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Ras Al Khaimah accelerates its transformation as property market surges
According to Gulf News, the ValuStrat Price Index (VPI) shows freehold residential values in RAK rising 14.9 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, reaching 122.2 points, a sign of what analysts describe as a maturing and increasingly end-user-driven market. Apartment values were the strongest performer, climbing 15.5 percent annually, with demand surging in waterfront communities. Al Marjan Island recorded the highest jump, with prices up 16.8 percent from a year earlier and 6.3 percent quarter-on-quarter.
Off-plan sales dominate
Investor sentiment is strongest in the off-plan segment, which accounted for 84 percent of total transactions in the first nine months of 2025. Gulf News reported that more than Dh 8.2 billion in sales were recorded across over 4,100 off-plan units during this period. The secondary market, while smaller, showed steady performance with 776 ready homes sold for Dh 909 million, most of them apartments.
Average gross rental yields across freehold residential units stand at 5.4%, reinforcing the emirate’s appeal for both regional and international investors seeking income-generating assets.
Casino resort and online-gaming entry accelerate RAK’s appeal
Adding to the emirate’s rising appeal, Wynn Resorts announced its Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort has been granted the first commercial gaming-facility operator licence in the UAE by the GCGRA, a landmark regulatory milestone. The $5.1 billion resort, due to open in early 2027, will include a casino, 1,530 rooms, 22 restaurants, a spa, shopping, a marina and entertainment venues, signalling a new era for tourism and hospitality in RAK.
The licence also paves the way for regulated “commercial gaming” and future expansion into online gaming and lotteries under the GCGRA framework — opening the door to a fully regulated gaming industry in the UAE. According to analysts, the inclusion of a licensed casino resort is expected to draw both leisure and high-net-worth visitors, further lifting demand for high-end real estate and branded residences, and strengthening the case for long-term capital appreciation and rental yield in RAK.
Government merger accelerates vision 2030
A major structural shift came with the merger of master-developer Marjan LLC and RAK Hospitality Holding (RAKHH), a move aimed at accelerating the RAK Vision 2030, an ambitious plan targeting 3.5 million annual visitors and the delivery of nearly 20,000 hotel keys.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of Marjan, said “We will reinforce our position as a beacon of opportunity and innovation,” enabling the creation of “iconic destinations that are deeply rooted in Ras Al Khaimah’s unique identity.”
Tourism already accounts for about 5 percent of RAK’s GDP, Gulf News reported, with hotel visitor arrivals reaching 653,700 in the first half of 2025. A pipeline of 29 additional hotels by 2030 underscores the emirate’s push to position itself as a fast-growing tourism and hospitality hub.
Economic Fundamentals Strengthen Investment Case
RAK’s macroeconomic backdrop is reinforcing property market momentum. According to Gulf News, S&P Global forecasts GDP growth of 4.2 percent annually through 2027, supported by a stable sovereign credit profile. Foreign direct investment has increased sharply, with Dh 700 million flowing into six priority projects in the first half of 2025. Meanwhile, the RAK Economic Zone (RAKEZ) registered 8,506 new companies in the same period, a 43 percent jump.
Mortgage-backed purchases now represent the largest share of activity, Gulf News noted, marking a shift toward a more mature, end-user-oriented market.
Luxury brands push prices 10–20% higher
A defining feature of RAK’s boom is the influx of global luxury brands into the residential sector. Data cited by Gulf News shows prices rising 10–15 percent year-to-date, with villa and apartment transactions averaging 15–20 percent more than in Q3 2024. Certain branded off-plan properties have surged 30–50 percent.
Demand remains centered on Al Marjan Island, Mina, Al Hamra Village and the newly launched RAK Central, Gulf News reported. Off-plan properties now account for 95 percent of total transactions, reflecting investor confidence in RAK’s development trajectory. Re-sales in the off-plan segment are also rising.
The emirate is reshaping its urban landscape with mega-communities such as the 85-million-square-foot Marjan Beach and Maireed Island. Upcoming high-end projects include Palazzo Tissoli, Mondrian Residences, Hard Rock Hotel, Four Seasons, and Armani Villas.
As global developers deepen their presence and government-led initiatives gather pace, analysts say Ras Al Khaimah is firmly establishing itself as the UAE’s next major investment hub and is likely to surpass Dubai as the next business and leisure destination in the UAE.
