Dubai South and its residential arm

Dubai South is a Dubai Government master development launched in 2006 around Al Maktoum International Airport. Dubai South Properties is responsible for residential real-estate development within the wider district, while the wider Dubai South programme also covers aviation, logistics, and commercial activity.

Residential communities and milestones

The public residential portfolio includes HAYAT, Beachfront Gates, South Square, South Bay, South Living, and The Pulse. Dubai South reported delivery of 800 homes at The Pulse Beachfront during 2025.

In March 2026, Dubai South announced an AED 2 billion construction contract for multiple phases of HAYAT. In May 2026, Dubai South and Majid Al Futtaim announced a separate 22 million sq ft mixed-use master community. These milestones form part of the district's continuing residential and urban expansion — see our Dubai South villas guide for a community-by-community breakdown of what's built and what's coming.

Residential communities within Dubai's airport-centred master development

Master developerDubai SouthResidential communitiesVillasApartments

Who owns Dubai South?

Dubai South is the master development of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, a Government of Dubai corporation. Its own leadership page names H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum as Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and H.E. Khalifa Al Zaffin as Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South; Nabil Al Kindi is Group Chief Executive Officer. Those same titles sign its land agreements — the Discovery Land plot sale of April 2022 and the Majid Al Futtaim agreement of 19 May 2026. Dubai South Properties is its residential arm. No share register, annual report or exchange filing is published, so no shareholding percentage is given here.

Source: Dubai South — Our Leadership · Middle East Construction News — Dubai South and Discovery Land sign the golf community agreement, 22 April 2022

Track record

Buildings that made the name

  1. 01 Dubai World Central launched The master development began construction around Al Maktoum International Airport as an economic zone covering aviation, logistics, commercial and residential activity. Launched 2006
  2. 02 Renamed Dubai South The district formerly known as Dubai World Central took the name Dubai South. Renamed 2015
  3. 03 Discovery Land buys a 2 sq km plot The US developer paid $272.2 million for land inside the master development to build a golf community with mansions, villas and an 18-hole course. Signed by Khalifa Al Zaffin for Dubai South on 22 April 2022. Land sale 2022
  4. 04 South Bay launched Dubai South Properties launched its lagoon community on 6 July 2022 with more than 800 villas and townhouses and more than 200 waterfront mansions. Launched 2022
  5. 05 Golf District agreement with BT Properties Dubai South signed an agreement with BT Properties to develop a gated master community on Golf District land. The community is BT Properties' project. Agreement signed 2024
  6. 06 HAYAT launched A 10 million sq ft community of about 2,500 homes. The company reported more than AED 1.2 billion of sales within hours of the launch. Launched 2025
  7. 07 The Pulse Beachfront delivered 800 homes handed over — the only completion Dubai South Properties has published. 2025 completed
  8. 08 South Bay Mall unveiled A 200,000 sq ft retail and lifestyle destination for the Residential District, announced in November 2025. Unveiled 2025
  9. 09 AED 2 billion HAYAT contract awarded Mohammed Abdulmohsin Al Kharafi & Sons LLC appointed on 30 March 2026 for several phases. Construction from Q2 2026, first phases stated for 2028. Contract awarded 2026
  10. 10 Majid Al Futtaim agreement signed An AED 62 billion, 22 million sq ft mixed-use community inside Dubai South, agreed on 19 May 2026. Majid Al Futtaim is the developer; Dubai South is the landowner and counterparty. Agreement signed 2026

Dubai South track record

Homes delivered in 2025
800
The Pulse Beachfront, the only completion Dubai South Properties has published
Homes scheduled for handover in 2026
~1,300
South Bay and South Living Tower, per the company's own 2025 review
Homes planned at HAYAT
~2,500
10 million sq ft; an AED 2bn construction contract was awarded on 30 March 2026
Own residential communities
Six
The Pulse, South Bay, South Living, South Square, Beachfront Gates, HAYAT
District master plan
145 sq km
The area Dubai South plans and services, not homes it has built

Only homes built and sold by Dubai South Properties are listed. Communities built by other developers on Dubai South land — Majid Al Futtaim, BT Properties, Discovery Land, Emaar and Expo City Dubai — are their record, not this one.The 145 sq km area of the district, its capacity of up to 1 million residents and its 500,000 planned jobs are the size of the master plan, not homes delivered.

