Dubai’s residential property market is on course to record its highest annual number of completed homes in nearly two decades, although a widening gap between planned developments and actual construction progress could slow deliveries in the years ahead.
According to Cushman & Wakefield Core’s H1 2026 report, more than 13,218 residential units were completed in the second quarter of this year, keeping overall handovers broadly on schedule.
Major apartment projects completed during the quarter included Crest Grande in Sobha Hartland, with 965 units, Skyhills Residences 1 in Dubai Science Park with 635 units and City Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road with 608 apartments.
The villa segment also recorded significant completions. Damac Lagoons delivered 760 units at Malta 1 and 555 at Costa Brava 1, while Jebel Ali Village Townhouses Phases 1-3 added 614 villas. Elora at The Valley contributed another 430 villas.
Cushman & Wakefield Core expects approximately 32,000 additional residential units to be handed over during the second half of 2026. That would bring total annual completions to about 55,600 units, the highest yearly figure since 2008.
More than 60,000 units are also projected to be delivered in 2027.
However, the report warned that the pace of future construction may not match the large pipeline of projects announced by developers. Supply chain difficulties, pressure on contractor capacity and changing market conditions could slow the completion of developments scheduled for the coming years.
Although nearly 525,000 residential units are planned for delivery through 2030, only about 186,000 have progressed beyond 20 percent construction, according to the report.
This suggests that a significant proportion of scheduled projects may not reach completion on time, resulting in new supply entering the market more gradually than current project schedules indicate.
The slower arrival of additional homes could help maintain a healthier balance between supply and demand and support stronger absorption levels as Dubai’s residential market enters a more mature phase.
New project launches have also slowed considerably. Apartment launches fell by about 58 percent year on year during the first half of 2026, while villa launches dropped by approximately 78 percent.
The report said launch activity had already begun moderating during the first quarter, before geopolitical uncertainty in the second quarter led several developers to postpone planned projects.
Developments that reached the market were mainly aimed at middle-income buyers and end users, indicating a more cautious approach to matching new supply with underlying demand.
Prices have remained broadly stable, while developers have increasingly used revised payment plans, Dubai Land Department fee waivers, bulk discounts and higher broker commissions to encourage sales.
Although fewer launches could reduce off-plan transaction volumes in the short term, the report said the slowdown may ultimately create a more balanced supply pipeline and improve market absorption over the medium term.
