BNW Developments’ founders on leadership, alliances and innovation

In a business world defined by rapid shifts and constant reinvention, some companies stand out not just for what they build, but how they build it. For BNW Developments, a rising force in the UAE’s luxury real estate market, partnership is more than strategy, it is the foundation of their growth. This philosophy begins at the top and radiates through every project, shaping alliances and guiding decisions. 

Headquartered in Dubai and backed by a team of more than 400 professionals from across the world, BNW Developments is led by two talented visionaries: Ankur Aggarwal, a seasoned authority in finance and strategic governance, and Vivek Anand Oberoi, a celebrated Indian actor and entrepreneur, whose creative insight adds a distinctive dimension to the company. 

“On paper, Ankur’s and my path seemed to run on completely different tracks,” Oberoi notes. “But life, or rather, destiny, has a funny way of bringing people together. We often say we’re brothers by heart, not just partners by choice.” 

From these seemingly divergent worlds, the co-founders discovered a shared vision: a desire to craft not just luxurious properties, but enduring legacies. Their synergy forms the blueprint for BNW’s distinctive approach, proving that when diverse talents converge with a common purpose, potential is limitless. 

“Our differences aren’t a hurdle; they’re the very architecture of our strength at BNW,” Aggarwal explains. “I bring the discipline of finance, with a laser focus on numbers, solid governance, and strategic vision. Vivek complements this with boundless creativity, a strong strategic framework, and an extraordinary ability to forge lasting partnerships. Together, we ensure every project is not just financially sound, but culturally significant and creatively distinct.” 

Grace under pressure

The company’s philosophy was vividly demonstrated during the launch of the Taj Wellington Mews with IHCL Taj in partnership with BNW on Al Marjan Island. This project marks the hospitality giant’s dive into branded luxury residences. Its fast-paced launch saw 97 units sell in just 24 hours, highlighting the resilience of BNW’s complementary leadership and solid reputation. Oberoi recalls: “During those tense moments, Ankur and I leaned completely on each other’s conviction and the team’s efficiency. I trusted Ankur’s precise numbers, and he trusted my instinct that buyers would deeply connect with the project’s cultural story that dates 121 years back. That mutual faith transformed what could have been pressure into ‘history’.” 

This anecdote perfectly encapsulates the trust and complementary decision-making that define BNW’s leadership, turning challenges into record-breaking success. 

Empowering ‘co-creators’  

For BNW, partnership extends far beyond the founders. It permeates the organisational culture, where every employee is a “co-creator” in the company’s unfolding success story. Aggarwal explains: “At BNW, we don’t talk about ‘staff’ and ‘management.’ We talk about ‘co-creators’ and ‘co-authors’ writing BNW’s success story. Every engineer, designer, marketing and sales professional is encouraged to see themselves as an entrepreneur within the BNW ecosystem.” 

This empowerment ensures every project is a collective vision. “I believe in empowering minds to be entrepreneurs, not just employees,” Aggarwal adds.  

This ethos cultivates an environment where innovation thrives and a collective sense of purpose drives tangible results.  It has also earned the company a “Great Place to Work” certification for 2025–26, reinforcing that their focus on internal synergy is just as vital as their external partnerships. 

Strong collaborations

Just as their relationship with the team, BNW’s founders’ collaboration with global powerhouses are not just about branding — they are about partners who share Aggarwal and Oberoi’s “unwavering obsession with quality” and a vision for lasting legacies. “Our collaborations aren’t just names on a list; they are the heartbeat of our philosophy,” Aggarwal says. 

Partnerships with IHCL Taj, Michel Adam’s Fashion TV and MAN Construction exemplify this approach, ensuring world-class service, design-forward identity and construction excellence. Oberoi adds: “Blending global expectations with our local reality isn’t about compromise; it’s about true synthesis. We approach every partnership as a vital dialogue where global expertise and local context mutually enrich. 

“My advice is simple: Start with clarity of purpose. The numbers will follow. Through cross-border partnerships, I have watched projects succeed not just based on location or square footage, but because buyers are purchasing meaning, heritage and association.” 

Through these alliances, BNW is developing luxury residences into landmarks of culture, lifestyle, and enduring value. The collaboration with IHCL Taj combines a century of hospitality excellence with local relevance, while the partnerships with Adams on Fashion TV projects like FashionTV Acacia inject a vibrant global cultural rhythm into design. MAN Construction ensures visionary designs are realised to perfection, as seen in Aqua Arc, described as an “iconic waterfront development set to redefine ultra-luxury living in Ras Al Khaimah”. Al Marjan Island itself is a crucial partner, providing the platform to realise some of the emirate’s most ambitious developments.   

