The region is sharpening its momentum. After a week of talking with local clients and surviving the Sheikh Zayed Road traffic, one thing is clear: this market isn't easing up. Demand is strong, investors are all-in, and the appetite for new development keeps rising. Here are the takeaways from our CEO on the ground.
After a whirlwind week navigating Dubai's client meetings -and dodging the eternal gridlock on Sheikh Zayed Road- it's clear the UAE's economy isn't just holding steady; it's consistently pushing the boundaries and growing at incredible rates.
Developers and architects agree that this market's been on a tear for at least two years, fueled by a cocktail of foreign capital and savvy locals betting on future rents or dream pads.
The disruptive force of KSA's resource vacuum lasted for a while, but it seems to be returning to equilibrium now. The city's skyline? Still climbing, with luxury apartments multiplying as fast as mid-tier units, and fresh hospitality projects popping up like oases in the conquered desert.
Data backs the optimism. The UAE's construction sector was projected to hit USD 42.75 billion in 2025, growing at a crisp 4.2% CAGR through 2030, per Mordor Intelligence. Residential builds alone clocked 5.5% growth in 2024, eyeing 2.7% annually to 2028. It's not hype-it's hard numbers showing sustained momentum. That said, the big camel in the room (can't find elephants around here) is the inevitable industry adjustment.
Views diverge: some foresee a gentle recalibration, others a sharper pivot. No crystal balls here-just pragmatic nods to talent wars and cost crunches. Across the causeway, Saudi Arabia's market offers a foil. While still a powerhouse-awarding USD 83.24 billion in projects last year, up 50%, it's hitting the brakes after a post-2024 surge. New contracts plunged nearly 40% in early 2025, as the Public Investment Fund trims sails amid softer oil winds.
Regional priorities to grow
Gone are the wild, pie-in-the-sky designs; now it's all about grounded priorities-feasible builds over flashy fantasies. This reality check is funneling firms back to the UAE, sparking a hiring frenzy that's turning compensation race again an issue for companies seeking to bring or retain talent.
As one architect put it, this place runs on speed-chasing sky-high quality with deeper BIM tech, but our labor force isn't always keeping up, and late payments or endless overtime at flat rates? That's the quiet killer squeezing margins dry. Still, the strongest sign that projects are getting real and companies are getting serious about delivering and building, no matter how tight the schedule and budget may be.
The UAE is a market where things happen. The vision is clear, the plan is solid, and the global markets consistently show support for this economy that has remained steady -or even gotten stronger- with every conflict that shook the world. Here is a place where planning forward is possible, execution is doable, and creating an exciting and successful business is needed.
