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A residential project in Business Bay has underscored the importance of timely delivery as construction costs across Dubai continue to climb. Century Tower, a 23-storey development comprising 210 apartments, has completed handovers two months ahead of schedule a notable achievement in a market facing inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints. Developed by AMBS Real Estate Development and marketed by f&m Properties, the project demonstrates how early construction mobilisation and disciplined planning can mitigate rising costs. With material prices forecast to increase further in 2026, industry leaders stress that immediate execution and contractor selection are critical to maintaining profitability and buyer confidence in Dubai's competitive off-plan sector.
With construction costs in Dubai continuing to rise, developers are facing mounting pressure to deliver projects efficiently and on schedule. Against this backdrop, Century Tower in Business Bay has emerged as a case study in disciplined execution, completing handovers two months ahead of schedule despite inflationary headwinds. Advertisement
The 23-floor residential building, comprising 210 units, was developed by AMBS Real Estate Development, with fm Properties serving as master agent for sales. More than 90% of the apartments were sold on launch day in June 2024. Crucially, construction was already well advanced at the time of launch a strategic departure from many off-plan developments that enter the market before ground is broken.
Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fm Properties, emphasised that developers must prioritise immediate construction mobilisation, regardless of early sales success. He warned that pricing assumptions made even one year ago are increasingly outdated, as construction costs continue to escalate. The longer construction is delayed, the greater the financial burden developers must absorb, particularly with inflation projected to persist over the coming years.
Industry data supports these concerns. A recent report by Turner & Townsend highlighted a marked increase in 2025 construction material prices, which now account for approximately 60% of baseline construction costs in the UAE. Prices for concrete, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) components, plastics, timber and structural steel are expected to rise again this year, while ongoing supply chain disruptions further complicate delivery timelines.
Despite these challenges, off-plan sales remain dominant. According to DXBinteract, first-time sales from developers in January totalled 12,106 transactions worth AED 52 billion, compared with 5,362 resale transactions valued at AED 20.5 billion. However, investor expectations are evolving. Buyers are increasingly scrutinising developers track records for quality and timely delivery rather than relying solely on marketing visuals and projected locations.
Century Tower's early completion reinforces market confidence and highlights a broader trend towards maturity within Dubai's real estate sector. In an environment of rising costs and cautious buyers, timely delivery has become not just an operational goal but a decisive competitive advantage.
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