Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s Trophy-Home Developers Are Doubling Down on Waterfront Living - Kanebridge News
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Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s Trophy-Home Developers Are Doubling Down on Waterfront Living

رغم التوترات الإقليمية، يواصل سوق العقارات الفاخرة في الإمارات جذب المشاريع الجديدة، مع تصدر الواجهات البحرية المشهد. وتستعد دبي وأبوظبي ورأس الخيمة لإطلاق مجموعة من المشاريع السكنية الفاخرة، بينها مساكن تحمل علامات فندقية عالمية مثل Ritz-Carlton وJanu.

By Jake Emen
Thu, Oct 1, 2026 9:07pmGrey Clock 6 min

Long-term optimism remains strong in the United Arab Emirates, even as the war in neighboring Iran hinders home sales and demand for now.

While there have certainly been residential and commercial real estate projects across the U.A.E. that have been paused or delayed due to the turmoil experienced across the region, by and large, new developments continue to be launched.

That’s the case in the luxury residences sector in particular, where a string of starry, big-name projects are putting homes on the market before the close of the year. One trend is that the islands of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the U.A.E. at large that are taking their turn in the spotlight, as waterfront living continues to be in demand and come at a premium.

For would-be buyers looking for resort-style homes along the shores, there’s an array of upcoming projects to get excited about. Right at the top of the list are hotel branded residences from the likes of Ritz-Carlton and Janu, the sister brand of powerhouse Aman, among five swanky projects selling this season.

Credit: The Ritz-Carlton Residences Al Maryah Island

The Ritz-Carlton Residences Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi

Luxury hotel branded residences are thriving, and the exciting Ritz-Carlton Residences Al Maryah Island development is a great example of why. Residents can expect hotel-style amenities and services from a locale within Abu Dhabi’s thriving waterfront district, with the creature comforts of home built into it.

This project was unveiled at Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025 and promises to offer The Ritz-Carlton brand’s signature, timeless style and unwavering attention to detail. All units will feature floor-to-ceiling windows with enviable views, while residents will be able to take advantage of a resort-grade, infinity waterfront pool, immersive spa and wellness facilities, and a waterfront promenade with curated outdoor spaces as well as high-end retail and dining venues.

Sales launch in October.

Number of Units: 172

Price Range: Starting at $1.2 million

Developer/Architect: Killa Design and Tara Bernerd, with SAAS Properties.

Home Sizes: One- to four-bedroom residences ranging from 882 square feet to 4,962 square feet, and a five-bedroom, 13,713-square-foot penthouse.

Amenities: Wellness facilities including premium fitness center, massage room, meditation and recovery rooms, cold plunge and indoor pool. There’s also a rooftop pool, co-working lounge, executive golf lounge, and a games room and children play area.

Website

Janu Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah

Just 50 minutes from Dubai International Airport, Janu Al Marjan Island aims to both feel a world apart from the city, while also offering supreme ease of access. The property has its own private stretch of beach and marina, ideal for superyacht mooring and serving as the scene of a beach club.

The Janu Residences will be positioned next to the Janu hotel, with residents able to take advantage of its many social and wellness spaces, in addition to resident’s-only amenities and services. Meanwhile, the adjacent Wynn Al Marjan Island, the U.A.E.’s first integrated resort, is in direct proximity as well.

Social life by the sea, with discretion and wellness on tap, not to mention a chance to get in early on burgeoning Ras Al Khaimah.

Sales launch in late October.

Number of Units: 73

Price Range: Starting at $2.3 million

Developer/Architect: Jointly developed by Marjan and Wynn Resorts, with architecture by SCDA Architects.

Home Sizes: One- to five-bedroom residences ranging from 2,117 square feet to 18,955 square feet, as well as five Marina Villas and a residential tower penthouse.

Amenities: An active lifestyle comes to the forefront with the Janu Spa and Wellness center and a padel court. Six dining venues and a signature beach club are key features for residents who want it all, right on-site.

Website

Credit: Janu Al Marjan Island
Credit: Sei Saadiyat

Sei Saadiyat, Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi

Located in the Saadiyat Cultural District, Sei Saadiyat combines its historic locale with a unique spin rooted in the Japanese concept of stillness and calm, or “Sei.” That foundational principle is what this community will be based on, with a mission to foster wellness and relaxation in all forms, including fitness and social connection.

A total of 778 homes will be spread across six Jacobs-designed buildings. Aldar is also introducing a first in their residential portfolio in the form of their two-bedroom Kanso Lofts at Sei Saadiyat, featuring double-height, open-plan living in loft style spaces including an elevated bedroom.

Phase one sales launched in September.

Number of Units: 778 total (265 involved in this phase one launch)

Price Range: Starting at $800,000

Developer/Architect: Aldar with architecture by Jacobs and interiors by Kettle Collective.

Home Sizes: Residences range from 753 square feet to 2,238 square feet, in a range of floor plans including one- and two-bedroom apartments, three-bedroom Kanso Residences and two-bedroom Kanso lofts.

Amenities: Amenities tie into the brand’s ethos of stillness and calm: expect a Zen garden with serenity pool and outdoor yoga decks, along with numerous indoor and outdoor fitness areas, and hot-and cold-pool experiences.

Website

Credit: Sei Saadiyat

Amali Canal Residences

Amali Canal Residences is located on Dubai Canal in Al Wasl. The community is suspended above the canal, and brings the presence of water even closer to home with a number of features including private plunge pools in every residence, and a swim-through, indoor-outdoor pool with a signature waterfall facade that would make the posh resorts of the Swiss Alps blush.

