The latest development projects in Dubai 2026 – where to look for opportunities and luxury?

The year 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most interesting in the history of Dubai’s real estate market. According to analyses, between 2025 and 2027 alone, up to around 240,000 new residential units are expected to be delivered, with roughly 120,000 in 2026 itself – that’s as much as a 20% increase in housing supply in the emirate.

For an investor, this means one thing: off-plan projects in Dubai (i.e. properties purchased while still under construction) will take centre stage. The increasingly advanced urban development of Dubai, new islands, districts and towers mean the choice is huge – from relatively affordable apartments to extreme premium projects in Dubai aimed at HNWIs.

In this guide we’ll walk through:

• the most important residential investments in Dubai 2026,

• which luxury apartments in Dubai 2026 stand out the most,

• which Emaar 2026, Damac, Nakheel and Sobha projects are worth knowing,

• and whether Dubai real estate investments 2026 are a good entry point to the market – especially for foreigners.

Why is 2026 a breakthrough year for Dubai’s real estate market?

Experts point out that off-plan will be the main driver of the market in 2026 – it’s precisely the new projects sold at the planning and construction stage that attract the most capital. At the same time, caution is increasing: after several years of dynamic growth, prices may finally stabilise and even correct slightly due to the large supply of new homes.

However, the fundamentals remain very strong:

• a stable economy and the D33 development programme aimed at doubling Dubai’s GDP,

• a massive influx of foreign investors,

• clear and transparent DLD and RERA regulations – including mandatory escrow accounts for off-plan projects, which protect buyers’ funds.

In practice, this means that investing in Dubai is still attractive – but it requires careful selection of projects, developers and locations.

What are the newest development projects in Dubai 2026? (overview)

Let’s start with the key investor question: What are the newest development projects in Dubai 2026? Below is a list of selected locations and projects which, according to current announcements, are set to significantly impact the market around 2026.

1. Emaar projects 2026 – a new wave of luxury

Emaar remains number one when it comes to the most recognisable developers in Dubai. The company is simultaneously growing several large master communities:

• Dubai Creek Harbour – a waterfront with views of the creek and Downtown skyline. Some residential towers scheduled for completion in 2026 attract investors looking for a balance of views, infrastructure and growth potential.

• Emaar Beachfront – a gated island between Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah; further towers (including Beachgate, Bayview) have handover around 2026. This is a classic example of the luxury apartments Dubai 2026 segment – private beaches, views of the Arabian Gulf and high-standard common areas.

• Dubai Hills Estate and The Valley – green, family-oriented communities with villas, townhouses and low-rise buildings. Some phases are scheduled to complete in 2026–2027, and these are precisely the Emaar projects being positioned as the “new green heart” of the emirate.

On top of that comes the newly announced, spectacular “Dubai Mansions” project in Emaar Hills – a planned 40,000 ultra-luxury homes and estates with sizes of 10,000–20,000 sq ft. It’s one of the most ambitious residential investments in Dubai 2026+, showing that the city is still heavily investing in the ultra-premium segment.

If you want to understand prices and real cost levels more deeply, be sure to read the article “Dubai real estate market – how much does an apartment cost there?”

2. Damac – Lagoons, Riverside and lifestyle projects

Damac is heavily focused on spectacular, themed communities:

• DAMAC Lagoons – a huge villa district inspired by Mediterranean countries. The Morocco cluster has handover planned for Q4 2026 and offers 4–7-bedroom villas and townhouses with access to lagoons, beaches and resort-style amenities.

• Damac Riverside – a completely new development in Dubai Investment Park with 4- and 5-bedroom townhouses, where prices start around AED 2.4–3.5 million. It’s a classic off-plan project – you buy today with completion in a few years’ time.

You can read more about how Damac is building its lifestyle brand in related articles:

• Damac developer launches a luxury airline

• Damac developer launches the Riverside project in Dubai

Damac is also moving into premium projects in Dubai based on lifestyle and sports brands – an example being the Chelsea-branded residences in Dubai Maritime City: six towers with apartments inspired by Chelsea FC, planned for completion towards the end of the decade.

3. Nakheel – new life for Palm Jebel Ali

Nakheel is making a major comeback with the Palm Jebel Ali project – a second, even larger “palm” island:

• since 2023, a new masterplan has been under development with a focus on sustainability, smart mobility and green solutions,

• infrastructure contracts worth hundreds of millions of AED have been signed, with road and utilities completion targeted for Q4 2026,

• plans include approx. 2,000 beachfront villas and over 700 ultra-luxury villas on the first fronds, with overall completion targeted around 2026.

