logo d

logo dubai

Emaar Properties — Developer of Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai

Developer profile

Emaar Properties Developer of Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai

Founded in Dubai in 1997, Emaar is the developer behind Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall and Downtown Dubai. Explore every Emaar project in our catalog — from apartments in Dubai Creek Harbour to villas in Dubai Hills Estate and The Valley.

Get the Emaar Properties Price List
  • 617projects on Empire City
  • 46communities
  • 1997year founded
  • 125,600+homes delivered since 2002
Founded
1997, Dubai
Founder
Mohamed Alabbar
Listed on
Dubai Financial Market (EMAAR)
Homes delivered
125,600+ since 2002
Signature project
Burj Khalifa (2010)
Hospitality
Address, Vida and more
History & track record

About Emaar Properties

Emaar Properties was founded in Dubai in 1997 by Mohamed Alabbar and was listed on the Dubai Financial Market in 2000. Over the following decades it grew into one of the largest real estate companies in the region, developing master-planned communities, shopping malls, hotels and leisure destinations.

Emaar is best known for Downtown Dubai, unveiled in 2003. The district is home to Burj Khalifa — the world's tallest building, opened in 2010 — as well as The Dubai Mall, which opened in 2008, and The Dubai Fountain, operating since 2009. Earlier, in 2003, Emaar launched Dubai Marina, a waterfront district built around a 3 km canal.

Today Emaar's residential development business in the UAE operates as Emaar Developments, also listed on the Dubai Financial Market. Its master communities include Dubai Hills Estate (about 2,700 acres, developed with Meraas), Dubai Creek Harbour (about 1,480 acres), Emaar Beachfront with around 1.5 km of beach, Arabian Ranches, Emaar South, The Valley and The Oasis.

According to the company, Emaar has delivered more than 125,600 homes in Dubai and other markets since 2002. In 2025 it reported record property sales of AED 80.4 billion and a revenue backlog of AED 155 billion. The group also runs a hospitality portfolio of 41 hotels and resorts, including the Address and Vida brands.

Company founder

Mohamed Alabbar — the man who built Burj Khalifa

Founder of Emaar Properties, founder and chairman of Eagle Hills

Mohamed Ali Rashed Alabbar was born on 8 November 1956 in Dubai, the eldest of twelve children of a dhow captain. On a government scholarship he studied in the United States and graduated from Seattle University in 1981 with a degree in Business Administration. In 2007 the university awarded him an honorary doctorate.

Back in the UAE, Alabbar worked in banking supervision at the Central Bank of the UAE and later ran the government-owned Al Khaleej Investments. In 1992 he became the founding director general of Dubai’s Department of Economic Development and one of the closest economic advisers to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

In 1997 Alabbar founded Emaar Properties. Under him the company announced Dubai Marina (2000), launched Downtown Dubai (2003) and built Burj Khalifa — the world’s tallest building at 828 metres, opened in 2010 — as well as The Dubai Mall. Today Emaar is Dubai’s largest listed real estate company.

Beyond Emaar, Alabbar is the founder and chairman of Abu Dhabi developer Eagle Hills, co-founded the noon marketplace (2016), led the consortium that acquired Americana Group in 2016 and chairs the digital bank Zand.

You have to be brave and learn how to make big decisions.
Mohamed Alabbar · Business Chief, 2024
I am not a man driven by money, I am driven by the wellbeing of my society.
Mohamed Alabbar · Business Chief, 2024
The Burj was over. I was thinking where to go, what to do next.
Mohamed Alabbar · Business Chief, 2024

Emaar Properties Projects in Dubai

617 projects by Emaar Properties on our site — new launches, projects under construction and ready homes.

Price list & offers

Get the Latest Emaar Properties Price List and Offers

Prices, availability and payment plans change with every launch. Leave your number and we will send you the current Emaar Properties price list with the best available units.

  • New launches
  • Payment plans
  • Available units
  • Floor plans

Get the price list

By submitting the form you agree to be contacted about your request.

Master Communities by Emaar Properties

  • Downtown Dubai

    Downtown Dubai

    The heart of the city around Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall, with residences such as Burj Vista, Fountain Views and Address Residences.

  • Dubai Creek Harbour

    Dubai Creek Harbour

    A waterfront city of about 1,480 acres on Dubai Creek, next to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, with towers, a marina and Creek Beach.

  • Dubai Hills Estate

    About 2,700 acres in Mohammed Bin Rashid City, developed with Meraas: an 18-hole golf course, Dubai Hills Park and Dubai Hills Mall.

  • Emaar Beachfront

    A private island community in Dubai Harbour, between Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina, with around 1.5 km of beach.

  • The Valley

    A suburban community of townhouses and villas on the Dubai–Al Ain Road, planned around parks and open green spaces.

  • Dubai South & Emaar South

    Emaar South is part of Dubai South, near Al Maktoum International Airport and Expo City Dubai, offering townhouses, villas and apartments.

Why Buy from Emaar Properties

  • 01

    Proven delivery

    More than 125,600 homes delivered since 2002 — one of the strongest track records in the UAE.

  • 02

    Iconic locations

    Downtown Dubai, Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Hills Estate and Emaar Beachfront are among the most sought-after addresses in the city.

