Major property reports reveal a shifting market where specialised lifestyle services and standalone privacy are now outperforming traditional hotel-linked models<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Branded residences are no longer a side story in the luxury real estate market\u202d. \u202cOnce a niche offering\u202d, \u202cthey have become a core strategy for developers\u202d, \u202ca loyalty play for global brands\u202d, \u202cand a serious investment for buyers\u202d. \u202cThese properties are shaping how luxury homes are designed\u202d, \u202cmarketed\u202d, \u202cand bought\u202d.\u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knight Frank\u2019s Residence Report 2025\u20132026\u202d \u202chighlights just how far this shift has gone\u202d. \u202cBased on more than 1,000\u202d \u202clive and pipeline branded residential schemes across\u202d \u202c83\u202d \u202ccountries\u202d, \u202cthe report shows a market that is expanding\u202d, \u202cbut with far more discipline\u202d. \u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From London to Singapore\u202d, \u202cMiami to Tokyo\u202d, \u202cbuyers are willing to pay a premium\u202d, \u202cbut only when it is justified through quality\u202d, \u202cservice\u202d, \u202cdesign\u202d, \u202cand brand trust\u202d. \u202cFlashy\u202d \u202cextras are losing appeal\u202d, \u202cwhile longevity\u202d, \u202cwellness\u202d, \u202cand everyday liveability are becoming the real markers of value\u202d. \u202cDevelopments are now built around health-led living\u202d, \u202cwith longevity clinics\u202d, \u202ccommunity wellness\u202d, \u202cand sensory-focused design\u202d, \u202cas seen at London\u2019s Surrenne and Dubai\u2019s\u202d \u202cSHA Emirates\u202d, \u202cwhere wellness is central to daily life\u202d.\u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This global lens makes Dubai\u2019s performance all the more striking\u202d. \u202cThe Middle East sits at the heart of this evolution\u202d, \u202caccounting for roughly 27\u202d \u202cper cent of\u202d \u202cthe global branded residence pipeline\u202d, \u202cdespite representing a smaller share of completed projects\u202d, \u202caccording to the report\u202d. \u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knight Frank documented that Dubai racked up\u202d $\u202c8.2\u202d \u202cbillion in\u202d $\u202c10\u202d \u202cmillion-plus home sales into June 2025\u2014the highest total anywhere in the world\u2014underscoring that branded living in the city is about enduring luxury\u202d, \u202cnot short-term spectacle\u202d. \u202cWhen it comes to the Gulf\u202d, \u202cDubai ticks nearly every box\u202d. \u202cA warm climate\u202d, \u202cglobal accessibility\u202d, \u202cand a growing population of wealthy individuals have made it a natural magnet for luxury living\u202d.\u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Dubai is far from the only city experimenting with branded living\u202d. \u202cAcross the globe\u202d, \u202cdevelopers and luxury brands are trying\u202d \u202cnew approaches to attract wealthy buyers\u202d, \u202cand these innovations are reshaping what high-end homes look like\u202d. \u202cThe Knight Frank Residence Report\u202d, \u202creleased at the end of 2025\u202d, \u202chighlights emerging trends that are set to continue shaping the market\u202d.\u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luxury brands beyond hotels are making their mark\u202d. \u202cFashion labels\u202d, \u202crestaurants\u202d, \u202cand wellness brands are all partnering with developers to bring their signature style and ethos into high-end homes\u2014showing that it\u2019s not just hotel brands shaping the market\u202d. \u202cIn Dubai\u202d, \u202cthis shows up in projects like Bulgari Residences at Jumeirah Bay\u202d, \u202cwith its distinct Italian design flair\u202d, \u202cand the forthcoming Bentley-branded towers aimed at ultra-prime buyers\u202d.\u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Standalone branded residences are gaining ground\u202d.\u202c\u202d \u202cUnlike properties connected to hotels\u202d, \u202cthese homes give residents complete privacy and their own dedicated amenities\u202d, \u202cwhile still delivering the service and prestige of a major brand\u202d. \u202cAt\u202d \u202cBulgari Residences\u202d, \u202cprivate pools and resident-only lounges create a fully self-contained experience\u202d, \u202cwhile Raffles Residences on The Palm lets buyers enjoy the hotel\u2019s name and service without sharing spaces with hotel guests\u202d. \u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wellness is no longer an add-on\u202d.