With Sobha Realty announcing the launch of Sobha Sanctuary, a vast Dh50 billion, 37.5 million square foot development that highlights the emirate’s ongoing desire for expansive, amenity-rich residential districts, Dubai’s real estate market is poised to welcome one of its largest new master-planned communities.
The announcement coincides with the Sobha Group’s 50th anniversary and the ongoing demand in Dubai’s off-plan and villa markets. In response to growing population inflows, developers have been speeding up launches, and master communities have emerged as a key component of the current market cycle.
Sobha Sanctuary, which is positioned as Sobha’s most ambitious project to date, would eventually house over 20,000 families through about 20,000 residences, comprising 2,000 villas and 18,000 apartments. One of Dubai’s most supply-constrained categories—family-oriented villas living within integrated, green environments—is the focus of the first phase, which is expected to deliver about 250 villas.
The development is one of the most important additions to Dubai’s pipeline due to its size and timing. Built around a central destination park, a community mall, and a sizable wellness center—amenities that developers are increasingly leveraging to differentiate projects in a competitive off-plan landscape—Sobha Sanctuary is situated across a major land bank with access to key areas.
Unit pricing will start at Dh3.99 million, and deliveries are scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2029.
Francis Alfred, managing director of Sobha Realty, called the project a “landmark moment” for the company and a reflection of its long-term plan to create neighborhoods that are focused on wellness. In the midst of the city’s increasing off-plan activity, the company’s backward-integrated methodology, which covers design, engineering, and construction, has been a key component of its presentation to purchasers wanting quality assurance.
Alfred sees the launch as particularly appealing for overseas investors. “If you see the investments coming into Dubai over the last five years, they are from highly mature markets. All of them are used to quality products and developments. And when they come to Dubai, they are looking for similar or better living standards in terms of community, in terms of infrastructure of this country. Thus this sort of project is expected to align with their interests,” he said.
The launch comes soon after the realtor announcing its year-end sales figures for FY 2025 a total Dh30 billion, representing an uptick of 30 per cent year on year. “We are expecting a strong performance this year as well, as we are opening up a number of new developments,” he added.
Large master complexes like Sobha Sanctuary are anticipated to be crucial in determining the next stage of residential growth as Dubai’s population continues to rise and its real estate market sustains record-level absorption. The project is expected to become one of the city’s defining community hubs in the developing field of upscale, integrated living with staggered delivery over the ensuing years.
