Dar Global is making waves in the luxury real estate sector with its impressive $19 billion Saudi pipeline, a strategic move aimed at capitalizing on upcoming reforms set to allow foreign property ownership in 2026. As Saudi Arabia prepares for this transformative shift, Dar Global is positioning itself at the forefront of the market, expanding its portfolio across key regions including Riyadh, Jeddah, and coastal zones. This investment reflects both confidence in the company and the broader potential of the Kingdom’s real estate landscape.
Growth Fueled by Strategic Expansion
Luxury real estate developer Dar Global has announced that its project pipeline has reached an extraordinary $19 billion. This milestone has been driven by a series of expansions across various cities in Saudi Arabia, aligned with the Kingdom’s plans to open its real estate market to foreign non-resident buyers starting in early 2026.
Having been the first Saudi firm to list on the London Stock Exchange, Dar Global has significantly increased its gross development value through new projects launched in key hubs such as Riyadh and Jeddah, as well as in popular coastal tourism areas. As a result, the Saudi sector now constitutes a larger share of the company’s total portfolio.
Impending Regulatory Changes
The $19 billion pipeline expansion comes at a pivotal time for the Saudi real estate sector, which is on the brink of crucial regulatory reforms. Starting January 2026, new laws will allow foreign ownership in designated areas, establishing specific criteria for both commercial and residential properties.
According to the new regulations, foreign entities will need to invest a minimum of SAR 30 million in commercial developments and must initiate construction within five years. Additionally, individual foreign buyers will gain permission to purchase residential properties in approved zones. Complete details, including the list of eligible areas, will be made available through the Real Estate General Authority’s (REGA) Istitaa digital platform.
Vision for the Future
“Dar Global was built on a deep understanding of where global and regional wealth flows are heading,” stated CEO Ziad El Chaar. He added, “The increase of our GDV to $19 billion reflects not just growth in numbers, but confidence in our vision, our execution, and in Saudi Arabia’s extraordinary potential.”
Recent partnerships, including collaborations with Red Sea Global and Diriyah, align with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious development initiatives designed to attract foreign investment and diversify the economy beyond oil. As a result, Dar Global’s developments seamlessly blend international design standards with local cultural elements, appealing to buyers from over 115 different nationalities.
Investment Potential in Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom is projected to serve as a major hub for international investment, with the market already valued at nearly $100 billion annually before the new laws take effect. “Saudi is going to become a very big anchor for international investment,” El Chaar remarked during a recent interview on Arabian Business’ AB Majlis podcast. He emphasized that the demand for real estate will remain robust due to the country’s population growth, projected at two to three percent annually.
El Chaar also assured that the new ownership rules will be enacted “in a way that avoids speculation and protects affordability for local citizens,” describing this as “visionary planning that learns from the mistakes of other countries.”
Dar Global’s collaborations with high-profile luxury brands, including Aston Martin, Fendi, Elie Saab, Trump Organization, and Lamborghini, are set to deliver premium real estate offerings that attract high-net-worth investors from around the globe.
As Saudi Arabia gears up for the property reforms scheduled for next year, the landscape is poised for significant transformation. This new era in real estate, which formalizes foreign participation and establishes clear investment criteria, promises to redefine the sector and solidify Saudi Arabia’s role as a prominent player in the global real estate market.