The UAE has seen a phenomenal change and expansion in infrastructure over the last two decades. This was an important factor in luring billions of tourists from across the globe to create memorable moments with them. But who is behind such transformation? 

There are many causes for this transformation of the Middle East, but the key factor is the successful businessmen. In a similar vein, today, we are going to hear about a trendy real estate business person, Mohamed Alabbar, who has put a lot of effort into developing smart cities and, most importantly, sustainable communities.

mohamed alabbar

Image credit: Harper’s Bazaar Arabia

All these will be dedicated to Mohamed Alabbar, one of the most famous names in real estate, as showcased through the products that his company, Emaar, has launched and some of the phenomenal structures associated with his name, such as the Mall of Dubai and Burj Khalifa, among many others.

Table of Contents

1Introduction
2Important Facts of Mohamed Ali Alabbar and Company Emmar
3Mohamed Alabbar, Founder of Emmar
4The Rise of Mohamed Alabbar
5His Signature Projects
6Net Worth of Mohamed Alabbar
7Conclusion

Introduction

Emaar Properties is one of the best real estate companies worldwide and was founded by Mohamed Alabbar. It has a superb record in marvellous buildings like the Burj Khalifa, the highest building in the world, and the Dubai Mall, which is the most iconic place in the cities of Dubai and the UAE, all property of Emaar.

Mohamed Alabbar was the key person in this incredible transformation. He did complete his education in the United States, after which he started indulging in real estate solely with a dream and vision to transform Dubai city and the Middle East.

Founded in 1997, with Mohamed Alabbar’s vision about a fast-moving emerging international city that would become the next global metropolis, it was always believed that Emaar would create an iconic landmark; more importantly, it would position them as one of the new global cities as a modern, sustainable hub. The visions have now transformed the landscape in Dubai.

Important Facts of Mohamed Ali Alabbar and Company Emmar

Founder of EmmarMohamed Ali Alabbar
Founding Year1997
IndustryReal estate
HeadquarterDubai, UAE
Total RevenueUS$2.4 billion
Number of EmployeesApprox 400
Nationality of Mohamed Ali AlabbarEmirati
Family Members7 (Rashed Alabbar, Salama Al Abbar, Shamsa Al Abbar, Mouza Al Abbar, Ali Alabbar, Noor Alabbar, Haya Alabbar)
Iconic ProjectsBurj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Creek Tower
Business CountriesEgypt, India, Saudi Arabia and beyond

Mohammed Alabbar, Founder of Emaar

Mohammed Alabbar contributed to the transformation of Dubai and the UAE, which is recognised by the world, and all the craze goes to this visionary man who was born in Dubai in 1956. 

Mohammed Alabbar has not seen it grow from comfortable beginnings, but he has caught the speed on the way to becoming a star in the autograph book of the city. He has a reason: he believed that he knew a part of the economy that the Middle East was unknown. It wasn’t the oil that had much potential elsewhere; he wanted to reimagine what the region could do instead of just being a trading hub and positioning itself as a world leader in areas such as tourism, technology, and real estate.

The Rise of Mohamed Alabbar

Consequently, in the glittering recognition of emu, born in 1956 in Dubai, Mohamed Alabbar has risen steadily but surely among the richest and most influential persons in the UAE. Besides founding and chairing Emaar Properties PJSC, he has made a fortune in real estate and has further enlarged his portfolio into several sectors, such as hospitality, retail, and technology. The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, was one of his greatest achievements, built to give evidence of an ambitious approach to real estate development.

Alabbar had to face many challenges before his success story evolved. After completing his studies in the States, he came back to Dubai to work in different industries and finally built Emaar Properties, which was formed in 1997. Integrated communities and mega projects are set into Alabbar’s vision for future developments meant for the luxury market and also the middle-income family. Today, Emaar has become synonymous with property development overseas in Dubai and much of the Middle East, and it all results from that vision.

His Signature Projects

1. Burj Khalifa

More than a marvel of engineering, Burj Khalifa turned out to be a bold statement towards the world. It signified that Dubai was no more on its way to becoming just another secondary player on the global stage for the Middle East at large. With this statement, Burj Khalifa attracted investors, tourists, and businesses from every corner of the world to show that the Middle East is indeed a land of limitless possibilities.

2. Dubai Mall

This did not deter Emaar from Burj Khalifa. Besides, Alabbar’s vision unfolded in both The Dubai Mall, the largest shopping mall in the world, and Dubai Marina, an active waterfront community, into the new luxury living standard. These were all parts of a bigger strategy to diversify Dubai’s economy off oil and thus position it as a global economy for commerce, trade, culture, and innovation.

Net Worth of Mohamed Alabbar

Mohamed Alabbar owned around $2.5 billion as he reached 2024. He is one of the richest people in the UAE because most of his fortune goes with Emaar Properties, which built national projects like that of Egypt, India, and Saudi Arabia. Emaar is the base of many properties, whether residential developments, commercial properties, luxury hotels and world-class malls. The multinational company has standard Dubai Mall as the biggest mall worldwide and a tourist place.

As an Emaar entrepreneur, Alabbar also dabbles in undertakings covering various sectors. He founded many other companies, including Alabbar Enterprises, which controls several high-end retailers; Noon, an e-commerce portal that is giving stiff competition to many in the region; and invests in making ends such as technology, hospitality, and even media.

Conclusion

Mohamed Alabbar, as humble as he was raised, has become one of the richest and most influential businessmen in the UAE through an extraordinary journey that has been the product of his vision, hard work, and determination. In 2024, when his fortune reaches $2.5 billion, his investments will continue reshaping the future of Dubai and the UAE. With the expansion of Emaar Properties and his other business, Mohammed Al Abbar is set to remain a controlling force in the global business landscape for many years to come.