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INSIDE RAK’S NEXT PROPERTY WAVE
Exclusive Interview with Philip Yousef, Chief Sales Officer, Major Developments.
What is driving property buying and selling in the region?
The Ras Al Khaimah market is being driven by a perfect convergence of fundamentals, tourism growth, infrastructure readiness, and yield resilience. In just the first half of 2025, RAK welcomed over 654,000 visitor arrivals, marking a 6% year-on-year surge, with tourism revenues climbing 9%, according to the RAKTDA.
On the capital markets side, residential values have surged 18% year-on-year as per CBRE, with average apartment prices now reaching AED 1,947 per sq ft. Al Marjan Island has been a standout performer, recording an astonishing 71% annual increase in sales prices. Off-plan activity is also exceptionally strong, with 1,760 units sold in H1 2025 alone and Q2 sales reaching AED 3.6 billion, up from AED 2.5 billion in Q1. These aren’t speculative surges; they reflect the depth and maturity of the market, particularly as RAK Central nears full activation as the emirate’s business and commercial hub.
From my lens, what’s fuelling this activity is not just sentiment, it’s structure. Fitch Ratings continues to affirm RAK at A+ with a Stable outlook, while projecting UAE GDP to grow 5.1% in 2025 and RAK-specific GDP to average 6.1% over 2025-26. For us at Major Developments, this stability is the foundation upon which projects like Manta Bay on Al Marjan and Colibri Views in RAK Central are thriving, they’re built at the intersection of high-velocity tourism and long-term economic activity.
What changes are you seeing in buyer preferences – for example, are people prioritizing location, size, or lifestyle amenities differently than before?
Buyer behaviour in RAK has evolved significantly in the past 18 months. Location remains paramount, but the definition of a “prime” location has bifurcated. On one end are leisure-focused buyers who are driving demand on Al Marjan Island, where the +71% price surge underlines the premium for branded, beachfront, short-let-ready homes. On the other end, we see growing demand for urban convenience in RAK Central, where mixed-use infrastructure, offices, and parks are creating a modern business core. Colibri Views is a direct response to this shift, designed to serve the growing executive and corporate workforce that prefers to live at the centre of activity while staying minutes from the leisure coast.
We’ve also noticed that buyers are increasingly seeking fully furnished, turnkey residences. They want to activate their investment from day one, without the friction of setup and fit-outs. That’s why all our homes at Manta Bay and Colibri Views come fully furnished with integrated European interiors and modular layouts.
Most critically, amenities are no longer seen as decorative, they are decisive. This is where innovation is reshaping buyer expectations. At Manta Bay, we’re delivering the world’s first Sky Beach, a fully functional sandy beach suspended several feet above the shoreline, designed as a year-round leisure space. At Colibri Views, we’ve built the world’s first and only Rooftop Footbot experience in collaboration with international football legend Patrice Evra, combining AI-driven wellness with sport and community engagement. These are not vanity add-ons. They’re lifestyle infrastructure, and increasingly, buyers benchmark projects on the depth and uniqueness of their amenity ecosystem.
We’ve also seen a shift from sheer size to specification quality. Today’s buyers prefer slightly more compact homes if it means better views, better design, and better services. This is exactly why our planning philosophy prioritises layout efficiency and convertible spaces over excess square footage.
To what extent are digital platforms, proptech solutions, and virtual property tours influencing how buyers and sellers engage in the market today?
Digital walkthrough solutions and VR-based tools are redefining how potential buyers experience real estate, taking project understanding to an entirely new level. We see a diverse mix of preferences among our clients, some continue to value traditional purchase journeys, while others find greater clarity and satisfaction when engaging through the latest tech solutions.
We remain committed to exploring emerging proptech trends and integrating the most effective innovations to deliver an informed, seamless, and future-ready experience to our clients.
Are you noticing a shift in the profile of investors entering the market – for example, more overseas buyers, first-time homeowners, or institutional investors?
Absolutely. The profile has diversified significantly. European interest is at an all-time high, with the RAKTDA recording the strongest tourism growth from Central and Eastern Europe, Romania up 65% and Poland up 56% in the first half of this year. That correlates directly with what we’re seeing on the ground: more first-time European buyers entering the market, often purchasing for hybrid use – personal holidays and short-let income.
We’re also seeing more first-time regional buyers, particularly younger GCC and expat professionals, entering through fully furnished, ready-to-rent stock. And notably, institutional investors and regional developers are circling RAK, with CBRE data confirming a surge of interest in acquiring or partnering on new branded residential projects on Al Marjan.
Our two projects reflect these buyer personas clearly: Manta Bay caters to yield-driven investors seeking high-visibility leisure stock near the Wynn Resort, while Colibri Views attracts business-adjacent residents and investors who value RAK Central’s emerging ecosystem of offices, retail, and parks. Together, they capture the two strongest growth corridors in the emirate.