There will be no shortage of on-site entertainment and diversions, whether in the form of a private cinema and resident bowling alley, cigar lounge and library, padel and sports courts, a panoramic fitness center. Then there’s The Retreat, a wellness center incorporating spa, sauna, steam, onsen baths, hydrotherapy, and yoga and pilates studios. When it’s time for a bit of work in between the diversions, residents can use an executive boardroom, private studies and co-working lounges.

Sales launch in October.

Number of Units: 211

Price Range: Two bedrooms starting at $3.9 million; three bedrooms starting at $5.4 million; four bedrooms starting at $7.4 million; penthouse pricing on request.

Developer/Architect: Amali Properties in collaboration with AHS Properties, with architecture by Killa Design and interior design by HBA Residential.

Home Sizes: Two- to four-bedroom apartments ranging from 2,880 square feet to 7,800 square feet, in addition to four- and five-bedroom penthouses ranging up to 21,000 square feet.

Amenities: 55,000 square feet of interconnected amenity spaces including myriad lounges, infinity pools with cabanas, children’s waterpark and child care center, padel court and a rooftop secret garden.

Website

Credit: Amali Canal Residences
Credit: Rixos Residences Al Reem Island

Rixos Residences Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi

The Rixo Residences on Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, are designed to match its island environs with the thriving culture and finance dynamics of the city. Panoramic water and skyline views bring both faces to life, in this East & West Properties project.

Residences showcase expansive terraces offering boundless views from within a community centered around three dedicated amenity zones: the Oasis, the Haven and the Gathering. Together, wellness, fitness, social life and relaxation are all available in a number of formats.

Less than half a mile from the coast, and only 10 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi, Rixos Residences offers generous layouts and amenity-rich public spaces that deliver equally as well for family-friendly living as well as investors.

Sales launched in August.

Number of Units: 386

Price Range: One-bedrooms starting at $570,000, with larger loft units starting at $1.8 million.

Developer/Architect: East & West Property Development under the Ennismore portfolio, with architect Aedas and interiors by HBA Residential.

Home Sizes: One- to two-bedroom apartments as well as three- and four-bedroom lofts, from 954 square feet to 2,941 square feet.

Amenities: Wellness treatment areas as well as Turkish hammam and steam rooms, landscaped walking tracks, padel court, rooftop clubhouse and plunge pool, private cinema, and services including concierge, valet and security.



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BNW Developments has established a Sydney presence, joining Arada and Sobha Realty among the growing number of UAE developers pursuing Australian buyers and development opportunities.

By Ruba Jaajaa
Wed, Sep 30, 2026 3 min

A growing number of major UAE property groups are turning their attention to Australia, with BNW Developments the latest to establish a local presence.

BNW has officially opened a Sydney office after hosting more than 300 investors, property professionals, wealth advisers and industry figures at its launch event.

The new office will give Australian buyers local access to BNW’s portfolio of residential and hospitality-led developments in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. Its projects include branded residences and waterfront developments combining private homes with hospitality, dining, leisure and tourism facilities.

BNW has an AED32 billion development pipeline, equivalent to approximately $12 billion, spanning projects in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. Its portfolio includes developments associated with Tonino Lamborghini, Radisson Blu and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

Among them is Tonino Lamborghini Residences in Ras Al Khaimah. BNW is also active on Al Marjan Island, the waterfront destination where the Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort is under development.

The developer recently announced Dolce Residences in partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Billed as the world’s first residences carrying the Dolce name, the boutique Al Marjan Island project is planned to include 93 premium residences and five retail tenancies.

BNW Developments chairman and founder Dr Ankur Aggarwal said attendance at the Sydney launch indicated that Australians were increasingly interested in the UAE as both a property and lifestyle destination.

“The response to the opening of our Sydney office has been extremely encouraging,” he said.

“Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah offer a very different lifestyle proposition to Australia, from waterfront living and luxury hospitality to world-class dining, entertainment and tourism.”

Dr Aggarwal said the Sydney office would allow buyers to examine BNW’s portfolio locally and work with a team familiar with the Australian market.

The move comes as Australia attracts increasing interest from UAE-based developers seeking opportunities beyond their home market.

Arada entered Australia in 2024, initially announcing a $2.5 billion Sydney pipeline expected to deliver more than 2,500 homes. Its Australian plans have since expanded to eight projects comprising more than 5,000 homes, including a recently announced twin-tower development at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast.

The company has also acquired the NSW arm of tier-one contractor Roberts Co, giving it greater control over construction and delivery as it builds its Australian business. Globally, Arada says its portfolio of existing and future developments across the UAE, Australia and the United Kingdom is valued at AED130 billion.

Dubai-headquartered Sobha Realty is also laying the foundations for a substantial Australian presence. The developer has established local operations and acquired sites in Sydney and Queensland, describing its entry as a long-term commitment to the market.

Sobha has expressed interest in opportunities across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, while its Australian website says new projects will be announced shortly. The expansion follows AED30 billion in global sales during 2025 and forms part of a wider international growth strategy encompassing Australia and the United States.

BNW’s Sydney opening reflects both the international ambitions of UAE developers and growing Australian awareness of the Emirates’ property market.

While the UAE and Australian markets differ considerably, the arrival of BNW, Arada and Sobha points to a broader exchange of capital, expertise and buyers between the two countries. For Australians considering offshore property, the opening of local offices may also make it easier to assess projects, understand the purchasing process and undertake appropriate due diligence before committing.