Everyone in Dubai was building something in 2005 but it was OMNIYAT who was building differently. While others chased scale, it chased substance and design that moved not only markets, but people too. Twenty years on, that gamble has paid off in glass, steel, and legacy.
Founded by Mahdi Amjad, OMNIYAT quickly became one of Dubai’s most influential developers by refusing to treat real estate as just a business but as a craft. The Opus by Zaha Hadid remains one of the city’s most recognisable silhouettes, One at Palm Jumeirah redefined beachfront living, and The Lana, Dorchester Collection, Dubai, turned hospitality into an architectural experience. Each one pushed a boundary and in doing so, changed what the city expected from luxury.
“This milestone is one of pride and humility,” says Amjad. “Over these two decades, we’ve transformed the industry, the city, and the people we’ve served. This moment is both a reflection and a renewal, a consolidation of energy that drives us toward new possibilities in a city where the impossible naturally becomes possible.”
The numbers behind that journey are as striking as the buildings themselves. In 2025 alone, OMNIYAT raised over USD 900 million through two Sukuks and led Dubai’s USD 10 million-plus ultra-luxury segment in the first half of the year. But numbers only tell part of the story. The company’s success has always come from an idea that architecture should serve emotion as much as function. “From the very beginning, our ambition was to contribute to Dubai’s extraordinary vision,” Amjad adds. “We wanted to design spaces that bring people together, foster wellness, and empower them to rise to their full potential. Even for those who simply pass by, a building should inspire.”
Now entering its third decade, OMNIYAT shows no signs of slowing down. Marasi Bay, a fully curated waterfront destination, will merge residences, hospitality, wellness, and lifestyle into one connected experience. AVA at Palm Jumeirah (home to a sky palace with a private 360-degree pool) is set for handover in 2026.
As it celebrates twenty years, OMNIYAT’s focus remains the same: to create spaces that shape how people live, connect, and aspire. And two decades in, that original question still drives everything it does: what if buildings could make you feel something?