Union Properties Dubai: From Index Tower to Motor City Living

Union Properties PJSC was established in 1987, long before Dubai became the global hub it is today. As a public joint stock company listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), it has taken part in every major phase of the emirate's growth, from the early-2000s boom to the post-pandemic investment wave.

From Al Loze Villas to landmark towers

The group's first project, Al Loze Villas, launched in 1992 and laid the foundation for expertise that later extended to premium housing, office towers, hospitality and integrated communities. In 2002, the UP Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road, rising 243 metres over 54 storeys, marked the developer's arrival in the high-rise era.

A community-driven vision

Union Properties' signature is creating neighbourhoods where people live, work and play. Its motto, “Beyond Brilliance”, reflects an ambition to design places that nurture wellbeing and a genuine sense of belonging. The company aligns its strategy with Dubai's 2030 smart-city agenda.

• Founded: 1987, headquartered in Dubai
• Listing: Dubai Financial Market
• Ecosystem: 7 companies, from interior solutions to facilities management
• 2024 revenue: AED 528.7 million
• Total assets: AED 4.42 billion

This integrated model lets the developer control the full value chain, from design and construction to post-handover management, giving buyers a single accountable partner throughout the life of their property.

The Union Properties portfolio spans almost four decades of work across business districts, family neighbourhoods and the expansive MotorCity community, which the group master-developed.

Landmark completed projects

• UP Tower (2002) – 243 m tower on Sheikh Zayed Road
• Green Community – leafy, family-friendly neighbourhood in Dubai Investments Park
• The Ritz-Carlton DIFC (2009) – luxury rooms and residences in the financial centre
• Index Tower (2011) – award-winning mixed-use office and residential tower in DIFC
• Uptown Mirdif – residential and retail destination in Mirdif
• OIA Residence (2017) – six-storey Santorini-inspired building in Motor City

Current off-plan projects

• Takaya (Motor City) – apartments, penthouses, podium villas and standalone villas; handover targeted for Q4 2027. Examples: a 140.94 sq m three-bedroom at around AED 2.89 million and a 825.85 sq m five-bedroom KAIA villa at around AED 10.78 million.
• Mirdad 1 (Motor City) – apartments from AED 1,301,339, handover expected December 2028
• Mirdad 2 (Motor City) – apartments from AED 1,443,650, handover expected December 2028

Takaya takes its name from the “takiya”, the welcoming desert havens of old, and targets families seeking space and privacy. Mirdad appeals to buyers looking for one- to three-bedroom apartments in a balanced, well-connected community with everyday amenities close at hand.

Union Properties built its reputation on buildings that have stood the test of time and market cycles. The group favours timeless architecture and durable materials over short-lived trends.

International recognition

The Index Tower, designed by Foster + Partners, won the “Best Tall Building Middle East & Africa” award from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) in 2011. The jury praised its balance of lifestyle, engineering and environment, including an orientation designed to reduce solar gain.

Design philosophy

• Integrated communities: green spaces, retail, schools and leisure within easy reach
• Contextual design: Takaya reinterprets desert hospitality, while OIA Residence draws on Cycladic architecture
• Energy efficiency: energy-saving technologies and eco-friendly materials, in line with Dubai Municipality's Al Sa'fat green building rules
• Landscaping: a legacy carried from Green Community, known for its abundant gardens

Vertical integration

Through its seven specialised companies, including interior fit-out and facilities management businesses, the developer directly oversees finishing quality and long-term building upkeep. This reduces reliance on third parties and keeps the delivered product consistent with the marketing promise.

The group also runs corporate social responsibility initiatives, supporting charitable causes and environmental protection programmes that benefit local communities. For buyers, this combination of proven engineering and in-house management translates into homes designed to age well and hold their appeal.

The best way to judge a developer is by what it has actually built. On that front, Union Properties offers a track record that few Dubai developers can match: projects completed over more than thirty years that remain occupied and operating today.

Key milestones

• 1992: Al Loze Villas, the group's first project
• 2002: UP Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road
• Early 2000s: Green Community in Dubai Investments Park
• 2009: The Ritz-Carlton DIFC
• 2011: Index Tower, CTBUH award winner
• 2017: OIA Residence in Motor City

A transparent journey

Like many market players, Union Properties went through the 2008-2009 financial crisis, followed by a period of debt and governance restructuring. As a listed company, it publishes regular financial statements, giving investors more visibility than many private developers offer. Its 2024 results, with AED 528.7 million in revenue, point to a business back on a growth path.

Safeguards for off-plan buyers

The new Takaya and Mirdad projects fall under the regulatory framework of RERA and the Dubai Land Department. Buyer payments go into escrow accounts and are released only against verified construction progress. Target dates (Q4 2027 for Takaya, December 2028 for Mirdad) should be monitored through official progress reports, as is good practice for any off-plan purchase in Dubai.

Investing with Union Properties means buying directly from the developer that shaped Motor City. That deep knowledge of the area is a real advantage when it comes to securing the best plots and layouts.

A neighbourhood with solid rental appeal

Motor City attracts families and young professionals thanks to its green spaces, the Dubai Autodrome circuit, nearby schools and quick access to Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. Gross rental yields are generally estimated at around 6-7% by market sources, for guidance only.

Varied entry points

• Mirdad 1: from AED 1,301,339
• Mirdad 2: from AED 1,443,650
• Takaya: apartments around AED 2.9 million, villas above AED 10 million
• Many units exceed AED 2 million, the threshold for the 10-year Golden Visa

Payment plans and buyer support

Off-plan units are sold with instalment plans spread over the construction period; exact terms vary by project and should be confirmed with the sales team. The official website offers 3D tours, detailed floor plans, a property comparison tool and online unit reservation.

Integrated after-sales service

With in-house facilities management and interior solutions subsidiaries, the group provides post-handover support, a key factor in protecting property values and long-term rental demand for owners and landlords alike.