Page 71 - UP PR REPORT - AUGUST 2025

From icons to infrastructure: Union Properties CEO on GCC’s

real estate evolution

For decades, the real estate in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region has been synonymous
with iconic skylines, ultra-luxury offerings, and landmark locations.

These hallmarks have defined an era of bold ambition and aesthetic excellence. But today, they are
no longer enough. We are witnessing a fundamental shift in the forces shaping the region’s real
estate sector.

A new value matrix is emerging – one built on integrated urban design, infrastructure-driven growth,
digital transformation, and environmental resilience. This is a structural evolution, rather than a
stylistic one, and it demands strategic reorientation across the industry.

Rise of master-planned, mixed-use communities
One of the most visible and powerful indicators of this shift is the growing dominance of master-
planned, mixed-use communities. The market is increasingly gravitating toward walkable, self-
contained urban ecosystems that combine residential, commercial, retail, and leisure components
in a single, coherent design. These developments are not just aesthetically appealing but
economically resilient.
For institutional investors and occupiers alike, integrated communities offer great benefits,
including higher occupancy, longer lease tenures, and more stable, long-term returns. This demand

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