After twenty-three years in real estate across the Gulf, I’ve learned to recognize patterns that others often overlook. Last month, while reviewing project portfolios in my Dubai office, something made me pause mid-coffee. A relatively new player was making moves that reminded me of the early days of today’s industry giants.
When Numbers Tell a Different Story
One Development may not yet be a household name and that is precisely why it deserves attention. Under the leadership of Emirati entrepreneur Ali Al Jubeili, the company has been quietly building momentum while the market’s spotlight remains fixed on the usual suspects.
Their flagship project, Laguna Residence, located in Dubai’s City of Arabia, sold out its first phase in just 23 days. Not weeks, not months days. I’ve seen established developers with prime locations and massive budgets struggle to achieve half that sales velocity. Valued at AED 2.3 billion, this success reflects more than smart marketing; it demonstrates genuine market demand for what One Development is offering.
Beyond the Usual Concrete and Glass
What impressed me most during my visit to the company’s Dubai headquarters was not buzzwords about “innovation,” but a practical vision in action. The team showcased how AI-driven systems can predict resident behavior, optimize energy use, and enhance security in real time.
I witnessed a live demonstration of their AI platform adjusting lighting and climate control based on occupancy patterns from the previous month. This is not speculative tech it’s a functioning system that aligns perfectly with Dubai’s Vision 2071.
Reading the Market’s Mood
Timing is everything. Dubai’s real estate market recorded AED 431 billion in transactions in the first half of 2025, a 26% jump compared to the same period in 2024. Yet beneath the headlines lies a deeper shift: investors are becoming more sophisticated. They’re no longer just buying locations; they’re buying into concepts, sustainability, and technology integration.
One Development appears to understand this shift instinctively. Its expansion into boutique hospitality concepts and strategic partnerships with international firms show a company thinking several moves ahead a rare trait among newcomers.
Why I’m Betting Against Convention
Some industry colleagues may frown at this prediction. Conversations at industry gatherings often revolve around the established titans who’ve dominated our skyline for decades. But after sitting through countless boardroom discussions and analyzing financial projections, I know when a company combines vision, execution capability, and market timing.
One Development’s regional expansion into Egypt and Saudi Arabia is not just ambitious it’s strategically brilliant. By positioning itself across three of the most dynamic markets in MENA, the company is moving beyond single-market dependence while others remain narrowly focused.
The Dark Horse Advantage
Sometimes the most significant shifts in real estate come from unexpected players. One Development carries that disruptive potential. They’re not trying to outbuild the competition; they’re trying to out-think it. In a market increasingly shaped by technology and sustainability, that may prove to be the most valuable strategy of all.
My Professional Wager
My perspective may spark debate and perhaps even resistance among those who place their faith only in legacy names. But this view isn’t built on guesswork. It is anchored in more than two decades of valuation experience, market analysis, and close observation of developer performance.
That is why I am willing to place my bet: One Development will be the dark horse of UAE real estate in 2026. Not because it will be the biggest, but because it will be the smartest.
Sometimes, betting on the dark horse isn’t just smart it’s inevitable.
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