Two major UAE developers compete for rights to construct prestigious Trump-branded skyscraper in Abu Dhabi ahead of US President’s upcoming regional tour
Abu Dhabi Poised to Join Trump’s Expanding Gulf Portfolio
Anticipation is building across the UAE’s luxury property sector as discussions regarding a prestigious Trump Tower in Abu Dhabi gain significant momentum. According to property insiders, talks about this high-profile development are “pretty serious,” with both Dar Global and Damac Properties vying to secure rights for the project as the Trump Organization expands its footprint in the Gulf region.
The potential Abu Dhabi development comes at a strategic time, with US President Donald Trump scheduled to visit the Gulf next week in a tour that includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. While sources have declined to comment on whether an announcement might coincide with the presidential visit, the timing has fuelled speculation about an imminent deal.
Two Developers in Competition for Abu Dhabi Rights
The race to secure the prestigious Trump Tower Abu Dhabi project appears to involve two major developers with existing ties to the Trump Organization:
Dubai luxury developer Damac Properties has reportedly secured the rights to build Trump Tower Abu Dhabi, according to sources familiar with the matter. Damac already has an established relationship with the Trump Organization, having developed the Trump International Golf Club Dubai and Trump-branded villas at Dubai’s Damac Hills.
Meanwhile, Eric Trump, the US president’s son and Trump Organization executive vice president, told Reuters that his company plans to further expand its partnership with Dar Global across the Gulf region “including a new project in Abu Dhabi” that would likely launch “in the next year or so.” This statement came shortly after Dar Global and the Trump Organization unveiled plans for a Trump Tower in Jeddah.
The Abu Dhabi project would represent yet another expansion of the Trump brand in the region, regardless of which developer secures the final agreement.
Trump Dubai Project Provides Benchmark for Abu Dhabi Development
While details of the potential Abu Dhabi tower remain under wraps, the recently announced Trump International Hotel & Tower in Dubai offers insights into what investors might expect.
The Dubai tower, developed in partnership with Dar Global, is expected to be completed between 2030 and 2031, with a gross development value of $1 billion. Rising 80 storeys high, the development will feature luxury hotel facilities and branded residences with impressive views of Dubai’s iconic skyline.
The development includes “two distinctive penthouses with sky pools” priced at approximately $20 million each, along with three and four-bedroom apartments. Located on Sheikh Zayed Road with views of the Burj Khalifa, the tower will feature world-class amenities including resort-style pools and private lounges.
Dar Global’s Trump Tower Dubai project is estimated at AED2 billion ($544 million), while recent reports indicate the penthouses are priced at approximately $20 million. For comparison, the Trump Tower in Jeddah is valued at approximately $530 million, while the Trump Golf community in Oman represents an investment of around $2.7 billion.
Trump’s Growing Gulf Portfolio
The Trump Organization has been rapidly expanding its presence across the Gulf in partnership with regional developers. In addition to the potential Abu Dhabi project and the announced Dubai tower, recent developments include:
- Trump Tower Jeddah (with Dar Global): A SAR2 billion ($532 million) luxury tower and hotel resort
- Trump Golf Community in Riyadh (with Dar Global): A prestigious golf-centered development
- Trump Golf Community in Oman (with Dar Global): A $2.7 billion project featuring luxury villas
- Trump International Golf Course and Trump Villas in Qatar: Recently announced as part of the $5.5 billion Simaisma beachside development north of Doha
These projects follow earlier successes in Dubai, where Trump and Damac have already established the Trump International Golf Club Dubai and Trump-branded villas in Damac Hills.
Dar Global: The Developer Behind Multiple Trump Projects
Dar Global, the luxury international real estate arm of Saudi Arabia’s Dar Al Arkan, has emerged as a key partner for the Trump Organization in the region. Ziad El Chaar, Chief Executive Officer of Dar Global, described the Trump Tower Dubai as “an extraordinary addition to the Dubai luxury market” that “will enhance our track record of creating bespoke landmark properties in the region.”
London-listed Dar Global currently has $7.5 billion worth of projects under development across six countries: the UAE, Oman, Qatar, the UK, Spain and Saudi Arabia. The company specializes in ultra-luxury developments in cosmopolitan cities worldwide.
For the Trump Tower Dubai, Dar Global will license the Trump name and brand under an agreement that “may be terminated or revoked according to its terms.” This licensing arrangement is typical of how the Trump Organization operates globally.
