The $20B Gap: Why Build-To-Rent Will Beat Off-Plan Sales in Riyadh & Dubai

The Gulf is about to experience its most significant shift in residential real estate.

Sedra by Roshn, Riyadh, KSA

Two weeks ago I had a 60 minute meeting with one of the world’s largest asset managers in Dubai. (Think: $3 trillion AUM type of large).

They invited 4 VP’s to the meeting to hear my take on BTR in the region.

For decades, Gulf real estate has been synonymous with luxury towers, sprawling villas, and investment properties sitting empty for months.

But, something fundamental is changing.

Young Saudi professionals are delaying homeownership.

Expat families in the UAE are seeking longer-term stability without the commitment of buying.

Qatar's post-World Cup infrastructure is creating new urban centres hungry for quality rental housing.

The Gulf is primed for Build-To-Rent (BTR) - purpose-built rental communities designed, developed, and operated as long-term rental assets.

While the US and UK have seen BTR transform their housing markets over the past decade, the Gulf has the unique opportunity to leapfrog directly to BTR 2.0 - integrating the best global practices with regional needs and cutting-edge technology from day one.

In the UK, in Q1 2025 alone, BTR investment reached £1.1 billion, following a record £5.2 billion in 2024.

The question isn't whether BTR will come to the Gulf.

It's when, and who will build the first billion-dollar BTR portfolio in the region.

Today’s analysis includes information from my private discussions over the past 6 institutional investors and tier one developers across the Gulf.

Today’s Brief:

1. Understanding BTR Products

2. Market Gap

3. Institutional Investors

4. Global Learnings (without repeating their mistakes)

5. BTR: Gulf Style

6. The Tech Edge: Building BTR 2.0 from Day One

7. The Investment Thesis

8. Business Idea of the Week: BTR Asset Management Platform for MENA

9. The Bottom Line