Highlights of the week | 7th July – 13th July 2025

​UAE surpasses the United States in supertall skyscrapers (8th July)​

The United Arab Emirates has achieved a major milestone, officially surpassing the United States in the number of completed skyscrapers over 300 metres, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). The UAE now boasts 37 supertall structures, led by Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa at 828 metres, the tallest building in the world. This achievement cements the UAE’s position as a global leader in architecture and innovation. Ranking third worldwide across all height categories, the nation has 345 buildings over 150 metres and 159 above 200 metres, reflecting its rapid growth and ambition to shape the modern global skyline. ​

Read more at UAE surpasses US in supertall skyscrapers, ranks second globally | Gulf News​

Mortgage fintech Huspy closes US$ 59 Million series B (8th July)​

Dubai-based fintech company Huspy has secured an additional US$ 59 Mn in Series B funding, with a returning investment from European VC firm Balderton Capital. The company, which has facilitated over US$ 7 Bn in real estate transactions, plans to expand its operations significantly. Huspy’s mortgage unit is already a market leader in the UAE, handling over 25% of all residential home financing in Dubai. With this new funding, Huspy aims to launch in Saudi Arabia this year and will expand its presence in Spain by adding six new cities to its existing operations in Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, and Malaga. Over the next four years, Huspy intends to enter most major cities across Europe and the Middle East.​

Read more at UAE mortgage fintech Huspy takes in $59m ahead of Saudi entry | Gulf News​

Palm Jumeirah and La Mer lead Dubai’s ultra-luxury property boom (8th July)​

Dubai recorded US$ 2.6 Bn in US$ 10 Mn+ home sales in Q2 2025, a 52% YoY increase, with Palm Jumeirah and La Mer as top investor picks, according to Knight Frank. The city saw 143 ultra-luxury deals, including 22 over US$ 25 Mn. Dubai now has 110,000 homes worth over US$ 1 Mn (out of 624,000 total sold units since 2002), 18% of all sold units valued at US$ 271 Bn. Of these, 21,000 are rented, and 37,000 belong to ‘accidental millionaires’ whose properties appreciated past US$ 1 Mn. Dubai remains the world’s busiest US$ 10 Mn+ housing market.​

Read more at Dubai sets new record for $10m homes – creates more ‘property millionaires’ | Gulf News​

Dubai Hills Estate sees rising prices with AED 150 Million mansion sale (9th July)​

A 7-bedroom mansion in Dubai Hills Estate, priced at AED 150 Mn, has been sold, reinforcing the community’s status as a prime destination for luxury living. The property boasts a California-inspired garden, a cabana-lined pool, and a sunken firepit lounge, adding to its appeal. This transaction is part of a growing trend of high-value home sales in Dubai this year. Dubai Hills’ villa segment has witnessed strong performance, with transaction volumes rising 12.2% and prices increasing by 14.1% between January and May, highlighting sustained demand for upscale properties in one of Dubai’s most prestigious residential communities.​

Read more at 7-bedroom Dubai Hills’ mansion fetches Dh150m | Gulf News​

Sharjah launches upgraded real estate portal for developers and investors (9th July)​

Sharjah has revamped its real estate portal, streamlining services for developers, investors, and banks. Operated by the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, the platform now enables developers to register projects, certify initial sales contracts, track progress, and request the formation of homeowners’ associations. Investors can manage association activities, register property management companies, issue board certificates, approve maintenance fee declarations, and submit complaints. Banks benefit from dedicated features for mortgage registration, release, increases, and amendments. The upgraded portal offers a comprehensive range of digital services organized by user type, ensuring greater efficiency, convenience, and transparency in Sharjah’s real estate sector.​

Read more at Sharjah’s upgraded property portal makes it easier for developers, homeowners | Gulf News​

Prypco Blocks closes first exit window with strong investor demand (10th July)​

Dubai-based property tokenization platform Prypco Blocks has successfully closed its first exit window, attracting strong investor interest. From June 24 to July 7, over 2,800 fractional ownership “blocks” were traded across 211 transactions, totaling around ​
AED 300,000. The exit window covered three fully rented properties initially funded via Prypco, which have generated over AED 172,000 in rental income for investors. Real estate tokenization enables individuals to invest in portions of property digitally, offering liquidity and accessibility. Prypco Blocks has now fully funded 19 properties and plans its next exit window in December 2025, providing investors an opportunity to cash out or increase exposure.​

Read more at Dubai property platform Prypco Blocks closes first ‘exit window’ | Gulf News​

Azizi Developments nears milestone on Azizi Central project (10th July)​

Azizi Developments announced that construction of Azizi Central in Dubai’s Al Furjan community is 57% complete, with handover scheduled for Q4. The modern residential project offers one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, complemented by premium amenities such as landscaped areas, separate pools for adults and children, a gym, BBQ zone, outdoor seating, and retail and dining options. Structural work is complete, while blockwork and plastering have reached 97% and 95%, respectively. Façade works stand at 50%, finishes at 37%, and HVAC and MEP installations at 64% and 53%. Supported by 414 workers, the development combines style and functionality for contemporary urban living.​

Read more at Azizi’s prime residential project in Dubai set for Q4 handover | Zawya​

Dubai’s Prypco Mint sells third tokenized property in under 5 minutes (11th July)​

Dubai-based Prypco Mint, MENA’s first tokenized real estate investment platform licensed by VARA, plans to open its offerings to overseas investors soon. Currently available only to Emirates ID holders, the platform recently funded its third property, an AED 1.75 million villa in Dubailand’s Rukan community, in under five minutes. The property was tokenized by 169 investors from 40 nationalities, with an average contribution of AED 10,355. Prypco Mint previously set records with its first tokenized property funded in under 24 hours and the second in just 1 minute 58 seconds. Two more tokenized properties go live on July 15, with investments starting at AED 2,000.​

Read more at Dubai tokenization platform Prypco Mint sells out another property – this time in under 5 minutes | Gulf News​

Marble Palace sale sets record as Dubai’s Priciest home at AED 425 Mn (11th July)​

A villa in Emirates Hills, dubbed The Marble Palace, sold for AED 425 Mn, marking Dubai’s most expensive residential sale in the first half of 2025. Luxury home sales of AED 10 Mn+ surged 62.7%, with over 3,700 units sold in H1 2025. Other top deals included AED 300 Mn and AED 180 Mn homes on Palm Jumeirah and AED 225 Mn and AED 190 Mn transactions on Jumeira Bay. Dubai’s high-end market is increasingly driven by long-term global wealth, shifting it from a speculative hub to a permanent base for the world’s elite.​

Read more at Dubai luxury property: Dh425 million Emirates Hills home tops list in H1-2025 | Gulf News​