Dubai-based Azizi Developments is embarking on an ambitious international expansion plan, with London marking its first major overseas venture, Chairman Mirwais Azizi revealed to Arabian Business.
The property developer known for its luxury projects and the force behind Burj Azizi – the second tallest tower in the world, is planning to build “around five to six high-rise towers” in central London, signalling a significant investment in the UK market.
The decision to expand into London is a strategic one. London has long been a magnet for international investors, and Azizi Developments is looking to tap into this high-value market. While specific details on project timelines and financial commitments were not disclosed, Azizi confirmed that the company is entering London with a substantial investment.
“We now be starting soon in Central London. We will be building around five to six high-rise towers,” Azizi revealed. “We will be going in with a big investment in London.”
Strategic global expansion – sights on Australia, France, Germany
The London project represents the first step in what appears to be a carefully planned global expansion strategy. Azizi revealed that the company is also targeting Australia, France, Germany, and Canada for future developments.
“For the last two years, we have been going too much to Australia, after Eid I want to visit Australia, we will be soon starting there,” he said.
Azizi emphasised that the company’s global ambitions are rooted in both business strategy and a broader vision for growth beyond Dubai. “At the same time, we want to start in France, Germany, and Canada,” he added.
The decision to expand internationally comes at a time when Dubai’s real estate market is experiencing record-breaking transactions. The developer remains confident about both the local and global property markets, citing that Dubai’s ability to attract high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) will continue to fuel demand.
Azizi pointed out that global economic conditions and security concerns in Europe and other parts of the world are driving investors to Dubai. “In many European countries, many people are not feeling secure, including many rich people… many rich people are now coming to Dubai and also purchasing luxury properties here,” he said.
This growing trend, he added, is why Dubai has positioned itself as a hub for luxury and branded residences, with demand for high-end properties remaining strong. “I see many people working in Switzerland, Hong Kong, or other parts of the world, but their families are here [Dubai],” he explained.
The second tallest tower in the world – Burj Azizi
The company recently announced the world’s second tallest tower which Azizi describes as “the most luxury Tower of the World,” with units starting from AED7.5 million and ranging up to AED1 billion.
He describes it as “not easy for everybody to purchase.” However, Azizi asserted that while certain projects are focused on luxury, there are also projects for the “middle class and people who have less income.”
“We are working on bring friend of everybody,” he said.
With several projects in the pipeline and sights on global markets, the timing aligns with growing interest in global property portfolios among high-net-worth individuals seeking mobility across multiple luxury markets.
For Azizi, who arrived in Dubai 31 years ago, the international expansion appears to be both a business strategy and a personal mission.
“For Dubai – we will continue [projects] here until the end of my life,” he said.
“When I came here, my children were small – the [once] small children now have children,” Azizi reflected on his decades in Dubai. “I take the money benefit from Dubai but I want to return for something good, not just to build but also for the public.”
He further revealed plans to develop a cultural and entertainment hub within one of Azizi’s master-planned communities in Dubai South, featuring a state-of-the-art opera house and a 400-seat theatre. “This will be our gift to the city,” he said.
Dubai’s dramatic future transformation
The developer’s global aspirations come amid continued optimism about Dubai’s real estate market. He predicts that the emirate’s property landscape will undergo dramatic transformation within five years.
“I think this Dubai will change a lot,” he said. “Only for Azizi Developments for the next five years, for buildings under developments, masterplans and all the towers – there will be around 400 to 500 towers.”
The current expansion comes amid a period of sustained demand for high-end real estate in Dubai, driven by a combination of investor confidence, an influx of high-net-worth individuals, and government initiatives aimed at attracting long-term residents.
However, Azizi humbly concluded, “Nobody comes into the world with money, everybody comes unclothed. We respect everyone, those purchasing one studio to those purchasing a whole floor. For us, it doesn’t matter – we respect everyone the same.”
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