Abu Dhabi is the world’s sixth-largest city market for branded residences, according to the first annual report from Global Branded Residences, reported by Khaleej Times. The emirate has 31 branded residential projects, of which five are complete and 26 are planned or under development.
Abu Dhabi branded residences pipeline
In addition, the emirate’s pipeline ranks joint third globally with Cairo, behind Dubai and Miami. Standalone projects, which have no operating hotel on site, make up 92% of Abu Dhabi’s upcoming branded residences. The global figure is 37%. Standalone schemes are 83% of the emirate’s total branded market, compared with 77% of Dubai’s pipeline.
The founder of Global Branded Residences said Abu Dhabi benefits from its closeness to a market where developers, brands and buyers already have deep experience. As a result, he said, the emirate can move faster toward a model that usually takes years to establish.
UAE and regional branded residences market
However, the UAE is the largest market in the Middle East and North Africa, with 260 projects, 185 of them in the pipeline. The region has 426 projects in total, more than 27% of the global pipeline. Saudi Arabia has 60 projects and Egypt has 46.
Overall, hotel brands account for 73% of regional projects, while non-hotel brands make up 27%. Fashion labels account for 54% of that non-hotel group. In Abu Dhabi, hotel groups drive most of the pipeline, with the largest groups holding several developments each.
Global branded residences market and demand
Globally, the sector has 1,972 projects across more than 100 countries, including 848 completed and 1,124 in the pipeline. Also, branded residences command an average price premium of 44% over comparable non-branded homes.
Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2026 also lists branded residences as a key trend in luxury property. It names Abu Dhabi as an emerging destination for ultra-high-net-worth buyers, and forecasts the UAE’s ultra-wealthy population will grow 36% to 6,588 by 2031.
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