Lebanon 2025: Political Stability Fuels Economic Hope and Real Estate Revival
This newfound optimism is starting to spread through Lebanon’s real estate sector, which has long been a cornerstone of the economy but has suffered immensely in recent years.
3 min
After years of political gridlock and economic despair, a new chapter may finally be unfolding for Lebanon. The election of General Joseph Aoun as president, has sparked fresh hope across the country, with many considering it a turning point toward stability and recovery. This critical political development is restoring confidence in Lebanon’s future and is poised to breathe new life into sectors that have been paralyzed for years, including real estate, a cornerstone of the country’s economy.
Since 2019, Lebanon has faced severe economic difficulties, with the local currency losing over 95% of its value, a banking sector collapse, and widespread inflation. The financial crisis peaked in 2020 when the country defaulted on $29 billions of Eurobonds. However, with the election of a president and the anticipated formation of a new government, optimism is beginning to take root. Investors and citizens alike are hopeful that this newfound political stability will pave the way for critical reforms demanded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. These reforms, aimed at restructuring the banking sector and introducing fiscal transparency, are essential for unlocking international financial assistance.
The appointment of Nawaf Salam, a prominent diplomat and former head of the International Court of Justice, as the new prime minister, is also regarded as a pivotal step toward national recovery. With President Aoun, Salam’s leadership is expected to implant much-needed confidence in Lebanon’s ability to attract foreign investment and international aid. These inflows are vital for Lebanon’s economic recovery amidst its severe crises.
This newfound optimism is starting to spread through Lebanon’s real estate sector, which has long been a cornerstone of the economy but has suffered immensely in recent years. Transaction numbers crashed by approximately 85% in 2023 compared to the previous year. The combination of prolonged political uncertainty and the devastating effects of recent conflicts, including widespread displacement and infrastructure damage, contributed to this steep decline. Yet, signs of recovery are emerging as stability begins to take root.
“Over the past four to five years, investors in the property sector froze their projects, hesitant to move forward in such a volatile environment,” explained Eng. Paul-Marc Zegonde, Ray White Lebanon’s Managing Partner. “Now, with the presidential election and the stability it brings to the country, many see this as the perfect opportunity to revive delayed projects and even consider launching new ones.”
Zegonde also pointed to a noticeable shift in how individuals are approaching property transactions. “We’re seeing decisions, especially those involving significant amounts, finally being made. People had been waiting for this moment of calm to make their moves,” he said. The renewed confidence is already reflected in the gradual uptick in both buying and selling activities, offering hope for a sustained market rebound in the upcoming months.
Looking ahead, 2025 is poised to be a defining year for Lebanon’s real estate market, as renewed political stability and economic reforms begin to take shape. Eng. Paul-Marc Zegonde expressed confidence that the current market conditions present a golden opportunity for real estate investments. “This is the year to act,” Zegonde remarked. “With a new government in place and the banking sector showing signs of recovery, we’re likely to see the return of housing loans and greater financial support. Prices are expected to climb in the near future, so 2025 offers a window of opportunity for those looking to buy or sell.”
However, significant challenges remain on the road to recovery. The new administration will need to address the aftermath of recent conflicts, extensive infrastructure damage, and deeply entrenched political and economic issues. Structural reforms, such as tackling corruption and restructuring the banking system, will require political will and collaboration among various factions.
Looking beyond 2025, Lebanon’s ability to sustain this momentum could shape its regional and global standing. A thriving real estate market and successful reforms would not only rebuild trust domestically but could also position Lebanon as a resilient player in the Middle East.
Office-loan delinquencies have climbed to a record 12.34%, reflecting mounting pressure in commercial real estate as high rates and weaker office demand persist. While refinancing strains deepen, new U.S. housing bills aim to ease supply and mortgage access — even as rental vacancies rise and data centers remain near full occupancy.
BEYOND Developments has unveiled EVERMORE on Marjan Beach, marking its first expansion beyond Dubai and a major step in its 2026 growth strategy.
Keturah commits AED200m at Keturah Reserve to antimicrobial tiling, breathable wall systems and zero-VOC finishes, setting a new benchmark for climate-engineered, health-focused luxury homes in Dubai.
Commercial real-estate stocks have fallen as investors fear AI could erode brokerage fees and shrink office demand, despite strong earnings from major firms.
3 min
Commercial real-estate firms have a bruising fight on their hands: convincing investors that you need humans to sell stores, warehouses and offices.
Nothing less than the industry’s future is at stake. Investors are assessing whether AI could eat away at the broker industry’s lucrative advisory fees and commissions while virtually eliminating niche businesses such as appraisal.
Many investors are already dumping real-estate stocks. Shares of CBRE Group, the world’s largest commercial real-estate services firm, recently posted fourth-quarter results with record revenue, record earnings and a 2026 outlook that beat expectations. Its shares fell 8.8% that day, after falling nearly 12% earlier in the week.
The stock prices for peers such as JLL, Cushman & Wakefield and Newmark Group also nosedived, wiping away tens of billions of dollars of market capitalization for the sector.
Industry leaders were quick to push back, maintaining that their firms will mostly profit from artificial intelligence. They point to the potential to cut research and back-office costs while capturing new business tied to AI-driven demand, including data-center development, management and leasing.
Executives also play down the risks of disruption. They say most property deals remain complex negotiations grounded in proprietary market intelligence and longstanding relationships that technology can’t replicate.
“We don’t get our brokerage leads online somewhere,” CBRE Chief Executive Robert Sulentic said on his company’s earnings call.
Real estate shares recently regained some of the ground they lost. But numerous AI startups pouring into real estate are also stoking fears.
“The threat is the 28-year-old broker with AI who can deliver in two hours what used to take you two weeks,” said Francis Huang, co-founder of Apers AI, a startup that designs AI systems for allocating capital in commercial real estate.