Palm Jebel Ali is a good example of how new buildings in Dubai 2026 are not just single towers, but entire new districts being built from scratch on the sea.

4. Sobha – Sobha One and Sobha Hartland II

Sobha is known for very high build quality. In the context of 2026, it’s worth paying attention to:

• Sobha One – a cluster of five interconnected towers in Sobha Hartland (MBR City), with apartments and duplexes, handover planned for Q4 2026 and unit prices starting around AED 1.1 million.

• Sobha Hartland II / Sobha Estates – a large, lagoon-style villa district. Flagship Sobha Estates villas (5–6 bedrooms, private gardens and pools) are scheduled to complete in Q4 2026, with prices starting above AED 22 million, targeting the ultra-luxury segment.

These are great examples of how modern architecture in Dubai combines high-rise buildings with greenery, water and full community infrastructure.

Which new developments in Dubai are the most luxurious?

If you’re interested strictly in the top tier, the most luxurious projects right now are mainly:

• villas and mansions on Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali,

• ultra-luxury communities like Dubai Mansions (Emaar Hills),

• selected towers at Emaar Beachfront, Dubai Creek Harbour, premium Sobha projects (Sobha Estates, Sobha One in the highest finish standards), and branded Damac projects (e.g. Chelsea Residences) in Dubai Maritime City.

These are precisely the locations of the most spectacular premium projects in Dubai, with prices running into tens of millions of AED for villas and multi-million AED price tags for penthouses.

New districts of Dubai 2026 – where is growth strongest?

Another important investor question is: Which districts of Dubai are growing the most through 2026?

In short:

• Dubai Creek Harbour – a new waterfront meant to be a “second Downtown”. Projects with 2026 handover are seeing huge interest from investors and people looking for apartments with creek views.

• Dubai South / Expo City – the area around Expo 2020 is transforming into a full-scale residential and business district, boosted by new Emaar projects (e.g. Expo Living) and further infrastructure growth around Al Maktoum Airport.

• Dubai Hills Estate – a green district with a golf course, schools, malls and successive phases of apartments and villas; some projects have handover in 2026–2027.

• Sobha Hartland II – a new part of MBR City developed by Sobha, with lagoons, greenery and villas; several key phases are slated for completion in 2026.

• Palm Jebel Ali – the new palm-shaped island, which by 2026 may have key infrastructure completed and the first rows of villas delivered.

Together, these areas currently drive the most dynamic urban development in Dubai – with new schools, malls, offices and infrastructure.

If you want to see these new districts of Dubai 2026 in person, a great option is to join tours around the modern parts of the city, for example:

• Private Dubai – city tour – you’ll see Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.

• All of Dubai – group tour – combining the old and new city in one day.

How much do apartments in new Dubai 2026 projects cost?

How much do apartments in Dubai’s new 2026 projects cost? The answer depends on location, standard and developer, but we can sketch out some ranges:

• Mid-market (off-plan) – in well-connected but not top-tier locations (e.g. JVC, Al Furjan, Dubai South), prices for 1–2-bedroom apartments with 2026 handover often start around AED 800,000–1,200,000.

• Upper segment – waterfront and central locations (Dubai Marina, Emaar Beachfront, Dubai Creek Harbour, Downtown) – for 1–2 bedrooms in new towers with 2026 handover you typically look at AED 1.3–2.5 million and up, depending on floor, view and finish.

• Ultra luxury – villas such as Sobha Estates or top residences on Palm Jebel Ali often start from the mid–tens of millions of AED.

It’s worth comparing these figures with a local perspective – in the articles “The cost of an apartment in Dubai” and “Where to buy property in Dubai in 2025?” you’ll find up-to-date price comparisons in AED and PLN, plus practical tips on which districts are still relatively “cheaper”.

How do new projects affect the Dubai real estate market?

The question “How do new projects affect the Dubai real estate market?” is crucial, because 2026 brings not only opportunities but also challenges:

• a large influx of new units is expected – estimates suggest around 120,000 units may be delivered in 2026, which could partly cool price growth and increase competition between developers,

• the off-plan segment remains very attractive thanks to flexible payment plans and lower entry prices, but at the same time requires careful project selection and supply analysis in each district,

• Dubai’s real estate market is becoming more diversified – alongside high-end luxury, more affordable projects are also growing, attracting mid-market investors from Europe (including Poland).