What Dubai South is known for

Master development launched
2006, as Dubai World Central
Owner
Government of Dubai, through Dubai Aviation City Corporation
Homes delivered in 2025
800 at The Pulse Beachfront
Homes scheduled for handover in 2026
About 1,300 at South Bay and South Living Tower
Largest own community
HAYAT — 10 million sq ft, about 2,500 homes
Largest construction contract awarded
AED 2 billion, HAYAT, March 2026
Third-party developers building on its land
Majid Al Futtaim, BT Properties, Discovery Land, Emaar, Expo City Dubai

Figures cover Dubai South Properties, the residential arm. The 145 sq km of the district, its capacity of up to 1 million residents and its 500,000 planned jobs describe the master plan, not homes built.Communities built by other developers on Dubai South land are counted under their own names.

Since its launch in 2025, the project has witnessed strong demand and interest, driven by its unique positioning and wellness-inspired features. The appointment of Mohammed Abdulmohsin Al Kharafi & Sons marks an important step in the delivery of HAYAT and reflects our commitment towards our investors and the continued momentum across Dubai South.
Nabil Al Kindi Group Chief Executive Officer, Dubai South Dubai South, 30 March 2026

Where Dubai South builds

The PulseThe Pulse BeachfrontHAYATSouth BayDubai South projects

Current projects via GRAF

The Pulse — Dubai South — Residential District, Dubai South

The Pulse — Dubai South

Residential District, Dubai South

Listings from AED 1.35M

View project →
Hayat by Dubai South — Golf District, Dubai South

Hayat by Dubai South

Golf District, Dubai South

Launched from AED 3.4M

View project →
South Bay — Residential District, Dubai South

South Bay

Residential District, Dubai South

From AED 2.95M

View project →

How Dubai South differs from other Dubai developers

Dubai South is a master developer. It plans a 145 sq km district around Al Maktoum International Airport, lays the infrastructure and sells plots to other companies, while one arm — Dubai South Properties — builds and sells homes under its own name.

It sells land as well as homes
Discovery Land paid $272.2 million for a 2 sq km plot in April 2022, and Majid Al Futtaim signed for a 22 million sq ft community on 19 May 2026. Both build on Dubai South ground under their own names.
The district and the portfolio are different sizes
The master plan covers 145 sq km and is planned for up to a million residents. The homes Dubai South Properties has published are six communities, of which one has been delivered.
The owner is a government corporation, not a company with shares
Dubai Aviation City Corporation heads it. No share register, annual report or exchange filing is published.
It is built around an airport
Every community it sells is measured by its distance to Al Maktoum International Airport, and the same corporation runs the aviation and logistics districts next door.
Its handover volume is scaling fast
800 homes delivered at The Pulse Beachfront in 2025, followed by about 1,300 homes stated for handover in 2026 and about 2,500 planned at HAYAT — each year's programme larger than the last.
Named developers on its land publish their own numbers
Emaar South, WAADA by BT Properties and the homes of Expo City Dubai are separate records and are not part of Dubai South Properties' track record.
Why GRAF recommends Dubai South

Dubai South suits a buyer who wants a master plan fixed by a government corporation next to Al Maktoum International Airport, with a choice between homes built by Dubai South Properties itself and homes built by other developers on the same ground.

What the record shows
  1. One delivery is on the record with a number attachedDubai South Properties states that it delivered The Pulse Beachfront in 2025, comprising 800 residential units.
  2. The 2026 handover programme is stated in writingAbout 1,300 units across South Bay and South Living Tower, named in the company's own 2025 review.
  3. The largest own community has a contractor and a contract valueMohammed Abdulmohsin Al Kharafi & Sons was appointed on an AED 2 billion contract for HAYAT on 30 March 2026, with construction stated to begin in Q2 2026.