Real estate is the latest industry where investors are assessing whether AI will hollow out labor-intensive business models and compress margins at companies that sell expertise at high prices.
The biggest threat to commercial real-estate services firms, however, may not be that bots replace brokers. It is that AI quietly shrinks the office-using economy itself.
If companies can do the same work with fewer employees, they may need fewer desks, fewer floors and fewer leases, putting a long shadow over one of the industry’s largest fee pools. Big office real-estate investment trusts are all down. SL Green Realty shares have fallen more than 15% this year.
CBRE’s Sulentic acknowledged the risk, saying that “if there are less office workers in the long run as a result of AI, there will be less demand for office space.” But any such shift, he added, would take time and wouldn’t be an imminent threat to his business.
Commercial real-estate companies generate tens of billions of dollars in revenue each year with a formula built on relationships, local market intelligence and the human touch in negotiating complex deals. Top brokers walk the floors of countless buildings, swap insights over bad coffee, and turn years of schmoozing into multimillion-dollar commissions.
Still, new technologies have blindsided these firms before. CoStar Group pushed into the data business, creating dominance over information on building size, age, tenants and sale prices—data that the established firms once controlled and now pay CoStar dearly to access.
CoStar’s rise was “one of the biggest failures of our industry,” JLL CEO Christian Ulbrich said in a 2019 interview with The Wall Street Journal. “It describes the arrogance of the successful incumbent.”
JLL has since invested in AI and other new technologies. The firm and others have also managed to keep technology challengers from pushing them out of brokerage, the industry’s prize business. Repeated attempts by startups to digitize leasing and sales have struggled to gain traction, especially at the top end of the market where relationships are critical and pricing information is closely guarded.
Consider office leasing, one of the core businesses. Asking rents offer tenants only a narrow glimpse of the real economics buried in the deal, said Stephen Sheldon, an analyst with William Blair.
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Blue Square Real Estate Developments enters the UAE market with over 30 years of cross-regional expertise spanning real estate, construction, hospitality, and F&B. Headquartered in Dubai, the group launches Vayla Residences on Dubai Islands as its first UAE project, backed by a proven track record across the GCC and a development philosophy rooted in operational discipline, purposeful design, and long-term value.
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Blue Square Real Estate Developments may be new to the UAE residential market, but the team behind the brand is anything but new to building, operating, and scaling successful businesses across the GCC and the wider Middle East.
Founded by a group of highly respected real estate and business leaders with more than 30 years of cross-regional experience, Blue Square brings together expertise spanning real estate, construction, hospitality, food and beverage, and mixed-use development. Their combined track record reflects a legacy of delivery, operational excellence, and long-term value creation across multiple industries.
Now headquartered in Dubai, Blue Square Real Estate Developments is focused on creating thoughtfully designed communities in the UAE’s most dynamic locations. Their first residential launch, Vayla Residences on Dubai Islands, marks the formal entry of this experienced group into the UAE property market.
While Vayla is Blue Square’s first official UAE development, the founders’ history of successful projects extends across Lebanon, Egypt, Kuwait, and the wider GCC, including:
- Albergo Suites, Beirut – serviced residences connected to the iconic Hotel Albergo, offering full five-star hospitality services.
- Danny Residences, Lebanon – a boutique mountain development, fully sold out.
- Qatameya Coast Villa, Egypt – a luxury beachfront villa in one of Sahel’s most exclusive compounds.
- Furjan Townhouses, Dubai – a boutique cluster of ten contemporary homes in Jebel Ali.
Beyond real estate, the group’s expertise is reinforced through Future Scaffolding & Aluminium Industries, a Dubai-based industrial firm supplying and installing formwork systems and aluminium structures for major residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects across the region. The company’s commitment to safety, precision, and quality craftsmanship has supported some of the Middle East’s most prominent developments.
The founders are also co-creators of some of the region’s most recognised consumer brands through Kout Food Group and Al Homaizi Food Industries. Their portfolio includes Pizza Hut, Burger King, Applebee’s, Taco Bell, IHOP, Subway, and the prestigious Al Rifai Roastery, now present across the GCC and North Africa.
This cross-industry experience has shaped Blue Square’s development philosophy: build with operational discipline, design with purpose, and deliver with long-term value in mind.
With Vayla Residences on Dubai Islands, Blue Square is bringing this proven mindset to the UAE’s next generation of residential communities.
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Many of the most-important events have slipped from our collective memories. But their impacts live on.
Million-dollar homes are no longer rare. In Boise, buyers once viewed 20 homes before spotting a $1M listing—now it’s just five. Nationwide, 12% of listings top $1M, up from 8.4% in 2020, as post-pandemic demand, migration, and tight supply reshape the U.S. housing market.
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In 2020, a house hunter in Boise, Idaho, could peruse over 20 properties for sale before encountering one listed for $1 million or more. Today, it would only take about five.
Boise is a prime example of the proliferation of homes listed for $1 million or more, but it isn’t alone. Listings asking over six figures have become more common across the U.S. since the pandemic supercharged the housing market in 2020 and 2021. Nationally, 12% of homes are listed for $1 million or more, according to January Realtor.com data, up from 8.4% during the same month in 2020.
To get a feel for how much more common $1 million homes have become, Barron’s used Realtor.com data to compare the share of homes listed above six figures in 2026 to the share in 2020. The areas examined include 50 of the largest metropolitan areas by households, as well as a selection of metropolitan areas identified by Realtor.com as those with an average of 500 or more $1 million listings over the past 12 months.
Of the metropolitan areas, many in Florida, the Northeast, and the West stood out for having the greatest increases. Only four of the metros experienced a decline in the share of $1 million listings, led by San Francisco, which saw its share shrink by 5.8 percentage points.
In some instances, rapid growth was fueled by supply crunches and migration trends. Boise, which Barron’s profiled as its housing market soared in 2021, saw significant in-migration from more expensive metros as white-collar workers sought out greener pastures.
