Sobha: How A Small Company Became A Key Player of The UAE Development Market

Sobha Realty is one of the largest developers in Dubai. According to data for 2024, the company ranked second in terms of sales volume, behind only the legendary Emaar Properties. However, the main advantage of the company is not the number of transactions, but the highest quality of construction. In this article we tell you how Sobha, founded by a native of India with no education, turned from a small local firm into one of the giants of the global real estate development market.

Sobha founder Puthan Naduvakkatt Chenthamaraksha Menon was born in India in 1948. At the age of 10, he lost his father. As the family was left without a breadwinner, this role had to be taken up by Menon. He dropped out of college, in which he managed to get only primary education, and began to work part-time in the field of interior design.

At the age of 26, P. N. C. Menon traveled to Oman. After a couple of years he managed to take a loan, and he used the money to start his own business. This is how Sobha Realty, named after Menon's wife, Sobha, came into existence in 1976. The company was engaged in turnkey interior decoration.

For the next almost 20 years, Menon's business grew and was profitable. Among Sobha Realty's clients were the royal families of Oman, Bahrain, Brunei, Qatar and the President of Tajikistan, and among the projects were majestic and luxurious buildings. For example, Menon's company contributed to the construction of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Al-Bustan Palace in Oman.

In this photo: P. N. C. Menon, Sobha Group founder

At the same time, the entrepreneur did not forget about his homeland. In 1994, he founded the Sri Kurumba Educational and Charitable Foundation, which took care of low-income families in several Indian villages.

Menon entered the real estate development market in 1995 when he founded Sobha Developers Limited, headquartered in Bangalore. Over the next few years, it became one of the leaders in the Indian construction industry. Starting with the Sapphire residential project, it soon added commercial real estate to its portfolio.

Menon became interested in the UAE market in 2003. It was then that he founded the Sobha subsidiary in Dubai. However, the first major Sobha project in the city was launched only a decade later - in 2014.

It was Sobha Hartland, located in the Mohammed Bin Rashid City (MBR City) neighborhood - 12 minutes from the Burj Khalifa. Sobha Realty handled all the work - from design to construction and interior decoration.

Hartland has become the developer's calling card not only in the UAE, but also outside the country, and its success has proved to be a great support for Sobha's next bright projects: One, Seahaven, Verde, The S. Sobha itself has cemented its status as a leader in the premium real estate market of the Emirates.

Sobha real estate prices are higher than other major developers in Dubai. However, Sobha projects are always in high demand due to their high quality, impressive architecture and scale, and strict adherence to construction deadlines.

The main factor behind Sobha's success is its complete control over the processes involved in construction. The developer carries out the entire range of works independently.

The developer reached an all-time high in revenue of $6.3 billion in 2024, a 50% increase from a year earlier. This result was achieved thanks to its diverse portfolio of projects in the UAE.

Sobha Central is a mini-city that will appear in the central part of Dubai. There will be six premium towers (the tallest - 360 m, 94 floors), parks, shopping center, soccer field, mini-mall, library, co-working spaces, office space and even a dog park.

One of the main advantages of the project is the location. Central will be built right next to Jebel Ali Metro (within walking distance), with quick access to Downtown, Dubai Marina, Expo City and the airport. It is also close to Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai's main transportation artery.

In this photo: Sobha Central, Dubai

Sobha Hartland II is the logical follow-up to Sobha's first high-profile project in Dubai, Hartland. It is located close to its predecessor, in the MBR City neighborhood. This location combines urban amenities and access to the city's most important infrastructure facilities with natural beauty.

About 50 villas and several apartment complexes will be built here. Residents will have access to many green areas, a movie theater, tennis and fitness clubs, playgrounds, walking and biking paths, restaurants, and stores.

In this photo: 340 Riverside Crescent at Sobha Hartland II, Dubai

Downtown UAQ is a huge complex in Umm Al Quwain (this emirate is an hour's drive from Dubai Hills). Its 24 million square feet actually makes it the coastal city in the city.

The project will stretch 11 kilometers along the coastline. Downtown UAQ will have its own 7km beach, a beach club, promenades with boutiques, art galleries and cafes.

The first phase of residential real estate in Downtown UAQ - three Sobha Aquamont towers with heights of 42, 34 and 26 floors with a common podium, which resembles a luxury resort. There will be swimming pools overlooking the sea, Jacuzzis, an amphitheater, picturesque gardens, places for yoga and meditation, barbecue and picnic areas.

In this photo: Sobha Aquamont at Downtown UAQ, Umm Al Quwain

Another premium waterfront development in Umm Al Quwain is Sobha Siniya Island, in an unusual location for those seeking a tranquil yet luxurious lifestyle.

The location is surrounded by lush mangroves, white sand beaches, clear water and abundant wildlife (said to be home to gazelles, oryx, flamingos and rare turtles).

The project will spread over 16 million square feet. Among its own infrastructure: golf course, a lively waterfront, yacht club, eco-parks, clubs, spas, children's areas.

Sales of residential real estate have already begun. Sobha Starline Beach Residences features an exclusive selection of 1 and 3 bedroom apartments and premium 2 and 3 bedroom duplexes overlooking the Arabian Sea.

The master-planned developments of Downtown UAQ and Siniya Island have significantly enhanced the investment appeal of Umm Al Quwain. These flagship projects, which are being realized through a strategic partnership between the government and Sobha Realty, are driving growth in the local market.

In this photo: Starline Beach Residences at Sobha Siniya Island, Umm Al Quwain

Sobha's ambitions are not limited to the already developed markets. In 2025, it became known that the company plans to actively expand into the United States. According to Goldman Sachs forecast, this year the volume of real estate sales in America will reach a staggering amount of $ 1.9-2 trillion - and Sobha is interested in taking a place in this market.

Initially, the developer intends to focus on key cities in the state of Texas: Dallas, Houston and Austin. In the new market Sobha will use the successfully tested model of “backward integration” - it implies full management of the entire construction cycle: from concept to completion. This allows quality control to be maintained throughout construction.

Sobha Group is a large developer with operations in several countries and plans to expand into new markets. It is also one of the most sustainable developers in the UAE, whose projects stand out for their premium level and high quality of construction. The company is actively developing, realizing several global projects and making ambitious plans.