Who is The 1% Man in Dubai?

In Dubai real estate, we all know how much luxury and wealth it has and what potential it can bring. But to get that life, you have to pay for it. The developer’s payment plan is one of the easiest options to buy property in Dubai. Although most developers offer 80:20, 90:10, 70:30 payment breakdowns, many times these payment instalments look like a burden if any circumstances happen. To recognize this, a name is now making homeownership easy for all with his innovative concept. He’s referred to as the “1% Man of Dubai.”

His name is Mr. Rizwan Sajan, the Chairman and Founder of the Danube Group.

From the slums of Mumbai to the chairman of reputable real estate development conglomerates, Sajan’s life is like a Bollywood script. But sidelining the rags-to-riches narrative, he introduced a groundbreaking business model which disrupted the Dubai property market: The 1 % Payment plan.

The main motto of this content is to go deep into the story of Rizwan Sajan, the aspects of his game-changing strategy, his iconic projects, and his vision for the future of Dubai.

The Origin Story: From Survival to Success

Rizwan Sajan didn’t have any financial support. Raised in the crowded corridors of Mumbai, India, his life had taken a tragic turn as he lost his father at the age of sixteen. Suddenly, the concern of supporting his family fell on his young shoulders.

Sajan’s early years have been marked by hustle. He sold books and firecrackers on the streets, doing whatever it took to arrange food for his family. He famously recalls that these hardships had been the crucible that forged his business acumen. “When you’re placed into stress, you emerge either more powerful or maybe you go really weak,” Sajan says. He selected strength.

His journey to the UAE began as he relocated to benefit his uncle in Kuwait, eventually discovering his way to Dubai. During the early 90s, with restricted capital, he established a company for building materials. What began as a small trading firm has since skyrocketed into the Danube Group, a multi-divisional entity encompassing:

• Danube Building Materials: The region’s leading provider.
• Danube Home: A retail giant for furniture and interiors.
• Danube Properties: The designer arm that changed the game.

The “1 % Man”: A Method That Disrupted Dubai

But why is Rizwan Sajan named the “1 % Man”? The nickname comes from a certain, ingenious payment schedule he released to the Dubai real estate market in 2014.

The Problem

Before Danube Properties, the Dubai real estate market was dominated by rich investors and “flippers” - individuals buying properties to market them immediately for an income. The typical salaried expatriate, despite living in Dubai for many years, remained a lifelong renter. They could not afford the substantial down payments needed by banks, nor could they quickly secure mortgages.

The Solution: The 1 % Plan

Sajan discovered that 80% to 90% of expats had been renting. He desired to transform these renters into owners. His solution was simple yet radical:

• Down Payment: A small first deposit (usually around 10-20 %).
• Monthly Installment: The customer pays only 1 % of the property value per month.
• The Balance: By the time the property is handed over, the customer has already paid about 60-70 % of the entire price. The remaining balance is paid post-handover or perhaps refinanced by banks.

This particular model bypassed huge bank interest rates. It successfully permitted individuals to pay “EMI” (Equated Monthly Installments) to the developer instead of paying “dead money” as rent to a landlord.

“I removed the keys from my wallet and gave it to the banker,” Sajan recalls of the 2008 crisis, illustrating his commitment to economic discipline. This particular discipline enabled him to provide interest-free payment plans in Dubai.

The Danube Philosophy: “One Project at a Time”

Unlike developers that launch several mega projects concurrently and risk overleveraging, Sajan follows a conservative strategy.

• Launch One Project: Announce one tower.
• Sell 70%: Aggressively market the project until at least 70% of the inventory is sold.
• Start Construction: Use the escrow funds and sales revenue to begin building immediately.

This process helps to ensure that Danube Properties seldom faces the construction delays that plague other developers. “If I do not sell, I do not start something new,” Sajan affirms. This particular delivery-focused approach has built great trust in a marketplace where trust would be the best currency.

Famous Projects: The “Z” Factor

Do you notice a pattern in Danube’s buildings - they usually end with the letter “Z”? This branding has turned into a hallmark of luxury. It represents an A to Z (end-to-end) home buying experience where you do not feel any stress during the property buying in Dubai. The Z factor also symbolizes the company’s motto of fully furnished projects, on-time delivery, and top-notch quality.

Let’s see some most popular Projects of Danube Properties

Here are some latest projects of DANUBE, you can also check out.

Why Invest in Dubai? Sajan’s Perspective

According to Rizwan Sajan, Dubai is now “underpriced” when compared with global hubs such as New York, London, or Mumbai.

• Mumbai vs. Dubai

In a recent podcast, Sajan broke down the numbers:

Price Per Sq. Ft: In key Mumbai areas as Bandra, rates are able to hit ₹100,000 - ₹150,000 ($ 1,200 - $ 1,800) a sq. ft. In Dubai’s prime Business Bay, you are able to purchase luxury, completely furnished apartments for approx ₹75,000 - ₹80,000 ($ 900 - $ 950) a sq. ft.

Rental Yields: Mumbai comes with a meager 1.5 % - 2.5 % gross rental yield. Dubai provides an impressive 7 % - 8 % net rental yield.

Carpet Area: In Dubai, you pay for the carpet area (usable space). In India, the “super built-up” area often inflates the price for space you don’t actually get.

The “Casino” Game Changer

Sajan recently dropped an enormous tip about the potential future of UAE tourism: the forthcoming casinos. With a casino confirmed for Ras Al Khaimah as well as rumors of one coming to Dubai, Sajan predicts this is an enormous catalyst for property appreciation, like the result in Macau or maybe Las Vegas.

The Golden Visa

Danube leverages the UAE’s Golden Visa program. With a property of AED 2 million (approx $ 545,000), of which you only need to pay a fraction upfront to qualify, in some cases investors are able to secure a 10 year residency on their own and their families. This makes Dubai a magnet for worldwide wealth, especially from India, Russia, China and the UK.

The Ecosystem: Fully Furnished & Facility Management

One reason Danube is able to provide such naturally competitive prices is its vertical integration.

• Danube Home supplies the interiors, making it possible for the organization to market completely furnished apartments without having a tremendous markup. This is an enormous selling point for investors who wish to rent out units immediately upon handover.
• Facility Management: Danube has a center management arm to make certain the structures are maintained to 5-star standards long after construction is completed. This protects the asset value and also guarantees substantial rental returns.

Conclusion: A Visionary Legacy

Rizwan Sajan’s story isn’t simply about profit-making; it is about democratization. He took the exclusive asset class of Dubai real estate and made it accessible to all.

By merging the “1 % Plan” with a recognition for on-time delivery and affordable luxury, he’s earned his title. He is not only a developer; he’s the man who allows the 99% get a taste of the 1% lifestyle.

As Sajan says, “Dubai just started.” With plans to release numerous projects each year, the 1% Man is simply starting out, also.