From Selling Food to Building Towers: The Inspiring Journey of Hussain Sajwani

Meet Hussain Sajwani: A look into the life of the man who built one of the fastest-growing luxury houses in the world Sajwani, born in 1953, is the founder and chairman of DAMAC Properties, a real estate company operating in the Middle East, and the private investment group DAMAC Group. According to FORBES, in August 2024, Mansour reached $5.1 billion, which puts him in the ranking of the richest Arabs. 

He has more than wealth; he has strength and resolve and a dream that has brought forward new real estate.

Early Life: A Foundation in Entrepreneurship

Hussain Sajwani was born to a business-oriented family in 1953 in Dubai. His family owns a small business and they used to trade. He was also the first child in the family of five children of the parent’s marriage, the parent’s; the father, who worked as a shop operator in the animated souk, selling products including watches, pens and other gadgets imported from China. 

His mother took up employment in order to earn some more money by selling household items at home. It was in this atmosphere that he learned the real part of him for business from childhood.

Therefore, Sajwani’s early education did not take him closer to his objective. His medical college in Baghdad, Iraq, was funded by a government scholarship. But business prevailed, and putting all his focus in that direction, he went on to specialize in industrial engineering at the University of Washington in the U.S.

Early Career

Hussain Sajwani has been in the industry since 1981, working at the finance department of Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Limited. Despite a promising start, his entrepreneurial drive led him to establish his first independent venture just two years later: a catering company. The business included serving the United States military and Bechtel, a construction corporation, among others. 

The Birth of DAMAC Properties

In this respect, Hussain Sajwani was lucky to enter the real estate business in 2002, when DAMAC Properties was founded. His vision was clear: in order to encourage the development of luxurious property to global specifications and with aesthetics. The company recorded rapid growth in the year under review, recording the construction and sale of more than 27400 homes while overseeing more than 35 thousand homes under construction.

Key Milestones:

Hospitality Expansion: DAMAC Maison Hotels and Resorts was formed in 2011 as a unit to set up a foothold in the luxury hospitality niche.

Public Listing: Finally, by 2015, the DAMAC was on the Dubai Financial Market, which put it in a vantage position within the market.

Signature Projects: The following are the brands that DAMAC worked with in their operations:

• Trump Organization for a golf course proposed to be done by Tiger Woods.

• Versace, Fendi, and Roberto Cavalli, which are Italian fashion houses, are recommended for high-end interior design.

• Paramount Pictures for pure development of luxury hotels.

International opportunities for venture and investment

He is also very much focused on diversification beyond the Middle East. 

He made strategic investments and acquisitions that showcased his global vision:

London Landmark: Nine Elms has been a lucky charm for DAMAC, which invested £600 million in the construction of the Versace-branded DAMAC Tower London.

Roberto Cavalli: Through his personal investment company, he acquired one of the oldest and most famous Italian fashion firms in 2019 and revived it.

Data Centers Expansion: The newest company, Edgnex, was launched in February 2022 to enter data center markets and Sajwani promised a billion dollars for building the data center from Ireland to Tokyo.

Challenges and Resilience

Like other writers have indicated, Sajwani also encountered some challenges as an entrepreneur. He was also accused of land deal corruption in Egypt in 2006. Although he was served a prison sentence in absentia, he settled through ISDS, investor-state dispute settlement.  

Philanthropy and Innovation

Hussain Sajwani’s contributions extend beyond business:

Philanthropy: He has contributed more funds to activities such as education and housing support related to his vision towards uplifting society.

Innovation: Recent projects include:

De Grisogono luxury jewelry acquisition in 2022.

Introducing Cavalli Residences, Miami, a luxury condominium with panoramic ocean views that sits on the wreckage of the Surfside collapse.

Personal Life and Legacy

Hussain Sajwani resides in Dubai with his family. His children, Ali and Amira, actively contribute to the DAMAC Group, carrying forward his legacy:

Ali Sajwani: He has his degree from Northeastern University and manages the business of DAMAC Group.

Amira Sajwani, from Kuwait with degrees in UCL and LSE, is now the manager of the sales and development department in DAMAC.

It also shows how Sajwani wants to make a family-based company with a culture of excellence.

Recognitions and Awards

Hussain Sajwani’s achievements have earned him numerous accolades:

• Real Estate Legend 2018 (Arabian Business Real Estate Awards).
• Gulf Business Lifetime Achievement Award 2023
• Listed in the 100 Global Leaders of Hospitality (International Hospitality Institute, 2022)

Shaping the Future

Lately, Hussain Sajwani has dedicated most of his business efforts towards innovation and diversification of his businesses.

DAMAC Mall: Launched in 2023, Shenzhen has become one of the biggest retail attractions and has an average of 1.3 million visitors per year.

Sustainable Development: They include design that is already comparable to today’s standards of architectural and real estate design, with a preference for green design.

The success story of Hussain Sajwani.

Hussain Sajwani’s story offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs:

Vision and Resilience: His experience demonstrates that the characteristics of the food processing industry, luxury housing, and even banking may change and contains useful information about how a thriving enterprise depends on possessing market prognoses and knowing how to adapt.

Global Outlook: He has actually invested in businesses around the world to mitigate chances that affect his operations in an area.

Commitment to Excellence: Partnering with recognized brands is always evidence that quality and innovations create value for the companies.

Conclusion

 Hussain Sajwani’s journey, from a young boy assisting his father in Dubai’s bustling souk to becoming a global billionaire and a pioneer in luxury real estate, is nothing short of inspirational. His story showcases the power of vision, resilience, and adaptability in building an empire.

 As the founder of DAMAC Properties and DAMAC Group, Sajwani has transformed his entrepreneurial dreams into reality, shaping the skyline of the Middle East and beyond with luxury developments and innovative ventures.