The hands behind the skyline.

Emaar Properties is a publicly listed Dubai master developer founded in 1997 by Mohamed Alabbar. It built Downtown Dubai, including the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall, and develops large master-planned communities in the UAE and abroad.

Binghatti is an Emirati family-owned Dubai developer founded in 2008 and led by CEO Muhammad BinGhatti, known for high-volume residential towers and a run of branded-residence projects with Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz and Jacob & Co.

DAMAC Properties is a Dubai-based developer founded in 2002 by Hussain Sajwani, focused on residential, leisure and commercial projects. It is known for branded residences developed with luxury brands such as Versace, Cavalli and de Grisogono.

Sobha Realty is the Dubai-headquartered luxury real estate arm of the Sobha group, controlling development end-to-end through in-house construction. Its flagship is the Sobha Hartland community in Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City.

Nakheel is a Dubai government-linked master developer established around 2000, originally under Dubai World. It created Dubai's iconic man-made island and waterfront communities and, in 2024, was incorporated into Dubai Holding's real estate division.

Aldar Properties is Abu Dhabi's largest listed real estate developer, publicly traded on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and government-linked. It is the master developer behind many of the emirate's flagship destinations, including Yas and Saadiyat Islands.

Wasl is a semi-government Dubai developer and asset manager established in 2008 under the Dubai Real Estate Corporation. It develops and manages a large portfolio of residential, commercial and retail communities across the emirate.

Expo City Dubai is a government-backed master developer created in 2022 to transform the Expo 2020 site into a permanent mixed-use, sustainability-focused city within Dubai South.

Majid Al Futtaim is a Dubai-based diversified conglomerate founded in 1992, operating across shopping malls, real-estate communities, retail (Carrefour franchise) and leisure and entertainment throughout the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Meraas is a Dubai holding and master developer founded in 2007, active in real estate, retail, hospitality and leisure. It developed several of Dubai's mixed-use lifestyle destinations and became a subsidiary of Dubai Holding in 2020.

Dubai Properties is a Dubai-based master developer that began as Estithmaar Realty in 2002 and became part of Dubai Holding. It master-planned major districts including Business Bay and Jumeirah Beach Residence and was later folded into Dubai Holding Real Estate.

Modon is an Abu Dhabi government-backed master developer, best known as the developer of Hudayriyat Island and residential communities on Al Reem Island. The development business now sits under the ADX-listed Modon Holding, which was formed when Q Holding was rebranded and acquired Modon Properties and ADNEC in 2024.

Azizi Developments is a Dubai-based private developer founded in 2007 as the real-estate arm of Azizi Group, chaired by Mirwais Azizi. It has a large residential portfolio across several Dubai districts and is developing the Burj Azizi supertall tower.

Ellington Properties is a Dubai-based, design-led developer founded in 2014 and headquartered in Business Bay. It focuses on architecture- and design-driven residential communities and has expanded to markets such as Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah.

Samana Developers is a Dubai-based developer founded in 2018 and headquartered in Business Bay, part of the diversified Samana group, known for resort-style residential projects with pool-facing units.

Imtiaz Developments is a Dubai-based luxury residential developer established in 2014, focused on design-led boutique projects across areas such as Dubai Islands, JVC, Al Furjan and Meydan.

Nshama is a Dubai-based developer founded in 2014 by Fred Durie, best known as the master developer of the Town Square Dubai community of townhouses and apartments.

Reportage Properties is an Abu Dhabi-based developer founded in 2014, known for high-volume, value-oriented apartment and townhouse communities across Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Danube Properties is the Dubai-based real-estate development arm of Danube Group, launched in 2014 under founder Rizwan Sajan. It focuses on affordable-luxury residential projects and is known for early or on-time handovers.

Tiger Properties is the real-estate arm of Tiger Group, a UAE conglomerate founded in 1976 by Waleed Al Zoubi. It is one of the country's most active high-rise residential developers, concentrated in Dubai and Sharjah.

Deyaar Development is a Dubai-based real-estate developer founded in 2002, listed on the Dubai Financial Market and majority-owned by Dubai Islamic Bank. It builds residential, commercial and hospitality projects and also operates serviced apartments.

Omniyat is a Dubai developer founded in 2005 by Mahdi Amjad, specialising in ultra-luxury residential, commercial and hospitality landmarks, several designed by high-profile architects and operated with luxury hotel brands.

Select Group is a Dubai-based private developer established in 2002, focused on premium residential and mixed-use projects, with a large concentration of towers in Dubai Marina.

SOL Properties is the Dubai-based real-estate development arm of the Bhatia Group, established in 2004 and backed by the group's contracting company, Bhatia General Contracting (BGCC). It develops residential and mixed-use projects across Dubai.

MAG Property Development (now MAG Lifestyle Development) is the Dubai-based real-estate arm of the wider MAG Group founded by Moafaq Al Gaddah, delivering projects ranging from affordable housing to ultra-luxury under its Keturah brand.

Dubai South Properties is the real-estate development arm of Dubai South, a government-backed master-planned city (formerly Dubai World Central) built around Al Maktoum International Airport and the former Expo 2020 site. It develops residential and mixed-use communities within that district.

