Dubai Islands has become one of Dubai’s busiest new waterfront districts, recording about AED 18.8 billion of residential sales across 5,035 transactions in the 12 months to 28 September 2026. The latest sign of momentum is AQUORA, an AED 350 million waterfront development by Casa Vista Development, which the developer says has sold 40% of its 105 residences ahead of its official unveiling on 28 October.
At Sherwoods, we keep a close eye on Dubai’s emerging waterfront districts, and Dubai Islands has been one of the stories of the year. Here is what you need to know about AQUORA, the developer behind it, and what it means if you are considering a home or an investment on the islands.
Key Takeaways
- Dubai Islands recorded about AED 18.8 billion of residential sales across 5,035 transactions in the 12 months to 28 September 2026, according to Dubai Land Department data.
- Median residential prices on Dubai Islands reached about AED 2,840 per sq ft in 2026, up 17.7% on the 2025 median.
- AQUORA is an AED 350 million development of 105 residences and six retail units on Dubai Islands, due for handover in the first quarter of 2028.
- Casa Vista Development says 40% of AQUORA’s residences have sold. The project broke ground and launched in November 2025.
- New launches, including Nakheel’s Bay Estate, mean buyers on Dubai Islands now have more choice and should compare projects carefully.
Table of Contents
- AQUORA at a Glance
- Design and Amenities
- Who Is Casa Vista Development?
- Reading the 40% Figure
- Why Dubai Islands Property Is in Demand
- The Sherwoods View: Look Beyond the Headline
- Frequently Asked Questions
AQUORA at a Glance
| Detail | AQUORA |
|---|---|
| Developer | Casa Vista Development |
| Location | Island A, Dubai Islands |
| Project value | AED 350 million |
| Residences | 105, made up of 54 one-bedroom, 36 two-bedroom and 15 three-bedroom homes |
| Formats | Simplex and duplex |
| Retail | Six waterfront retail units |
| Plot | About 50,000 sq ft, with 242,000 sq ft of built-up area |
| Launch pricing | From AED 1.9 million at launch in November 2025 |
| Handover | Scheduled for the first quarter of 2028 |
| Sales to date | 40% of residences, according to the developer |
The project is being formally presented to investors, partners and media at Madinat Jumeirah on 28 October 2026.
Design and Amenities
AQUORA’s design takes its cue from water, with an architectural approach the developer calls “Form Follows Flow.” The building combines homes with a small number of waterfront shops at street level.
Residents will have access to more than 20 lifestyle and wellness amenities. According to the developer, highlights include:
- A 22-metre rooftop infinity pool
- A Technogym fitness centre
- A yoga studio and Zen garden
- A pickleball court
- Concierge services
With 105 homes, AQUORA is a boutique building by Dubai standards. That tends to mean fewer neighbours and a quieter feel, but also a smaller pool of comparable sales when you come to resell, which is worth bearing in mind.
Who Is Casa Vista Development?
Casa Vista Development is a relatively new name in Dubai, and AQUORA is its first project. It is backed by a family group that began building companies in 2012 across trading, commodities, logistics, construction and real estate, and moved into property investment in Dubai and selected overseas markets from 2015. Casa Vista Development was set up to apply that experience to building homes.
The company is led by Chairman Abdul Basit Musani and Group CEO Muhammad Tariq Musani. Abdul Basit described the early sales as an encouraging sign of buyer confidence, and the company says it plans to grow its UAE presence with further residential projects, with more announcements expected in the coming months.
Reading the 40% Figure
Strong early sales are a good sign, and they are worth reading in context.
AQUORA broke ground and launched in November 2025, so the 40% figure reflects sales over roughly eleven months rather than a single launch event. On 105 homes, it equates to around 42 residences sold.
For a first project from a new developer in a district with plenty of competing launches, that is a solid result. It also means a majority of homes remain available, so buyers are not under the pressure that comes with a sell-out launch. That gives you time to ask the right questions, compare the current price list against the launch pricing, and check construction progress since groundbreaking.
