This change is already being reflected in the property market. During the first half of 2026, Dubai South recorded around 7,306 off-plan apartment transactions, more than double the number registered in Dubai Residence Complex, the second most active area in this category, which recorded 3,408 transactions during the same period.
The figures reflect the continued momentum in Dubai South at a time when Dubai’s wider residential property market remains active, further strengthening the area’s position within an increasingly competitive real estate landscape.
Infrastructure Supports Dubai South’s Growth
The growing property activity in Dubai South is taking place alongside significant progress in the development of Al Maktoum International Airport, one of the major projects supporting the area’s long-term economic and urban growth.
Projects worth more than AED 13 billion are currently under way at the airport. More than 17,000 concrete piles have already been installed, while 45 million cubic meters of excavation work have been completed, reflecting the scale of ongoing infrastructure development.
Additional major packages worth AED 55 billion are also expected to be awarded by the end of 2026, adding further momentum to development activity in and around the area.
New Investments Support Employment and Housing Demand
Investment around the airport is also accelerating, adding another dimension to Dubai South’s development.
In May, Emirates broke ground on a new engineering complex in Dubai South valued at AED 18 billion. The development will cover 1.1 million square meters and is scheduled for completion by the middle of 2030.
The project forms part of the wider investment activity taking shape across Dubai South and is expected to contribute to the continued expansion of employment opportunities, alongside the development of residential projects and supporting services in the area.
As business activity grows and residential development continues, Dubai South is becoming increasingly connected to both employment and housing demand, giving buyers a clearer view of how the area is developing.
The Future Is Becoming Clearer
Madhav Dhar, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of ZāZEN Properties, said: “Dubai South has always had clear long-term appeal, but what distinguishes the current phase is the convergence and integration of several key fundamentals.
With infrastructure projects advancing at a faster pace, employment opportunities growing, and residential development accelerating, the future picture of the area has become clearer for buyers.”
The current pace of development reflects how Dubai South is moving from a location long associated with future plans to one where those plans are becoming increasingly visible through infrastructure, investment and residential construction.
