On 7 October 2026, Global Branded Residences' 2025-2026 annual report named Dubai the world's leading branded residences market: 184 projects, 116 of them in the pipeline, more than double Miami's total.
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When it comes to branded residences, Dubai is the world capital: the city counts 184 projects, 68 completed and 116 in the pipeline, according to the Annual Branded Residences Report 2025-2026 by consultancy Global Branded Residences, whose findings were reported by Arabian Business on 7 October 2026. That puts Dubai far ahead of Miami, in second place with 85 projects, followed by São Paulo (39) and New York (36).
Across the United Arab Emirates, the report lists 75 completed branded residences and 185 under development: the largest project pipeline of any country in the world.
Key takeaways
- Dubai has 184 branded residence projects, 68 completed and 116 in the pipeline, according to the Global Branded Residences 2025-2026 annual report published in autumn 2026.
- Miami, the world's second-largest branded residences market, has 85 projects, ahead of São Paulo (39) and New York (36), according to the same report.
- The United Arab Emirates counts 75 completed branded residences and 185 under development, the largest project pipeline in the world.
- Across 106 projects analysed between 2020 and 2026, Global Branded Residences measured an average price premium of 44% for branded homes over comparable unbranded properties.
- The Middle East and North Africa region has 118 completed branded residences and 308 in the pipeline, around 27% of projects under development worldwide.
Why Dubai leads every other branded residences market
Dubai has more than twice as many branded residence projects as Miami, and its lead rests mainly on new supply: 116 of the 184 projects recorded by Global Branded Residences are still in the pipeline. A branded residence is a building or villa designed and managed under the name of a hotel group, fashion house, jeweller or carmaker, with hotel-style services.
The trend has moved well beyond classic luxury hospitality. Bugatti Residences by Binghatti, in Business Bay, is billed as the world's first residential development bearing the carmaker's name. For an overview of the segment, our guide to luxury real estate in Dubai, from branded residences to exceptional villas covers the addresses and names shaping the market.
A 44% premium that draws buyers, and developers
Branded homes sell on average 44% higher than comparable unbranded properties, according to Global Branded Residences' analysis of 106 projects between 2020 and 2026. That premium explains both wealthy buyers' appetite for a recognised name and the surge of launches by developers.
The flip side is mechanical: 116 more projects in Dubai mean more supply in the same niche. Not every brand will carry the same pull in five or ten years, and the average premium masks wide gaps between a major hotel group with a proven management record and a more recent brand licence.
What it means for investors
For us, the report confirms the depth of the segment in Dubai, but it also calls for greater selectivity. With 116 projects in the pipeline, the brand premium will not defend itself: at resale, a buyer will compare several branded residences in the same neighbourhood. We therefore focus on three criteria: a brand that actually operates the services (not just a name licence), a scarce location (waterfront, protected view, established address) and a developer with a solid delivery record.
On the rental side, integrated hotel management makes short-term letting and upkeep easier, but service charges are higher than in a standard residence: net yield, after charges, is the figure to compare. The tax framework remains a major advantage: in Dubai, individuals pay no tax on rental income or on property capital gains. Depending on the amount invested, the purchase can also open the way to a Golden Visa.
For investors who put yield ahead of prestige, neighbourhoods such as Jumeirah Village Circle or Dubai Hills Estate follow a different investment logic. Lucretia guides you through that choice, from project selection to rental management: our Invest in Dubai page sets out our approach.
Source: arabianbusiness.com — 2026-10-07
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About the author
Benoit CLAUDEL
Director of Strategy & Operations
With over 18 years of experience in real estate and wealth management, Benoît has developed recognized expertise in advising private investors, business executives and family offices. After starting out in a real estate agency and working within one of the most reputable wealth management firms in Paris, he then joined LCL as Head of Private Banking for Île-de-France, advising high-income clients on their real estate strategies. An entrepreneur, he founded and ran his own wealth management firm for 7 years, structuring investment and wealth optimization solutions. Today at Lucretia, Benoît oversees operational strategy, sales performance and advisor training. He works on high-value-added cases, particularly investments via French holding companies, legal structuring and wealth taxation.