\u202c\u202d \u202cIt is at the heart of luxury living\u202d. \u202cNew developments feature advanced clinics\u202d, \u202cgyms\u202d, \u202cmeditation spaces\u202d, \u202ctherapy rooms\u202d, \u202cand biophilic design seamlessly woven into the architecture\u202d. \u202cSHA Emirates leads the way\u202d, \u202cembedding wellness routines and longevity programs into daily life\u202d, \u202cwhile Emaar\u2019s Vida Residences highlight holistic living with curated fitness and spa experiences\u202d.\u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Developers are going bigger and broader\u202d.\u202c\u202d \u202cBeyond individual towers\u202d, \u202cmaster-planned branded communities are emerging\u202d. \u202cDubai Hills Estate and Sobha Hartland\u202d, \u202cfor example\u202d, \u202ccombine multiple branded residences with shared amenities like golf courses\u202d, \u202cprivate clubs\u202d, \u202cand cultural hubs\u202d. \u202cThese neighbourhoods create immersive ecosystems\u202d, \u202cgiving residents not just a home but a connected\u202d, \u202clifestyle-oriented community\u202d.\u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tyler Br\u00fbl\u00e9\u202d, \u202cfounder of Monocle\u202d, \u202ca global media brand\u202d, \u202ctold the Knight Frank Residence Report 2025\u20132026\u202d, \u202c\u201cWhy limit yourself to branding a block\u202d? \u202cInfuse the area and create an organic community that more people can benefit from\u202d, \u202cnot just those who can afford your apartments\u202d.\u202c\u201d\u202d \u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His insight highlights a growing trend in luxury real estate\u202d: \u202cdevelopers are being challenged to think beyond isolated high-end\u202d \u202ctowers and consider how their projects can contribute to vibrant\u202d, \u202cinclusive neighbourhoods\u202d.\u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exceptional service remains the baseline\u202d. \u202cGlobally recognised names matter\u202d, \u202cbut its consistent five-star service\u202d, \u202cfrom concierge and valet to housekeeping and in-room dining\u202d, \u202cthat sets Dubai\u2019s branded residences apart\u202d. \u202cWith projects like Four Seasons Private Residences and Address Residences Sky View\u202d, \u202cthe promise of luxury is reinforced every day\u202d, \u202cmaking Dubai a city where global trends and local execution come together seamlessly\u202d.\u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These global trends aren\u2019t happening in a vacuum\u202d. \u202cIn Dubai\u202d, \u202cthe city\u2019s regulatory frameworks\u202d, \u202ctax incentives\u202d, \u202cand infrastructure have allowed it to translate these shifts in branded living into real market performance\u202d. \u202cBranded residences here aren\u2019t just following the global playbook\u202d; \u202cthey\u2019re setting new benchmarks for what luxury can look like in a city that combines lifestyle\u202d, \u202cinvestment appeal\u202d, \u202cand international\u202d \u202caccessibility\u202d.\u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Andrew Cummings\u202d, \u202cHead of Residential Agency at Savills Middle East\u202d, \u202csees these dynamics in action\u202d. \u202cAs the UAE heads into 2026\u202d, \u202che notes that Dubai is not just keeping pace with global luxury trends\u202d, \u202cit\u2019s outperforming many established hubs\u202d. \u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike mature hubs such as London\u202d, \u202cNew York\u202d, \u202cor Singapore\u202d, \u202cwhich face higher borrowing costs and regulatory pressure\u202d, \u202cthe UAE provides a supportive environment for wealthy buyers\u202d, \u202cCummings said\u202d. \u202cTax policies and reliable infrastructure make Dubai a practical choice for relocating wealth\u202d. \u202cThis alignment with global buyer expectations has helped the city establish itself as a leading\u202d \u202cmarket for branded residences and prime real estate\u202d, \u202cvalued for both lifestyle and long-term investment\u202d. \u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Will McKintosh\u202d, \u202cRegional Partner and Head of Residential\u202d, \u202cMENA at Knight Frank agrees with Cummings\u2019\u202d \u202cgeneral outlook\u202d. \u202cIn the new year\u202d, \u202cthe UAE\u202d \u202c\u201cis positioned well as an outperformer within the global luxury residential landscape\u202d,\u202c\u201d\u202d \u202cMcKintosh said\u202d.