‘The timing is right for World Islands,’ says Sajwani as Amali progresses exclusive private-island development

Amali Properties has appointed DUTCO to complete the remaining marine works and undertake the main construction package for Amali Island, the developer’s debut project in Dubai’s World Islands, as the company accelerates its waterfront expansion plans, co-founders Ali and Amira Sajwani announced on Friday.

The 24-villa development sits on a newly created 1.2 million square foot platform formed after dredging contractor Van Oord merged two of the World Islands into a single landmass. The private island includes extensive marine infrastructure such as quay walls, canal edges and protective shoreline systems that must be completed before vertical construction begins.

Ali Sajwani said DUTCO’s involvement will now extend beyond the marine phase.

“We partnered with DUTCO for our marine works, and today we are happy to announce that we will be partnering with them for our main works package moving forward,” he told reporters on Friday. “For a product of this quality on the water, there are only a handful of contractors in Dubai who can meet our standard.”

He said DUTCO’s technical capability and familiarity with the site made the transition seamless. The contractor’s team has already begun preparatory assessments on the island ahead of structural work on the villas and clubhouse.

The project, which broke ground in late 2024 and is scheduled for completion by end-2027, is sold out. Villas were priced from roughly AED50 million to AED200 million, including a private-islet residence of more than 30,000 square feet. Buyers span the UK, US, Asia and the Middle East.

Asked what justifies a AED200 million price tag, Amira Sajwani said trophy assets command global premiums.

“Anything is worth what somebody is willing to pay for it,” she told reporters. “This villa is a private villa on a private island within the island, with a rare land size and unique layout. A comparable asset in London that isn’t new would cost just as much, if not more.”

Amira told Arabian Business they chose the World Islands because they believed the location was undervalued and poorly understood, but primed for a luxury revival.

“The timing is right for an area like this,” she said. “It was overlooked for years, but we saw where we could add real value and uplift the entire location.”

She said many early challenges centred on convincing buyers that the World Islands, long perceived as stalled, were entering a new phase.

“Timing is everything in this market,” she said. “The calibre of people coming to Dubai today are millionaires and billionaires seeking unique, low-density waterfront products. That shift made this project viable.”

Ali Sajwani pointed to renewed activity across the cluster, citing new launches including Zuha Island, an upcoming Four Seasons-branded island, and additional hospitality-led schemes. “All the projects coming up in the next four years have big brands attached,” she said. “The area will be accustomed to true luxury.”

Responding to questions on branded residences, she said Amali plans to grow its own identity rather than rely on third-party flags. “Our island is promoted under our own brand,” she said. “We are focused on building our own experience and lifestyle.”

Ali revealed Amali is evaluating additional plots within the World Islands and is preparing to launch a new waterfront residential tower in early 2026 in central Dubai, describing it as a “landmark” project for the brand. He provided no further details.

“When we created Amali, we deliberately started with one of the most complex masterplans because we wanted to build something truly unique,” Ali told Arabian Business. “Waterfront living will always be the foundation of our brand.”

Dubai’s luxury housing market continues to face supply constraints at the top end as high-net-worth demand surges, outpacing available units. Amali Island, they said, was designed to meet that unmet segment.

“Dubai has shown that no area stays overlooked for long,” Amira said. “What matters is timing, vision and execution, and for us, Amali Island brings all three together.”