Fakhruddin Properties, one of the UAE’s leading sustainability-oriented developers, and Holcim UAE, the leading partner for sustainable construction, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly advance sustainable construction across the region.

The new partnership marks a significant regional milestone for Holcim as its first MoU signed with a Middle East-headquartered developer. It underscores the company’s commitment to expanding its geographical reach and championing sustainable building solutions that support the UAE’s net-zero ambitions.

Commenting on the announcement, Yousuf Fakhruddin, CEO and Managing Director, Fakhruddin Properties, said, “This MoU supports the UAE’s national sustainability agenda and aligns with the 2015 Paris Agreement, reinforcing the UAE’s long-held commitment to achieving net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050. We will work closely with Holcim UAE to reduce both embodied and operational carbon, promote circular economy principles, and scale practical sustainability solutions with full transparency.

“For example, low-carbon materials supplied by Holcim and other manufacturers will be a staple across our future projects. This partnership demonstrates that effective decarbonization requires joint efforts across developers, sustainable solution providers, as well as government and industry stakeholders, combining innovation with measurable climate action.”

Ali Said, CEO, Holcim UAE added, “Sustainability is not just a goal, it is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration, transparency, and innovation. Through this partnership, we will embed low-carbon, circular, and resilient practices across the built environment. By ensuring traceability of materials along the entire value chain and integrating sustainable design and construction solutions, we will create communities that support wellbeing, respect the environment and nature, and set new benchmarks for sustainable development, starting with the UAE.”

By leveraging Holcim UAE’s expertise in low-carbon and circular building solutions through its NextGen Growth 2030 strategy, which includes a focus on the scaling up of sustainable construction, and Fakhruddin Properties’ sustainable development vision, the collaboration aims to deliver future-ready communities that balance environmental responsibility with social value.

A multi award-winning sustainable pioneer in the UAE’s real estate space, Fakhruddin Properties’ pioneered the country’s first in-building waste management system, diverting 90 per cent of waste from landfills; and is committed to delivering a wellness-optimized lifestyle across its growing portfolio through the implementation of smart home and air purification technology and other ground-breaking energy-efficient initiatives designed to address the global issue of rising energy consumption.

Interview with Abdulrahman Abdulla Alhelo Alsuwaidi, Co-founder & Chairman, Nabni Developments.

As Co-founder and Chairman, how do you balance strategic vision with day-to-day operational decisions for multiple high-profile projects?

At Nabni, our vision is rooted in a family legacy of long-term thinking, trust, and building with purpose. My role is to safeguard that vision, along with my brother Badr, ensuring every project reflects our values, quality standards and commitment to enduring value. We rely on a strong and experienced leadership team to manage execution, but stay closely involved in strategic decisions that impact the Nabni brand and long-term positioning. As the third generation of our family joins the business, we continue to pass on our values while welcoming fresh, more youthful and often innovative, perspectives that challenge the status quo. This approach allows us to scale responsibly, remain agile in Dubai’s dynamic market and deliver developments that stand the test of time.

What inspired your focus on luxury, design-led residences with a local yet international aesthetic?

Being an Emirati family business with a legacy dating back to 1953, we aspire to always portray our heritage – but in a refined and contemporary content. We balance international style with considered Middle Eastern design elements, addressing an audience of educated buyers who are looking for the best that modern-day living has to offer in our city. At the heart of everything we do is the desire to create something extraordinary, led by our passion, imagination and commitment to detail. For us, quality sets up apart and comes above all else, whether that is in our Nabni Avenue-branded series of developments or the Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Business Bay, the crown of our portfolio.

How do you define success – not just for the company, but for yourself personally?

For me, success is never measured by numbers alone. It’s about creating lasting value – for our customers, our partners, and our city. At Nabni, every decision we make is guided by an uncompromising commitment to quality. If a home we deliver can stand the test of time, enrich lives, and reflect the trust people place in our name, then we have succeeded. I take pride in knowing that what we build today will serve generations tomorrow. Success, to me, is leaving behind a legacy of excellence – where every detail speaks of integrity, craftsmanship, and purpose.

With 65% of Nabni Avenue 7 units already sold, what does this say about the brand’s market reputation?

My father instilled in us the importance of never compromising on quality, and this principle continues to define our approach today as I’ve already mentioned. The Nabni name has become synonymous with quality over the years – from our landmark commercial projects such as Business Avenue and building the world’s largest Lamborghini Showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road, and in more recent years, diversification into residential. Our projects work towards positioning Dubai as a destination for the world’s most discerning buyers, benchmarking against the highest international standards. We create products that we would be proud to own and personally live in. Quality is our true passion and a differentiator; we build for the generations of the future.

What role does European and international sourcing play in defining Nabni’s luxury identity?