Damac Properties: Trump’s Original Gulf Partner
Damac Properties, led by billionaire chairman Hussain Sajwani, has a long-established relationship with the Trump Organization. In 2013, Damac announced plans to develop the $6 billion Trump-branded International Golf Club Dubai in partnership with the Trump Organization, which has since been completed.
In January 2025, President Trump and Hussain Sajwani announced that the Emirati billionaire would invest “at least” $20 billion in data centres across the US through EDGNEX, Damac’s specialized subsidiary. This move underscores the close business ties between Sajwani and the Trump family.
Sajwani attended the opening of Trump’s Washington hotel in October 2016 and was a guest at Trump’s New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago a few months later, where Trump praised him and his family during a speech.
Trump’s Role and Business Model in Gulf Projects
The Trump Organization typically enters licensing agreements that allow developers to use the Trump brand name in exchange for fees and often a percentage of sales. The Trump Organization, led by Trump’s son Eric, is overseeing the planning of several residential, golf and hotel projects in the region as part of a global expansion strategy.
According to the disclaimer for Trump Tower Dubai: “Trump Tower Dubai is not owned, developed or sold by The Trump Organization or any of their current or former principals or affiliates. Dar Al Arkan Properties LLC, the developer of the property, uses the ‘Trump’ name and mark under license.”
While President Trump has maintained that he stepped back from day-to-day operations of the Trump Organization during his presidency, he retains ownership interest in the company. When Trump first took office in 2017, he “retained ownership of the Trump Organization but placed control of the sprawling business empire in the hands of his sons Eric and Donald Jr, breaking with U.S. precedent by not divesting his businesses or putting them into a blind trust.”
Historical Context: Previous Trump Projects in the UAE
The Trump Organization’s current Gulf expansion follows earlier attempts to establish a presence in the region. In 2005, the Trump Organization announced plans for a Trump International Hotel & Tower on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai in partnership with developer Nakheel. This project would have been the Trump Organization’s first development in the Middle East.
The original design featured two 62-storey asymmetrical towers linked at the 40th storey, with plans for a 378-room hotel and 397 residential apartments, including two penthouses. However, the project was cancelled in 2011 following the global credit crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trump Tower Abu Dhabi
When will Trump Tower Abu Dhabi be officially announced? While discussions are reportedly at an advanced stage, no official announcement date has been confirmed. There is speculation that it might coincide with President Trump’s upcoming Gulf visit in mid-May 2025, though sources have declined to comment on this possibility.
Which developer will build Trump Tower Abu Dhabi? Two developers appear to be in contention: Damac Properties, which reportedly has secured rights according to some sources, and Dar Global, which Eric Trump mentioned as a partner for their Abu Dhabi expansion. The final developer has not been officially confirmed.
How much might apartments in Trump Tower Abu Dhabi cost? While no official prices have been released for the Abu Dhabi development, the comparable Trump Tower Dubai offers two-bedroom apartments from Dh4 million and exclusive penthouses from Dh70 million (approximately $20 million), which might provide a benchmark for Abu Dhabi pricing.
What amenities might the Abu Dhabi tower include? Based on other Trump developments in the region, potential amenities could include a luxury hotel component, concierge services, spa facilities, fine dining restaurants, business centres, private members’ clubs, and resort-style pools. The Dubai tower features distinctive penthouses with sky pools, which might be replicated in Abu Dhabi.
How long will construction take? The Dubai Trump Tower is scheduled for completion in 2031, suggesting a similar timeline might apply to an Abu Dhabi development.
Does President Trump directly profit from these developments? As the owner of the Trump Organization, President Trump stands to benefit financially from licensing fees and revenue sharing arrangements with the developers. The exact terms of such agreements are not publicly disclosed.
How does the Trump licensing model work? The Trump Organization does not typically develop or own these properties directly. Instead, it licenses the Trump brand name to local developers in exchange for fees and potentially a percentage of sales. The developer pays for all construction costs and manages the development process.
Key Takeaway
As anticipation builds around Trump Tower Abu Dhabi, the rapid expansion of the Trump brand across the Gulf demonstrates growing confidence in the region’s ultra-luxury property market. With Damac Properties and Dar Global both potentially involved in bringing the prestigious Trump brand to Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital appears poised to join Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, and Doha in hosting signature Trump-branded developments. President Trump’s upcoming visit to the region may provide the perfect opportunity to formalize these plans and further cement the Trump Organization’s position in the Middle East’s most prestigious real estate landscapes.
JobXDubai 
Leave a comment