Top 5 Dubai Off-Plan Locations to Add to Your Portfolio in 2025

By Ikigai Real Estate

If you’re evaluating Dubai off-plan investments 2025, know that the market remains one of the most effective ways to access capital growth with flexible payment structures. The real challenge is selection. Based on Ikigai Real Estate’s 2025 analysis, this guide spotlights five locations with pricing power, liquidity, infrastructure momentum, and clear exit paths.

Why Dubai Off-Plan Still Wins in 2025

Lower entry outlays (often 10–20% at booking), construction-linked schedules, and post-handover options keep cash flow lighter while values build toward completion. For investors, the win is simple: better leverage of capital plus multiple exit windows.

At a glance — the 5 areas to watch in 2025:
Dubai Creek Harbour (premium waterfront growth), Expo City (sustainability-led demand), Dubai South (value entry near the future airport), JVC (high-liquidity apartments and steady yields), Business Bay (rental turnover near Downtown).

Area	Price Range (AED)	Key Strength	Target Investor Profile
Dubai Creek Harbour	1.6M – 20M+	Iconic infrastructure	High-net-worth individuals
Expo City Dubai	1.2M – 3.5M	Sustainability focus	ESG-focused funds
Dubai South	400K – 2.5M	Affordability	First-time buyers
Jumeirah Village Circle	650K – 3M	Family amenities	Mid-income families
Business Bay	1.1M – 45M+	Commercial connectivity	Professional expatriates

Before we dive into each location, remember why off-plan works: 10–20% upfront with the balance during build and handover makes higher-value assets accessible while capturing potential appreciation ahead of completion.

Ready to position your portfolio for Dubai’s next leg of growth? Let’s break down the five areas and how to deploy capital in each.

1. Dubai Creek Harbour: The Next Crown Jewel

Dubai Creek Harbour, a joint venture between Emaar Properties and Dubai Holding, is positioning itself as the successor to Downtown Dubai. As of 2025, Emaar has gained full control of the development following a AED 7.5 billion acquisition of Dubai Holding’s stake. At its centre stands the Dubai Creek Tower project, though construction has been delayed indefinitely with a redesigned tower now planned to be shorter than the Burj Khalifa.

Beyond its ambitious master plan, Creek Harbour’s real edge for investors lies in emotional appeal. Waking up to a 270° sweep of the creek, marina and Downtown skyline is a lifestyle statement that tenants will pay a 15-25% premium for—and they already do. Because supply of true waterfront stock is finite, resale listings move 17% faster than inland units and historically appreciate 20-30% faster once each new phase completes. The Blue-Line Metro extension set for 2029 adds another upside catalyst, wiring the district directly into the city’s mass-transit spine. For buyers comfortable with the longer construction runway, locking in today and exiting 6-12 months before hand-over has proven to capture the steepest secondary-market uplift.

Payment Plan: 10% upfront, 70-80% during construction, 20% at handover
Market Performance: The area recorded over 2,500 transactions totalling AED 11 billion in 2024, with average property prices ranging from AED 1.6M to AED 4M. Recent sales data shows 3,908 transactions in the last 12 months with a total value of AED 11.3 billion.
Current Pricing: Properties average AED 2,400-2,700 per square foot in Q2 2025, with rental yields of 5-6%. One-bedroom apartments start from AED 1.7-1.9 million, while three-bedroom units range from AED 3.7-4.1 million.
Completion Timeline: Various phases with deliveries from Q3 2026 to Q3 2029, with the Blue Line Metro connection planned for 2029.

OUR RECOMMENDATION: Focus on waterfront units with creek, marina, and skyline views, as these command rental premiums and appreciate much faster than standard units. Target properties in projects like Address Harbour Point, Creek Palace, and Mangrove for prime water views. Monitor Emaar's phased handover schedule closely, with major completions in Q2-Q3 2026 (Creek Crescent, Palace Residences North, Mangrove). Time resale opportunities 6-12 months before completion when demand peaks and secondary market premiums reach 10-15%.

