Investor confidence in Dubai’s real estate market remains strong despite a challenging few months, according to the inaugural results from StakePredict, the Middle East’s first real estate prediction market launched by Stake, the MENA region’s leading digital real estate investment platform.

Following a record-breaking first quarter for Dubai real estate, which set one of the highest benchmarks ever for market performance, StakePredict captured the views of more than 5,000 participants to understand whether investors believed momentum could continue in the months ahead.

The findings reveal continued optimism across key market indicators, with 69% of respondents expecting Dubai property prices to rise. Almost half (49%) believe transaction volumes could increase compared to Q1 levels, highlighting the resilience of investor sentiment even as the market enters its next phase following exceptional growth.

Dubai’s luxury property sector also continues to inspire confidence, with 61% of participants expecting transaction activity to remain at or above Q1 levels. The findings reinforce continued investor confidence in Dubai’s position as a leading global real estate destination, while demonstrating the value of tracking sentiment alongside actual market performance.

Rami Tabbara, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Stake, said: “What makes these first StakePredict results particularly interesting is the timing. Dubai real estate entered 2026 with an exceptionally strong first quarter, setting a high benchmark for the rest of the year. Despite this, and despite broader global uncertainty, investors continue to show confidence in the strength and resilience of the market.

“StakePredict was created to capture exactly these moments, not only where the market is today, but how investors believe it will evolve. By measuring expectations and comparing them with verified market outcomes, we are creating a new layer of transparency around investor confidence and behaviour.”

Launched in June, StakePredict gives participants the opportunity to forecast future trends across Dubai’s property market and compare their views against verified market data. As the Middle East’s first real estate prediction market, it offers a new way to capture investor sentiment and understands how expectations evolve alongside market performance.

Following the success of its inaugural edition, StakePredict will return in mid-August, inviting investors to forecast the key trends shaping Q3. Participants can share their outlook, track how sentiment shifts and see how their predictions compare with real results.

HBA (Hirsch Bedner Associates), the world’s leading hospitality design firm, has announced that Rahul Shankhwalker, Partner, will expand his role to Dubai as part of the firm’s continued investment in the Middle East. The move strengthens HBA’s senior regional leadership team and reinforces the firm’s long-term commitment to the region’s rapidly evolving hospitality, residential and lifestyle sectors.

Rahul will work closely with Andrew Moore, Partner & President, Middle East & KSA, and Vincent Tiberghien, Partner and Vice President of Development, adding senior design leadership and cross-disciplinary expertise as HBA enters its next phase of regional growth.

Rahul Shankhwalker Partner, HBA Dubai | Photography credit: Sayher Heffernan

“Rahul is a valued HBA partner and brings  his creativity  and design excellence to the studio.  With a strong record in design leadership across Asia-Pacific and internationally,” said Andrew Moore, Partner & President, Middle East & KSA. “His move to Dubai adds further depth to our regional leadership team at an important moment for the Middle East. I look forward to working closely with Rahul and Vincent as we continue to build on HBA’s long-standing relationships, integrated expertise and commitment to the region.”

With more than 25 years of international experience spanning hospitality, residential and mixed-use design, Rahul joins Dubai from HBA Singapore, where he has led architecture and interior design projects across Asia-Pacific and beyond. His global perspective, multidisciplinary design experience and long-standing partnership with HBA will further strengthen the Dubai studio’s ability to deliver experience-driven projects that evoke emotion, foster human connection and create long-term value for clients.

Central to Rahul’s expanded role will be supporting HBA’s One HBA approach, a collaborative model that brings together the multidisciplinary expertise already established within HBA Dubai, including Hospitality, Architecture, Residential, Lighting, Art, F&B, Digital, Landscape, Graphic Design and Strategy. Guided by the principles of integrated design, collective excellence and exceptional delivery, One HBA enables HBA to draw on specialist talent from around the world to deliver seamless, end-to-end design solutions for clients globally.

Rahul’s move to Dubai also reflects HBA’s strategic focus on the continued growth of Studio HBA across the region, expanding the firm’s ability to deliver thoughtful, commercially intelligent design solutions across a broader spectrum of hospitality, residential and lifestyle projects.

Commenting on his appointment, Rahul Shankhwalker said: “For me, design is more than creating buildings or beautiful spaces. It is about shaping environments where people connect and feel encouraged to create lasting memories. The places that stay with us are rarely remembered because they had the best design, but because of how they made us feel. As I expand my role into Dubai, I’m excited to work alongside Andrew, Vincent and the wider regional team to bring together architecture, interiors and multidisciplinary thinking in support of HBA’s continued growth across the Middle East. The opportunity is to shape destinations that are culturally relevant, commercially intelligent and deeply embedded in the experiences and memories people create.”