\u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cummings disclosed that Savills largely agrees with Knight Frank\u2019s positive outlook on Dubai\u2019s prime market\u202d. \u202cHe notes that most buyers in Dubai are end users or long-term investors rather than people looking for a quick flip\u202d. \u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Setting the stage for 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think 2025\u202d \u202cbroke every record you can measure\u2014from the number of transactions to total sales volume\u202d, \u202cprice per square foot\u202d, \u202cand the highest individual transactions\u202d,\u202c\u201d\u202d \u202cCummings said\u202d. \u202c2026\u202d \u202cis coming off the back of that strong performance\u202d, \u202cso the momentum is expected to carry forward\u202d.\u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u202d[\u202cThe UAE\u202d] \u202cremains a market that\u2019s being driven by very high demand\u202d, \u202cwhich is fueled by inward migration to the country\u202d.\u202c\u201d\u202d \u202cThis inward migration is stemming from a mixture of things\u202d, \u202che explained\u202d, \u202cbut more than anything\u202d, \u202clifestyle has become a major\u202d \u202cfactor\u202d. \u202c\u201cThat includes safety and security\u202d, \u202caccess to world-class schools and hospitals\u202d, \u202cand the overall quality of life\u202d. \u202cFrom restaurants and entertainment to everything else the city offers\u202d, \u202cit\u2019s the lifestyle that\u2019s really drawing people in\u202d.\u202c\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Data from the report shows that the Middle East holds a smaller slice of the global\u202d $\u202c10\u202d \u202cmillion-plus wealth market\u202d, \u202cwith 46,199\u202d \u202cultra-high-net-worth individuals in 2023\u202d, \u202crising to 50,813\u202d \u202cby 2028\u202d. \u202cWhile the region\u2019s numbers are modest compared with hubs like North America and Asia\u202d, \u202cthe steady growth reflects a resilient base of wealthy individuals in Dubai and across the Middle East\u202d, \u202cdriving demand for luxury real estate\u202d.\u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think we\u2019ll see continued high demand\u202d. \u202cI think supply will struggle to catch up with the number of predicted developer units for next year\u202d. \u202cIt\u2019s all about how much we\u2019ll actually hand over\u202d,\u202c\u201d\u202d \u202cCummings said\u202d.\u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the meantime\u202d. \u202cas luxury supplies spread into new frontiers\u202d, \u202cMcKintosh says investors will become more selective\u202d. \u202cHe predicts\u202d \u202cthat many will prioritise prime and super-prime assets that offer real differentiation\u202d, \u202cwhether through brand credibility\u202d, \u202cdesign quality or genuine community creation\u202d. \u202cIn practice\u202d, \u202cthat means more investors will focus on projects that feel\u202d \u202c\u201cbuilt to last\u202d, \u202cnot just to launch\u202d.\u202c\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think what we will see is a more measured amount of growth\u202d,\u202c\u201d\u202d \u202cCummings added\u202d. \u202cIn other words\u202d, \u202csteady wins the race\u202d, \u202ceven in the city of superlatives\u202d.\u202c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: Khaleej times<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Published: 2 January 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Major property reports reveal a shifting market where specialised lifestyle services and standalone privacy are now outperforming traditional hotel-linked models Branded residences are no longer a side story in the luxury real estate market\u202d. \u202cOnce a niche offering\u202d, \u202cthey have become a core strategy for developers\u202d, \u202ca loyalty play for global brands\u202d, \u202cand a serious […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":37031,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3218,403,5705,3020,5704],"class_list":["post-37029","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-dubai-branded-residences","tag-dubai-property-market","tag-global-real-estate-trends","tag-luxury-property-dubai","tag-wellness-real-estate"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37029","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37029"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37029\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37033,"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37029\/revisions\/37033"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37031"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}