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Dubai Surpassing New York and Hong Kong in High-End Sales

Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Apr. 14, 2025
News

Dubai has firmly established itself as the world's hottest destination for luxury property, outpacing iconic cities like New York and Hong Kong in ultra-prime real estate transactions. With a surge in demand from global investors and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, the emirate is quickly becoming synonymous with opulent living and record-breaking property deals.

Luxury Real Estate Dubai

In 2024, Dubai recorded 435 residential transactions above the $10 million mark, outstripping both New York and Hong Kong—two cities historically regarded as powerhouses in the luxury housing market. According to data from Knight Frank, Dubai also led the world in super-prime transactions (properties valued at over $10 million) during the first quarter of the year, with 105 sales, compared to 56 in New York and 47 in Palm Beach.

The Rise of Ultra-Luxury Living

Dubai Luxury Real Estate

Dubai’s reputation for unmatched extravagance continues to grow, particularly with new developments that redefine luxury. On man-made islands like Jumeirah Bay—nicknamed "Billionaire Island"—bespoke mansions priced between $60 million and $120 million are commanding attention worldwide. These properties feature everything from private beachfronts and retractable glass walls to rotating car platforms, private cinemas, and in-home wellness centers.

Even Dubai’s vertical marvels are in on the action. In the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building on Earth, the penthouse dubbed the “Sky Palace” spans an astonishing 21,000 square feet across the 107th and 108th floors and is currently on the market for around £40 million ($50 million).

Global Appeal Fueled by Favorable Investment Climate

One of the most compelling reasons behind Dubai’s dominance in the luxury space is comparative affordability. Prime property in Dubai averages $930 per square foot, a fraction of the price seen in Manhattan or London. Furthermore, Dubai’s investor-friendly framework—including zero property and capital gains taxes, full foreign ownership in many areas, and long-term residency visas for investors—makes it a magnet for international buyers.

Dubai also offers geopolitical stability, world-class infrastructure, and global connectivity, making it a lifestyle and investment destination rolled into one.

A Market Poised for Continued Growth

Industry experts project that Dubai’s luxury market will continue to grow at an impressive pace. Forecasts from top real estate analysts estimate that prime residential values in Dubai could climb by 8% to 9.9% in 2025, far exceeding the global average of just 1.6% across major cities.

This expected growth is underpinned by Dubai’s diversification strategy, which includes investments in finance, tech, green energy, tourism, and smart city infrastructure. The result is a stable, attractive environment for long-term real estate investment.

Dubai's rapid ascent from a regional hub to a global luxury powerhouse highlights a fundamental shift in the dynamics of international real estate. With a blend of visionary development, strategic economic reforms, and world-class lifestyle offerings, Dubai is no longer just catching up with cities like New York and Hong Kong—it’s outpacing them.