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.

Exclusive interview with Shalin Balasuriya, Co-Founder of Spa Ceylon

Your entrepreneurial journey has been driven by both heritage and innovation. Was there a defining moment when you realised Spa Ceylon had the potential to become much more than a global brand?

When we founded Spa Ceylon, our ambition wasn’t simply to create another beauty brand. We wanted to share one of Sri Lanka’s greatest gifts with the world. The defining moment came when we realised that people everywhere, regardless of culture or geography, were facing the same challenge: increasingly busy lives and a growing need to reconnect with themselves. That made us realise we weren’t just offering products; we were bringing timeless wellness rituals into modern lifestyles.

From that point on, Spa Ceylon became about making authentic Ayurveda relevant, accessible and inspiring for people around the world. Spa Ceylon has grown from a Sri Lankan wellness concept into the world’s largest luxury Ayurveda brand. Why was now the right time to enter the UAE, and what role does the region play in your long-term global vision?

The UAE is a market where wellness has become increasingly relevant because of the pace at which people live. It’s a dynamic, ambitious environment where people are constantly balancing careers, family life and social commitments. As a result, there’s a growing appreciation for rituals that help restore balance and create moments of calm.

For Spa Ceylon, it felt like the right time to introduce a modern interpretation of Ayurveda that fits naturally into contemporary lifestyles. The UAE is also an important strategic market, connecting diverse global communities and serving as a gateway to the wider Middle East, making it a key part of our long-term international growth.

You’ve often spoken about wellness as something that should uplift rather than simply treat. Has your own definition of wellbeing changed since founding Spa Ceylon?

My understanding of wellbeing has evolved over the years. Ayurveda has taught me that, when given the right nourishment, care and environment, our bodies have an incredible ability to heal and restore themselves. Rather than simply treating symptoms, it’s about supporting the body’s natural ability to maintain balance.

My belief in these ancient sciences has only grown stronger, especially as modern science continues to validate many of these timeless principles. That’s why I continue to embrace practices such as sound healing and meditation to stay grounded and connected. To me, wellbeing is built through the small, consistent rituals that help us maintain balance every day.

Dubai has become a hub for luxury retail, wellness and lifestyle brands. How do you see Spa Ceylon contributing something meaningfully different to this evolving landscape?

Luxury is evolving. Today, one of the greatest luxuries isn’t simply owning more, it’s living well. As our lives become increasingly fast-paced and connected, wellness is becoming the new luxury, with people placing greater value on experiences and rituals that help them slow down, reconnect and restore balance.

That’s where Spa Ceylon offers something distinctive. We bring together 5,000 years of Ayurvedic wisdom with contemporary product innovation and immersive wellness experiences inspired by Sri Lanka. Rather than simply creating products, we create rituals that help people find moments of calm within their everyday lives.

Ayurveda is over 5,000 years old, yet wellness consumers today are looking for modern, convenient solutions. How have you balanced authenticity with contemporary lifestyles?

Our philosophy has always been to adapt the experience, not the wisdom. We preserve the integrity of Ayurveda while presenting it through modern formulations, elegant design and simple rituals that fit naturally into busy lives. Whether it’s a calming pillow mist, a daily skincare ritual or a home fragrance that transforms a space, we aim to make ancient wellness practices accessible without compromising their authenticity. Innovation should enhance tradition, not replace it.

Sustainability is often discussed in terms of packaging and sourcing, but Spa Ceylon has taken a broader approach through conservation and community initiatives. Why was it important to embed purpose into the business from the beginning?

At its heart, Ayurveda teaches us that true wellbeing comes from living in harmony with ourselves and the natural world. That belief has shaped Spa Ceylon from the very beginning. We couldn’t speak about balance while ignoring the environment that provides the ingredients, biodiversity and traditions that inspire everything we create.


That’s why sustainability has always been part of our thinking not simply through responsible sourcing, but through conservation and community initiatives that help protect Sri Lanka’s natural heritage. For us, caring for the planet is an extension of caring for people. One simply cannot exist without the other.

Do you think consumers are becoming more mindful about what they bring into their homes, from skincare to fragrances, and how is that influencing product development?

Absolutely. Consumers are becoming far more intentional about the products they surround themselves with, recognising that wellbeing extends beyond skincare into the overall atmosphere of the home. Fragrance, texture and daily rituals all influence how we feel emotionally. That has shaped our approach to product development. We begin by asking how we want someone to feel, then create products that support that experience through thoughtfully selected ingredients, purposeful formulations and sensory design. Wellness is becoming part of everyday living rather than something reserved for special occasions.