Design and construction advancements now let developers offer amenities similar to those in theme parks and entertainment centers in Dubai
The real estate market in Dubai and the Emirates is experiencing a significant upswing, with a steady influx of residents and investors to the UAE. Sales volumes have consistently grown at a double-digit rate, a trend that has remained strong since 2022.
With more residents choosing Dubai as their new home, developers naturally offer more appealing properties with great locations, exciting architecture, and larger living spaces to compete.
The preferences of home buyers are evolving, with a growing interest in the living experience beyond the residential unit. Buyers are now more interested in the amenities and facilities available within the community, rather than just the accessibility of the area.
Buying decisions have shifted from considering a property as an apartment in a building to a home within a ‘vertical’ community. Residential buildings offer much more lifestyle facilities today than in any previous period, particularly in the affordable mid-market range.
This trend continues to be a significant factor in the decision-making process since buyers are now spoilt for choice regarding the extensive range of properties available, within their budget and in the neighbourhoods they choose to live in.
Today’s home buyer is looking for lifestyle conveniences and facilities within reach so they can spend less time travelling on the roads and more time pampering themselves and their families. It is not uncommon now for mid-market home buyers to expect high-end facilities within their community. Developers see that communities offering a more comprehensive range of sophisticated amenities that cater to the whole family generally outperform those that do not.
Spa-style facilities like jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and in-unit terrace splash pools are becoming common in new developments, once reserved only for high-end luxury properties. Sports facilities with indoor and outdoor areas are also becoming a trend since residents want to enjoy activities outdoors in the cooler months and indoors during the hot summer. Traditional exercise spaces have transformed from simple gyms into dedicated studios for yoga, Pilates, and meditation.
There is also a growing demand for lush spaces, traditionally accessible only in Dubai’s villa communities. We see that properties replicating these green spaces within the buildings are receiving greater interest from buyers, particularly if they have small children who need to spend quality time in nature. Sky gardens and green open spaces are now integrated into most new developments, and this trend is unlikely to fade.
Design and construction advancements have opened up new possibilities for developers, allowing them to offer innovative amenities that rival those found in theme parks and commercial entertainment centres. This exciting development in the industry is sure to pique the interest of our audience, highlighting the potential for their projects to stand out and attract buyers.
Theme park-style water slides, lagoons, lazy rivers and other water features are now built inside residential towers. Value-added amenities now include golf simulators, bowling alleys, video game or arcade centres, climbing walls, cinemas and dedicated entertainment areas for hosting guests.
The sky is the limit with what can be offered as developers compete to differentiate their projects and attract buyers by employing some of the latest and most excellent entertainment and lifestyle facilities within the communities they build.
As a developer, we have appointed an international specialist theme park provider to create unmatched experiences for our home buyers in our upcoming projects, creating exciting and entertaining lifestyle facilities that are unmatched in Dubai. This demonstrates the importance of adequately planning facilities in new projects while emphasizing our holistic approach when considering how the tenants will interact with and enjoy the unique common areas and amenities in their community.
Originally written by Ramjee Iyer, Chairman & Managing Director, Acube Developments. Edited by Vibha Mehta.
