Emirates Hills is a name that carries tremendous prestige and remains a marker for exclusivity in Dubai’s super prime market. In the concluding weeks of 2025, the community hit a new milestone - the highest price per square foot for a villa sale. The sale in question was a six-bedroom home that closed for AED 233.5 million, which equated to roughly AED 8,000 per square foot, the most significant ever recorded in the community.
Grand in Scale, Discreet in Nature
The property at the heart of this sale is a fully renovated 29,000 square foot mansion that exemplifies contemporary luxury. This six-bedroom home was brought to life through a collaboration between a private British developer and a local contractor, with every detail reflecting the premium craftsmanship and considered design expected in one of Dubai's most exclusive addresses.
Apart from its expansive living spaces and grand bedroom suites, the mansion contains several bespoke features centred on leisure and wellness, including a private wine cellar, spa, and cinema. This is a turnkey property, ticking one of the most important boxes for Dubai home buyers who value immediate liveability.
Further details about the property and the sale itself are being kept confidential, in keeping with the high levels of discretion associated with Dubai’s super prime residential enclaves and the buyers and sellers that operate therein.
The transaction was closed by Leigh Borg, Executive Partner at Dubai Sotheby's International Realty and a recognised expert in Emirates Hills. This was Borg’s 11th sale within the community in 2025, underscoring both his knowledge of that market and the immense demand that Emirates Hills continues to experience. Though more than 20 years old and surrounded by newer luxury neighbourhoods, it remains unchallenged as an address of true distinction.
A Shifting Super Prime Market
Taking a closer look at some of the recent data around Emirates Hills, the numbers tell a compelling story. The community recorded AED 2.9 billion in total sales across 2025, reflecting a 20.8% increase in transaction value year-on-year, despite 17.6% fewer properties changing hands.
This shift reveals a clear market dynamic: fewer transactions, but a significantly higher concentration of ultra-prime, big-ticket sales. It's a trend that speaks to the evolving sophistication of Dubai's super-prime segment. Buyers are more discerning than ever before, seeking out homes that are turnkey and priced just right.
Against this backdrop, the recent AED 233.5 million transaction stands apart. At AED 8,000 per square foot, the villa sits 40.3% above the community average for the year, setting a completely new benchmark for Emirates Hills.
What This Means for Dubai's Super-Prime Segment
Transactions at this level are underscored by the level of work that goes behind the scenes. They are the combined result of deep market knowledge, strategic positioning, and the ability to connect the right properties with the right buyers. This sale demonstrates the precision that Dubai’s super prime segment demands, where the understanding of nuanced buyer expectations and market dynamics is essential.
The transaction also reflects a broader evolution in Dubai's high-end real estate landscape. Emirates Hills has long been synonymous with prestige, but the current market is increasingly defined by exceptional, fully finished residences that combine architectural distinction with long-term value. Today's ultra-high-net-worth buyers are seeking a home that represents something more enduring, serving as a legacy for generations to come. They’re not necessarily evaluating factors such as price per square foot when making a buying decision, which makes a result like this even more remarkable.
A Year of Exceptional Performance
This game-changing sale follows a standout year for Leigh Borg, who closed a total of 11 high-value transactions over the period. The transaction ranks among the top three highest sales in Emirates Hills over the past year, accounting for nearly a third of the community’s total sales value. Those three sales were also among the top five of the year overall.
Looking Ahead
While the sale clearly demonstrates the resilience and global appeal of Dubai's elite property sector, it also further cements Dubai Sotheby's International Realty's leadership in the super-prime segment, particularly within the region's most prestigious communities.
With limited inventory and growing international demand, Emirates Hills continues to outperform broader market trends. This landmark transaction is more than a record, it's a signal of where Dubai's ultra-high-value real estate market is heading, and a redefinition of what it means to own one of Dubai's most coveted homes.
