LVIn short
A "Presidence" is a residential estate built for long-term living, unified by shared infrastructure and a single service ecosystem: privacy, wellness and security designed into the community itself. In Dubai the concept sits alongside the branded residences boom, where average prices already run 42% above non-branded units.
What is a "Presidence"
A new term is gaining ground at the top of the residential market: Presidence. It describes communities built for long-term living, unified by shared infrastructure and a single service ecosystem. It is not a regulated category, but a design philosophy that redefines what luxury means for buyers who can choose any address on earth.
For the wealthiest buyers, luxury is no longer defined only by location, architecture or interior design. What matters is the environment around the home: the landscape, the level of privacy, the services on offer, and the ability to sustain a high standard of living through every stage of life, from young families to later years.
In Dubai, Al Barari is the most cited example of this philosophy: more than 60% of the community is dedicated to greenery, with villas set within botanical gardens and integrated wellness services. It is not the only model, but it points to where premium demand is heading.
The backdrop: Dubai leads the global super-prime market
The trend is emerging in a market that has led global rankings since 2025. According to Knight Frank's Wealth Report 2026, Dubai is the world's number one market for home sales above $10 million, closing 500 such transactions in 2025 for a combined $9.05 billion. Ultra-luxury values rose 25.1% over the same year, the fastest pace among the markets the report tracks.
Knight Frank also projects the UAE's population of individuals worth more than $30 million (UHNWIs) to rise from 4,851 in 2026 to 6,588 by 2031: a growing base of demand that explains why the market rewards formats like Presidence.
Branded residences: a read on demand
The branded residences boom tells the same story from another angle. Dubai now counts 132 branded developments across more than 43,000 units, at an average price of AED 3,288 per square foot, a 42% premium over the AED 2,321 commanded by non-branded property. At the top end, Bulgari Residences on Jumeirah Bay Island reach AED 10,668 per square foot.
The signal for the market is clear: buyers in the premium segment increasingly pay for the service and the ecosystem around the property, not only for square footage. It is the same principle a Presidence is built on.
Original source
Article based on The rise of Presidence: Redefining the future of luxury real estate — Khaleej Times · 24 Aug 2026. Reading, analysis and commentary are original.
Frequently asked
What is a "Presidence" in the luxury real estate market?
It is a residential format built for long-term living, with shared infrastructure and a single service ecosystem: privacy, wellness and security designed into the community, rather than just the individual unit.
Why is Dubai considered the world leader in the ultra-prime segment?
According to Knight Frank's Wealth Report 2026, Dubai closed 2025 with 500 home sales above $10 million, worth $9.05 billion, and ultra-luxury value growth of 25.1%, the highest among the markets tracked.
How large is the price premium on branded residences in Dubai?
42% on average: AED 3,288 per square foot versus AED 2,321 for non-branded property, across a base of 132 developments and more than 43,000 units.
Which community best represents the Presidence model in Dubai?
Al Barari is the most cited reference: more than 60% of the land is dedicated to greenery, with villas set within botanical gardens and wellness services built into the community.
Is Presidence a regulated real estate category?
No: it is an emerging design philosophy, not yet a formally certified classification. Projects that follow it should be read as expressions of the approach rather than an official label.
Luca Vallelonga
Italian real estate consultant in Dubai since 2021 · Senior Real Estate Advisor, Gabetti Middle East · BRN 85642
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