Latest news with #FirasAlMsaadi


Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Dubai's Blue Line to reshape Gulf thinking on urban value
TDT | Manama Dubai's new Metro Blue Line is being hailed as a model for how transport infrastructure can transform the urban economy, with real estate strategists calling it a game-changer for the city's property landscape. The megaproject is sparking interest across the Gulf, where cities including Manama are planning or expanding their own longterm transit systems. Firas Al Msaadi, CEO of fäm Properties, said the line will redefine how value is created in urban areas. 'This is not just a metro expansion, this is a game-changer for Dubai's urban economy,' he said. 'The moment you cut commute time you raise the productivity of the entire city.' Citywide impact The 30 km Blue Line will link nine districts including Dubai Creek Harbour, Academic City, and Dubai Silicon Oasis. Real estate in these areas is already drawing increased interest, driven by what Al Msaadi calls 'connectivity as the new currency of real estate.' He added that infrastructure investments benefit even those who do not use the metro directly. 'Less traffic, smarter logistics, higher efficiency - that's how infrastructure becomes a wealth generator.' Construction of the first station began last week at Dubai Creek Harbour, marking the beginning of what is expected to be one of the most advanced mobility systems in the region. Redrawing investment The Blue Line is expected to shift investor behaviour across the emirate. Al Msaadi noted that demand is already rising for housing near metro access points, while undervalued areas such as Academic City and International City are gaining fresh investor attention. Properties located within walking distance of metro stations are expected to command higher rental yields, and developers are beginning to rework future masterplans with metro connectivity as a central design factor. 'Transportation is the one thing that benefits everyone, even those not using it,' he said. 'When others take the train, you drive with less traffic. When a city becomes more fluid, your asset appreciates.' Gulf relevance With cities across the GCC seeking to enhance livability, efficiency, and sustainability, Dubai's Blue Line offers a high-profile example of how strategic infrastructure can serve as a foundation for longterm urban resilience and economic growth.


Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Blue Line to transform Dubai's urban economy, turn infrastructure into ‘wealth generator'
The Dubai Metro Blue Line will transform Dubai's urban economy, as connectivity becomes the new currency of real estate in the city, turning infrastructure into a wealth generator, a leading property expert says. Firas Al Msaadi, CEO of fäm Properties, said the Blue Line expansion will advance Dubai's future as a global, liveable, and investable city, bringing massive implications for real estate. 'This is not just a metro expansion, this is a game-changer for Dubai's urban economy,' says Al Msaadi. 'The moment you cut commute time you raise the productivity of the entire city. Transportation is not about movement - it's about time, opportunity, and value creation. With the Blue Line, Dubai is not only connecting nine key districts, it's connecting people to possibilities. Property values in and around the Blue Line - especially Dubai Creek Harbour, Academic City, and Dubai Silicon Oasis - are bound to see a clear upward shift,' Al Msaadi said. Construction on the megaproject began last week with the laying of the foundation stone for the first station at Dubai Creek Harbour, and Al Msaddi said: 'Once completed, this will be one of the most advanced, modern, and high-impact transportation networks in the world. But it's not just about stations - it's about shaping the future of Dubai as a global, liveable, and investable city. The Blue Line is the foundation of a faster, more productive, more connected Dubai, and the implications for real estate are massive.' Metro and other transit projects have had a positive impact on residential properties in many major cities. 'Dubai will be no different,' says Al Msaadi. 'In fact, it may see an even greater impact, because its productivity is impacted by traffic like any global megacity. When you reduce commute times, you unlock economic output. People arrive earlier, businesses operate smoother, areas become liveable. You expand the map of investable zones.' Among the consequences he identifies are: • More demand for housing in connected districts • More investor attention to undervalued areas like Academic City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and International City • Premium uplift in prime projects near metro lines, with Creek Harbour already in motion • Higher rental yields for units within walking distance to stations • Developers will rethink their masterplans with 'metro-first' logic 'Transportation is the one thing that benefits everyone, even those not using the metro,' says Al Msaadi. 'When others take the train, you drive with less traffic. When a city becomes more fluid, your asset appreciates. This is how global capital flows follow infrastructure, and this is exactly the type of move that positions Dubai for long-term competitiveness in global liveability and investment benchmarks.'