“Buyers who have very deep pockets from out of state—that has increased our price point tremendously,” says Boise-based Redfin agent Nicole Stewart, who adds that plenty of tech and remote workers enjoy Boise for its lifestyle. “We have the mountains, we have lakes, we have just so much to do.”
Spots in Utah, North Carolina, and Tennessee similarly “had a lot of prominent growth throughout the postpandemic era,” says Anthony Smith, a senior economist at Realtor.com.
Take Nashville, he says, where $1 million listings grew from 8.1% of all listings to just under 18% according to the website’s data. “It was almost like two different eras.”
The pandemic’s housing rush—followed by its deep freeze caused by rising prices and mortgage rates—also played a part. Home price nationally have increased more than 50% since before the pandemic, according to the S&P Cotality Case-Shiller index measuring price changes nationally. Higher mortgage rates cooled the surge, but didn’t reverse pandemic-era gains.
Buyers wading into the market this spring should keep their eye on local supply, which will likely determine price changes from here. More options will absorb more buyers and soften increases, while fewer could lead to bidding wars.
“Unless housing supply increases, these additional potential buyers becoming active in the market could simply push up home prices,” Lawrence Yun, the National Association of Realtors’ chief economist, said recently.
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Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Office-loan delinquencies have climbed to a record 12.34%, reflecting mounting pressure in commercial real estate as high rates and weaker office demand persist. While refinancing strains deepen, new U.S. housing bills aim to ease supply and mortgage access — even as rental vacancies rise and data centers remain near full occupancy.
2 minCommercial real estate investors have a debt problem. And after years of pretending otherwise, lenders are now getting tired of acting like they don’t. The delinquency rate for office loans in commercial mortgage-backed securities climbed to a record 12.34% in January. As Peter Grant explains, the winding down of that extended period of forbearance reflects two factors. One, lenders are betting that mortgage rates aren’t going back to the historic low levels seen during the pandemic. And second, creditors increasingly believe that structural changes around the workplace and hybrid work have permanently reduced demand for most office space.
The House and Senate recently passed their first significant bills in decades aimed at solving America’s housing shortage. Rebecca Picciotto offers a handy scorecard summing up what these two bills hope to achieve, from streamlining environmental reviews to making it easier to build manufactured housing. Both housing packages also include efforts to help Americans secure mortgages.
Lenders to Commercial Real Estate Owners: Pay Up Now
Refinancing property debt has become difficult since interest rates started to soar in 2022. Many lenders initially extended maturing loans they made when borrowing costs were far lower, hoping that either interest rates would fall or that cash flows would grow. It is a strategy known as “extend and pretend.”
12.34%
The delinquency rate for office loans in commercial mortgage-backed securities in January, the highest level since Trepp began tracking in 2000. The surge in defaults reflects lenders’ views that mortgage rates won’t go back to historic-low levels and that demand for most office space has been permanently reduced.
The House and Senate recently passed their first significant bills in decades aimed at solving America’s housing shortage. Now, the two chambers will work on fine-tuning and reconciling both bills into one proposal and sending it to President Trump’s desk.
Data Points
- 7.6%: The average residential-rental vacancy rate across the 50 largest U.S. metro areas in 2025, up from 7.2% the year before, according to the U.S. Census’s Housing Vacancies and Homeownership Survey and Realtor.com. Markets with vacancy rates above 7% generally favor renters, and January marked the 29th straight month of year-over-year rent decline for rental properties of up to two bedrooms.
- 1%: The vacancy rate for U.S. data centers at the end of 2025, according to JLL. Despite robust construction levels, 92% of the development pipeline has secured commitments from future tenants, lowering concerns that the sector is overbuilding.
Many of the most-important events have slipped from our collective memories. But their impacts live on.
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BEYOND Developments has unveiled EVERMORE on Marjan Beach, marking its first expansion beyond Dubai and a major step in its 2026 growth strategy.
2 minBEYOND Developments unveiled EVERMORE, its first fully masterplanned destination on Marjan Beach in Ras Al Khaimah, marking the opening chapter of BEYOND’s 2026 growth strategy and a bold expansion beyond Dubai.
Strategically located opposite Wynn Al Marjan Island, EVERMORE is a long-term lifestyle and residential waterfront district framed by the sea and Marjan’s future botanical garden. The masterplan blends French classical elegance with contemporary architecture, integrated nature, and lifestyle-focused placemaking, creating a distinctive setting where architecture, hospitality, and public spaces harmonize with water and greenery.
Mahdi Amjad, Founder and Executive Chairman of BEYOND Developments, said: “Ras Al Khaimah is witnessing a new phase of development, underpinned by disciplined planning, rising global relevance and the long-term vision of its leadership whose support has been instrumental in enabling our entry into the emirate.”
“The new masterplan, EVERMORE, spans more than 7 million square feet of gross floor area with a projected gross development value exceeding AED 25 billion. It brings together an exceptional coastal destination with world-class design, hospitality, and community-led placemaking. It stands as a defining milestone in our journey, marking our first expansion outside Dubai and first destination in Ras Al Khaimah, and reflecting our commitment to contributing meaningfully to the Emirate’s urban, tourism, and economic evolution,” added Amjad.
Abdulla Al Abdouli, the Group CEO of Marjan, said: “EVERMORE represents a significant milestone for Marjan Beach and Ras Al Khaimah. As the second-largest masterplan within our portfolio, it strengthens Marjan Beach’s evolution as a destination where lifestyle, hospitality, and nature come together to shape the future of the emirate.”
“We are proud to partner with BEYOND on this transformative development, which will serve as a defining anchor for Marjan Beach and a key chapter in Ras Al Khaimah’s real estate and tourism growth story. This masterplan adds a meaningful new layer to the beach’s evolution and strengthens its positioning as a global lifestyle and investment destination,” added Al Abdouli.