In practice, this means that in 2026 the negotiating position of buyers may be slightly better than at the peak of the boom – especially in projects where developer competition is strong.

Is it worth investing in off-plan projects in Dubai in 2026?

Another very common question: Is it worth investing in off-plan projects in Dubai in 2026?

Pros:

• lower entry price compared to ready, completed units,

• payments spread over construction stages (e.g. 60/40, 80/20), often with a relatively small initial down payment,

• potential to capture capital appreciation between project launch and handover,

• better choice of floor, view and layout at early sales stages.

Risks:

• potential construction delays,

• risk of price corrections in 2026–2027 in certain segments (especially in districts with very high supply),

• the need to carefully vet the developer and contract terms.

That’s why, for off-plan investments, it’s crucial to:

• choose proven brands (such as Emaar, Damac, Nakheel, Sobha),

• analyse the specific district (supply + demand),

• work with a local partner who knows the market.

If you are serious about investing in Dubai, check out the articles:

• “Buying and renting a home in Dubai – is it a good idea?” – about profitability and returns,

• “Property ownership in Dubai – everything you need to know” – about the differences between freehold and leasehold.

And if you prefer full support, have a look at Two Continents’ Dubai Properties offer – the team helps with purchasing, renovation and later rental.

Can foreigners invest in development projects in Dubai?

Yes – the Dubai real estate market is open to foreigners in designated freehold zones. As a Polish citizen, you can buy an apartment or villa in an off-plan project or on the secondary market and hold full ownership (freehold) in many areas of the city.

The procedures are much simpler than in many European countries, and the lack of local income tax and no property tax further increase investment appeal – although you do, of course, need to factor in the 4% Dubai Land Department (DLD) fee, plus commissions and service charges.

What trends dominate Dubai real estate projects 2026?

Recent market reports point to several clear trends when it comes to off-plan projects in Dubai 2026:

• waterfront & beach living – growing number of projects on the water (Emaar Beachfront, Dubai Creek Harbour, Sobha Seahaven, Palm Jebel Ali),

• community & lifestyle – huge importance of pools, fitness clubs, running tracks, schools and malls within a single master community,

• sustainability – masterplans such as Palm Jebel Ali incorporate green technologies, smart mobility and reduced energy consumption,

• premium branding – increasing number of projects branded by fashion, hotel or sports names (Damac x Chelsea, Elie Saab, etc.),

• hybrid lifestyle – combining second home, remote-work base and rental income source (especially in seaside apartments).

Linking property with attractions, accommodation and your trip

If you’re thinking about combining the idea of investing in Dubai with exploring the city, a great starting point is an overview of the key attractions and tours:

• the list of top attractions can be found under “attractions in Dubai” – Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Frame, Museum of the Future, desert safari and more,

• if you prefer a ready-made sightseeing plan, check tours to Dubai – from short city tours to full-day programmes,

• and you can choose your accommodation in Dubai from a range that includes apartments in Dubai Marina and flats close to the beach.

This way, you can practically “test” different districts – spend a few days living in Dubai Marina, visit new districts of Dubai with a guide, and only then decide where you want to allocate your capital.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are the latest development projects in Dubai 2026?

Among the key projects with 2026 handover are, for example, phases of DAMAC Lagoons (e.g. Morocco), selected towers at Emaar Beachfront and Dubai Creek Harbour, Sobha Hartland II / Sobha One projects, as well as the first rows of villas on Palm Jebel Ali. All of these belong to top developers in Dubai – Emaar, Damac, Nakheel and Sobha.

2. How much do apartments cost in new Dubai 2026 projects?

In the mid-market segment, prices for 1–2-bedroom apartments with 2026 handover often start around AED 800,000–1,200,000. In prime locations (Emaar Beachfront, Dubai Marina, Downtown), you should expect AED 1.3–2.5 million and more, while ultra-luxury villas can cost over AED 20 million.

2. Is it worth investing in off-plan projects in Dubai in 2026?

Yes – off-plan projects in Dubai 2026 still offer attractive opportunities, especially when buying from reputable developers and in well-chosen districts. Off-plan provides a lower entry price and staggered payments, but requires awareness of the risks related to high supply in 2026 and potential price corrections in some segments.

3. Can foreigners invest in development projects in Dubai?

Yes. Foreigners can buy property in designated freehold zones, both on the secondary market and in off-plan projects. You receive full ownership rights, and the purchase process is well regulated by the Dubai Land Department. However, it’s worth working with a trusted agency (for example, Two Continents), which will help with paperwork, negotiations and later rental.