Home Integrator

What Makes a Home Truly Valuable?

Published

46 minutes ago

September 1, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

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.

Home Integrator

Home Centre celebrates Emirati Women’s Day with Made By Her, a campaign spotlighting homegrown talent

Published

1 minute ago

September 1, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Every home tells a story, and so does every hand that shapes it. This Emirati Women’s Day, Home Centre is celebrating six Emirati women whose craft, creativity and quiet determination are shaping the UAE’s design landscape today, through ‘Made By Her’, a campaign spotlighting their work in-store, alongside Home Centre’s own collections.

For a brand built on the belief that people should Love Where They Live, these six founders were a natural fit, women whose work reflects the same design-led, deeply personal spirit Home Centre champions in every home it helps create. From mosaic art shaped by heritage to ceramics born of fire and instinct, each of their stories speaks to something Home Centre has always stood for: that where we live should reflect who we are.

Made By Her brings their craftsmanship into Home Centre’s stores, displayed alongside the brand’s own collections in a beautifully styled showcase. It is a rare kind of moment, where handmade work finds its place inside spaces visited by thousands of customers every day, celebrated purely for the stories and skill behind it, giving these women’s stories room to be seen, felt and remembered.

Retail spaces can hold more than product, they can hold purpose too. It’s a belief that runs through everything Home Centre does, whether that’s celebrating homegrown talent through the Home Centre Collective, collaborating with local designers, or giving a platform to Emirati women shaping the UAE’s creative identity.

“This Emirati Women’s Day, we wanted to open our stores to celebrate the women shaping the UAE’s creative landscape,” said Arja Taaveniku, CEO, Home Centre. “There’s so much talent around us, quiet, brilliant work that doesn’t always get the audience it deserves. Made By Her is simply our way of giving it the spotlight, and giving our customers the chance to discover it too.”

MEET THE MAKERS

Safeya AlHebsi | Mosaic X

Safeya AlHebsi is the founder of a licensed Mubdia project specialising in handcrafted mosaic art inspired by nature, geometry and fine arts. Working with ceramics, glass, stone and recycled materials, each piece she creates celebrates sustainability, craftsmanship and the heritage of mosaic art.
Naila Alremeithi | Soapbar

Naila Alremeithi is the founder of Soapbar, specialising in handmade soaps, skincare and body care products crafted using high-quality ingredients and close attention to detail. Her products combine natural care and quality, offering a self-care experience suited to different skin types.

Huda Alraisi | Huda Ceramic Art

Huda Alraisi is an Emirati ceramic artist who uses clay to explore the balance between heritage and contemporary expression. Specialising in the Raku technique, her work reflects a dialogue between fire and material, with each piece shaped by fire and smoke to create a one-of-a-kind visual and emotional experience rooted in cultural identity and traditional craftsmanship.
Aisha Alkhyeli | Aisha Art Studio

Aisha Alkhyeli creates handcrafted artworks inspired by nature, texture and emotion. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to bring warmth, beauty and a touch of individuality into the home.
Mona Alqubaisi I Mona Al Qubaisi Art

Mona Alqubaisi is a crochet portrait artist whose work spans wall art, bags and accessories, turning crochet into detailed, expressive pieces for the home and beyond.
Mouza Al Kaabi | Mouza Al Kaabi Art

Mouza Al Kaabi is the UAE’s youngest Emirati artist, known for her paintings and as the founder of Charms Asap and AVS UAE.

“Love Where You Live as a motto has always meant more to us than just the home, it is about loving the country we call home,” said Siddarth Sivaprakash, Head of Marketing & Brand, Home Centre. “And what better way to show our love for the UAE than by celebrating the talent that makes it what it is. Made By Her, alongside initiatives like Collective and our local designer collaborations, is our way of paying tribute to that, bringing Emirati creativity into the stores our customers walk through every day.”

For each of these women, Made By Her is a chance to have their story and craft celebrated by a national audience this Emirati Women’s Day. The campaign continues throughout August and September, with the founders’ work on display at participating Home Centre stores in Reem Mall, Abu Dhabi and Mirdif City Centre, Dubai, giving customers the chance to interact with and experience their work up close.

Home Integrator

Pamper Yourself: The Emirati Woman’s Guide to a Well-Deserved Reset

Published

5 days ago

August 27, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

This Emirati Women’s Day, celebrate yourself with a little well-deserved time out, from skin-boosting treatments and restorative wellness experiences to moments designed simply to make you feel good.