Looking ahead, what trends will drive property transactions over the next 12–18 months?
There are four clear forces set to shape the next cycle of property transactions in Ras Al Khaimah. The most immediate catalyst is the Wynn Resort on Al Marjan Island, which is on track to open in early 2027. Each construction milestone has continued to re-rate the value of surrounding real estate, anchoring Al Marjan as the epicentre of leisure-driven investment.
At the same time, RAK Central is transitioning from concept to reality; its land plots are fully sold out, infrastructure is now complete, and commercial tenants are beginning to activate the district. This momentum positions Colibri Views to serve as the residential benchmark of RAK Central, capturing demand from both regional executives and international investors seeking a foothold in the emirate’s emerging business hub.
The tourism base is also compounding at record levels. In H1 2025, visitor arrivals reached 654,000 (+6% year-on-year) and revenues rose 9%, while ancillary segments like MICE and weddings grew +36%. This sustained inflow will directly fuel demand for short-stay-ready residences, especially those with resort-led appeal like Manta Bay.
And underpinning it all is a highly supportive macroeconomic climate. Ras Al Khaimah continues to hold an A+ (Stable) rating from Fitch, and the UAE is forecast to achieve 5.1% GDP growth this year, creating a favourable environment for capital inflows and real estate liquidity.
Looking ahead, I see the market being shaped by distinctive, experience-led projects in catalytic locations. At Major Developments, we’ve already partnered with global football icons like Francesco Totti and Patrice Evra, whose involvement has reinforced buyer confidence and amplified our international visibility. Building on this success, we intend to forge more such high-profile partnerships while also expanding our portfolio into the Beach District, further strengthening our footprint across Ras Al Khaimah’s most future-ready corridors.
Home Integrator
AWARD-WINNING RISING DEVELOPER AUM UNVEILS MULTI-PROJECT GROWTH PORTFOLIO IN DUBAI’S HIGH-DEMAND COMMUNITIES
AUM Developments, recipient of the Rising Star Developer of the Year award at the Smart Built Environment Awards (SBEA), has recently announced significant plans to expansion across Dubai’s residential landscape with three projects now under construction and a fourth development set to launch in Warsan.
The developer has officially broken ground on two residential projects – Veda in Jumeirah Village Circle and Ryze in Warsan, as well as a commercial project, Vertex Pointe, in Arjan. A fourth project is also coming up in Arjan, offering commercial spaces in the heart of the thriving community, further solidifying AUM’s presence across Dubai’s most sought-after emerging communities.
The combined GDV across the current portfolio stands at approximately AED 400 million, demonstrating AUM’s commitment to delivering quality residential developments that reshape urban living standards in Dubai.
“This year reflects the momentum we’ve built around our development strategy by advancing three projects in the first three quarters of the year, while planning our fourth,” said Deepak Batra, Managing Director of AUM Development. “We pay keen attention to selecting locations that genuinely support how people want to live in Dubai, prioritising connectivity, vibrant communities, and access to emerging neighbourhoods. Being recognised as a Rising Star Developer is an encouraging endorsement of our commitment, and we are honoured to continue delivering thoughtfully designed, well-crafted homes on time,” he added.
AUM’s recent recognition at the Smart Built Environment Awards acknowledges the company’s outstanding contribution to Dubai’s urban landscape, particularly its ability to achieve completion times 30% faster than industry standards while maintaining rigorous quality benchmarks. The developer has also been nominated for World Realty Congress for Best Affordable Project of the Year – Off Plan and Best Upcoming Developer of the Year, further cementing its reputation as an innovator in Dubai’s competitive real estate sector.
Under the leadership of Deepak Batra, a Dubai Land Department promotional trustee with over 21 years of UAE real estate experience, AUM operates on a 100% equity-funded model with vertical integration ensuring complete overview across all development phases. This structure has enabled the company to build a strong reputation for early project handovers and exceptional customer satisfaction.
Batra added: “Our growth is built on trust and consistency. We’ve demonstrated that quality and speed need not be mutually exclusive. As we expand our footprint across Dubai, our focus remains on creating communities where design, wellness, and value converge to enhance how people experience everyday life.”
To give buyers a closer look at these offerings, AUM has now opened its sales gallery on Sheikh Zayed Road, welcoming visitors to explore the projects firsthand.
Home Integrator
Dubai Welcomes Adhara Star: Acube’s First Project Officially Handed Over
Acube Developments has marked a major milestone in its journey as one of Dubai’s fastest-emerging real estate developers with the official handover of Adhara Star, its debut project in Arjan. Completed in under two years since the company’s inception, the development reflects Acube’s rapid rise in Dubai’s competitive property landscape and its ability to deliver on promises of quality, lifestyle, and innovation. With the project fully sold out 3 months after launch. Adhara Star signals strong investor confidence and sets the tone for Acube’s ambitious pipeline of future launches.