Anchored by 250,000 sq. meters of landscaped open spaces, including a central botanical garden, EVERMORE is designed as a fully pedestrian masterplan. Shaded walkways and green connections link the botanical garden to 3.5 kilometers of accessible beachfront, reinforcing walkability, wellbeing and human-centric living. The destination integrates residential, hospitality and retail components, including 1 million sq. ft. of hospitality and branded residential offerings, alongside a festival and events plaza, botanical souks, an F&B village and a continuous beachfront promenade, together forming a self-sustained cultural and leisure district.
The design draws on French classical architecture, reimagining proportion, symmetry, and spatial order through a contemporary lens. Cascading buildings maximize sea and landscape views, while landscaped greenery, shaded pathways, and pedestrian bridges ensure comfort, privacy, and seamless connectivity.
EVERMORE is designed to endure across generations, contributing meaningfully to the Ras Al Khaimah Vision 2030 and the emirate’s evolving urban and economic narrative.
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Interior designer Thomas Hamel on where it goes wrong in so many homes.
Keturah commits AED200m at Keturah Reserve to antimicrobial tiling, breathable wall systems and zero-VOC finishes, setting a new benchmark for climate-engineered, health-focused luxury homes in Dubai.
2 minDubai’s next generation of luxury real estate developments will set new benchmarks in health-conscious construction by creating homes built for the Gulf region’s unique climate conditions.
Talal M. Al Gaddah, CEO and Founder of the Keturah luxury brand, says a growing focus on health-conscious design will become a primary competitive differentiator for developers as they look to stand out and attract wealthy investors and buyers.
The brand committed AED200 million to proprietary antimicrobial tiling, breathable wall systems, and zero-VOC (harmful airborne chemicals) finishes at Keturah Reserve, the AED5.7 billion bio-living community under development at Mohammed Bin Rashid City’s District 7.
“This investment has established a new standard for Dubai’s premium residential sector, where construction quality is now being measured in health outcomes rather than aesthetic appeal alone, and it reflects a broader market evolution” says Talal.
“Dubai’s luxury sector has reached the point where discerning buyers expect materials engineered for our climate, not imported standards designed for temperate environments. We’re building homes where every surface contributes to healthier indoor living.”
Serious investment in antimicrobial tiling actively inhibits the growth and spread of harmful bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew, reducing the potential for infections and allergic reactions.
Breathable wall systems overcome health risks associated with dampness, specifically respiratory issues such as asthma, allergies and skin irritation, by preventing moisture accumulation.
Antimicrobial tiles reduce the risk of moisture within walls, roofs, or floors to guard against the growth bacteria that can also trigger asthma and respiratory infections.
The scale and scope of the investment at Keturah Reserve gains added significance in light of peer-reviewed research published in 2025 examining how conventional building materials perform in Dubai’s hot, humid climate.
A study of new Dubai homes found that formaldehyde (HCHO) emissions from standard construction materials, which can have harmful effects on health, increase in hot and humid conditions.
Meanwhile, a Building and Environment study demonstrated that innovative low-emission finishes are 200% more effective at balancing humidity when compared with standard products, and reduce VOCs by up to 63%.
“The science confirms what forward-thinking developers already know – that the Gulf region requires engineering solutions specific to our environmental conditions,” said Talal. “These materials aren’t add-ons or upgrades. They’re fundamental to construction quality today.”
He expects the investment at Keturah Reserve to influence industry standards, as buyer awareness of indoor environmental quality continues to grow across Dubai’s premium residential sector.
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Fakhruddin Properties has launched Treppan Living Privé on Dubai Islands — 65 limited beachfront residences centered on longevity and wellness. The project blends biohacking therapies, smart home systems, and a fully serviced resort lifestyle for future-focused luxury living.
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Leading sustainability and wellbeing lifestyle developer Fakhruddin Properties has announced the launch of Treppan Living Privé, an exclusive collection of luxury branded residences on Dubai Islands, designed around vitality, longevity, and future-focused living.
Treppan Living Privé is the developer’s third residential launch on Dubai Islands, following the successful delivery of Treppan Living Hatimi and Treppan Living Serenique, further reinforcing Fakhruddin Properties’ position as one of the principal landowners and most active lifestyle developers within the islands masterplan.
Comprising just 65 fully furnished, low-density residences, Treppan Living Privé has been intentionally designed to preserve privacy, calm, and long-term wellbeing. The limited collection includes one-bedroom Privé Executive Suites with a generous footprint starting at 1,028 square feet; two-bedroom Privé Family Suites from 1,617 square feet; and a duo of four-bedroom Privé Signature Penthouses offering an exceptional 3,592-plus square feet of living and entertaining space.
Located just minutes’ walk from the shoreline, all residences enjoy a combination of sea, beach and golf course views, located within a tranquil beachside setting and supported by an intelligent living environment designed to support better sleep, cleaner air, ease of movement, and optimized comfort.
Treppan Living Privé is also the first project introduced following Treppan Living’s recent unveiling of Bollywood actor, producer and entrepreneur John Abraham as the brand’s Wellness Ambassador; whose personal philosophy of discipline, balance, and longevity aligns closely with the wellness-led ethos underpinning the development.
Setting a new benchmark for holistic residential wellness, Treppan Living Privé features a comprehensive suite of biohacking therapies integrated directly into the residential experience. These include red light therapy, cryotherapy, floatation therapy, and a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, alongside hot and cold plunge pools, steam and sauna facilities, and dedicated recovery spaces. Together, these clinically supported therapies are designed to enhance energy levels, improve sleep quality, accelerate recovery, and promote long-term vitality as part of everyday living.