GRAF editorial team

Dubai South — frequently asked questions

Who owns Dubai South?

Dubai South is a Government of Dubai master development held through Dubai Aviation City Corporation. Its leadership page names Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum as Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Khalifa Al Zaffin as Executive Chairman of the corporation and of Dubai South. No share register or exchange filing is published.

Source: Dubai South — Our Leadership

What is a master developer, and what does Dubai South build itself?

Dubai South plans the 145 sq km district, lays its infrastructure and allocates plots to other developers. Its own arm, Dubai South Properties, builds and sells six residential communities: The Pulse, South Bay, South Living, South Square, Beachfront Gates and HAYAT.

Source: Dubai South — Live

How many homes has Dubai South delivered?

One completion is published. Dubai South Properties states that it delivered The Pulse Beachfront in 2025, comprising 800 residential units. About 1,300 further units are scheduled for handover across South Bay and South Living Tower in 2026.

Source: Dubai South — 2025 review

What is HAYAT by Dubai South?

A 10 million square foot master-planned community of about 2,500 homes — townhouses, villas, mansions, apartments and hotel apartments. On 30 March 2026 Dubai South Properties awarded an AED 2 billion contract to Mohammed Abdulmohsin Al Kharafi & Sons. Construction was stated to begin in Q2 2026 and the first phases to complete by 2028.

Source: Dubai South — AED 2 billion HAYAT contract, 30 March 2026

Who is building the AED 62 billion community at Dubai South?

Majid Al Futtaim. The agreement was signed on 19 May 2026 at Dubai South HQ by Nabil Alkindi for Dubai South and Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Holding. The community covers 22 million square feet inside the district and is anchored by a shopping mall. Dubai South is the landowner and counterparty.

Source: Dubai South — agreement with Majid Al Futtaim, 19 May 2026

Which other developers build inside Dubai South?

BT Properties has a Golf District agreement for its WAADA community. Discovery Land bought a 2 square kilometre plot for $272.2 million in April 2022 for a golf community. Emaar runs Emaar South, and Expo City Dubai Authority builds on the former Expo 2020 site. Each is that company's own project.

Source: Middle East Construction News — Dubai South and Discovery Land, 22 April 2022

How big is the Dubai South district?

The master plan covers 145 square kilometres around Al Maktoum International Airport, with residential capacity for up to a million residents and up to 500,000 job opportunities. More than 4,200 companies operate there, and the Residential District is home to over 30,000 residents. Those are figures for the district, not homes built by Dubai South Properties.

Source: Dubai South — Live

Guides that cover this developer

Dubai South Villas 2026: The Pulse, South Bay, Emaar South, Expo Valley
Investment Guide 10 min read

Dubai South Villas 2026: The Pulse, South Bay, Emaar South, Expo Valley

Dubai's fastest-appreciating villa corridor has one livable community today. Launch vs 2026 prices: The Pulse, South Bay, Emaar South, Expo Valley, Hayat.

Read
Dubai Off-Plan Investment Guide 2026: Areas, Payment Plans & ROI
Investment Guide 12 min read

Dubai Off-Plan Investment Guide 2026: Areas, Payment Plans & ROI

The five decisions that actually determine what an off-plan purchase in Dubai returns — payment structure, who funds the amenity, the handover date, district supply and the exit — each shown against a real project.

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Top Dubai Real Estate Developers in 2026: A Complete Guide
Developers 11 min read

Top Dubai Real Estate Developers in 2026: A Complete Guide

Emaar, Meraas, Aldar, Sobha and Dubai South Properties — the five developers with the most projects GRAF sells, what each one actually does differently, and the real prices and handover dates behind them.

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Official sources
Official websiteDubai South — official siteDubai South — WikipediaDubai South — LinkedInDubai South — InstagramDubai South — X
About this profile

Maintained by the GRAF editorial team from public sources and our own project data. Updated 21 August 2026. Contact us

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