Shaping the UAE’s luxury property market

The partners’ commitment to thoughtful, legacy-driven developments is reflected not just in design and partnerships, but also in timing and location. BNW’s portfolio, now exceeding Dhs22bn, strategically spans Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, aligning with areas of rapid growth and rising demand for luxury residences. 

In Dubai alone, real estate transactions reached Dh431bn in H1 2025, a 25 per cent year-on-year increase, with luxury property prices climbing 11–21 per cent for villas and up to 11 per cent for apartments, according to recent data from the Dubai Land Department. Ras Al Khaimah, in particular, is emerging as the next frontier for luxury real estate, experiencing one of the fastest property expansions in the UAE. Over the past three years, property sales and prices have climbed sharply as new hospitality, commercial, and residential projects come online. These rising numbers underscore the relevance of BNW’s strategy: creating culturally resonant, high-quality properties precisely where the market appetite and economic growth converge.  

Oberoi highlights: “The next five years for luxury and branded residences feel like a golden era in the UAE. Ras Al Khaimah is rapidly emerging as the next frontier, with the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort catalysing a projected 58 per cent rise in luxury residential values.” 

Luxe waterfront developments in RAK

BNW’s Al Marjan Island portfolio sets a new standard for luxury coastal living, with three distinct projects that balance design, lifestyle and location.  

Aqua Arc features 226 fully furnished residences, from one- to three-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom townhouses to expansive five-bedroom penthouses, each oriented to capture sweeping sea views and complemented by a rooftop infinity pool, wellness cenre, landscaped terraces, retail spaces, and direct beach access. Pelagia, a 13-storey high-rise, combines 158 residences with two retail outlets, offering infinity pools, landscaped gardens, and fitness centres in a serene beachfront setting. Aquino, a boutique low-rise development, introduces 150 fully furnished studios to three-bedroom apartments, blending elegant interiors with landscaped gardens, fitness amenities, and effortless access to the waterfront.   

Together, the three projects embody BNW’s vision of redefining waterfront living on Al Marjan Island. As BNW continues to evolve, its leadership remains ambitious yet measured. Each project, the partners say, will continue to be conceived with deep passion and commitment, reflecting innovation and excellence. BNW’s efforts have also seen projects such as FashionTV Acacia and Pelagia receive the accolade for “Best Luxury Apartment Living”, reflecting the company’s commitment to quality and a luxe lifestyle. Similarly, BNW’s integrated services, from valuation and advisory to consultancy and development, adhere to international standards such as IVS and RICS, offering robust investor confidence.  

Building a legacy

But while BNW is committed to contributing to UAE’s real estate sector, the partners don’t see themselves as just a developer.  BNW’s mission, as Aggarwal articulates, is clear: “Our vision is simple: to build not just skylines, but legacies. And partnership is the cornerstone of  that mission.” 

This collaborative spirit, which extends from the founders to every team member and strategic alliance, will continue “to shape its ongoing journey as it builds its presence in the UAE and beyond,” concludes Oberoi.  

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AT A GLANCE: BNW Developments 

Established: Set up in 2024, headquartered in Dubai 

Portfolio: Value of projects exceeds Dhs22bn covering projects across Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah 

Team: More than 400 real estate experts. Employees are “co-creators” and “entrepreneurs” within the BNW ecosystem 

Mission: “To build not just skylines, but legacies” 

Buyer preferences: Adapting to demand for branded residences, wellness-driven living, and waterfront connectivity 

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Key projects and partnerships

Taj Wellington Mews (Al Marjan Island, RAK)  

• 97 units sold in 24 hours 
• Partnership with IHCL Taj Hotels, blending
  century-old hospitality with local culture

Aqua Arc (Al Marjan Island, RAK)  

• Ultra-luxury waterfront project.
• Partnership with MAN Construction
  (Masah Group subsidiary)  

FashionTV Acacia (Al Marjan Island, RAK) 

• Collaboration with Michel Adam’s Fashion TV, injecting a “vibrant, global cultural rhythm and design-forward identity”

Strategic expansion in RAK  

• Pioneering seafront projects and expanding
  into RAK Central (growth corridor) and
  Beach District
  

Launched projects 

• Pelagia, Esplora, Aqua Arc, Aquino

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