Commenting on the launch, Yousuf Fakhruddin, CEO and Managing Partner of Fakhruddin Properties, said: “Treppan Living Privé represents the next evolution of our wellness-driven residential vision on Dubai Islands. This is a deliberately limited, high-privacy community where vitality is supported daily and longevity is considered by design. From advanced recovery therapies and intelligent home systems to curated lifestyle and social spaces, every element has been thoughtfully integrated to support balance, comfort, and quality of life over time.”
Homes at Treppan Living Privé are supported by intelligent systems that quietly manage indoor comfort, air quality, and energy efficiency. Residents benefit from NASA-grade air purification technology, cleaner indoor air, and pure mineralized hydrogenated drinking water available directly within the home, which significantly reduces reliance on plastic bottled water. Intelligent robot delivery systems further enhance convenience, reinforcing the seamless, future-ready living experience.
A carefully curated lifestyle podium anchors the community, featuring The Azure, a water-led destination for movement and restoration with an aqua gym and endless pool, and The Social Pavilion, which includes a stylish clubhouse, working pods, misting majlis, and the signature Greenhouse Café. The Wellness Centre provides indoor and outdoor gyms, yoga and fitness studios, massage rooms, and access to personal training, health, and nutrition consultations, supported by a structured calendar of wellness programming and in-home services.
Family-focused amenities include the Explorer Garden and Kids’ Zone, offering a children’s pool, zip lines, adventure wall, play areas, and sand pit playground, while the rooftop level is designed for relaxation and social connection, with an infinity pool, water loungers, open-air showers, sunbeds, and panoramic roof deck.
Residents of Treppan Living Privé also enjoy a fully serviced living experience, with professional concierge services, valet-style parking, on-site bellboy support, resident housekeeping, Rolls-Royce chauffeur drive services, private motorboat excursions and inter-island transfers, as well as child and pet care assistance. Complimentary coffee for residents and guests further enhances the hospitality-led lifestyle offering.
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Dubai logged a record AED15.6 billion ($4.25 billion) in real estate transactions in a single day. The 1,501 deals, including AED11.4 billion in sales, highlight strong investor confidence and reinforce Dubai’s position as a leading global property hub.
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The Dubai real estate market recorded the highest single-day real estate transaction value in its history of AED15.6 billion ($4.25 billion), data released by the Dubai Land Department said.
This value was achieved through 1,501 real estate transactions on the day, highlighting strong demand and deep market liquidity.
The data further showed that sales alone reached AED11.4 billion, covering land, residential units, and buildings, in addition to mortgages and gifts of significant value. This reflects broad-based activity across multiple real estate segments and underscores the expansion and diversification of the investor base.
Badar Rashid AlBlooshi, Chairman of Arabian Gulf Properties, said the record-breaking figures reflect an advanced stage of market maturity and stability, reaffirming the emirate’s growing position as one of the world’s leading real estate and investment destinations.
AlBlooshi said: “Recording real estate transactions worth AED15.6 billion in one day represents an unprecedented milestone and reflects strong confidence from both local and international investors in Dubai’s real estate market, as well as its ability to absorb large-scale investments within an attractive and globally competitive environment.”
He added that this record performance is closely linked to the wider economic landscape, coinciding with continued business growth, corporate expansion, and Dubai’s strengthening role as a regional and global business hub, factors that directly support real demand for real estate assets.
AlBlooshi explained that the figures point to genuine investment activity driven by long-term economic fundamentals, noting that the scale and value of transactions confirm the market’s transition toward a more sustainable growth phase.
He continued: “At Arabian Gulf Properties, we closely monitor these market indicators and respond to this momentum by developing well-planned real estate projects that address both current and future market requirements, combining strategic locations, quality execution, and long-term investment value.”
AlBlooshi concluded that achieving these record transaction levels further strengthens Dubai’s appeal as a primary destination for real estate investment and lays the groundwork for a new phase of balanced growth, supported by clear regulations, advanced infrastructure, and sustained investor confidence.
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Rove has entered the Omani market through a partnership with LEO Developments, launching Rove Home Muscat Expressway, its first branded residences project in the Sultanate, and marking the start of a wider lifestyle-led expansion across Oman.
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Rove has entered the Omani market through a strategic partnership with LEO Developments, marked by the signing of Rove Home Muscat Expressway — the brand’s first branded residences project in the Sultanate.
Born in Dubai, Rove is a joint venture between Emaar Properties and Dubai Holding, and has recorded strong regional growth, with over 8,000 keys open or under development. An award-winning leader in contemporary travel, Rove manages a diverse portfolio of hotels and branded living spaces. Every property is positioned for maximum connectivity and crafted for those who seek efficiency and sustainability alongside a vibrant, local personality – all without the usual complications.
The first of several planned developments, Rove Home Muscat Expressway, is set in a central and well-connected area near Muscat Hills and key road links. The location offers convenient access to the city’s main business districts and urban destinations, as well as to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) and Muscat International Airport.
The project will feature fully furnished one- and two-bedroom apartments and lofts, complemented by key lifestyle amenities including a lap pool with jacuzzi, roof garden, and co-working spaces designed for modern urban living, alongside the brand’s signature Rove Café.
Commenting on the announcement, Viktor Serenkov, Chairman of LEO Developments, said: “We are proud to announce our partnership with Rove, bringing a fresh and highly relevant approach to branded residential living in Oman. This collaboration reflects a shared vision to respond to evolving lifestyle expectations and deliver developments defined by intention, cultural sensitivity, and long-term value. Rove Home Muscat Expressway is the first step in a broader pipeline that we believe will redefine urban living in the Sultanate.”
Paul Bridger, Chief Operating Officer at Rove Hotels, added: “We are incredibly proud to partner with LEO Developments to bring Rove to Oman. LEO’s deep understanding of the local market, combined with Rove’s lifestyle-led design philosophy, creates a powerful platform for long-term growth. This project signals our commitment to Oman’s future and sets the stage for multiple developments across the country.”