2. Expo City Dubai: Sustainability-Focused Living

Expo City has evolved into more than a sustainability showpiece; it is Dubai’s testbed for 15-minute living. Investors here aren’t just buying an apartment; they’re aligning with a brand that resonates with ESG mandates. Corporates already lease units in bulk to burnish their green credentials, which is why one-bed yields float in the 6.5-7.5% range—comfortably above Dubai’s prime average. The master developer’s five-year post-handover plans mean you can hold the title, collect rent and still pay just 1% a month; effectively letting the tenant service your leverage. If you’re building an income-oriented portfolio with an eye on global sustainability capital, Expo City punches well above its ticket-price ceiling of AED 3.5m.

Payment Plan: Post-handover payment plans available across multiple Expo City projects with flexible options including 50/50 and 70/30 payment structures, and some projects offering 5-year post-handover payment plans
- Mangrove Residences: 45/55 with 5-year post-handover
- Sky Residences: 45/55 with 60-month post-handover
- Terra Heights: 80/20 payment plan
- Al Waha: 50/50 payment structure
Market Performance: Dubai South (including Expo City) recorded 2,676 transactions worth AED 8.745 billion in Q1 2025, with property prices projected to grow 15-25% by 2027.
Current Pricing: Apartments range from AED 1.3M to AED 1.9M, with townhouses and duets from AED 1.8M. Rental yields range from 6-8% for apartments.
Target Properties: Mangrove Residences offers 1-4 bedroom apartments starting from AED 1.3M with Q4 2025 handover. Signature Collection Al Waha features 1-2 bedroom apartments starting from AED 1.88M.

OUR RECOMMENDATION: The area's focus on sustainability and smart city features attracts ESG-focused investors and environmentally conscious residents. Target smaller units (1-2 bedrooms) which offer higher liquidity and superior rental yields. Take advantage of flexible post-handover payment plans across multiple Expo City projects, for example, Mangrove Residences offers 5-year post-handover terms, while Sky Residences provides 60-month payment flexibility, to optimise cash flow while properties appreciate.

3. Dubai South: The Affordable Entry Point

Think of Dubai South as a long-dated options play on the city’s next airport city. Entry prices at AED 400 K-1.2 M make it the lowest-risk way to ride the growth of Al-Maktoum International and the freight and logistics boom that will follow. Transaction volumes have already topped AED 8.7 B in Q1 2025, yet price-to-income ratios remain the most affordable in Dubai.

For first-time investors, developer 80/20 plans and government incentives reduce capital strain; for seasoned buyers, land-banking a townhouse cluster near the proposed metro spur could deliver outsized equity pops once the ribbon is cut

Payment Plan: Standard 80/20 and 60/40 payment structures with 5-year payment plans available
Market Performance: Strong Q1 2025 performance with 2,676 transactions worth AED 8.745 billion. Rental yields range from 6-8% for apartments and 5-7% for townhouses.
Infrastructure Development: Major projects include Al Maktoum International Airport expansion targeting to become the world’s largest airport, new Metro and road networks, and smart city elements with AI-driven infrastructure.

OUR RECOMMENDATION: Focus on affordable housing options that benefit from government initiatives and growing expatriate population. Properties near the airport and Expo City command premium pricing and rental demand. Consider using flexible payment plans from developers like Emaar (Greenway, Greenville townhouses with 80/20 payment plans) or Dubai South's own South Bay developments (50/50 payment plans). DAMAC's current townhouse offerings are primarily located in DAMAC Hills 2 and DAMAC Lagoons with their 70/30 or 1% monthly payment structures.

4. Jumeirah Village Circle: Family-Centric Investment

Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) has established itself as Dubai’s top investment area for mid-income families and first-time buyers. JVC isn’t glamorous, but that’s precisely its moat. With 16,700 apartment deals in H1 2025 alone, it is Dubai’s undisputed liquidity king.

Studios and one-beds rent within days thanks to mid-income families who want schools, parks and mall access without Downtown premiums. Entry tickets of AED 650 K-900 K for one-beds still buy 6.8-7.4% gross yields while price growth tracks high single digits. For value-add investors, early-bird releases from design-centric developers like Ellington can layer an extra 8-10% margin by completion—perfect for a flip or a refinance before hand-over milestones tighten funding windows.

Payment Plan: Flexible options with 10-20% down payments and construction-linked payment schedules
Market Performance: JVC leads transaction volumes with 3,605 deals worth AED 4.559 billion in Q1 2025. May 2025 recorded 1,823 transactions, maintaining its position as the most active community.
Rental Yields: 6.8-7.4% average rental yields, with studios achieving 8% returns. Average price per square foot: AED 1,238.
Investment Appeal: Family-friendly amenities, 12 parks and green spaces, 8 international schools, and over 200 retail outlets.

