The complete guide
Over the past two years, the UAE real estate investment market has entered a new phase — not just of growth, but of global institutional validation. Landmark deals involving the likes of Brookfield, Goldman Sachs, Apollo, and Hillhouse Capital reflect a strategic shift among international investors toward the Gulf, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi leading the charge.
Driven by robust returns, regulatory reform, and a globally competitive investment climate, Dubai and Abu Dhabi real estate 2025 are increasingly seen as essential components of portfolios — not peripheral opportunities. Below, we examine some of the key transactions that have defined this new wave of capital inflows and foreign investment in the UAE.
ICD Brookfield Place: A Record-Setting Commercial Asset
Few assets better exemplify Dubai’s appeal to institutional investors than ICD Brookfield Place, a 53-storey, 1.1 million sq. ft. tower in the heart of DIFC. Developed as a joint venture between Brookfield and the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), this property is not just a landmark — it's now the centerpiece and one of the largest-ever UAE commercial real estate deals; attesting to the promising Dubai property market trends.
In early 2025, Brookfield sold a 49% stake in the tower, reportedly to a consortium of heavyweight investors. While financial terms were not disclosed, the scale and timing of the deal underline how global capital sees DIFC as more than a local hub — it's a gateway to emerging markets, backed by solid regulation, premium tenants, and an investor-friendly tax structure.
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Brookfield’s continued commitment, with plans to develop a new mixed-use project in Dubai Hills, reflects a long-term strategic view that Dubai's premium commercial space still offers significant upside.