As part of the long-term partnership, LEO Developments and Rove are aligned on expanding the Rove portfolio across city hubs, leisure destinations, ITCs and free zones in Oman, reinforcing the Sultanate’s position as an emerging destination for contemporary lifestyle hospitality in the GCC.
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Dubai’s rental market absorbed record demand in 2025 without inflation, as family-led upgrades boosted activity while rents remained stable, according to betterhomes.
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Dubai’s rental market absorbed one of its strongest demand cycles on record in 2025 without triggering inflationary pressure, according to the betterhomes Full-Year Dubai Residential Market Report 2025.
Leasing transactions at betterhomes rose 60% year-on-year, while tenant enquiries increased 36%, yet average rents across the city held at AED 207,000 per year. According to betterhomes, this divergence between volume and pricing reflects a market that is no longer reacting to short-term pressure, but redistributing demand across a wider pool of communities and property types.
The shift is being led by families. Townhouse tenant enquiries surged 200% year-on-year, with leasing transactions up 66%, as renters prioritized space, lifestyle and long-term livability over central locations. Villas recorded 21% growth in enquiries, while apartment demand rose 28%, indicating that upgrading behavior, rather than affordability stress, is driving the current cycle.
At the city level, total rental contracts rose 5% to a record 530,000, with 62% of leases being renewals. betterhomes said the high renewal ratio points to a maturing tenant base, where residents are choosing stability and continuity, rather than cycling between homes.
Despite the surge in activity, pricing remained controlled. Apartment rents rose 5% year-on-year, villas 11%, while townhouse rents declined 3%, reflecting the impact of new supply entering family-led communities and a market able to absorb demand without distortion.
“This is what a structurally supported rental market looks like,” said Rupert Simmonds, Director of Leasing at betterhomes. “When volumes rise this fast but rents don’t, it shows demand is being met by the right type of supply in the right locations. Families are driving this cycle, and that creates stability rather than volatility.”
Parts for iPhones to cost more owing to surging demand from AI companies.
A historic Beverly Hills estate built for legendary Hollywood actor James Cagney has hit the market for $38.5 million. Originally constructed in 1939, the expanded five-acre property blends old-Hollywood heritage with modern luxury, featuring multiple residences, landscaped gardens, and resort-style amenities, as demand shows renewed strength in Los Angeles’ high-end housing market.
3 min
A Beverly Hills, Calif., estate built for the famed Hollywood film star James Cagney is coming on the market for $38.5 million.
Cagney, known for 1930s and 1940s gangster films such as “Angels with Dirty Faces,” built the stone villa around 1939, property records show. He owned the home until his death in 1986. A year later his widow, Frances Cagney, sold the property to the current owner, Steven Dunn, founder of the baby-products supplier Munchkin. Dunn didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Cagney lived in Beverly Hills while filming, but otherwise spent time at his farms in upstate New York and Martha’s Vineyard, actor Robert Wagner, a friend of Cagney’s, wrote in a 2014 “Vanity Fair” piece. The California house was unpretentious but had a studio with a wooden floor and record player where Cagney practiced dancing, Wagner wrote.
After purchasing the Beverly Hills estate, Dunn expanded the villa to approximately 6,000 square feet with three bedrooms, said listing agent Timothy Di Prizito of Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California.
James Cagney at left in 1935 with his wife, Frances Cagney, and at right in 1974.Everett Collection (2)
In the 1990s, Dunn purchased an adjacent parcel, combining the properties into a compound spanning about 5 acres. In addition to the main house, the property has a pool and a roughly 2,500-square-foot guesthouse. Over the years, Dunn added more space for guests, as well as tennis and pickleball courts and a pool cabana with an outdoor kitchen.
Cristian Cruzio
Dunn renovated the guesthouse with a nautical theme. Cristian Cruzio
Dunn landscaped extensively, adding hand-laid stone paths, tiered citrus gardens and grassy lawns. Luan Pernia
Dunn also owns another property adjacent to the Cagney estate that isn’t for sale. He is listing the former Cagney property because he is “ready for a change,” said Aaron Kirman, who is marketing the property with Di Prizito. In 2019, Dunn and his ex-wife Laura Dunn put a different Beverly Hills estate on the market for $72 million. Laura Dunn currently owns that property, which is no longer listed.
Dunn raised the exposed-beam ceilings in the main house. The estate has a total of six bedrooms.
The luxury market in Los Angeles is picking up after battling major headwinds, including a mansion tax and geopolitical uncertainty, said Kirman. “We have a lot more buyers looking at properties across all price points,” he said. There are still major challenges, including the prospect of a potential tax on billionaires in California, he said, but for now “there’s pent up demand and not a lot of inventory.”
Many of the most-important events have slipped from our collective memories. But their impacts live on.
H&H has completed and handed over Eden House The Canal, its low-rise waterfront development in Jumeirah, following a 100% sell-out ahead of completion. Designed for privacy, wellbeing, and low-density living, the project reflects growing demand for calm, community-led luxury in Dubai’s residential market.
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H&H, the Dubai-based developer behind the Eden House brand, announces the completion and handover of Eden House The Canal, its low-rise waterfront development on the banks of the Dubai Water Canal, following a 100 per cent sell out prior to completion.
Located in Jumeirah, the 98-residence development is defined by residential privacy, considered architecture, and signature suite of services. The handover introduces a new waterfront address designed to offer a quieter, more residential alternative within the city.
The commercial success of Eden House The Canal reflects a continued shift within Dubai’s luxury residential market, where homeowners place increasing value on privacy, wellbeing and a sense of community. With over 60 per cent of units sold within the first month of launch, the project reached full capacity well ahead of schedule. Notably, a significant number of buyers are the residents of Eden House Al Satwa, the very first lease-only Eden House residence, and repeat buyers from previous H&H developments.