Mid East Info
5 days ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
Blue Line to transform Dubai's urban economy, turn infrastructure into ‘wealth generator' - Middle East Business News and Information
Firas Al Msaadi says Metro expansion to have massive real estate effect, shape Dubai's future as global, liveable, and investable city Dubai, UAE, 16th June, 2025: The Dubai Metro Blue Line will transform Dubai's urban economy, as connectivity becomes the new currency of real estate in the city, turning infrastructure into a wealth generator, a leading property expert says. Firas Al Msaadi, CEO of fäm Properties, said the Blue Line expansion will advance Dubai's future as a global, liveable, and investable city, bringing massive implications for real estate. 'This is not just a metro expansion, this is a game-changer for Dubai's urban economy,' says Al Msaadi. 'The moment you cut commute time you raise the productivity of the entire city. 'Transportation is not about movement – it's about time, opportunity, and value creation. With the Blue Line, Dubai is not only connecting nine key districts, it's connecting people to possibilities. 'Property values in and around the Blue Line – especially Dubai Creek Harbour, Academic City, and Dubai Silicon Oasis – are bound to see a clear upward shift. Connectivity is the new currency of real estate. 'But the impact will be citywide, even for those who never use the metro. Less traffic, smarter logistics, higher efficiency – that's how infrastructure becomes a wealth generator. Construction on the megaproject began last week with the laying of the foundation stone for the first station at Dubai Creek Harbour, and Al Msaddi said: 'Once completed, this will be one of the most advanced, modern, and high-impact transportation networks in the world. 'But it's not just about stations – it's about shaping the future of Dubai as a global, liveable, and investable city. The Blue Line is the foundation of a faster, more productive, more connected Dubai, and the implications for real estate are massive.' Metro and other transit projects have had a positive impact on residential properties in many major cities. 'Dubai will be no different,' says Al Msaadi. 'In fact, it may see an even greater impact, because its productivity is impacted by traffic like any global megacity. 'When you reduce commute times, you unlock economic output. People arrive earlier, businesses operate smoother, areas become liveable. You expand the map of investable zones.' Among the consequences he identifies are: More demand for housing in connected districts More investor attention to undervalued areas like Academic City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and International City Premium uplift in prime projects near metro lines, with Creek Harbour already in motion Higher rental yields for units within walking distance to stations Developers will rethink their masterplans with 'metro-first' logic 'Transportation is the one thing that benefits everyone, even those not using the metro,' says Al Msaadi. 'When others take the train, you drive with less traffic. When a city becomes more fluid, your asset appreciates. 'This is how global capital flows follow infrastructure, and this is exactly the type of move that positions Dubai for long-term competitiveness in global liveability and investment benchmarks.' Ends


Arabian Business
5 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai real estate: Metro Blue Line to turn infrastructure into wealth generator, says fäm Properties CEO
Construction has begun on Dubai's Metro Blue Line expansion, with a property expert predicting the infrastructure project will transform the emirate's urban economy and turn connectivity into real estate currency. Firas Al Msaadi, CEO of fäm Properties, said the Blue Line will have implications for Dubai's real estate market as the city advances its position as a global, liveable, and investable destination. Construction began last week with the laying of the foundation stone for the first station at Dubai Creek Harbour. Metro expansion boosts real estate values 'This is not just a metro expansion, this is a game-changer for Dubai's urban economy. The moment you cut commute time you raise the productivity of the entire city,' Al Msaadi said, adding that the transportation creates time, opportunity, and value rather than simply enabling movement. 'With the Blue Line, Dubai is not only connecting nine key districts, it's connecting people to possibilities,' Al Msaadi said. The CEO predicted that property values in areas around the Blue Line, particularly Dubai Creek Harbour, Academic City, and Dubai Silicon Oasis, will experience upward movement. 'Connectivity is the new currency of real estate,' Al Msaadi said. He said the project's impact will extend citywide, benefiting residents who do not use the metro through reduced traffic, logistics improvements, and higher efficiency. 'That's how infrastructure becomes a wealth generator,' Al Msaadi said. Upon completion, the Blue Line will represent one of the world's most advanced, modern, and high-impact transportation networks, according to Al Msaadi. 'But it's not just about stations – it's about shaping the future of Dubai as a global, liveable, and investable city,' he said. 'The Blue Line is the foundation of a faster, more productive, more connected Dubai, and the implications for real estate are massive.' Al Msaadi referenced the positive impact metro and transit projects have had on residential properties in major cities worldwide, predicting Dubai will experience similar or greater effects due to traffic's impact on the city's productivity. 'When you reduce commute times, you unlock economic output,' he said. 'People arrive earlier, businesses operate smoother, areas become liveable. You expand the map of investable zones.' The property expert identified several consequences of the Blue Line expansion: More demand for housing in connected districts will emerge, alongside increased investor attention to undervalued areas including Academic City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and International City. Prime projects near metro lines will experience premium uplifts, with Creek Harbour already showing movement. Units within walking distance of stations will generate higher rental yields. Developers will reconsider their masterplans using 'metro-first' logic, according to Al Msaadi. 'Transportation is the one thing that benefits everyone, even those not using the metro,' he said. 'When others take the train, you drive with less traffic. When a city becomes more fluid, your asset appreciates.'


