Abu Dhabi property prices rise 7.2% annually in Q1 2025 despite sales volume drop: Report
The ValuStrat Price Index (VPI) for residential properties rose 2.1 per cent quarterly and 7.2 per cent annually to reach 125.6 points, based on a Q1 2021 baseline of 100.
Villa prices outperformed apartments, climbing 2.7 per cent quarterly and 9.7 per cent annually to 134.7 points, while apartment prices increased 1.5 per cent quarterly and 4.5 per cent annually to 116.9 points.
'Abu Dhabi records strongest capital gains in three years, whilst sales volumes slow due to constrained supply,' said Haider Tuaima, Managing Director at ValuStrat.
The weighted average home value in Abu Dhabi stood at AED 10,226 per square metre (AED 950 per square foot), with apartments averaging AED 10,979 per square metre and villas at AED 8,407 per square metre.
Saadiyat Island led annual capital gains for villas, recording a 21.2 per cent increase, followed by Al Raha at 8.2 per cent and Mohammed Bin Zayed City at 4.7 per cent.
Among apartments, Al Reef saw the highest annual gains at 7.5 per cent, followed by Saadiyat Island at 6.2 per cent and Al Muneera Island at 5.7 per cent.
Rental values rise sharply
Rental values also increased, with the residential rental VPI rising 2.2 per cent quarterly and 9 per cent annually to 121 points.
Apartment rents outpaced villas, growing 3.4 per cent quarterly and 11.6 per cent annually, while villa rents rose 6.3 per cent annually but remained flat quarterly.
Average annual apartment asking rents stood at AED 114,000, with studios at AED 63,000, one-bedroom units at AED 89,000, two-bedroom apartments at AED 125,000, and three-bedroom units at AED 180,000.
Villa rents averaged AED 245,000 annually, with three-bedroom properties at AED 180,000, four-bedroom homes at AED 244,000, and five-bedroom villas at AED 312,000.
Gross yields averaged 7.8 per cent, with apartments delivering 8.3 per cent and villas 6.7 per cent. The estimated average residential occupancy rate reached 88.1 per cent.
Abu Dhabi's residential market update
Abu Dhabi completed just 90 apartments and 189 villas during the first quarter, representing 2 per cent of the expected 2025 residential pipeline of 13,941 units.
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Bloom Holding launched Carmona in Zayed City, while 18 and 19 in Masdar City with 483 units.
Taraf, collaborating with Marriott International, launched W Residences Abu Dhabi on Al Maryah Island, a 37-storey development.
Abu Dhabi off-plan sales plummet 79% annually
Sales activity presented contrasting trends. Total sales volume reached 1,301 transactions, down 42.9 per cent quarterly.
The average sales ticket size increased 8.8 per cent quarterly to AED 2.88 million.
Off-plan sales, representing 28.5 per cent of overall sales, fell 57.7 per cent quarterly and 79.2 per cent annually to 371 transactions, attributed to fewer project launches.
However, the average off-plan price stood at AED 1,585 per square foot, decreasing 8.8 per cent quarterly but growing 8.7 per cent annually.
The average off-plan ticket size reached AED 3.56 million, up 19.2 per cent annually.
Ready property transactions totalled 930 units, down 33.6 per cent quarterly but up 13.6 per cent annually.
Average ready home prices reached AED 1,146 per square foot, increasing 5.8 per cent annually and 7.9 per cent quarterly. The average ready home ticket size hit AED 2.6 million, up 28.9 per cent quarterly and 23.8 per cent annually.
Mortgage transactions dominated the market with 2,846 deals worth AED 9 billion, compared to 1,375 cash transactions valued at AED 5 billion.
Abu Dhabi office rents jump 31.8% annually
'The office market showed strong performance, with rising prices and rents amid high occupancy levels, particularly in central business districts. Retail remained resilient, supported by robust foot traffic and tenant sales. Meanwhile, the hospitality sector saw exceptional results, with occupancy and revenue metrics showing significant YoY growth, backed by strong tourism activity,' Tuaima added.
The office market showed strong performance, with asking rents growing 8 per cent quarterly and 31.8 per cent annually to AED 811 per square metre annually.
Median asking prices increased 6 per cent to AED 2.25 million. Average occupancy in central business districts reached 90.5 per cent.
Office stock totalled 3.9 million square metres of gross leasable area. Aldar Properties expects to complete the HB Office Tower on Yas Island by year-end, while Masdar City Square will add 50,000 square metres during the second quarter.
Shopping centre stock stood at 1.95 million square metres of gross leasable area. The occupancy rate for Aldar's retail assets reached 90 per cent during 2024.
Yas Mall recorded 97 per cent occupancy with a 10 per cent increase in tenant sales and 18 per cent rise in footfall. My City Centre Masdar achieved 81 per cent occupancy.
The hospitality sector delivered exceptional results. Hotel occupancy reached 86.9 per cent during the first two months of 2025, up 1.2 per cent from the same period in 2024.
The Average Room Rate stood at AED 683, up 37.1 per cent annually, while Revenue Per Available Room reached AED 594, increasing 38.7 per cent annually.
Abu Dhabi welcomed 5.2 million guests in 2024, a 28.7 per cent increase. The emirate had 34,372 hotel keys as of February 2025, with supply expected to surpass 50,000 by 2030.
Mondrian Hotels will debut its first UAE property in Downtown Abu Dhabi, while Hilton and Aldar will open Abu Dhabi's first Waldorf Astoria at the former Anantara Eastern Mangroves site.
Industrial property asking prices rose 14.8 per cent annually and 1.5 per cent quarterly.
Warehouse prices ranged from AED 152 to AED 430 per square foot, with modern cold storage facilities commanding premium rates.
Annual rental rates increased 12.3 per cent at the lower end and 17.9 per cent at the higher end, ranging from AED 25 to AED 54 per square foot.
AD Ports Group inaugurated the Al Faya Dry Port between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Bisconni Middle East Manufacturing signed a 50-year lease with KEZAD Group for a 37,000 square metre facility, investing AED 110 million.
AquaChemie opened a 25,804 square metre manufacturing facility in KEZAD.
The UAE economy is projected to grow 5 per cent to 6 per cent in 2025, supported by technology, renewable energy, trade, financial services, and infrastructure sectors.
Abu Dhabi's economy grew 3.8 per cent in 2024, driven by the non-oil sector, with manufacturing contributing 9.5 per cent to GDP and construction recording 11.3 per cent.
The Abu Dhabi Consumer Price Index for February 2025 stood at 106.4 points, stable annually. Housing and utilities increased 2 per cent annually to 101.9 points, the highest in two years.
The US Federal Reserve maintained interest rates at 4.25 per cent to 4.5 per cent as of March 2025.
Abu Dhabi's Murban crude oil price stood at AED 277.1 ($75.5) per barrel as of March 2025.
The UAE's foreign trade reached AED 3 trillion for the first time by the end of 2024, growing 14.6 per cent.
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