Designed by dxb lab, Eden House The Canal prioritises human scale. Clean, horizontal architectural lines reference the canal setting while the floor to ceiling glass facades are balanced by textured stone and warm timber accents, creating a building that feels rooted in its environment. The low-rise profile preserves privacy and limits visual density, offering residents a sense of retreat rarely found along the canal.
Inside, the interiors follow a monochromatic palette, where light and space are treated as the primary luxuries. The layouts are intentionally open, allowing for a seamless transition between the indoor living areas and deep, shaded terraces that frame views of the canal and the greenery of Jumeirah. Every material, from the honed natural stone to the bespoke joinery, has been selected for its tactile quality and ability to age gracefully, ensuring the homes remain timeless.
“The handover of Eden House The Canal is a significant milestone in our journey to redefine metropolitan living. We envisioned this project as a home – a place of calm that cuts through the noise of the city. The fact that the development sold out ahead of handover confirms that there is a deep desire for this level of architectural integrity and hospitality-inspired lifestyle. It is a community built for those who value time, privacy, and the beauty of essential design,” said Miltos Bosinis, CEO, H&H.
The lifestyle at Eden House The Canal is anchored by a suite of amenities designed to facilitate balance. Residents have access to a waterfront swimming pool, a Technogym equipped gym and movement studio, and a residents’ lounge that serves as a quiet extension of the home. The true hallmark of the Eden House experience is its human-led service; the emphasis is on ease of living. The on-site team manages the complexities of daily life, from residence maintenance to bespoke concierge support, allowing residents the freedom to focus on their personal wellbeing.
Positioned in Jumeirah alongside the Dubai Water Canal and next to Four Seasons Private Residences also delivered by H&H, Eden House The Canal offers direct access to the city’s key commercial and cultural districts while maintaining the peaceful atmosphere of a private estate.
As handovers continue through January, Eden House The Canal joins the flagship Al Satwa property as a fully completed expression of the H&H residential vision. The brand’s expansion continues with a robust pipeline including Eden House Za’abeel, Eden House The Park, and Eden House Dubai Hills, each carrying forward the same commitment to purposeful design, low-density living and curated community.
Paine Schwartz joins BERO as a new investor as the year-old company seeks to triple sales.
The new Brooklyn Tower, a mix of luxury condos and rentals, rises from the historic Dime Savings Bank building.
3 min
Listing of the Day
Location: Downtown Brooklyn, New York
Price: $16.75 million
Boasting 360-degree panoramic views across New York City, this new 92nd-floor penthouse is the highest residence in Brooklyn.
The full-floor apartment stands atop the new Brooklyn Tower, which encompasses 143 condos and 398 rentals in the heart of downtown Brooklyn, said Katie Sachsenmaier, senior sales director, Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group.
The condos begin on the 53rd floor, and the penthouses begin on the 88th floor. This one, Penthouse 92, is the only full-floor penthouse.
“The building is coming into its own now,” she said. “It feels very busy when you step into the lobby.”
Developed by Silverstein Properties, the building at 85 Fleet Street rises from the historic Dime Savings Bank building, according to a news release.
It was designed by SHoP Architects with interiors curated by Gachot Studios, and it is the borough’s only super tall skyscraper.
Penthouse 92 features custom interiors by Brooklyn-based Susan Clark of design firm Radnor, Sachsenmaier said. “Her selections have made it really beautiful. It feels very warm and inviting.”
Architectural details include 12-foot ceilings, European white oak floors in a custom honey stain, mahogany millwork, bronze detailing and floor-to-ceiling windows.
The eat-in kitchen features Absolute Black stone countertops, an island with seating, oil-rubbed bronze Waterworks fixtures and integrated Miele appliances, according to the listing.
The primary en suite bathroom showcases large-format Honed Breccia Capraia marble. There is also a separate laundry room as well as a wet bar and a butler’s pantry.
The views are spectacular, Sachsenmaier said. “If you’re standing in the living room, you take in the Statue of Liberty and all the way up through Midtown. On a clear day, you can see the planes take off at LaGuardia (Airport).”
Photo: Sean Hemmerle
Moving around the apartment, you see south over the harbor and then north and east over the whole city, she said.
From the front door, “you’re immediately greeted with the expansive living room and the view,” she said. “It’s really the first thing you see.”
The primary suite features a dressing room, multiple walk-in closets, two bathrooms (one with a cedar sauna) and southwest-facing windows, Sachsenmaier said. “You get those really beautiful harbour views.
The amenities will be ready by the end of summer, she said. A Life Time club will occupy the entire sixth and seventh floors, and an outdoor pool deck wraps around the dome of the bank building.
Stats
The 5,891-square-foot home has four bedrooms, five full bathrooms and one partial bathroom.
Amenities
Residents will have access to over 100,000 square feet of exclusive indoor and outdoor leisure spaces.
Fitness company Life Time will manage an array of amenities that include a 75-foot indoor lap pool, outdoor pools, a poolside lounge and atrium, a billiards room, a library lounge, a conference room, a theatre with a wet bar, a children’s playground and playroom and limited off-site parking.
The Sky Park offers an open-air loggia with a basketball court, foosball, a playground and a dog run.
Photo: Gabriel Saunders
Neighbourhood Notes
Downtown Brooklyn is at the centre of a number of neighbourhoods, including Fort Greene, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill and Brooklyn Heights. The tower has access to 13 subway lines, 11 commuter trains, the city’s ferry network and 22 Citi Bike stations.
“You can walk to Fort Greene Park in less than 10 minutes,” and Dekalb Market Hall, which has a Trader Joe’s, a Target and a food hall, is “right next door,” Sachsenmaier said.
Agent: Katie Sachsenmaier, senior sales director, Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group
The sports-car maker delivered 279,449 cars last year, down from 310,718 in 2024.
A 1925 Storybook-style home in Carmel Highlands has been crowned House of the Year, turning a $4 million purchase into a piece of California architectural history—now lovingly restored to preserve its fairytale charm.