The freehold mixed-use project brings together 113 residential units across 13 floors alongside ground-level retail and podium parking. Designed for modern urban living, Adhara Star offers a curated mix of one, 1, 1.5-, 2.5- and 3.5-bedroom apartments, complete with laundry rooms, branded European appliances, and luxury finishes. The project combines affordable luxury with a community-focused lifestyle, appealing to Dubai’s growing base of families and young professionals seeking both connectivity and comfort.
Residents of Adhara Star will benefit from a host of premium amenities, including a rooftop pool, Japanese Zen Garden, male and female health clubs with jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms, Indoor Gym, a basketball court, padel court, outdoor yoga, and an open-air fitness zone. The development is also a certified Green Building, highlighting Acube’s commitment to sustainable construction and resource-efficient design.

Mrs. Archana Iyer Creative Director Acube Real Estate Development,
Mr. Ramjee Iyer CEO & Founder Acube Real Estate Development, Engr.(Left to right)
Commenting on the handover, Ramjee Iyer, Chairman & CEO of Acube Group, said: “The handover of Adhara Star is not only a landmark achievement for Acube Developments but also a reflection of Dubai’s dynamic property market, where speed, precision, and quality make all the difference. By completing our first project in less than two years, we have demonstrated the strength of our fully integrated approach, which allows us to maintain world-class standards. We are proud to deliver Adhara Star as a symbol of luxury, lifestyle, and sustainability, and look forward to continuing this journey with our upcoming projects.”
As Acube’s debut project, Adhara Star represents more than just a building, it embodies the company’s philosophy of creating developments that serve as guiding stars for the communities they shape. With its brand promise, “Live on a Star,” Acube is poised to continue delivering projects that combine aspirational living with enduring value.
Home Integrator
AVIAAN BRINGS NEW YORK–BASED ARTHOUSE TO DUBAI IN COLLABORATION WITH CLÉDOR AS DEVELOPMENT PARTNER
Investor-focused real estate developer AVIAAN today announced the launch of AED 185 million Arthouse Residences project in Meydan. This is the first development under the New York-based Arthouse branded residences portfolio in Dubai and the second in the UAE, following the recent launch of Arthouse Beach Residences in Ras Al Khaimah.
The project strengthens AVIAAN’s strategic partnership with Clédor, which has been appointed as the development management partner for Arthouse Residences in Meydan. Founded by industry veteran Omar Gull, the company leverages decades of experience from leading firms such as Dubai Holding, Emaar Properties, DAMAC Properties, and JLL. Clédor brings extensive experience in project management and construction quality, ensuring that Arthouse Residences will meet the highest standards of development.
Located in the heart of Meydan, one of Dubai’s most desirable residential locations, Arthouse Residences will offer premium residential units designed with AVIAAN’s signature design-first philosophy. The project will provide an elevated living experience with cutting-edge architecture and an exceptional location.
Gaurav Aidasani, Founder & CEO of AVIAAN said: “We are incredibly proud to launch AVIAAN’s first project in Dubai with a globally respected concept like Arthouse. This marks not just a milestone for our company, but a commitment to delivering curated living experiences that speak to the sophistication and ambition of this vibrant city. Our continued partnership with Cledor ensures that we uphold world-class standards in every aspect of development and delivery.”
Omar Gull, Founder of Clédor, added: “Our partnership with AVIAAN is about creating synergy—combining a shared belief in investor-focused development and a commitment to creating lasting value for the market. Arthouse Residences in Meydan is the culmination of this collaboration, reflecting our unified approach to creating exceptional, high-quality living spaces. Being entrusted with the Arthouse brand in regional markets is both an honour and a responsibility. We are excited to build on the success of Arthouse’s launch in Marjan and bring this unique, distinctive concept to the vibrant Dubai market.”
The AVIAAN-Cledor partnership leverages complementary expertise in project management, design excellence, and construction quality. Cledor brings robust development management capabilities, supported by 55+ years of combined management experience and a network of over 20,000 agents across 700+ agencies.
Founded by Gaurav Aidasani, a renowned industry veteran with a billion-dollar track record in sales and over 18 years of experience, AVIAAN is set to deliver an exceptional portfolio of projects valued at AED 1.7 billion across multiple strategic locations in Dubai.
AVIAAN’s entry into the competitive UAE market marks a natural progression for Aidasani, who is widely known for his role in building Union Square House into one of the top five performing brokerages in the UAE. With a transition from brokerage to development, Gaurav brings a wealth of market insight, strong investor trust, and a robust network of industry relationships.
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