Connect with us

Home Integrator

STARZPLAY CAPTURES THE REALITY BEHIND THE UAE’S MOST ELITE PROPERTY DEALS

Published

on

Exclusive Interview with Ben Bandari, CEO, BenCo. Real Estate & Sarah Serhan, Associate Partner, BenCo. Real Estate

Ben Bandari

Ben Bandari is a powerhouse in the UAE real estate industry, having closed over AED 25 billion in sales and earned a reputation as one of the nation’s most influential and successful brokers. Since starting his real estate career in the UAE back in 2002, He has earned some of the industry’s highest honours, including Number 1 Real Estate Broker in the UAE by Arabian Business, inclusion among the Top 150 Real Estate Icons by Finance World and the prestigious Agency of the Year award by The Entrepreneur. Beyond his brokerage success, Ben is also the star and executive producer of Million Dollar Listing UAE, the hit reality series that takes viewers inside the glamorous, high-stakes world of the UAE luxury real estate.

Sarah Serhan

In the UAE’s competitive luxury real estate market, Sarah Serhan has quickly established herself as one of its most dynamic rising talents. She is a luxury real estate agent and broker as well as an area specialist for Dubai Hills Estate, combining cultural awareness with deep market knowledge.  In her first year she had closed more than AED 100 million in sales and by 2024, she was averaging AED 3 million in transactions daily. Recognised by Ben Bandari for her drive and professionalism, she joined BenCo Real Estate in early 2024 where she now serves as Associate Partner.

Questions:

Beyond luxury listings, the show focuses heavily on ambition, rivalry, and pressure. Why do you think audiences connect so strongly with that side of the story?

    Ben Bandari: At its core, the show really isn’t about houses – it’s about people. While luxury listings are exciting and aspirational, it’s the universal themes of ambition, competition, pressure, and even self-doubt that truly resonated with STARZPLAY’s audiences in Season One once it aired. That strong response is exactly what paved the way for Season Two.

    Audiences connect because they’re seeing the authentic side of success – the wins, the stress, the rivalries, and the emotional ups and downs that come with working in a high-pressure market like the UAE. Partnering with STARZPLAY allowed us to bring this format closer to home for MENA viewers and ground it in a reality they recognise. Viewers aren’t just watching deals close; they’re watching real people who push themselves, make mistakes, and grow, and that honesty is what makes the story relatable, and why it continues to resonate even more strongly in Season Two.

    Sarah Serhan: As a newcomer to both the show and the industry, there is an undeniable pressure to prove yourself as a capable broker who can overcome challenges, obstacles and manage mental pressure. With that, you still need to balance the demands of work with time spent with family. What I believe truly resonates with the audience is the authenticity of that journey. When they see me, they see a human like everyone else, a woman with ambitions and goals, a woman with a family she must always put first, yet someone who continues to push forward, they connect on a much deeper level, probably reflecting their own struggles and aspirations.

    Mr. Ben Bandari, as a returning cast member and Executive Producer, how has your role evolved in shaping the direction and authenticity of Season 2?

    In Season Two, my role became much more hands-on. As Executive Producer, I was closely involved in shaping the narrative to make sure it truly reflected the realities of the UAE real estate market. The focus was on real pressure, negotiations, and consequences. I wanted viewers to see what the job actually demands. The goal was to let the stories unfold naturally and stay true to the people and the market we’re representing.

    Rivalries are a big part of the show; do they sharpen your edge or complicate your strategy?

    It’s genuinely a bit of both. Healthy rivalry pushes you to raise your standards and stay sharp, especially in a market as competitive as the UAE. I’ve learned to use competition as motivation while staying focused on the bigger picture, which is serving clients and closing deals. A great example of rivalry in the show is in Episodes 1 to 3, where Dr. Baydoun of Damac Properties makes Riad and I compete for a luxury property, “Villa Flora.”

    You’ve been part of the franchise since its early days in the UAE—how has the real estate market changed since Season 1, and how has that changed you?

    The market has matured dramatically. Buyers are more informed, expectations are higher, and transactions are far more complex. Since Season One, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the UAE have evolved into a truly global luxury market. That evolution has forced me to grow personally as well as upgrade BenCo. to 70 plus staff and still growing. I’ve become more disciplined, more strategic, and more resilient. I’ve also setup a whole new business, Highgate Investments, which caters to investors looking at and acquiring properties, or designing and developing old, rundown ones. The business has skyrocketed with 8 ongoing projects so far.

    Ms. Sarah Serhan, joining a well-established cast can be intense, what was your mindset walking into Season 2?