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When Flor Mora closed on her new home for $4 million in November 2025, she knew she was acquiring a piece of California history. What she didn’t realize was that she was also buying the future House of the Year.
The property, built in 1925 and located in Carmel Highlands, is an example of early 20th-century Storybook architecture, characterized by features such as a curved roofline and stone chimney. The style is synonymous with the neighboring city of Carmel-by-the-Sea, which is known for its fairy tale aesthetic.
Mora, who works in healthcare and owns an avocado ranch in San Diego, spent years admiring the home when she visited California’s Central Coast. “Every time I drove down that street, this home always stood out to me,” says Mora, 49. “I would admire it and quietly hope that one day it might be mine.”
That dream materialized last year, but with an unexpected twist. After Mora purchased the property—which, unbeknown to her, had been featured as a House of the Week pick in September—readers voted to crown it the House of the Year in a year-end poll.
“It came as a complete surprise,” Mora says.
The path to the winner’s circle was paved by a significant transition. The home, designed by famed builder M.J. Murphy—who was largely responsible for Carmel-by-the-Sea’s signature look—had been owned by John and Beth Neidel since 1986. For the couple, the house represented four decades of historical preservation.
Beth, who is in her 80s, and her extended family were no longer able to use the home as much as they’d like. John died three years ago, and his estate placed the property on the market last June.
Media exposure from the initial feature generated market traction, according to listing agent Ashley Wayland. Three different people reached out to her after the article ran. “One ended up in a showing,” she said, “but it didn’t end up being the right fit for them.” While the home’s architecture drew interest, a price cut from $4.775 million ultimately led Mora to buy.
For the Neidels’ daughter, Linnah Neidel, the win is a testament to architectural restraint. “It was a labor of love for my family to maintain the house in the character it was built in,” she says. “Readers illuminated that.”
Mora appears to be taking the house’s legacy to heart. “I was very honored to purchase an M.J. Murphy home,” she says. “I definitely want to keep the original structure, but just update it slightly.”
She is currently overseeing a restoration that leans into the Storybook aesthetic while uncovering original features. For example, after pulling up wall-to-wall carpeting, she was thrilled to find original oak hardwood floors, which she is now refinishing.
As she is settling in, Mora is discovering details that also charmed the Neidel family, from a tiny secret room to the expansive living-room windows. Even as her own furniture begins to arrive and fill the spaces, she and her pug, Lola, have been spending their evenings on a sofa left behind by the previous owners.
“At night, I sit on the couch and look out the windows and it feels like I can touch the stars,” she says.
Parts for iPhones to cost more owing to surging demand from AI companies.
IRTH Group unveils Haus of Tenet in Business Bay — Dubai’s first art-led, executive-grade office destination, redefining commercial spaces through design, culture, and long-term value.
3 min
IRTH Group unveils their latest project Haus of Tenet in Business Bay, setting a new benchmark in commercial office spaces in Dubai. Designed exclusively as execut
Unique Art-Embedded Office Building with Long-term Value
Haus of Tenet is first of its kind art-led office destination, where workspace design, culture, and curated art come together to create long-term cultural and commercial value. Through a specially designed Collector’s Program, a curated collection of artworks will be thoughtfully integrated throughout the project.
By embedding art as a permanent and evolving component of the development, this initiative provides investors the opportunity to become part of a broader value and legacy proposition. This unique
“At its core, Haus of Tenet embodies IRTH’s vision of creating enduring spaces where legacy, innovation, and design come together to shape the future of work. Haus of Tenet is conceived as unique and intentional workspace environments that match the premium lifestyle of today’s business leaders and decision-makers. A destination for those who move first, think differently, and shape the future where distinction, focus, and a rare sense of silence define the experience.
We wanted to move beyond the conventional office and create Dubai’s first art-led workplace where design and curated art are not afterthoughts, but core to the experience that is all about focus, clarity, and quiet confidence.” says Osman Celiker, CEO, IRTH Group.
Premium Shell & Core Office Clusters with Exclusive Amenities
The tower comprises upto 225 shell-and-
A range of exclusive, thoughtfully designed
A discreet, private valet sequence is reserved exclusively for the building’s principal occupants – founders, chairpersons, and senior decision-makers whose time defines value. Shielded from the rhythm of the city, this dedicated drop-off offers a seamless transition from movement to presence, from momentum to stillness. It is not simply an entrance, it is a statement of hospitality, privacy, and prestige.
A New Architectural Icon
Grounded in strong design principles and functional planning, Haus of Tenet is a new landmark that makes an architectural statement for those who lead, not follow. Defined by clarity of form and disciplined simplicity, the building is shaped by purpose rather than excess.
At its heart, a powerful cantilever cuts through the volume, becoming a bold expression. More than a structural achievement, it becomes the soul of the design, it expresses a building conceived not for the ordinary, but for those who think ahead – innovators, leaders, and visionaries shaping the future.
This is not another glass tower. The exterior façade is composed as a refined rhythm of vertical lines and deep, dark tones, where texture meets richness. The dark palette is deliberate: timeless, powerful, and sophisticated. It anchors the building with gravitas, giving it presence without spectacle and elegance without noise
“Marking an important milestone for IRTH, Haus of Tenet is built around the idea that offices should reflect intent, culture, and clarity of purpose. Positioned at the crossroads of movement and skyline, the building stands as a new symbol in Dubai’s evolving urban narrative. It celebrates boldness through restraint, innovation through simplicity, and exclusivity through craftsmanship. Every detail from spatial planning to material selection has been carefully considered to create an environment where businesses and its leaders can truly thrive.” Osman added.
Haus of Tenet offices are offered with a convenient payment plan linked to construction milestones, reinforcing IRTH’s commitment to transparency and value-driven development projects.
The sports-car maker delivered 279,449 cars last year, down from 310,718 in 2024.
Alexandre de Betak and his wife are focusing on their most personal project yet.
