Dubai Skyline: Counting the Skyscrapers

Last Updated on January 8, 2025

Hello! I’m a real estate specialist, and today I want to tell you about Dubai’s stunning skyline. This city simply mesmerizes with its skyscrapers. They seem to compete with each other, reaching higher and higher into the sky. Each of them is not just a building, but a true work of art and engineering genius.

How many skyscrapers are there in Dubai?

You know, every time I visit Dubai, I notice new high-rise buildings. They’re sprouting up like mushrooms after rain! Currently, the city boasts over 1,680 skyscrapers. It’s simply incredible, considering that just 20 years ago, there were only a few dozen.

Of these, 23 buildings are taller than 300 meters. Can you imagine? It’s like stacking 100 three-story houses on top of each other! And there are more than 400 buildings taller than 150 meters in Dubai. When you look at the city from a bird’s eye view, it feels like you’ve stepped into a science fiction film.

But Dubai isn’t stopping there. About 150 more skyscrapers are currently under construction. Can you imagine how the city’s skyline will change in a couple of years? It will be a truly fantastic sight!

The tallest buildings in Dubai

Now let’s talk about the crème de la crème. Those buildings that truly boggle the mind with their height and architecture.

1. Burj Khalifa This is, of course, the star of the Dubai skyline. Height – 828 meters. Located in the heart of Downtown Dubai. You know, when I first saw Burj Khalifa in person, it literally took my breath away. It’s not just a building, it’s a symbol of human ambition and possibility.
2. Marina 101 Height – 425 meters. Located in Dubai Marina. It’s the second tallest residential building in the world after Burj Khalifa. The apartments here are simply a dream. Panoramic windows offering views of the Persian Gulf and Palm Jumeirah.
3. Princess Tower 423 meters tall. Also located in Dubai Marina. Until 2015, it was the tallest residential building in the world. It houses 763 apartments, and believe me, living in one of them is like being on top of the world.
4. 23 Marina 392 meters. Again, Dubai Marina. See the pattern? This area is just dotted with skyscrapers. 23 Marina has 289 luxury apartments and penthouses. Each apartment here is a work of art.
5. Elite Residence 381 meters. And once again, Dubai Marina! This building has 695 apartments. You know what impresses me the most? The pool on the 61st floor. Swimming and looking at the city from such a height is an indescribable experience.

But skyscrapers aren’t growing only in Dubai Marina. For example, in Business Bay you’ll find the SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences, standing 336 meters tall. And on Sheikh Zayed Road, The Address Boulevard rises to 370 meters of pure luxury.

Each of these buildings is not just a place to live or work. They are true urban legends, symbols of Dubai’s progress and ambition. They don’t just form the city’s skyline, they create its identity, its character.

Investing in Dubai skyscrapers

Now let’s talk about the most interesting part – how you can make money from these skyscrapers. Because, believe me, these aren’t just beautiful buildings. They’re excellent investment opportunities.

First, you need to understand that the Dubai property market is very dynamic. Prices can rise like yeast, especially in prestigious areas and iconic buildings. For example, in Burj Khalifa, the price per square meter can reach up to 40,000 dirhams (about 11,000 dollars). And in some penthouses, the price can even skyrocket to over 100,000 dirhams per square meter.

But don’t be scared by these figures. Dubai has options for every budget. For example, in Dubai Marina or Business Bay, you can find apartments priced from 1 million dirhams (about 272,000 dollars). You’ll agree, for the international real estate market, this is quite a reasonable price.

So how do you invest? Here are a few options:

1. Buying an apartment for rent This is perhaps the most popular option. Rental rates in Dubai are quite high, especially in prestigious areas. For example, in Downtown Dubai or Dubai Marina, the annual rent for a one-bedroom apartment can range from 60,000 to 100,000 dirhams (16,000 – 27,000 dollars). Not a bad profit, right?
2. Buying at the construction stage This is a riskier but potentially more profitable option. Real estate prices at the initial stages of construction are usually 20-30% lower than after completion. But be careful and choose reliable developers.
3. Investing in commercial real estate Many of Dubai’s skyscrapers are not only residential but also office buildings. Investments in office spaces can bring good profits, especially in business districts like Business Bay or DIFC.
4. Real Estate Investment Trusts If you don’t have the opportunity to buy a whole apartment, you can invest in REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts). These are funds that invest in real estate and distribute profits among investors.

