Another milestone sale in Dubai Hills Estate cements what is proving to be one of Dubai's strongest real estate years on record.
The first half of 2025 has been anything but straightforward. Geopolitical tensions surged to levels not seen in many years, and regional instability has cast a shadow over global investor confidence. From New York to Hong Kong, luxury property markets are still showing signs of hesitation, with year-on-year sales volumes dropping in many key cities. In Dubai however, the super prime segment is telling a very different story – one of stability, confidence, and record-breaking results. In Q1, transaction volumes surged by 50%, with a notable 35% uptick in transaction values in properties above AED 100 million. Q2 brought even greater heights, with AED 184.3 billion in sales in just one quarter – its highest on record.
At Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty, we’ve witnessed this market resilience up close. Here are four landmark transactions this year that bring the data to life.
A Dubai Hills home with California soul
In June, Executive Partner Honey Deylami set the tone with the sale of an extraordinary seven-bedroom mansion in Hills View, listed at AED 150 million. Bold, modular and confidently forward-thinking, this contemporary home wouldn’t look out of place on the coast of Malibu, or in the glitzy suburbs of Bel Air. Inside, the layout favours light and flow, with expansive open-plan living spaces, soaring ceilings and full-height windows. Above, a rooftop lounge captures 360-degree views over the city skyline and championship golf course – a perfect base for entertaining in the cooler months.
Upstairs, all seven bedrooms are en suite with private terraces. The master suite is a sanctuary in its own right, complete with his and hers dressing rooms and a spa-like bathroom. But it’s outdoors that the home truly finds its rhythm: a breezy garden with an overflow pool, cabanas, a sunken firepit, and a shaded dining pavilion – beautifully crafted to embrace Dubai’s year-round sun.
“This sale reflects what we do best – connecting extraordinary homes with the right buyers through experience, trust, and collaboration,” commented Honey Deylami. “At Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty, we curate lifestyle-led investments, not just property transactions. This mansion, like many in our portfolio, reflects the evolving tastes of our discerning clientele, and I’m proud to have played a part in securing such a landmark deal.”
Villa Allegra: A Triumph of Contemporary Beachfront Design
One of the most spectacular design-led homes on Palm Jumeirah this year is Villa Allegra, also sold by Honey Deylami in early 2025. Designed by Innovate Living, the residence is located on Frond G – known as ‘Billionaires’ Row’ – and stands out for its resort-like, lifestyle-driven functionality. Minimalist yet monumental, its design language echoes that of the Dubai Hills Estate mansion: all clean lines, raw textures, and fluid indoor-outdoor living.
Inside, full-wall bookshelves, Orobico Grigio marble, and furnishings by Minotti and Gioretti create a space that feels more like a gallery than a residence. A resort unto itself, the home also has a private beach, spa, fitness centre, and a dazzling Palm-fringed beachfront pool. The most inventive feature of Villa Allegra is its basement – a 9,000 sq. ft. entertainment space with an organic menagerie housing turtles and ducks, designed by Worldwide Zoo Consultants.
Villa Allegra was listed at AED 230 million and sold in February 2025, reinforcing the uptick in appetite for turnkey homes at the very top of the market – particularly as more families turn to Dubai as their primary residence.
A Record-Breaking AED 330M Villa on Jumeirah Bay Island
With just 128 plots, Jumeirah Bay Island is Dubai’s most exclusive address. This year, Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty broke all records on the island with the sale of an incredible AED 330 million custom-built beachfront mansion. Led by Associate Directors Regan Faulkner and Ioana Armeanu, this milestone transaction marked the most expensive villa sale on Jumeirah Bay Island to date, further underscoring confidence in the super prime segment this year.
“This extraordinary home represents the height of exclusive beachfront living: flawless architecture, uncompromising craftsmanship, and a setting that is simply unmatched,” said Regan Faulkner at the time of the sale. And the home is indeed extraordinary, spanning a 26,895 sq. ft. plot with a private beach. It is one of just three ELV plots with unobstructed views of the Downtown skyline and Burj Khalifa.
Ioana Armeanu added: “The demand for bespoke, one-of-a-kind residences here has never been stronger, and this record-breaking sale on Jumeirah Bay Island is a testament to its enduring appeal. It was a privilege to represent such an incredible property and connect our client with the perfect buyer.”
The Most Expensive Plot on Palm Jumeirah
On Palm Jumeirah, undeveloped plots are few and far between. When they do come to market, however, they rank among the city’s most valuable assets, pursued by buyers with long-term vision. In June, Executive Partner Leigh Borg represented the seller of a 90,000 sq. ft. waterfront plot on a frond tip – a rare blank canvas in an increasingly built-up market. The deal closed at a staggering AED 365 million, marking the highest residential sale on the Palm this year, and one of the highest on record.
Though just a stretch of sand today, it’s a clear vote of confidence in the future of Dubai’s real estate market, and it’s particularly telling in the face of wider economic volatility.
The Power of Exclusivity in a Shifting Market
At its core, real estate is built on trust, timing, and the right relationships. At Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty, our most successful outcomes are often the result of exclusive representation, giving us the ability to shape a property’s narrative, curate its audience, and engage precisely the right buyers.
These sales are a testament to the power of such representation, showcasing what’s possible when experience, discretion, and world-class marketing align. If you’re thinking of selling, we’d be delighted to show you what an exclusive partnership with Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty can deliver, both now and in the years to come.