Arada is a Sharjah-headquartered property developer founded in 2017 as a joint venture between Basma Group (Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi) and KBW Investments (Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal). It has since expanded into Dubai, Australia and the UK.

DarGlobal is a Dubai-headquartered luxury developer founded in 2017 as the international arm of Saudi Arabia's Dar Al Arkan, and has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 2023. It specialises in branded residences with partners such as Trump, Aston Martin and Pagani.

London Gate is a Dubai real estate developer founded in 2014, known for a series of mid-rise residential complexes and, more recently, Franck Muller-branded luxury towers.

Eagle Hills is a private real estate investment and development company based in Abu Dhabi, chaired by Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar. It develops large mixed-use and waterfront communities in the UAE and internationally, including Serbia, Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, Oman and Ethiopia.

RAK Properties is a publicly listed (Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange: RAKPROP) real-estate developer incorporated in 2005, with the Government of Ras Al Khaimah as a major shareholder. It is the principal master developer of waterfront communities in Ras Al Khaimah.

Meraki Developers is the Dubai property-development arm launched in 2015 within the Meraki Group, whose construction business dates to 1992; its residential projects are concentrated in Majan and Arjan.

Durar Group (Durar Properties) is a Dubai developer established in 2008, part of the wider RKM Group founded in 1985, producing residential and mixed-use projects including several designer-branded collaborations.

Union Properties is one of Dubai's oldest publicly listed developers, established in 1987 and registered as a PJSC in 1993. It is best known as the master developer of Motor City and Green Community.

Alef Group is a Sharjah-based real estate developer established in 2013, known for lifestyle and community-led developments. Its flagship projects include Al Mamsha, described as Sharjah's first fully walkable community, and the nature-led villa community Hayyan.

Al Hamra Real Estate Development is a Ras Al Khaimah-based lifestyle developer founded in 2003. Its landmark project is the coastal Al Hamra Village, a large master-planned community combining villas, townhouses, apartments, a golf club, marina and retail.

Peace Homes Development (Peace Homes Group) is a Dubai-based developer founded by Ahsan Rashid in 2012, which delivered its first standalone project in 2016. It focuses on mid-market residential communities in areas such as Jumeirah Village Circle, Arjan and Dubai Land Residence Complex.

IMKAN Properties is an Abu Dhabi real estate developer wholly owned by Abu Dhabi Capital Group, founded in 2017. It develops residential and mixed-use communities in the UAE and internationally across several countries.

Bloom Holding is an Abu Dhabi-based developer, established as a subsidiary of National Holding, active in real estate alongside education and hospitality. Its property projects span Abu Dhabi (Saadiyat Island, Bloom Living) and Dubai.

Q Properties is the Abu Dhabi-based real estate development arm of Q Holding (formerly Al Qudra Holding), with government-linked backing via ADQ and IHC. It is the principal developer of Al Reem Island, where it holds roughly 75% of the island's land.

Marjan is the master developer of freehold property on behalf of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah, responsible for waterfront, urban and mountain destinations. Its best-known development is Al Marjan Island, an artificial archipelago that is now home to the UAE's first integrated gaming resort, Wynn Al Marjan Island.

The First Group is a Dubai-based real estate development and hospitality company founded in 2005 by Danny Lubert, focused on hotels and serviced residences operated under its The First Collection brand.

Seven Tides is a privately owned Dubai developer focused on luxury real estate and hospitality, with a portfolio concentrated on Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Lakes Towers plus the DUKES London hotel. Its work skews toward branded residences and hotel-apartment projects rather than large master-planned communities.

Object 1 is the Dubai development arm of the international TSZ Group, active in the UAE since 2022. It focuses on design-led, furnished mid-market apartments concentrated in Jumeirah Village Circle and Jumeirah Village Triangle.

Prestige One Developments is an independent Dubai-based off-plan developer led by founder and CEO Ajmal Saifi, headquartered in Dubai Marina. It rose to prominence from 2022 onward and has been described in local press as one of Dubai's fastest-growing independent developers.

LEOS Developments (LEOS International) is a luxury real-estate developer founded in London in 2012 that entered the Dubai market in 2022. It builds British-branded residential communities across JVC, JVT, Dubailand and Meydan, including the Greenwood master community developed with Dubai Holding.

Aark Developers is a Dubai-based private residential developer led by founder and chairman Rahul Kumar Gupta, active in Arjan and Dubailand with a beachfront project in Ras Al Khaimah.

Vincitore Real Estate Development is a Dubai boutique developer founded in 2013 under Vijay C. Doshi, known for European- and Victorian-styled mid-market residential buildings concentrated in Arjan.

ORO24 Real Estate Development L.L.C. is a Dubai-based off-plan developer founded in 2021 by Atif Rahman, focused on residential, hospitality and co-living projects across mid-market and premium segments.

Pantheon Development is a Dubai-based developer founded in 2016 by Kalpesh Kinariwala, specialising in affordable-luxury residential apartments concentrated in JVC and now expanding into Ras Al Khaimah.

IMAN Developers is a Dubai-based residential developer founded in 2016 by Ismail Marfani, active primarily in Jumeirah Village Circle and other mid-market Dubai communities, with its head office in Business Bay.