As hospitality and tourism investment across the GCC continues to remain robust, HBA Dubai is well positioned to support the next generation of destination creation, designing spaces that go beyond aesthetics to shape identity, elevate guest experience and deliver long-term commercial and cultural value. This approach is reflected in a portfolio of landmark projects, including the Residences at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Waldorf Astoria Residences, JW Marriott Hotel and Residences  RAK , SHA Wellness Resort along with many, residences & Villas.

Notable current and recent projects from Rahul’s international portfolio include Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa, Taj Resort Puri in India, Grand Park City Hall in Singapore, and selected Middle East projects.

Rahul Shankhwalker is available for interviews, expert commentary and thought leadership opportunities on hospitality design, business transformation, multidisciplinary design innovation, and the future of luxury development in the Middle East.

As summer temperatures rise across the UAE, award-winning fragrance design and sensory innovation studio Oo La Lab is spotlighting how heat and humidity can change the way scent develops and lasts on the skin, while sharing expert guidance around layering, fragrance selection and more intentional summer scent rituals.

Located in Dubai Design District, Oo La Lab was founded in 2017 with the aim of making perfumery more accessible, expressive and community-driven through immersive fragrance workshops and sensory experiences. Today, the studio invites guests to create custom scents inspired by their own personalities, emotions and memories, while exploring the connection between fragrance, creativity and self-expression.

According to Oo La Lab, warmer climates such as the UAE can significantly affect the way scent behaves, often causing certain notes to project more intensely or fade faster compared to cooler environments. As a result, the studio is encouraging consumers to take a more intentional approach to fragrance during the summer months, from lighter daytime layering to scents better suited to evenings, travel and warmer weather routines.

Dan Terry Jacobson, Founder of Oo La Lab said: “In warmer climates like the UAE, scent becomes far more reactive to both skin and environment. Heat, humidity and changing summer routines can completely alter how a fragrance develops and behaves throughout the day. During summer, fragrance should feel like part of the atmosphere around you, not something competing with the heat. We’re seeing more people become intentional about choosing scents that suit different moments, whether that’s daytime wear, travel, summer evenings or staycations, while also exploring fragrance as part of a wider wellbeing and self-expression ritual.”

Oo La Lab recommends taking a more adaptable approach to scent during summer, particularly in climates such as the UAE where fragrance can behave differently depending on heat, humidity and environment. The studio recommends:

Applying fragrance onto hydrated skin and allowing scent to dry naturally after application, as moisture levels and skin preparation can influence how scent settles throughout the day.

Exploring lighter and more transparent scents during daytime hours, such as fresher, cleaner profiles, for example, Citrus and Neroli, Mint blended with herbal aromatics, White Florals and transparent woods, or even Fig with salty marine notes.

Heat amplifies projection, so in warmer climates like Dubai, fragrance behaves very differently on the skin. Lighter layering and applying strategically to clothing, hair or cooler pulse points for longevity without overwhelming the senses.

There is also growing interest in fragrances that create a sense of emotional reset while travelling, scents that feel grounding, restorative or quietly energising rather than overly sweet or intense. Oo La Lab offers a workshop to create your own essential oil blend, which can be easily applied to pulse points, a format that may be well worth considering for the summer travel months.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that a stronger fragrance will automatically perform better in summer weather. In reality, heat magnifies scent dramatically, so heavy ouds, gourmand or overly sweet fragrances can quickly become overpowering. We recommend to pair back your scent choice to one that sits closer to the skin and evolves naturally through the day.

Alongside fragrance creation, Oo La Lab is also continuing to explore the growing connection between scent and wellbeing through experiences such as their new Fragrance, Frequency and Scent and Wellbeing workshops. Designed around mindfulness, emotion and sensory exploration, these sessions encourage guests to engage with fragrance more intentionally while exploring how scent can influence mood, routine and everyday rituals.

As residents increasingly look for more thoughtful indoor experiences, creative workshops and wellness-led activities during the summer months, Oo La Lab’s Dubai Design District studio offers a space to explore fragrance through creativity, personalisation and sensory connection, whether for date nights, solo experiences, gifting or something different to do this summer. Alongside fragrance mixology workshops, the studio also offers custom fragrance design services, gift vouchers and online options. Oo La Lab is currently offering 20% off selected signature workshop sessions and fragrance experiences for a limited time.