DAMAC Properties: the developer who turned Dubai’s luxury into a global trend

When it comes to Dubai’s luxury real estate, the first name that comes to mind is DAMAC. And it’s not just a developer - it’s a brand that has been delivering wow-effects in square meters for over two decades. Imagine this: villas with interiors by Versace Home, towers signed by Cavalli, residences where every detail is inspired by De Grisogono’s jewelry masterpieces. This isn’t just real estate - this is the embodiment of a luxury lifestyle.

DAMAC’s legendary projects

The first project that everyone associates with DAMAC is DAMAC Hills - a whole city within a city. Villas with private gardens, apartments overlooking endless greenery, international schools, supermarkets, and of course the highlight: the Trump International Golf Club Dubai. Average villa prices here start at $1,2 million, while penthouses range between $4-6 million.

Then there’s DAMAC Hills 2, formerly known as Akoya Oxygen - a 55-million square ft or 5 square kilometers - green oasis of master landscaping. Its eco-friendly community concept emphasizes lakes, themed parks, and cycling trails. Apartments here start from $180 000 which makes a luxury brand like DAMAC surprisingly accessible within the UAE.

Finally, there’s AYKON City on Sheikh Zayed Road - one of Dubai’s most famous mixed-use complexes. Residences, offices, hotels, restaurants - everything in one place. It has already become part of the skyline identity of Dubai’s business hub.

Also read: Meraas: the developer behind Bluewaters Island and Coca-Cola Arena

Service as the cherry on top (an even cherry on a cake they serve for investors)

DAMAC has its own distinctive touch when it comes to client service. Buying a property here feels like a mini holiday: coffee, panoramic views, and the sense that you’re already part of an elite lifestyle community.

At AYKON City - mentioned earlier - the upper floors host lounge zones where one-on-one investor meetings take place. Officially, it’s a “coffee appointment,” but it’s more than that: developers showcase tower models, inspire with window views, and present apartment options.

DAMAC also loves to host private events: open breakfasts with brokers, evening cocktails for potential buyers, even DJ sets and fashion shows right in the lobby. Broker insiders say that sometimes mini VIP tours are organized - an investor is welcomed into a showroom with Arabic coffee, then driven straight to the construction site to preview the future view of the Burj Khalifa.

Luxury collaborations that redefine real estate

DAMAC is the only Middle Eastern developer that works so systematically with luxury fashion and jewelry giants. Let’s count:

Versace Home: interiors for DAMAC Tower Nine Elms in London and elite towers in Dubai.

Roberto Cavalli: the Cavalli Tower sold out right at launch thanks to its signature style and “catwalk effect” in the living rooms.

De Grisogono: Safa One and Safa Two - residences where architecture is inspired by gemstones.

The key here: these collaborations immediately add value. Properties aren’t just square meters anymore - they’re collectible lifestyle objects investors hunt for.

Also read: Nakheel: the developer behind Palm Jumeirah

Stars and ambassadors

DAMAC plays in the premier league even in PR. The company partnered with Donald Trump for the golf course at DAMAC Hills, while Melania Trump took part as an interior designer on some projects.

Global icons like Tiger Woods and Jennifer Lopez have fronted its advertising campaigns. On social media, DAMAC properties often appear in posts by influencers with millions of followers, which only fuels international demand.

Facts and figures that speak for themselves

DAMAC Group was founded in 1982 in Dubai, originally in catering and food services. Hussain Sajwani’s company supplied meals to US corporations and military camps in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia. Through the 1980s-1990s the business diversified into trade, imports, and hospitality. 

By 2002, DAMAC Properties emerged as a dedicated real estate arm, pushing the brand into the global spotlight of luxury. By the end of 2024, DAMAC delivered around 48,000 housing units, with another 50,000 in planning or construction. Active in over 15 countries, including the UK, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Hussain Sajwani’s fortune, estimated by Forbes at over $10 billion in 2025, makes him not just one of the wealthiest in the Middle East but a symbol of how a catering business can evolve into a global luxury empire.

Why investors trust DAMAC

ROI: averaging 6–8% annually in areas like Business Bay and DAMAC Hills, with even higher figures in the luxury segment.

Flexibility: from accessible options like DAMAC Hills 2 to true icons like Cavalli Tower.

Resilience: whether during the 2008 crisis or the pandemic starting in 2019, DAMAC continued to launch new projects without losing demand.

Also read: Emaar: the developer known even by those who’ve never been to Dubai

DAMAC Properties isn’t about selling square meters - it’s about the story that comes with the keys to a villa or an apartment. This is the brand that turned Dubai’s luxury segment from something local into something globally desired.

Over the past two decades, DAMAC has delivered tens of thousands of projects and turned Dubai into a stage where architecture meets fashion, and lifestyle itself becomes an investment strategy.

If anyone made luxury the synonym of Dubai, it’s DAMAC.