Why is Bugatti Building Luxury Residences in Dubai?
High-performance, exclusivity and extreme luxury – all words that have been synonymous with Bugatti since it began making race cars and high-end vehicles in 1909.
Since then, founder Ettore Bugatti’s philosophy of “nothing is too beautiful, nothing is too expensive”, along with his focus on art, form and technique, have been at the heart of each of the marque’s designs.
The French brand is now applying that same creative vision to a luxury residential apartment complex in Dubai’s Business Bay area, set to open in 2027.
The 43-storey Bugatti Residences are designed in partnership with UAE-based developer Binghatti Properties and will feature a collection of ‘Riviera Mansions’ and 11 ‘Sky Mansion Penthouses’.
Muhammad BinGhatti, Chairman of Binghatti Properties, told the BBC: “For many car or watch enthusiasts, it’s not just about owning the vehicle of the timepiece, but experiencing the brand in their everyday life through real estate.”
Inside the Bugatti Residences
Bugatti first unveiled the construction project in Dubai in early 2023.
Discussing the collaboration at the time, Mate Rimac, Bugatti Rimac CEO, said: “We share a vision of what a Bugatti branded residence should be. Muhammad BinGhatti has a profound appreciation for the world of automotive design and luxury as well as a talent for creating iconic architecture.
“With this partnership, we will follow the words of Ettore Bugatti: ‘if comparable, it is no longer Bugatti’.”
Bugatti says each residence within the tower will feature a bespoke, curated layout for its owner.
According to the company: “The first Bugatti residence is also designed with a peerless luxurious amenities, including a Riviera-inspired beach, private pool, jacuzzi spa, fitness club and two garage-to-penthouse lifts.”
The BBC reports that the cheapest apartments in the building will cost US$5.2m and that the initial buyer list for the project includes Brazilian footballer Neymar Junior and opera singer Andrea Bocelli.
Muhammad says: “When you open the door of a Bugatti and sit inside, you know instantly that it’s very special; something truly incomparable.
“Only a select few will have the opportunity to experience this, and with Bugatti Residences, we wanted to translate this feeling into a highly exclusive retreat in the heart of the metropolis.”
Luxury brands and real estate
According to a report by estate agent company Knight Frank, global demand for branded residences has increased in the past two years.
It finds that while the number of projects was 169 in 2011, it rose to 611 in 2024 with a forecast of 1,019 by 2030.
Standalone branded residences by non-hotel brands including fashion, watch, wellness and automotive companies are behind a large percentage of this growth, says Knight Frank, catering to high-net-worth buyers seeking brand prestige and services.
Alongside Bugatti, other luxury car brands including Porsche, Mercedes and Aston Martin have entered the ultra-luxury real estate market with projects in Miami, Bangkok, Dubai and New York.
The US currently has the highest number of branded residences, but Knight Frank finds the Middle East – in second place – is seeing the fastest growth, driven by rapid expansion in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Faisal Durrani, Head of Research at Knight Frank Middle East told the BBC: “Branded residences appeal most to individuals with extreme brand loyalty - people who want to live and breathe a particular brand.”
A separate report by property company Savills revealed that Dubai leads the market on a city-by-city basis. It says the growth is being driven by increasing numbers of wealthy individuals relocating to the city.