Being an Emirati woman today means wearing many hats. You may be building a career, running a business, raising a family, creating, leading, supporting those around you and somehow still finding time to keep everything moving. But between the meetings, family commitments, social calendar and everyday responsibilities, one thing can easily get pushed to the bottom of the list: you.

This year, forget the pressure to do more. Instead, take a moment to pause, switch off and pamper yourself. Whether that means refreshing your skin, booking a wellness day or simply giving yourself permission to enjoy a few hours without a schedule, self-care can be the celebration.

Start With Your Skin

Summer in the UAE can be unforgiving on the skin. Heat, humidity and long days of sun exposure can leave it feeling dehydrated, tired and in need of some extra attention.

A visit to Aesthetics by King’s College Hospital London – Dubai Marina Clinic could be the perfect place to start your reset. This August, the clinic is offering 25% off non-surgical aesthetic treatments, alongside 3 + 1 packages on selected treatments and a 4 + 2 offer on laser hair removal.

The clinic offers a range of aesthetic and wellness treatments, including facial rejuvenation, regenerative skin therapies, laser treatments, body contouring, hair restoration and intimate wellness. Whether it is a skin refresh, a treatment you have been meaning to try or simply some time dedicated to yourself, it is an opportunity to make self-care part of your Emirati Women’s Day celebration.

Take a Day for Yourself

If your idea of pampering goes beyond a single treatment, Well Cube day pass offers a chance to step away from the usual routine and dedicate a full day to wellness.

Located at Tranquil Wellness Tower in Dubai, the experience brings together wellness, recovery, movement and relaxation, allowing you to spend the day focusing on yourself without committing to an overnight stay.

It is the kind of experience that suits an Emirati Women’s Day reset: leave the schedule behind, take your time, and choose the experiences that make you feel restored. Whether you want to unwind, recharge or simply enjoy a day where the only person on your to-do list is you, a wellness day can be the perfect excuse to pause.

Make Wellness Part of Your Routine

For those looking to take a more personalised approach to health and wellbeing, Blue Ocean Health offers another perspective on self-care, with a focus on personalised wellness, longevity and proactive health.

Rather than waiting until something feels wrong, the approach centres on understanding your individual health needs and making informed choices that support wellbeing over time. From personalised health programmes to wellness and longevity-focused solutions, it reflects a growing shift towards treating self-care as an investment rather than an occasional indulgence.

And perhaps that is the perfect message for Emirati Women’s Day: pampering yourself does not have to be earned.

Whether it is an afternoon at the clinic, a day dedicated to wellness or taking a more proactive approach to your health, this is your reminder to put yourself first even if just for a day.

Home Integrator

OMNIYAT Leads Palm Jumeirah’s AED 20 Million-Plus Residential Market in H1 2026

Published

6 days ago

August 26, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

OMNIYAT, a leading ultra-luxury real estate developer, continues to lead the way in off-plan sales above AED 20 million on Palm Jumeirah, ranking first across three key measures in H1 2026: transaction volume, highest-value transaction and highest price per square foot.

During the first half of 2026, OMNIYAT recorded 14 qualifying transactions valued at AED 20 million and above.

Within the segment, Palm Jumeirah’s highest-value residential transaction was recorded at The Alba Residences achieving AED 225.965 million, while OMNIYAT also secured the highest price per square foot at AED 11,227.

The positive results highlight sustained demand from high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking architecturally distinctive residences that combine exceptional design, craftsmanship, privacy and curated lifestyle experiences in one of the world’s most prestigious waterfront destinations.

Peter Stephenson, Co-Managing Director of OMNIYAT, said: “These results reflect the strength of our approach on Palm Jumeirah and the consistent demand we are seeing across our developments. Our focus is on delivering distinctive residences with exceptional quality and a highly considered living experience, while maintaining the standards of execution and detail that define OMNIYAT.”

Palm Jumeirah remains one of Dubai’s most desirable residential destinations, with sustained international demand continuing to drive activity across the ultra-luxury segment. Buyers are increasingly seeking distinctive homes that offer exceptional quality, privacy and long-term investment value in globally recognised locations.

OMNIYAT’s H1 2026 performance reflects continued demand for its Palm Jumeirah developments, including The Alba Residences, ORLA and ORLA Infinity. Together, these projects shape a new expression of private resort living, reinforcing OMNIYAT’s position as a leading curator of bespoke ultra-luxury destinations.