Mid East Info
02-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Dubai Real Estate hits new monthly sales peak of AED66.8 Billion in May - Middle East Business News and Information
Demand base remains strong, market is evolving, while commercial sector faces undersupply – Firas Al Msaadi Dubai, UAE: The Dubai real estate market set a new all-time monthly sales record of AED 66.8 billion in May, a 49.9% increase in value on the same month last year. A market update issued today by fäm Properties reveals that last month's total of 18,693 transactions also made it the second best-selling month on record in terms of volume. The company's CEO, Firas Al Msaddi, says the data from DXBinteract underlines the strength and stability of a market which is evolving, without any broad threat of oversupply in the residential sector, but now facing an undersupply of office space. In response to a recent Fitch Ratings forecast for a 15% correction in Dubai residential property prices, Al Msaddi said: 'While growth has slowed, that's not the same as a correction. A slowdown in growth is a sign of market maturity, not market weakness. 'Approximately 363,000 residential units are expected to be delivered in Dubai over the next five years. However, over 270,000 of those are still at early construction stages, with only 0–20% progress as of today.' He states that just 12,000 units are close to completion (80–99% progress), dispelling any notion of a market-wide oversupply. Additionally, completed project deliveries in 2024 are down 23% compared to 2023, showing the city is not facing a glut of ready units. 'In specific segments, there may be temporary price adjustments,' said Al Msaadi. 'For example, Jumeirah Village Circle is expected to receive around 20,000 new units over the coming 4 to 5 years. 'This concentrated delivery volume may place short-term pressure on pricing in that area, but this is not reflective of the broader market. Even if a correction occurs in pockets of the residential sector, it's temporary. Dubai's demand base is strong, and absorption will catch up.' Meanwhile, Dubai is facing an undersupply of office space. 'Quality commercial space remains extremely limited, with strong demand and minimal new inventory, especially in prime business zones,' says Al Msaddi. 'As a result, no price correction is expected in the office segment, which continues to see firm value appreciation.' Dubai property sales in May have soared in value over the last five years – from AED2.3 billion (1,400 transactions) in 2020, AED11.1 billion (4,400) in 2021, AED18.3 billion (6,600) in 2022, AED33.6 billion (11,600) in 2023 and AED46.4 billion (17,600) in 2024. The most expensive individual property sold last month was a luxury villa at Palm Jumeirah which fetched AED300 million. The most expensive apartment sold during the month went for AED164 million at Jumeirah Residences Asora Bay. The Dubai real estate market is supported not only by construction dynamics, but by global migration patterns of high-net-worth individuals. As per DXBinteract's investor profiling and international market comparisons, London lost 45% of its millionaires over the past decade, while Dubai gained 212% during the same period. 'This contrast reflects a global shift in investor confidence,' says Al Msaddi 'Dubai has become a magnet for global capital, not just as a lifestyle destination, but as a secure investment environment where wealth is preserved and grown. It's where millionaires come to live, and more importantly, where they choose to invest.' With properties worth more than AED5 million accounting for 14% of total sales last month, 30% came in the AED1-2 million range, 26% below AED1 million, 18% between AED2-3 million and 12% between AED3-5 million. Overall, first sales from developers far exceeded those of resales – 66% over 34% in terms of volume and 67% over 33% in overall value.