Why Dubai Islands Property Is in Demand
Dubai Islands, off the Deira coastline, has quickly become one of the city’s most active new waterfront districts.
| Dubai Islands in numbers | |
|---|---|
| Residential sales, 12 months to 28 September 2026 | About AED 18.8 billion |
| Residential transactions, same period | 5,035 |
| Median price, 2026 year to date | About AED 2,840 per sq ft, up 17.7% on 2025 |
| Size | Five islands across about 18.6 sq km |
| Planned population | More than 230,000 residents in about 62,000 homes |
| Hospitality | More than 11,000 hotel keys and over 4,000 branded residences planned |
| Coastline | About 57 km, including 21 km of beachfront, according to Nakheel |
| Access | Three bridges to the mainland, with Dubai International Airport within 10 km |
Major developers continue to launch there. Earlier this month, Nakheel unveiled Bay Estate, a gated waterfront community of around 360 villas and townhouses, which we covered in our October 2026 Market Brief.
For buyers, that means a growing choice of waterfront homes at different price points, from boutique apartment buildings such as AQUORA to gated villa communities. It also means competition between projects, so comparing developers, specifications and payment plans matters more than ever.
Waterfront is not the same as beachfront, either. Many Dubai Islands homes overlook the water without direct beach access, and the difference affects both your daily life and resale value. Our guide to private beachfront living in Dubai explains how to tell them apart.
The Sherwoods View: Look Beyond the Headline
Strong early sales are a good sign, but they are only part of the picture. Since 1988, we have helped clients through every kind of Dubai market, and our advice on off-plan homes, particularly from newer developers, has always been the same. Before you commit, look closely at:
The developer. Look at the wider group’s experience, its financial strength and any projects it has already delivered. With a first project, the group’s track record in construction and investment matters more than usual.
The payment plan. Know how much is due during construction and at handover, and make sure it fits your plans at every stage. Ask whether any post-handover instalments apply.
The protections. Check that the project is registered with the Dubai Land Department and that your payments go into its escrow account, not to the developer directly. You can confirm project registration through the Dubai Land Department’s official channels, including the Dubai REST app.
The handover date. Ask about construction progress since groundbreaking, and what your contract says happens if the timeline moves.
The location’s long-term appeal. Consider transport links, amenities and how much competing supply is coming nearby. Dubai Islands is still being built out, so the community around you will look very different in three years.
This is where an experienced adviser makes the difference. Our team can compare waterfront projects on Dubai Islands and across the city for you, so you can make your decision with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AQUORA on Dubai Islands?
AQUORA is an AED 350 million waterfront residential development by Casa Vista Development on Island A, Dubai Islands. It has 105 one-, two- and three-bedroom residences, six retail units and more than 20 amenities, with handover scheduled for the first quarter of 2028.
How much does an apartment at AQUORA cost?
Prices started from AED 1.9 million at launch in November 2025. Current pricing depends on unit type, floor and view, so ask for the latest price list.
When will AQUORA be completed?
Handover is scheduled for the first quarter of 2028, according to the developer.
How many properties have been sold on Dubai Islands?
Dubai Islands recorded 5,035 residential transactions worth about AED 18.8 billion in the 12 months to 28 September 2026, according to Dubai Land Department data.
Are Dubai Islands property prices rising?
Median residential prices on Dubai Islands reached about AED 2,840 per sq ft in 2026 year to date, up 17.7% on the 2025 median. Rising prices also mean today’s entry prices already reflect some of that growth.
Is Dubai Islands a good place to invest?
Dubai Islands has strong transaction activity, a large master plan and direct access to central Dubai. With many launches competing for buyers, the right choice depends on the developer, the specific building, the payment plan and how much competing supply is coming nearby.
Talk to Us
Our team can compare waterfront projects on Dubai Islands and across Dubai, and give you a straight view on which ones suit your plans.
UAE: +971 4 355 0094 or +971 50 591 5762 UK: +44 20 3962 9980 Email: info@sherwoodsproperty.com
Sherwoods Property, since 1988