It’s important to remember that you don’t need to be a UAE resident to buy property in Dubai. The buying process is quite simple and transparent. But, of course, it’s best to turn to professionals who will help you understand all the nuances.

Prospects for property value growth in Dubai

You know what impresses me most about Dubai? It’s a city that never stops developing. And this directly affects the real estate market.

Over the past 10 years, property prices in Dubai have increased by an average of 80%. And this is despite temporary downturns caused by global economic crises. Can you imagine the profit made by those who invested in Dubai real estate in the early 2010s?

But what awaits us in the future? Here are a few factors that, in my opinion, will contribute to further price growth:

1. Expo 2020 (postponed to 2021-2022 due to the pandemic) This event attracted millions of visitors and investors to Dubai. And many of them wanted to stay here for a long time or acquire property.
2. The “Golden Visa” program The UAE offers long-term visas to real estate investors. This is attracting more and more foreign buyers.
3. Infrastructure development Dubai is constantly improving its infrastructure. New metro lines, roads, entertainment complexes – all this increases the attractiveness of real estate.
4. Economic diversification Dubai is actively developing sectors of technology, finance, tourism. This attracts new specialists who need somewhere to live.
5. Limited supply in the premium segment Despite active construction, the number of truly exclusive properties is limited. This maintains high prices in the luxury segment.

According to expert forecasts, in the next 5 years, property prices in Dubai may grow by another 20-30%. This is especially true for prestigious areas and iconic skyscrapers.

But, of course, you need to understand that the real estate market can be volatile. There were periods when prices fell by 10-15% in a year. Therefore, investing in Dubai real estate is always a long-term strategy.

Pros and cons of buying an apartment in a skyscraper

Now let’s figure out whether it’s worth buying an apartment in a Dubai skyscraper at all. As with everything, there are advantages and disadvantages.

Let’s start with the pros:

1. Views This is perhaps the main advantage. Imagine waking up every morning and seeing a panorama of Dubai or the Persian Gulf. It’s an indescribable feeling.
2. Prestige Living in a famous skyscraper is a certain status. Especially if it’s such iconic buildings as Burj Khalifa or Princess Tower.
3. Infrastructure Most of Dubai’s skyscrapers are entire mini-cities. They have everything: fitness centers, pools, restaurants, shops. You don’t even need to leave home to get all the necessary services.
4. Security Dubai’s high-rise buildings usually have a very serious security system. 24/7 security, surveillance cameras – you can be calm about yourself and your property.
5. Investment attractiveness As we’ve already discussed, apartments in Dubai skyscrapers can be an excellent investment. They are in stable demand both from tenants and buyers.

Now about the cons:

1. Cost Apartments in prestigious skyscrapers are expensive. Not everyone can afford such a purchase.
2. High utility bills Maintaining a high-rise building is not cheap. Be prepared for monthly maintenance payments to be quite high.
3. Dependence on elevators If you live on the 50th floor, you can’t do without an elevator. And what if the elevator breaks down? Although, it must be said, this happens extremely rarely in Dubai.
4. Wind It can be quite windy on the upper floors. This needs to be taken into account if you plan to use the balcony often.
5. Lack of “ground under your feet” Some people are uncomfortable living at great heights. If you’re used to a private house with a garden, life in a skyscraper might seem too “detached from the ground” for you.

In conclusion, I want to say that investing in Dubai skyscrapers can be a very profitable venture. The Dubai property market continues to grow, and the city’s skyline is becoming more impressive every year. But, as with any investment, you need to approach this wisely. Analyze the market, consult with professionals, and make informed decisions. And then, who knows, maybe soon you’ll be admiring the Dubai skyline from the window of your own apartment in one of these magnificent skyscrapers!