It is extremely important to our business model, because we pride ourselves on offering top level fixtures and fittings across all our developments. For example, marble is sourced from Italy and appliances from Germany, ensuring the highest standards of craftsmanship as well as durability. We work exclusively with premium materials that not only reflect global excellence in design but are thoughtfully chosen to keep up with the challenging UAE climate. Saying this, our philosophy is based on a deep understanding of local standards, expectations, and context – allowing us to create homes that feel refined and entirely aligned with the essence of our city.

How does the brand maintain appeal for both investors and end-users looking for lifestyle-driven residences?

Throughout our residential portfolio, we combine strong investment fundamentals with lifestyle-focused design and lifestyle. In the series of Nabni Avenue Residences in Al Furjan for example, we tick many boxes: prime location, high-end build quality and curated amenities mean it becomes an attractive investment with strong rental and resale potential, while also offering residents a sense of community and a modern, comfortable living environment.

Similarly, Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Business Bay reflects our commitment to premium lifestyle living, with world-class design by famed architect Carlos Ott, interiors by design masters HBA, unrivalled amenities and bespoke services. This branded residence model, especially with such a storied name as the Waldorf Astoria, ensures end-users an elevated urban experience and provides investors with a high-demand, globally recognized asset. Every Nabni development is designed to provide long-term value.

How does Nabni integrate modern smart-home technology without compromising design aesthetics?

At Nabni, we view technology as an enabler – a way to enhance comfort, security, and efficiency for our residents without compromising the elegance of our spaces. In developments like Nabni Avenue 7 and Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Business Bay, smart-home features are seamlessly integrated into the design, ensuring they complement rather than dominate the aesthetic. From intuitive lighting and climate control systems to advanced security and home automation, every solution is chosen for its ability to blend discreetly with our interiors. Our goal is to provide residents with convenience and connectivity that feels effortless, while maintaining the refined and timeless design language that defines our homes.

By Milad Monshipour, Founder & CEO of AIR

Dubai’s property market is on an unprecedented growth trajectory. In recent years, the market has seen a significant increase in transactions, attracting a growing number of new investors. Traditionally, this growth has relied on human expertise for everything from property valuation to investment analysis. But with AI increasingly entering the sector, the landscape of property buying in Dubai is quietly but fundamentally changing.

AI is no longer just a tool for speed; it is redefining how properties are bought, sold, and valued. Platforms such as AIR, the Middle East’s first AI-native real estate platform, demonstrate how technology can improve accuracy, reduce risk, and even reshape market economics from the ground up.

One of the most persistent challenges in real estate has been the opacity of property valuations. Manual assessments are often inconsistent, leaving investors – particularly those overseas – unsure if they are paying fair prices. AI-powered automated valuation models (AVMs) tackle this problem by analysing vast datasets, including transaction histories, market sentiment, and local trends. The result is faster, more reliable valuations, instilling confidence in investors and making the market more accessible. Dubai’s public access to real estate transaction data through the Dubai REST app further enhances the accuracy and transparency of these AI valuations.

For high-net-worth investors, understanding potential returns is crucial. Traditional methods rely on speculation or slow, manual analysis. AI changes this by processing thousands of variables from demographic shifts to tourism patterns and supply pipelines to forecast rental yields and resale potential in real time. This data-driven approach reduces guesswork and allows investors to make informed, low-risk decisions. AI also enhances risk mitigation. Automated systems verify identities, perform compliance checks, flag suspicious transactions, and review contracts for potential red flags. By integrating with Dubai’s regulatory frameworks, AI platforms make property investments safer and more trustworthy, reducing both financial and legal exposure.

Historically, physical presence has been a barrier for international investors. AI-powered digital tools including virtual property tours, blockchain-enabled contracts, and online escrow services now allow investors from across the globe to transact remotely. Dubai is becoming a truly borderless property market, accessible to international buyers and resilient to regional economic shocks. AI’s influence extends beyond transactions. Developers are increasingly using predictive analytics to inform decisions on location, unit layouts, pricing strategies, and sustainability features. This ensures that new developments meet market demand, optimise returns, and create communities aligned with investor and resident needs. In this way, AI is shaping Dubai’s property market from the ground up.

Despite its advantages, AI is not without risks. Algorithms can be biased, datasets incomplete, and over-reliance on automation could lead to homogenised valuations. Privacy and cybersecurity remain critical concerns, and robust regulatory oversight is essential. Human expertise remains vital to ensure fairness, accountability, and context-driven interpretation of AI insights.

AI is quietly transforming Dubai’s property market. From transparent valuations and predictive investment modelling to risk mitigation and global accessibility, it is enhancing efficiency and reshaping the sector. While human expertise remains indispensable, AI is unlocking new possibilities that will define how property is bought and sold in the coming years.

Buying property in Dubai is already easier with AI and the long-term implications suggest the technology may quietly reshape the economics of the entire market, creating a smarter, safer, and more accessible real estate ecosystem.