    I was aware that my presence as a new face and a rapidly rising professional might be perceived as threatening to some of the other cast members. I anticipated questions like “who is she?” “Why is she here?” and “how did she get here?”. Frankly, I didn’t know what to expect from the others, but also, I never felt the need to prove myself to anyone. As I’ve always believed, my performance and my numbers speak for themselves.

    What message do you hope ambitious professionals, especially women, take from your journey?

    My core message is simple yet profoundly powerful: When you stay disciplined, rooted in self-belief, and fully committed to the work, you don’t need to prove anything. Your progress moves faster than doubt, and your results speak long before you ever have to.

    What surprised you most about operating in this environment, on or off camera?

    What surprised me the most was how intense the environment is, both on and off camera.  What I did not expect was how much discipline and emotional intelligence it would require to stay focused and professional while doing my job with cameras and a crew filming at all times. The mental fortitude required is truly immense, and it’s something you can only fully appreciate once you’re living it.

    Continue Reading
    Click to comment

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Home Integrator

    ARABIAN ACRES DELIVERS LANDMARK AED 400M COASTAL LAND ACQUISITION, SETTING NEW RECORD FOR RESIDENTIAL LAND TRANSACTIONS IN THE UAE

    Published

    on

    Arabian Acres, a Dubai-based luxury real estate brokerage and development advisory firm specialising in super-prime residential and commercial transactions, has concluded the acquisition of three adjacent freehold plots in Jumeirah Coastline for a collective value of AED 400 million (approximately USD 109 million). The deal represents one of the most significant private coastal land assemblies in Dubai and marks the largest residential land transaction completed in Dubai.

    This transaction comes at a time when global capital is increasingly seeking resilient, well-regulated markets. The UAE’s policy stability, strong governance and long-term growth fundamentals continue to reinforce its position as a preferred investment destination

    “Large-scale land acquisitions of this nature reflect steady institutional and private wealth confidence in the UAE’s regulatory transparency, economic resilience, and long-term growth trajectory. Sustained capital inflows into Dubai’s prime and super-prime real estate segments continue to reinforce the UAE’s position as one of the world’s most stable and resilient investment destinations. At Arabian Acres, our role goes beyond brokerage. We work closely with local & international clients to navigate and execute complex, high-value opportunities in Dubai’s evolving real estate market.” Issa Atiq, CEO, Arabian Acres.

    The consolidated landholding spans over 113,000 sq. ft, with a stretch of 160 metres of private beachfront along the Arabian Gulf, forming one of the last remaining contiguous coastal development opportunities of this scale in the Emirate. The transaction was completed in March 2026 and registered through the Dubai Land Department as three coordinated unit transfers. Arabian Acres structured, sequenced, and executed the entire acquisition, acting as exclusive broker for both buyer and seller. 

    The combined site is projected to deliver a gross development value exceeding AED 1 billion, driven by its extreme scarcity, scale and the planned integration of Dubai’s only residential land opportunity combining private beach access with a dedicated residential yacht marina. The development will comprise three ultra-luxury villas, each with direct beachfront access and private marina docking.

    According to Dubai Land Department data, the three plots have appreciated between 255% and 335% over the past three years, underscoring both the scarcity of prime coastal land and the sustained demand for ultra-luxury residential assets. As contiguous beachfront plots become increasingly rare, structured land assemblies are expected to diminish further, amplifying the strategic significance of this transaction.

    “This was a tightly structured transaction that required all three plots to move together. The window to secure this site was exceptionally narrow, as these were the last adjacent beachfront plots of this scale. Once developed, this combination of site, beach and planned marina access will be exceptionally difficult to replicate, making this one of the most strategically significant land transactions we have led to date” Added Issa Atiq.

    While global markets continue to navigate heightened uncertainty, the fundamentals underpinning Dubai’s investment appeal remain firmly intact. Finite by nature and impossible to replicate, prime beachfront and waterfront land continues to attract significant capital from ultra-high-net-worth investors seeking long-term value, stability and asset security. Supported by strong regulatory frameworks, freehold ownership protections, RERA oversight and long-term economic planning, Dubai continues to reinforce its position as one of the world’s most transparent and resilient real estate markets.

    Continue Reading

    Home Integrator

    WESTERN FURNITURE EXPANDS PORTFOLIO WITH NEW BRANDS ‘CIERRE’, ‘ZANOTTA’, AND ‘DESALTO’

    Published

    on

    While Showcasing Global Partnerships at Salone del Mobile 2026

    Western Furniture Brands, one of the UAE’s leading luxury home and lifestyle retailers in UAE, recently captivated attendees at the prestigious Salone del Mobile 2026 in Milan, the world’s most prestigious design and furniture exhibition. Renowned as a global benchmark for innovation and craftsmanship, the annual event brings together the industry’s most influential brands and design visionaries.

