Exclusive interview with Tauseef Khan, Founder and Chairman, Dugasta Properties

You entered the UAE real estate market in 1991, at a time when Dubai’s property landscape looked very different from what it does today. What have three decades of watching people buy, rent, invest and build their lives here taught you about what truly makes a home valuable?

When I entered the UAE real estate market in 1990, Dubai was very different from what we see today. Over the years, watching families buy, rent and invest has reinforced something I have always believed. Real estate is ultimately about people, the communities they build and the future they are creating.

Those values have always been at the core of how I built Dugasta. The UAE gave me the safety and security to build my business, and I wanted to give back by creating homes built on trust, safety and a sense of security. My belief has always been that when someone invests their hard-earned money in a home, they should feel confident about the decision and secure about their future.

Home is where people put down roots, build relationships and create memories. That is why I believe development should always put people first. When we create comfortable, high-quality spaces, remain transparent and deliver on our commitments, we build lasting trust. And when people feel confident in their home, commercial success follows naturally.

Dugasta has built much of its positioning around value-for-money housing without compromising on quality. How do you define “value” today beyond simply offering a competitive price?

Value, for us, has always been about keeping a promise. And, in real estate, it means creating a home that offers comfort, an investment that provides financial security and a developer that stands behind its commitments.

As more people choose to build their lives in Dubai, these fundamentals matter. Whether someone is buying a studio or investing in an entire building, they deserve the same level of attention, respect and accountability. Value starts with protecting people’s hard-earned money and giving them confidence in what they are investing in.

That thinking led us to our 10 on 10 formula, offering a 10% ROI for 10 years, while also focusing on homes that work for everyday life, with practical layouts, reliable services, family friendly spaces and quality that continues to serve people as their needs change. That is what makes an investment valuable in the long term.

Dugasta’s portfolio has expanded across developments including Al Haseen Residences, Moonsa Residences, Terra Tower and Dugasta Paradise. What common design philosophy connects these projects despite their different locations and positioning?

The common thread across our projects is a simple design philosophy. Good design should make everyday life more comfortable without adding unnecessary complexity. Our investments focus on features that offer real utility, comfort and lasting value.

Across Al Haseen Residences, Moonsa Residences, Terra Tower and Dugasta Paradise, we maintain a focus on clean lines, well-planned interiors, natural light, practical layouts and thoughtful amenities. At the same time, each development is designed around its location, community and buyer profile.

Every element that we build has a purpose and reflects how people actually live. That balance between aesthetics and functionality gives each project its own identity while keeping the quality and design standards consistent across our portfolio. In the end, we want to create homes that people enjoy living in today and continue to value for years to come.

Are today’s buyers increasingly purchasing a lifestyle rather than simply square footage and an address?

We are seeing expatriate professionals, families, entrepreneurs and long-term residents evaluate a home through the lens of community, connectivity, convenience and everyday quality of life. They want access to schools, healthcare, retail, transport and well-planned amenities, alongside a home with practical layouts and reliable services. Premium finishes remain relevant, but buyers are becoming more discerning about how a development fits into their daily routine and how well it can support different stages of life.

 This shift is closely aligned with our philosophy at Dugasta. We see a home as an environment where people build their lives, relationships and sense of belonging, so our focus is on creating spaces that provide lasting comfort and functional value.

The company’s distinctive 10-on-10 proposition, a guaranteed ROI proposition marketed around 10% annually for 10 years, alongside other buyer benefits, gives you a strong route into the psychology of today’s UAE homebuyer and investor?

Through our conversations with buyers, one thing is clear. They want confidence in the developer, the quality of the asset and the support they will receive after handover. As developers, it is our responsibility to protect their hard-earned capital and give them clarity on the value they can expect from their property.

Security, predictability and trust are central to these decisions. Buyers today are well informed and are looking at property with a long-term view, considering both the quality of the home and the financial outcome of their investment. Our guaranteed 10% ROI for 10 years is designed to give them greater certainty and confidence in that investment. It also reflects our commitment to being transparent, accountable, and clear about the value we promise to deliver.

 What does “global ambition” mean for Dugasta, geographic expansion, a broader customer base, a different product mix, or all of the above?

Our ambition is to take the principles of trust, safety and security that have shaped Dugasta’s growth in Dubai into international markets. We are building relationships with investors across the GCC, South Asia, Africa and Europe who see strong potential in Dubai’s property market and are looking for clarity and long-term value. As we enter these markets, we want to carry the same approach that has guided us in Dubai and give investors confidence in their decisions.

Our product portfolio is expanding beyond our core focus on middle-income residential housing to include residential, commercial and mixed-use developments, giving us a chance to serve different buyer and investor profiles. This international growth means taking a proven approach to value and buyer care into new markets while adapting our projects and offerings to the needs of each market.