In the United Arab Emirates, new residential complexes increasingly feature amenities on par with those found in 5-star hotels.
Location is a crucial factor in buying property anywhere in the world. Still, amenities also play a critical role, especially in advanced cities like Dubai, where residents look for villas and towers with modern features and facilities that meet their lifestyle needs.
These amenities play an important role in influencing buyers to make decisions and dictating the prices of properties in the projects.
Developers are maximizing every square inch of space by adding amenities on dedicated floors, rooftops, and podium levels to satisfy the increasing demand.
“We have also noted a rise in developers incorporating luxurious amenities as the norm across almost all new launches. A common trend noted among developers launching new projects across Dubai is that most want to add new amenities such as private cinemas and gaming arenas.
“They are also looking to add outdoor areas such as BBQ spots, padel courts, or any sports courts to incorporate health and wellness as part of the amenities offered,” said Liam Chase, senior developer property consultant at Allsopp & Allsopp Group.
He highlighted a much bigger push on health and wellness with more focus on gyms, studios, and tranquil spaces for meditation. “In general, developers are trying to make properties with amenities that feature a brief escape from the city life,” he added.
In Chase’s opinion, the padel court is one feature that tenants and buyers find pretty appealing. He emphasized that some developers have started emphasizing the amount of amenities supplied in their complexes as their primary selling point after realizing the growing demand for amenities.
“It is important to note that what we see is a growing trend. There are still investors who prefer simplicity or are focused solely on capitalizing on Dubai’s growth, putting less importance on the overall development offerings,” he explained.
Amenities influence buyers, prices
“Amenities significantly influence property buyers’ choices. Numerous studies and surveys indicate that a well-planned range of amenities can be a decisive factor for potential buyers when choosing a property.
“Properties with desirable amenities tend to see higher demand and, consequently, higher property values. A study by the National Association of Realtors found that 81% of buyers considered neighborhood amenities a ‘very important’ factor in their decision-making process,” said Rizwan Sajan, founder, and chairman of Danube Properties.
Quoting a survey, he pointed out that nearly 9 out of 10 – 87% – of homebuyers are willing to pay more for a home in a community that offers amenities that align with their lifestyle needs.
“Families, especially those with children, place a high value on amenities that promote health, safety, and recreation. According to a Zillow report, 62% of buyers with children said that access to parks and recreational facilities was a top priority,” he added.
Infinity pools, jacuzzis, aquatic gyms, cricket grounds, trampoline areas, wall climbing, basketball courts, badminton, cabana seating, kids daycare with nannies, arcade areas, table tennis rooms, jogging tracks, bowling centers, doctor on call, business centers, and more are just a few of the over 40 amenities that Danube Properties offers in its projects.
“A well-rounded set of amenities can significantly boost a property’s appeal and value, making it a key factor in buyers’ decisions,” he highlighted.
In places like Dubai, where the expectation is not only for a home but a lifestyle, amenities significantly impact purchasers’ decisions, according to Sean McCauley, CEO of Devmark, in an interview with the Khaleej Times.
“With the emirate’s status as a premier luxury tourist destination, buyers seek an opulent lifestyle with residential options that mirror upscale hotels, complete with pools and concierge services. Our analysis reveals that residents seek homes that seamlessly integrate amenities into their daily routines, eliminating the need for costly memberships and time-consuming commutes,” he said.
As remote or flexible work becomes more prevalent, McCauley elaborated that this increases the demand for homes that facilitate a work-from-home lifestyle.
“Families also seek residences that provide family-friendly features such as children’s play areas and school proximity. This setup enables busy professionals to effectively work from home if they choose and maximize quality time with family or engage in leisure activities. For instance, developments that offer state-of-the-art fitness centers, spa facilities, and on-site dining and shopping deliver a high level of convenience and luxury that attracts discerning buyers,” he added.
Prices increase as developers add more amenities
Amenity-rich residences indeed come at a cost. Direct expenses, such as the construction of swimming pools, resident lounges, cinemas, and golf simulators, might drive developers to increase property prices.
“Developers might need to purchase larger land plots to accommodate extensive amenities like crystal lagoons or tennis courts. There’s also the opportunity cost of not selling units in the space occupied by these amenities. For example, the floor area dedicated to a resident’s lounge, gym, and cinema could be sold as additional units.
“The cost increase varies significantly depending on the project’s scale and the amenities included. For instance, a tower with 400 units can spread the cost of amenities over more units compared to a 200-unit tower, making it challenging to provide a precise percentage,” explained Sean McCauley.
According to Rizwan Sajan, it’s common for developers to raise unit prices when they introduce new amenities.
“However, we take a different approach. We don’t increase our prices based on the amenities offered. Instead, we focus on providing added value without passing the cost on to our buyers, ensuring you get the most for your investment.“
Read More: Dubai Property Buying Guide by My Off Plan Investment
What amenities do buyers seek?
Devmark’s CEO Sean McCauley said they have observed a high demand for wellness facilities, such as advanced gyms, tranquil yoga studios, and recreational spaces like padel courts. Jogging trails and indoor play areas for children are also highly sought after.
“Co-working spaces, private cinemas, and communal dining areas have become essential for those who value functionality and social interaction. Recognizing this demand, more developers now invest in projects that offer an array of amenities. Unique amenities differentiate developments, driving sales and enhancing property values,” said McCauley.
Liam Chase of Allsopp & Allsopp Group added that property buyers mainly look at lifestyle choices when looking at the amenities a developer offers.
“Popularly, property buyers look for health and wellness-focused amenities such as meditation pods, tranquil waterfront spaces for relaxation, or sports courts such as padel arenas or cricket nets. Apart from that, many also look for private cinema, restaurants connected to the tower, a spa, steam and sauna facilities, and gyms,” he said.
Chase added that buyers are seeking more than traditional amenities.
“A basic pool and gym may no longer be enough to keep a building competitive. The higher prices tied to enhanced amenities are likely balanced by increased property value and rental income. This added desirability will be crucial for investors, especially when new supply enters the market,” he added.
Popular amenities
Here are some of the most popular and new amenities:
- Artificial beaches
- Meditation pods
- The healing power of crystals
- Sustainability features
- Indoor and outdoor gym
- Nanny service
- Doctor on call
- Crystal Garden
- Curated library
- Infinity pool and jacuzzi
- Aquatic gym
- Cricket pitch
- Trampoline area
- Wall climbing
- Basketball, badminton, padel courts
- Cabana seating
- Arcade zone and table tennis room
- Jogging trails
- Snooker zone, bowling center
- Business center
- Outdoor cinema
- Private theatre
- Yoga, wellness studio
- Indoor play area for kids
- Golf simulators
- BBQ area
