The story of Dubai’s property market in 2025 has been one of rapid acceleration. In the first half of the year, transaction volumes reached a high of AED 430 billion – the highest H1 on record – fuelled in no small part by a growing population. Most telling though, isn’t necessarily the volumes, it’s the number of deals crossing into previously uncharted territory, pushing price ceilings higher across every prime neighbourhood.
Against this backdrop, Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty has achieved yet another milestone: the sale of a Signature Villa on Palm Jumeirah for AED 161 million – the most expensive secondary villa sale on the Palm this year. Selling at AED 14,679 per square foot, the sale also represents the second-highest price-per-sq-ft transaction across Dubai in 2025.
A Closer Look Inside This Incredible AED 161M Villa
Developed by 25 Degrees – a boutique Dubai-based firm with roots in European craftsmanship – the villa is a masterclass in sculptural minimalism. Its clean-lined silhouette opens onto a pool deck overlooking Atlantis the Royal Resort & Residences, with interiors that feel as curated as they are livable. Art-led finishes, neutral tones, and natural materials set an organic, calm mood throughout. Sold fully-furnished with bespoke detailing and a state-of-the-art private cinema, it’s a tasteful reflection of the level of detail now expected in Dubai’s super prime segment.
The transaction was exclusively managed by Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty, with Executive Partner Leigh Borg, representing the seller, and Filippo Tavernaro, Senior Global Property Consultant, acting on behalf of the buyer.
“This was a rare and exclusive listing that stood out even in a highly competitive market,” said Borg. “Every aspect of the property was executed at the highest level, and with the calibre of clients that Palm Jumeirah attracts, homes like this don’t stay on the market for very long.”
Tavernaro, a highly experienced real estate expert with a unique background in civil engineering, added: “Transactions like this are made possible thanks to the strength of the network and the global platform we have. It is also a testament to the quality of the homes available. The price tag is no bar for buyers when the property ticks all the boxes.”
A Name To Trust, One Record at a Time
This AED 161 million sale may be the most valuable resale on the Palm in 2025, but it’s far from the only benchmark set this year. In March, Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty closed the AED 330 million sale of a villa on Jumeirah Bay Island – the most expensive property ever sold on the island. Brokered by Regan Faulkner and Ioana Armeanu, the home occupied one of just three ELV plots at the tip of the island, with a private beach and sweeping infinity pool. It surpassed the previous record Jumeirah Bay record – also set by the firm – by nearly AED 100 million.
Today, the island has become a byword for privacy and exclusivity, and that momentum shows no signs of slowing. New to the market and represented once again by Faulkner, this AED 395 million villa signals a bullish new pricing reality in Dubai – one that’s being shaped at every turn by the Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty team.
Other recent landmark transactions include a AED 200 million estate in Dubai Hills Grove and a AED 130 million Six Senses villa – the highest resale recorded in the development. Among the most significant to date is the AED 365 million sale of a 90,000 sq. ft. undeveloped plot on Palm Jumeirah, led by Executive Partner Leigh Borg. While land is not typically in our portfolio, when clients bring us a vision, we match it with creativity and precision.
Not every sale, however, makes the news. By nature, real estate is highly private and many buyers prefer discretion. A number of this year’s highest sales were conducted under strict NDA – a reminder that some of Dubai’s strongest numbers are the ones you’ll never see.
What Drives Results?
What was once called the American Dream – the chance to work hard and build lasting wealth based on merit, regardless of background – has slowly become the Dubai Dream. But as more and more people arrive to chase it, the market has become more competitive and complex than ever. In this environment, real experience matters. Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty’s most senior advisors were among the first to sell property in areas like Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills, and Downtown Dubai, long before newer prime neighbourhoods like Dubai Hills Estate were conceptualised. This legacy has given the brand rare, cumulative insight – a perspective shaped by decades of work at the very top of the market.
That depth of knowledge is matched by global reach. As part of the Sotheby’s International Realty network, we are connected to 1,100 offices in over 80 countries, linking buyers and sellers to trusted expertise in every major market. And behind it all stands the heritage of the Sotheby’s auction house. First established in 1744 in London, we too honour the same core values that built the brand: an eye for quality, an understanding of provenance, and a commitment to excellence.
Indeed, not every transaction makes headlines, but the ones that do typically start here. If you’re seeking expert guidance on buying or selling a prime or super prime home in Dubai, please contact us and an expert will be in touch.
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