Dubai has never lacked ambition, but every so often, a new chapter signals a shift in how the city wants to be experienced. In October, Al Ghurair Development introduced Al Ghurair Collection, a move that speaks less to scale and more to intent, bringing together heritage, design, and a more considered way of living.
Its debut project, Wedyan, designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma in his first UAE work, reflects a quieter confidence, one rooted in craftsmanship, restraint, and the relationship between people, place, and environment.
For a group with more than six decades woven into Dubai’s growth story, the launch marks an evolution rather than a departure. It reflects a belief that the city’s next phase will be defined not by volume or spectacle, but by quality, permanence, and spaces created for life to unfold over time.
In this conversation, Sultan Al Ghurair, CEO of Al Ghurair Development, speaks about stewardship and legacy, the thinking behind this new direction, what it means to collaborate with a global architectural voice like Kengo Kuma, and how the Collection brand is shaping the group’s next chapter.
Al Ghurair is one of the UAE’s most established family groups, with a presence across multiple sectors. How do you balance the family’s legacy and proven track record with this new chapter, and what does this evolution mean for the company’s identity?
Al Ghurair has been part of Dubai’s story since 1960, with a history of firsts. We built the UAE’s first shopping mall and mixed-use concept, established the country’s first private bank, and developed and managed over 20,000 residential and commercial units, alongside nearly 1,000 hotel rooms, across Dubai. This is our foundation.
Guided by our purpose, “In pursuit of better”, we are extending that legacy through Al Ghurair Collection, our super-prime residential portfolio of Al Ghurair Development, which marks the next chapter in this journey. It translates our depth of expertise into a new realm of design-led living, bringing a more personal and experiential dimension to our development approach, with Wedyan being the first of its kind to date.
This move into the super-prime segment reflects our ambition to lead with originality and confidence. It continues our heritage of creating with intention. As pioneers in what we do, it is our honour to keep contributing to Dubai’s success and reputation as a global destination.
You’ve recently introduced Al Ghurair Collection as a distinct arm of the business. What prompted this move, and why did this moment feel right to formalise it as a new brand?
Dubai has evolved into one of the world’s most dynamic residential destinations, attracting international buyers who expect the same or higher standards than they would find in major global cities.
The market has transformed, and people are now seeking places to call home rather than just to invest in. For us, this was the right moment to bring Al Ghurair’s six-decade legacy into super-prime real estate. We have the proven credibility, commitment, and expertise to deliver at this level. This is our city, and Dubai deserves more architecturally significant residences that add value to its skyline and to the people who choose to live here.
Al Ghurair Collection is a natural evolution of our legacy, introducing a design-led and quality-driven way of living that reflects the city’s continued rise as a global hub for innovation and culture.

Your collaboration with Kengo Kuma marks his first project in the UAE. What was it about his philosophy that resonated with you, and how did that partnership come together?
Al Ghurair Collection marks a new chapter for us, the next phase of our long-standing commitment to the progress of Dubai.
Securing Kengo Kuma for Wedyan, our debut project together, was an intentional decision. From our first discussions, there was a natural meeting of minds, a shared commitment to originality, purpose-driven design, and meticulous attention to detail. Together, we set out to create something authentic to Dubai, a development that blends with the historic landscape, yet forward-looking in its expression. Wedyan embodies that dialogue between the built environment and the natural world, reflecting both our relationship with Dubai and Kengo Kuma’s unique design ethos.
Dubai has seen strong momentum across its economy and residential market in recent years. How did these broader shifts influence your thinking as you refined this new direction?
Dubai’s property market has reached a stage of maturity that rewards long-term vision and authenticity. The success of the super-prime market highlights that buyers are continually seeking quality assets and homes with long-term value. We recognised this trend well ahead of time and began preparing for it as early as 2023.
Following the pandemic, Dubai emerged as one of the most resilient cities globally, attracting people who chose to make it their home and set up or expand their businesses here for its agility, safety, and quality of life. The rising demand reshaped the city’s residential landscape, creating a need for meaningful spaces that represent permanence, individuality, and purpose, over short-term trends.
Through our observations, we also notice a lot of people buy homes and spend significant time, money and effort to redesign it to their preferences. This demonstrates a clear gap between high-volume “luxury” developments and homes that genuinely feature quality, functionality, and emotion. Our aim is to deliver timeless architecture, thoughtful details, and curated spaces that respond to our residents’ everyday needs.
At Wedyan, for example, every space serves a purpose, from the orientation that maximises natural light while balancing shade, to the fluid transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, and the amenities that are intuitively placed to foster privacy, convenience, and connection.
You’ve spoken about rethinking how people actually live in their homes. How are you approaching the idea of luxury differently today?
We have defined our approach from day one by engaging over 30 specialists, including landscape designers, lighting, façade, kitchen consultants and more, to ensure that every space is considered, makes practical sense and delivers a seamless journey for our residents. Each specialist was onboarded right from the start and briefed on every aspect of the project to look at details from different perspectives, ensuring a comprehensive approach to design, leaving no stone unturned.