OU RECOMMENDATION: JVC's strength lies in affordable apartments with 6-8% rental yields, not villa developments. Focus on studios and 1-2 bedroom apartments, which constitute over 85% of demand in this apartment-focused community. Monitor Ellington's apartment project milestones, for example, The Portman, which was recently completed, and Hillmont Residences that is scheduled to launch Q4 2026, offer very attractive early-bird pricing.

5. Business Bay: Commercial Connectivity Hub

If Creek Harbour sells a view and Expo City sells a vision, Business Bay sells velocity as Dubai’s premier mixed-use district. The area, which combines residential, commercial, and retail spaces in a 64 million square foot development, houses over 191,000 residents and 110,000 employees.

Studios and one-beds make up 82% of the STR (short-term rental) market, turning over at a brisk 47% occupancy and ADRs north of AED 250. Corporate travellers drive dependable mid-week demand, while canal-side nightlife backfills weekends. This translates into 6.9% average yields that can climb above 10% under professional STR management. Capital-heavy investors can amplify those numbers: developers are open to 5-15% bulk-buy discounts for five-plus units or full floors, dropping your blended cost basis in a district where rents rose 7-10% in H1 2025 alone.

Payment Plan: Standard 80/20 payment structures with flexible construction-linked schedules
Market Performance: Business Bay recorded 2,782 transactions worth AED 7.265 billion in Q1 2025. May 2025 saw 913 transactions, maintaining its position among top-performing communities.
Current Pricing: Average prices have reached AED 1,750 per square foot by Q2 2025, with properties ranging from AED 1.1M to AED 45M+ depending on unit type and tower quality.
Rental Market: Strong rental demand from professionals working in DIFC and Downtown Dubai, with competitive yields due to prime location and canal-front properties.

OUR RECOMMENDATION: Target canal-facing units and newly completed towers that benefit from proximity to Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Financial Centre. The area's mixed-use nature ensures consistent demand from both residents and businesses. Prioritise smaller units (studios and 1-2 bedrooms) which comprise 82% of the rental market and achieve superior occupancy rates in this business district. These units generate +6% average yields with strong turnover from young professionals and corporate tenants. If your investment capital allows (typically AED 10M+ minimum), consider negotiating bulk purchase discounts of 5-15% for multiple units or full floors to maximize returns. Short-term rental strategies can boost yields by an additional 3-5% through flexible pricing and business traveller demand.

Creating Your Dubai Off-Plan Investment Strategy

When building your investment portfolio in Dubai’s off-plan market, consider diversifying across multiple areas to mitigate risk while capitalising on each location’s unique strengths. A balanced approach for 2025 might allocate 30% to premium growth zones (Dubai Creek Harbour waterfront units, Business Bay small units), 40% to high-volume stable areas (JVC apartments, Expo City sustainability-focused projects), and 30% to emerging value markets (Dubai South affordable housing developments).

Market timing has become increasingly critical in 2025. With Dubai recording AED 184.3 billion in Q2 2025 sales alone and property prices rising 26.5% in early 2025, early positioning in the right projects can significantly impact returns. Monitor Emaar’s staggered completion schedules through 2026-2029 for resale opportunities, and leverage RERA’s enhanced off-plan registration portal for real-time compliance updates and project status verification.

Payment plan optimisation has evolved significantly. While traditional 10-20% down payment structures remain standard, post-handover payment plans spanning 5-7 years now allow investors to maintain liquidity while properties appreciate during construction. Bulk purchase opportunities in Business Bay and early-bird discounts in emerging projects like Ellington’s JVC developments can enhance overall portfolio returns.

Current market dynamics favour strategic, informed investors. With rental yields ranging from 5.5-8% across our recommended locations and strong transaction volumes, the fundamentals support continued growth. However, supply management and location selection have become paramount as the market matures.

Whether you’re a first-time investor targeting Dubai South’s affordable entry points or an experienced portfolio builder seeking Dubai Creek Harbour’s premium waterfront opportunities, Dubai’s off-plan market offers validated opportunities across risk profiles. The key is aligning your investment choices with your financial goals and risk tolerance