  • 03

    Complete communities

    Schools, parks, malls, golf courses and hotels are planned together with the homes, not added later.

  • 04

    Liquidity

    Emaar homes are widely recognised by buyers and tenants, which supports resale and rental demand.

Frequently Asked Questions about Emaar Properties

Who founded Emaar Properties?

Emaar Properties was founded by Mohamed Ali Rashed Alabbar in Dubai in 1997. Born in Dubai in 1956, he graduated from Seattle University (Business Administration, 1981), worked at the Central Bank of the UAE and in 1992 set up Dubai’s Department of Economic Development. Emaar became his life’s work: the company built Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina.

Why did Mohamed Alabbar create Emaar?

In the interviews we know of, Alabbar has not named a single reason. By 1997 he had led Dubai’s Department of Economic Development for five years and was one of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s economic advisers, taking part in the strategy that turned Dubai into a global city. Describing his motivation, he has said (as quoted by Business Chief): “I am not a man driven by money, I am driven by the wellbeing of my society.”

What did Mohamed Alabbar do before Emaar?

After his studies in the US, Alabbar worked in banking supervision at the Central Bank of the UAE, then ran the government-owned investment company Al Khaleej Investments. In 1992 he founded and led Dubai’s Department of Economic Development. He is also credited with a role in creating the Dubai Shopping Festival.

Which other companies did Mohamed Alabbar found?

Besides Emaar, Alabbar founded Abu Dhabi developer Eagle Hills, co-founded the noon marketplace (2016, together with Saudi Arabia’s PIF), led the consortium that bought restaurant operator Americana Group in 2016, created the fashion platform Namshi and chairs the digital bank Zand.

Does Alabbar still run Emaar?

According to Business Chief (January 2024), Alabbar stepped down as chairman of Emaar Properties in December 2020 and continued with the company as managing director. For the current leadership, check Emaar’s official website and its Dubai Financial Market disclosures.

What are Emaar’s most famous projects?

Burj Khalifa (828 m, opened in 2010) — the world’s tallest building, The Dubai Mall — one of the largest shopping malls in the world, and The Dubai Fountain in Downtown Dubai. Its residential communities include Dubai Marina (announced in 2000), Downtown Dubai (launched in 2003), Dubai Hills Estate, Dubai Creek Harbour, Emaar Beachfront, Arabian Ranches, The Valley and The Oasis.

Where in Dubai does Emaar build?

Emaar’s main districts are Downtown Dubai, Dubai Hills Estate, Dubai Creek Harbour, Emaar Beachfront at Dubai Harbour, Mina Rashid, Arabian Ranches, The Valley, The Oasis and Emaar South in Dubai South. Apartments are most often sought in Downtown, Creek Harbour and Dubai Hills; villas and townhouses in Arabian Ranches, The Valley, The Oasis and Dubai Hills Estate. Use the filters above to browse projects by community.

Is Emaar a public company?

Yes. Emaar Properties trades on the Dubai Financial Market under the ticker EMAAR and is Dubai’s largest listed real estate company, so it publishes regular financial reports that investors can follow.

Does Emaar offer payment plans on off-plan projects?

Most Emaar off-plan projects are sold with staged payment plans: part of the price is paid at booking and the rest in instalments during construction and at handover. Shares and dates differ from project to project, so we send the current payment plan for every project you are interested in.

How is a buyer’s money protected when buying off-plan in Dubai?

In Dubai, payments for off-plan property go not directly to the developer but into the project’s escrow account, registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and RERA. The developer receives funds as construction progress is confirmed. Before a deal we check the project registration and escrow details.

Can foreigners buy Emaar property in Dubai?

Yes. Emaar projects are in Dubai freehold areas where foreigners can own property outright; ownership is registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD). You can buy remotely — we support the deal from booking to title documents.

Does buying Emaar property qualify for a visa?

Buying property in the UAE can make you eligible for a residence visa. For example, an investment in property worth AED 2 million or more can qualify for a 10-year Golden Visa. The rules are set by the UAE authorities and may change, so we confirm them for your specific purchase.

How do I choose an Emaar project?

Start with your goal: for living, schools, commute and neighbourhood amenities matter most; for investment, the handover date, community liquidity and rental demand. Compare price per square foot, payment plan and handover date across several projects. Request the price list and we will shortlist 3–5 suitable options and explain the differences.

How many Emaar Properties projects are listed on Empire City?

Our catalog currently lists 617 Emaar Properties projects in Dubai, with listed prices starting from $244,248. Contact us for the full, up-to-date list of units for sale.

Emaar Properties

Choose a Emaar Properties Property with Our Experts

Tell us your budget and goals — we will shortlist Emaar Properties projects, send floor plans and payment plans and arrange viewings.

WhatsAppMessage us nowOr call us+971 52 632 84 67

By submitting the form you agree to be contacted about your request.

Off Plan
Areas
Villas & Townhouses
Developers
Popular collections

logo dubai 1

 

telephone11 Call us

+971 52 632 84 67

Group of Company "Empire" in Dubai, UAE.

 

Estate's

INFORMATION

© 2026 empirecityuae.com all rights reserved.

EMPIRE CITY REAL ESTATE L.L.C License No. 1134004.

 

 

We are in social networks: Telegram WhatsApp Instagram * YouTube LinkedIn