Dubai branded residences: 175 schemes and first place worldwide — Knight Frank Residence Report 2026

Dubai has 175 branded residence schemes, more than any other city: 68 are live and 107 are in the pipeline. The figures come from Knight Frank's The Residence Report 2026/27, published on 28 September 2026. Miami, second in the ranking, has 73.

How many branded residences are there in Dubai and worldwide?

Dubai has more than twice Miami's total. New York follows with 38 schemes, Phuket with 35 and London with 30. Abu Dhabi ranks eighth with 24 and Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah ninth with 23.

Market	Schemes
Dubai	175 (68 live, 107 pipeline)
Miami	73
New York	38
Phuket	35
London	30
Abu Dhabi	24
Al Marjan Island	23

The UAE accounts for 19% of the global branded pipeline and the Middle East for a quarter. The survey covered more than 200 brands in 90 countries and verified nearly 1 800 live and pipeline schemes.

Why do Knight Frank and Savills give different counts?

They count differently. Our earlier piece cited Savills at 64 completed and 87 under construction; method and cut-off date differ. The order of magnitude is the same: Dubai leads by a wide margin.

For what the name costs, see branded residences in Dubai: CBRE put the average premium at 64% in Dubai and 87% in Abu Dhabi.

Which brands now build homes?

Not only hotels. In Dubai 42% of schemes carry non-hospitality names — fashion houses, car makers and jewellers. The share is 52% in Ras Al Khaimah and 38% in Abu Dhabi.

The visible examples are Bugatti Residences and the Jacob & Co tower in Business Bay. The distinction matters: a hotel brand brings an operating team, a fashion brand only a name and a design.

Where the market is heading

Global stock reached 903 schemes by the end of 2025. Knight Frank expects about 1 088 schemes and more than 170 000 units during 2026, and sees room for roughly 2 000 schemes and 300 000 units over five to ten years.

Dubai's 107 pipeline schemes are one and a half times everything delivered so far. A brand on the facade is no longer scarce, so the premium will not hold for everyone.

Is the brand worth paying for?

It is when an operator and a management agreement stand behind the name. Check three things: who runs the building after handover, how long the licence lasts, and what happens to the name if the parties part.

• A hotel operator in the building is a service that supports resale value.
• A design-only licence is a premium that may not come back on sale.
• High service charges eat into rental yield — get the figure before you reserve.

Frequently asked questions

How many branded residences are there in Dubai?

Knight Frank counts 175 schemes: 68 live and 107 in the pipeline. That is first place worldwide.

Which city is second to Dubai for branded residences?

Miami with 73 schemes, followed by New York (38), Phuket (35) and London (30).

What share of the global branded residence market does the UAE hold?

19% of the global pipeline. Abu Dhabi has 24 schemes and Al Marjan Island 23.

How large will the branded residence market become?

Knight Frank expects about 1 088 schemes during 2026 and up to roughly 2 000 over five to ten years.

Choosing a branded home and want to know what you are actually buying? Start with Bugatti Residences and we will walk through the contract and service charges.