    Marking a significant milestone in its growth journey, Western Furniture announced the acquisition of ‘Cierre’, ‘Zanotta’, and ‘Desalto’, the newest addition to its distinguished portfolio in the UAE. This strategic expansion reflects the company’s continued commitment to curating world-class brands and elevating the region’s luxury interiors landscape.

    With a rich and diverse portfolio, Western Furniture proudly represents some of the most renowned names in international design, including Tonin casa, Tomasella, Draenert, Cierre, Natuzzi italia, Unopiù, Miniforms, Calligaris, Adriani rossi, and Reflex , each embodying excellence in craftsmanship, innovation, and timeless aesthetics.

    A key highlight of this year’s participation was Natuzzi Italia, exclusively represented by Western Furniture in the UAE for over 15 years. The brand, which operates a flagship store in Dubai, showcased its latest collections, reaffirming its leadership in contemporary Italian design.

    Mr. Mikdad Babhrawala, CEO of Western Furniture LLC, expressed his pride in the longstanding partnership, emphasizing its strength and continuity. He noted that Natuzzi Italia, as a globally recognized brand with a rich heritage, has maintained a strong and enduring presence in the UAE market for many years.

    Mr. Mikdad continue “the presence of our brands at Salone del Mobile reflects our long-term vision to continuously bring the finest global design experiences to the UAE. The addition of ‘Cierre’, ‘Zanotta’, and ‘Desalto’,  to our portfolio marks an exciting new chapter, reinforcing our commitment to innovation, exclusivity, and growth. We take great pride in our enduring partnerships with globally respected brands like Natuzzi Italia, which have played a pivotal role in shaping the luxury interiors landscape in the region.”

    Continue Reading

    Home Integrator

    MILANO BY DANUBE INTRODUCES “GLOBAL DIRECT” STRATEGY AT CANTON FAIR AMID GLOBAL SHIPPING UNCERTAINTY

    Published

    on

    Milano by Danube, a leading global lifestyle and home solutions brand, has introduced its new “Global Direct” logistics strategy at this year’s Canton Fair, responding proactively to ongoing geopolitical tensions and disruptions across key shipping routes impacting global trade. Global Direct model stands as the most agile logistics strategy that allows the brand to ship products directly from its international hubs to partners across global markets and bypass traditional transit routes.

    The move comes at a time when conflict-driven disruptions across major shipping corridors have created delays, rising freight costs, and operational uncertainty for businesses that rely heavily on conventional shipping networks. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Milano has adapted quickly by restructuring its supply chain model to ensure uninterrupted deliveries for its partners worldwide.

    Through its Global Direct approach, orders placed at Canton Fair are fulfilled directly from Milano’s global hub in China and routed straight to destination markets, eliminating dependency on congested Middle Eastern transit points and significantly reducing delays which will ensure faster and more reliable deliveries.

    Speaking about the strategy, Mr. Sahil Sajan, Director of Milano, said, “The current global environment has made businesses rethink how they operate and move products across borders. We recognized early that waiting for traditional shipping channels to stabilize was not an option. Our Global Direct model ensures that our partners continue receiving products on time while maintaining cost efficiency and supply continuity.”

    Milano’s presence at Canton Fair received an overwhelmingly positive response from international traders, distributors, and partners who are increasingly exploring alternative logistics solutions to sustain their businesses amid growing uncertainty.

    The company observed a significant shift in conversations at the event, with traders from across regions actively seeking dependable alternatives to conventional shipping routes in order to avoid prolonged delays and operational disruptions.

    Despite ongoing geopolitical challenges, this year’s Canton Fair witnessed remarkable global participation. The event remained as vibrant and crowded as ever, drawing visitors, buyers, and business leaders from across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and beyond, underscoring the resilience of global trade and the determination of businesses to adapt.

    Mr. Anis Sajan, Vice Chairman of Danube Group, added, “What stood out at Canton Fair this year was the resilience of global businesses. The fair was packed with buyers from around the world, and a common concern among many was finding faster, more reliable ways to keep their businesses operational. Our Global Direct strategy directly addresses that need and positions Milano as a reliable partner during uncertain times.”

    As businesses continue to navigate an evolving global trade landscape, Milano’s strategic shift reflects its commitment to innovation, adaptability, and ensuring that partners remain competitive regardless of external challenges. With Global Direct now in motion, Danube Group’s Milano is reinforcing its position not just as a leading lifestyle and home solutions brand, but as a business partner equipped to solve modern supply chain challenges.

    Continue Reading

    Trending

    Copyright © 2023 | The Integrator