With Wedyan, our vision was to create homes that exceed the expectations of global residents and reflect how people aspire to live in Dubai today. To me, luxury is not about display but about experience; it is a feeling unique to every individual. At Wedyan, luxury is expressed through the experiences it has to offer. Beyond architecture and aesthetics, Wedyan is created for how people live every day.
Each space has been designed around well-being and comfort. Featuring over 65,000 square feet of amenities, Wedyan welcomes residents through The Oasis, a tranquil, greenery- and water-lined arrival experience that leads into a temperature-controlled car stacker, then to The Shore and The Valley, which are dedicated to fitness, leisure, and family time. The Cave, a curated wellness cocoon, and The Mountain, a private space for business, further define Wedyan’s sense of purpose, comfort, and convenience at home.
Carefully considered details, including a fully equipped back-of-house kitchen designed for private chefs, non-intrusive staff access and circulation; resident move-in/move-out journey, delivery services, were all planned from day one rather than retrofitting later, reflecting a deep understanding of modern living. Every design decision was made in collaboration with Kengo Kuma’s team and our network of global consultants to ensure a unified balance of beauty, function, and experience.
Created as a place to belong, Wedyan is envisioned for those who choose Dubai as their home, designed to offer lasting comfort, privacy, and a meaningful connection to the city; a home that meets our residents’ needs and yet offers the choice for them to enjoy everything the city has to offer just beyond their doorstep.
What drew you to the Dubai Canal as the setting for this first project, and how does the area support your longer-term vision?
Dubai Canal represents a unique waterfront opportunity in the heart of Dubai. It is dynamic, connected, and increasingly refined. Its proximity to Downtown Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, and DIFC gives it both prestige and accessibility, making it an ideal setting for a project of this calibre.
Wedyan’s unique position places residents within minutes of the city’s cultural, business, and retail districts, including Business Bay, Jumeirah, and Downtown Dubai, as well as within 20 minutes of Dubai International Airport. The location also offers access to some of Dubai’s most renowned leisure and culinary destinations, such as Dubai Mall and City Walk.
While situated in the midst of the city’s energy and movement, Wedyan’s waterfront setting introduces a rare sense of calm and serenity, offering residents a private escape in the heart of Dubai.
Our vision with Al Ghurair Collection is to bring new meaning to super-prime residential living in Dubai through originality, architectural mastery, and long-term excellence. Each project is anchored by three core elements: a location that matters, an architect whose work transforms how people experience space, and amenities designed around how residents truly want to live. We’re not trying to be the biggest; we’re trying to be the best, focusing on a few, more meaningful developments, through collaborations such as Kengo Kuma, and the commitment of Al Ghurair.
How central is sustainability to your thinking, particularly when working with an architect known for environmentally sensitive design?
For us, sustainability goes beyond materials in a building; it extends to the well-being of those who live in it, creating homes that feel restorative, calm, and enduring. We believe sustainability is about longevity and the way people live within a space. A well-designed, well-built home that continues to bring value and comfort over the years prevents the constant cycle of moving from one property to another. That sense of permanence and long-term value is our added perspective on overall sustainability.
At Wedyan, for instance, sustainability has been considered from desert-tolerant planting to natural shading systems that minimise heat gain and energy use. The landscaping palette engineered by Gustafson Porter + Bowman considers the impact of Dubai’s climate.
We will continue to integrate sustainable and efficient strategies throughout the design and construction, contributing not only to the longevity of the building but also to the health and harmony of the environment it sits within.
Who are you ultimately designing for, and how does that audience shape your decisions?
Wedyan is crafted for discerning buyers, both local and international, who value discretion, intuitive design, and well-being as much as location. They see their homes as a haven, a legacy investment for generational living, or a prized possession. Our buyers are globally minded individuals who appreciate design, value privacy, and consider longevity.
Al Ghurair Collection is designed with a purpose for those who want to call Dubai home and who believe in its future, to meet the expectations of a globally minded audience while remaining deeply connected to Dubai’s roots. This includes UAE-based families seeking a refined sanctuary in the city, GCC buyers investing for lifestyle and security, and international buyers from Europe, Asia, and North America who desire a home that reflects Dubai’s status as a world-class city.
With Wedyan setting the tone, how do you see Al Ghurair Collection evolving from here?
Wedyan is only the beginning. Our ambition for Al Ghurair Collection is to establish a portfolio of landmark developments that creates the ultimate living expression in Dubai and beyond.
Each project will embody the same guiding principles of originality, obsession with detail, and meaningful experiences. Our immediate focus is on delivering on the commitment made with Wedyan. The goal is to curate developments that reflect what Al Ghurair Collection stands for and what residential living should be.
Building on Al Ghurair Development’s established portfolio in the premium segment, Al Ghurair Collection will remain highly selective, focusing only on projects that align with its design-led vision and long-term value.