Marriott International has made significant strides in the Middle East, with its pipeline for branded residences now reaching an impressive 38 projects, primarily driven by rapid growth in the UAE. This surge highlights the increasing demand for luxurious, hotel-linked living solutions, showcasing a trend where high-end developers focus on offering residents access to premium amenities synonymous with hospitality.
Expanding Portfolio in the Middle East
According to Marriott, the branded residential portfolio across the region now encompasses six markets, featuring 11 completed properties. Since the end of 2023, there has been a remarkable 59% increase in total developments. This growth illustrates the rising appetite for branded residences in the Gulf, where homeowners can enjoy the conveniences of hotel-style living alongside property management services.
New Developments and Project Highlights
In 2025 alone, Marriott has signed 13 new residential projects, with nearly half being independent developments unconnected to hotels. Notably, about two-thirds of these endeavors fall within the luxury category, with renowned brands such as St. Regis, EDITION, JW Marriott, and Ritz-Carlton leading the way. In the UAE, projects currently in development include The Residences at the Dubai Beach EDITION by Shamal Holding, JW Marriott Residences at Dubai Islands, and the Affini Tribute Portfolio Residences in Dubai, along with luxury offerings on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah.
Noteworthy Sales Success
Abu Dhabi is also witnessing strong demand, with properties like The St. Regis Residences Al Maryah Island and the Seamont Autograph Collection Residences on Al Reem Island quickly selling out after their launch. Beyond the UAE, regional projects are thriving, including The Ritz-Carlton Residences Palm Hills in Cairo and The St. Regis Residences Jeddah, further emphasizing the strategic importance of Marriott’s Middle East branded residences pipeline.
A Bright Future Ahead
Looking ahead, Marriott plans to open three new developments in the Middle East by the end of 2025: JW Marriott Residences New Cairo, Marriott Residences Dubai Business Bay, and Affini Tribute Portfolio Residences Dubai. This expansion will elevate the total number of open branded residences in the region to 14. As reported by Savills, the Middle East and Africa is projected to be the fastest-growing region for branded residences, forecasting a staggering 270% growth by 2031.
Dubai, in particular, is expected to represent a significant portion of this growth, accounting for 40% of all branded residential developments in the MEA by 2031, with Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah contributing an additional 11%. The MENA region is poised to eclipse Europe in total branded residence projects by the end of 2025, fueled by tremendous expansion in countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, where supply is anticipated to surge between 800% and 1,500% thanks to large-scale Vision 2030 investment initiatives.
The global branded residence market has expanded exponentially, growing from 169 schemes in 2011 to over 600 today. According to Knight Frank, this number is expected to exceed 1,000 projects by 2030. Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia are emerging as pivotal centers for future pipeline growth, with Dubai recognized as the most dynamic global market, accounting for 61% of off-plan apartment sales in 2022.
This trajectory reflects an overall trend in the industry, where developers and investors increasingly regard branded residences as attractive, stable asset classes driven by sustained hospitality demand and broader economic diversification initiatives in the Gulf.