Dubai luxury property developer Sobha Realty is making a big move stateside. The UAE-based company, which built its reputation on luxury residential projects in Dubai, recently revealed plans to break into the American market.
They’re not going nationwide just yet, though - instead targeting three specific Texas cities: Dallas, Houston, and Austin. No surprise there - these places have strong economies, growing populations, and plenty of UHNWI people looking for upscale homes.
Why Texas?
Ravi Menon, chairman of Sobha Group, explained their choice pretty clearly. Texas caught their eye because of:
- Rapid population growth
- Strong economic fundamentals
- High demand for luxury residential developments
“We’ve always had our eye on the U.S. market,” Menon told Arabian Business during an interview. “It’s been on our roadmap from the start.” He mentioned some Goldman Sachs numbers suggesting the American real estate market should hit somewhere between $1.9-2.0 trillion by next year.
Strong Performance of American Real Estate
The expansion follows Sobha Realty record-breaking sales in 2024. Interestingly, they’ve kept quiet about exactly how much they’re investing at this Texas venture. But Menon made it clear that the U.S. market fits what they’re all about.
“Look, there’s tons of demand for high-end homes, especially from wealthy individuals who actually care about quality and reliability,” he said. “That matches perfectly with what we do - our ‘Art of The Detail’ approach, our craftsmanship, and the exceptional living standards we deliver.”
The Sobha Group Advantages
What might give them an edge in America’s competitive market? Menon points to their “Backward Integration” approach - something you don’t see much in U.S. development companies. Basically, they:
- In-house management of the entire development cycle
- Internal manufacturing of components
- Complete quality control throughout construction
“Very few developers in the U.S. market currently adopt this model, which means we are ready to bring something truly different and exciting to the market,” said Menon. He highlighted that manufacturing components in-house allows the company to guarantee lasting quality and faster delivery times.
Global Experience Meets Local Talent
Sobha Realty will leverage its international experience while also focusing on local integration. “We will continue to harness the expertise of our globally trained teams, including our in-house pool of more than 350 architects who are dedicated to design precision and high-quality craftsmanship,” Menon said.
At the same time, the company plans to actively seek local talent to ensure they become “an integral part” of the communities they enter.
UAE Success Story
Since starting operations in the UAE in 2013, Sobha Realty has built a reputation through developments like Sobha Hartland , Sobha Hartland 2, and Sobha Sinya Island. Menon attributes their success to setting benchmarks in luxury real estate and transforming community living.
Moving forward, the company plans to align with government initiatives focused on sustainable growth, innovation, and high-quality urban development.
“We firmly believe that the U.S. market is ready for a brand that combines international excellence, attention to detail, and end-to-end control in real estate development,” Menon concluded.
