.5 Billion (USD 48.3 Billion) (as of 31 December 2023) |
| Homes Delivered | 109,000+ residential units since 2002 |
| Land Bank | Approximately 618 million sq. ft. across the UAE and international markets |
| Business Segments | Real Estate, Retail & Malls, Hospitality, and Leisure |
| Signature Projects | Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai |
| Property Types | Studios, Apartments, Villas, Townhouses, Plots, and Penthouses for sale |
| International Markets | UAE, Saudi Arabia (KSA), Egypt, Morocco, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Lebanon, USA, Italy, and Canada |
Emaar has won international, regional, and local awards for build quality and operational standards. Recent examples include:
Here is what a buyer gets when putting money into an Emaar property, and why the name carries weight in the Dubai market:
Proven delivery record. More than 109,000 homes handed over since 2002. As a company listed on the Dubai Financial Market, Emaar carries far less completion risk than a new or unproven developer.
| Investment Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Ownership | Freehold ownership in designated areas, available to both UAE nationals and overseas buyers. |
| Golden Visa | Properties valued at AED 2 million or more may qualify buyers for the 10-year UAE Golden Visa, subject to prevailing regulations. |
| Off-Plan Payment | Flexible payment plans are typically linked to construction milestones, with the remaining balance payable on or after handover. |
| Tax on Returns | Dubai does not levy personal income tax on rental income or capital gains from property sales. |
| Purchase Cost | A one-time Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee applies when registering the property purchase. |
Content Reviewed By: Vikas Taneja-RERA Certified Broker (BRN: 82127), Honey Money Real Estates L.L.C. (ORN: 28658). Advising HNI and NRI buyers on Dubai off-plan and ready property, with direct transaction experience across Downtown Dubai, Dubai Creek Harbour, MBR City, Sobha Hartland, The Valley, and Dubailand communities.
Company Authority: Honey Money Real Estates L.L.C. is a DLD-registered brokerage (ORN:28658) operating under Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA). All project data on this page is cross-checked against the developer’s official documentation and DLD records. Pricing and availability are market-indicative at the time of review and subject to change.
Yes. Emaar is a publicly listed company on the Dubai Financial Market and one of the oldest large developers in the UAE. It has delivered more than 109,000 homes since 2002 and reports a net asset value of AED 177.5 billion, which is why it is treated as a low-risk name in Dubai real estate.
Yes. Emaar is recognised by the Dubai Land Department, and its off-plan projects are registered with the regulator (RERA). Buyer payments on off-plan sales go through the government-regulated escrow system.
Yes. Emaar's Dubai communities sit in designated freehold areas, so UAE nationals, residents, and overseas buyers can all own the property outright. Confirm the exact terms for the specific project before you commit.
Yes, if the property value reaches AED 2 million. That is the current threshold for the 10-year UAE Golden Visa through real estate, and ready, approved off-plan, and mortgaged units can all count as long as the value recorded by the Dubai Land Department meets it.
No. Dubai charges no personal income tax, so rental income and any capital gain on an Emaar property are not taxed at the personal level. A one-time Dubai Land Department transfer fee applies when you register the purchase.
Emaar usually sells off-plan units on a payment plan spread across the construction period, with the remaining balance due on or after handover. The exact split changes from launch to launch, so check the current plan for the apartments for sale in the project you want.
Strong. Emaar has handed over more than 109,000 homes in Dubai and other markets since 2002 through its build-to-sell arm, Emaar Development, and lists build quality and on-time delivery among its stated priorities.
It depends on your goal. For waterfront, look at Emaar Beachfront, Dubai Creek Harbour, or Rashid Yachts & Marina. For family villas, look at Arabian Ranches, The Valley, or Dubai Hills Estate. For central capital growth, look at Downtown Dubai. Compare price per square foot, rental demand, and handover date for each.
Yes. Overseas buyers can purchase remotely through reservation, sale agreement, and payment against the project's plan. Ask for the current document requirements at the time of booking.
You pick a unit, pay a reservation deposit, and sign the sale agreement, then follow the project's payment schedule. Price and availability are confirmed at the point of reservation.