Lunaya by Zaya: 500 villas surrounding a lagoon, designed by Al Barari

The Signature

The team at Al Barari, FIVE’s parent company: a rare pedigree

In Dubai, few names carry as much weight as Al Barari: the city’s greenest community, which has become the gold standard for nature-inspired residential living and one of the most highly valued properties on the market. Nadia Zaal, its co-founder, went on to develop Nurai Island in Abu Dhabi and Zuha Island on The World—a portfolio worth over $6 billion delivered under the ZAYA banner. For Lunaya, she has partnered with FIVE Holdings, the operator behind FIVE Palm Jumeirah: combining her nature-focused vision with the company’s execution capabilities and hospitality expertise.

The stated philosophy draws on the original vision: organic architecture inspired by lunar cycles, integrated into the landscape rather than superimposed upon it, and a deliberately low density—500 residences where comparable communities have thousands. It’s the same vision Al Barari embraced in its early days: scarcity and nature as drivers of long-term value.

Residences

Four collections inspired by the lagoon: Bloom, Rise, Dune, Sol

An apartment complex, Lunaya Terraces (1- to 3-bedroom units starting at approximately 2 million AED, 25/75 layout), rounds out the community according to the launch brochures: details available upon request.

The Thesis

Why Lunaya Attracts Investors: Three Gaps to Bridge

First, the scarcity of villas. According to Knight Frank data cited by the project’s developers, approximately 85 % of the homes to be completed in Dubai in the coming years will be apartments, compared with 14 % of villas: while demand from families is skyrocketing, the supply of homes remains structurally scarce, and villa prices rose by about 14 % in 2025 alone. Lunaya is addressing this very imbalance.

Next, the price difference. According to the released launch details, the starting price of around 1,700 AED per square foot compares to approximately 4,000 AED for certain villas on the Jumeirah Islands and over 3,000 AED in Al Barari: with a comparable product concept, it’s nearly half the price. Our usual commitment to honesty calls for a caveat: here, we’re comparing a development scheduled for completion in 2029 to mature, already-delivered communities; part of the price difference accounts for the time and construction risk involved—that’s the very principle of off-plan sales. The price difference remains remarkable, however, for a developer of this caliber.

The corridor, at last. Around Jebel Ali, there are massive drivers of growth: the expansion of Al Maktoum Airport to 128 billion AED, which is set to become the world’s largest aviation hub; the revitalization of Palm Jebel Ali, and nearly 7 kilometers of public beach currently under development at Jebel Ali Beach—transformations whose impact has not yet been factored into the area’s property prices. With its direct three-lane access to Sheikh Zayed Road, Lunaya is connected to all of this without yet paying the full price.

The Location

Jebel Ali Village: a natural retreat just steps away from everything

Lunaya offers a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city without the trade-off of isolation: direct access to three lanes on Sheikh Zayed Road puts the city within easy reach, and the travel times provided by the developer speak for themselves:

Funding

A 40/60 payment schedule: the majority of the price is due upon handover

A 40/60 schedule according to most published grids; some lists mention variations depending on the phase (35/65, for example): the exact conditions for the unit in question are confirmed in the official grid.

Our Reading

Who was Lunaya designed for, and under what conditions?

The target audience is clear: families or high-net-worth investors who want a real home with a garden and lagoon, designed by a legendary architect, at an entry-level price that comparable developments no longer offer—and who are willing to wait until 2029 in exchange. With each unit costing well over 2 million AED, the purchase automatically paves the way for 10-Year Golden Visa for the whole family, as soon as the contract is signed.

The trade-offs, plain and simple: three years of construction means three years of schedule risk, even with a solid track record—standard due diligence (project registration, escrow account, contract) remains the norm, and that’s our job before any presentation. Saih Shuaib is a developing area: the immediate surroundings will be built in collaboration with the community, and the proposal relies in part on catalysts (the airport, Palm Jebel Ali) whose timelines are beyond the developer’s control. Finally, asking prices vary slightly by real estate agent: never sign anything other than the official price list, which we provide. To situate the project within the overall strategy, our guide for investing in Dubai sets the stage.

Your Questions

FAQ: Lunaya by Zaya