Interview with Mr. Ali Al Gebely, Founder And Chairman of ONE Development.

It is increasingly uncommon particularly at this stage in one’s career to encounter new individuals who quickly earn the distinction of being called a friend. Yet meeting Ali Al Gebely was a genuine pleasure. He presents a rare balance of being approachable and grounded in demeanor while maintaining a sharp, highly professional edge.

Despite his relatively young age, the influence of a strong family business legacy is evident. It has shaped him into a composed and perceptive leader, one who demonstrates both strategic maturity and a clear ability to identify and empower the right talent to drive success.

We had the opportunity to conduct a brief interview with Mr. Ali, and what follows are the key highlights from that conversation.

1. While One Development is a relatively new entrant to the market, you also lead several established groups with long-standing operations across diverse industries. Could you share more about your entrepreneurial journey and the core businesses that laid the foundation for your leadership today?

I was fortunate to grow up within a 43-year legacy built through Al Gebely Holding, a family enterprise that shaped industries and operated with discipline across generations. That foundation instilled in me structure, resilience, and long-term thinking. But I’ve always believed each generation must define its own chapter. ONE Development was inspired by the people we build for. At its core, we design stories, from skyline-defining architecture to communities that connect with the soul. As technology and lifestyle expectations evolve, real estate is no longer just construction; it is a platform for experience, intention, and meaning. This belief shaped the creation of ONE Development: a company built on intelligence, culture, and human-centered design, where every space reflects how people want to live, work, and invest today and tomorrow.

2. Tell us more about One Development – its vision, long-term ambition, and defining philosophy. In a highly competitive real estate landscape, how do you differentiate your brand?

We don’t compete on volume; we compete on vision. Our differentiation lies in how we integrate artificial intelligence across the lifecycle of development, from predictive planning and design optimisation to operational efficiency and post-handover services. AI is not an add-on for us; it is infrastructure. We also invest heavily in talent density, bringing together designers, technologists, and operators who think beyond conventional development models.

Combined with modular construction, sustainability frameworks, and disciplined capital structuring, this allows us to operate with the speed of a tech company and the governance of a legacy institution. In projects like ONE Residence, we apply this philosophy to the future of mobility, integrating infrastructure for flying taxis and delivery drones, anticipating how cities will move and connecting residents seamlessly to urban life.

3. Last year, you unveiled your flagship aeD 2.3 billion Laguna Residence with a landmark launch event at Coca-Cola arena. Could you elaborate on the project’s concept, positioning, and the market response so far? Where do you currently stand in terms of sales performance and construction progress?

Laguna Residence represents our benchmark for intelligent real estate. It is the region’s first AI-integrated development and is centered around Dubai’s largest lagoon on a podium, complemented by over 40 lifestyle and wellness amenities.

The project was launched through a landmark event at Coca-Cola Arena, reflecting strong market confidence. Sales momentum has been robust, and construction is progressing in line with planned milestones.

It also introduces digital-first tools for residents, including AI-enabled infrastructure, smart connectivity, and even crypto payment options, reflecting our commitment to innovation and investor flexibility. More than a residential project, Laguna is a statement that modern communities must be intelligent, sustainable, and emotionally resonant.

4. Your collaboration with global music icon Amr Diab led to the creation of One/aD Development, a boutique hospitality concept blending AI, music, and wellness. How did this partnership originate, and how is the vision translating into tangible progress today?

The partnership stemmed from a shared inspiration: at ONE Development, we create experiences that are inspired by people, where every space, detail, and moment carries meaning. Amr Diab represents cultural influence across the region, and together we envisioned DO Hotels & Residences, the world’s first themed hospitality concept blending AI, music, and wellness.

Today, that vision is materializing through projects in Dubai Islands and New Cairo. This is not celebrity endorsement; it is experiential integration. Music, wellness, and technology are embedded into spatial design and guest experience.

5. Dubai’s real estate market has delivered yet another record year in transaction value and volume in 2025. In your view, what are the fundamental drivers behind this sustained performance? How would you characterize the current stage of the market cycle?

Dubai’s strength is structural. Regulatory transparency, long-term residency initiatives, infrastructure investment, and global capital inflows have transformed the market from speculative cycles into disciplined growth. The buyer base is increasingly diversified and end-user driven. We are in a mature growth phase; one supported by global positioning rather than short-term momentum.

6. Looking ahead over the next three years, what is your outlook for Dubai’s property sector? Which structural trends whether demographic, regulatory, technological, or lifestyle-driven do you believe will most significantly shape its trajectory?

AI will become standard rather than optional. Branded hospitality will continue expanding, while sustainability will move from marketing language to regulatory requirements. Demographically, the region is attracting entrepreneurs, innovators, and long- term residents who prioritise lifestyle and smart infrastructure, and developers who combine data precision with authentic design will define the next cycle.

7. With an increasing number of developers and projects entering the UAE market, what guidance would you offer to investors and end-users? What critical factors should inform a prudent and strategic purchasing decision?

With more developers and projects entering the UAE market, investors and end- users need to make careful and informed decisions. It is essential to evaluate the developer’s governance, delivery track record, financial discipline, and design longevity. Strong governance ensures transparency and reliability, while a proven track record shows the ability to deliver on promises. Sound financial management reduces risks of delays or compromises, and lasting, well-thought-out design helps maintain value over time.

8. In your opinion, what are the critical success factors for a real estate developer in today’s market? How can companies meaningfully differentiate themselves in an increasingly saturated sector?

Capital management is equally crucial. Real estate offers strong returns, but liquidity mismanagement, cost volatility, and construction delays remain real risks. Developers must adopt phased funding models, diversified contractor networks, and data-driven forecasting to mitigate exposure. In today’s market, success belongs to those who operate with conviction and precision.

9. While real estate development offers compelling returns, it also carries considerable risk. What key risks should developers be most mindful of, and what frameworks or safeguards are essential to mitigate challenges such as construction delays, cost overruns, and market fluctuations?

The biggest risks today are construction cost volatility, supply chain disruption, liquidity misalignment, and market timing errors. Developers must approach risk structurally rather than reactively. At ONE Development, we address these proactively. We use AI-driven forecasting to anticipate costs and demand, modular construction to reduce delays and waste, and phased capital deployment that aligns funding with project milestones.

Strong governance, disciplined contractor alignment, and diversified supplier networks are equally critical. Ultimately, success comes from balancing agility with structure. Speed without discipline increases exposure; discipline without flexibility limits opportunity. By combining both, we create projects that are resilient, timely, and aligned with market needs.

10. What is next for ONe Development?

We are expanding DO Hotels regionally and preparing a flagship launch in Abu Dhabi, alongside continued growth in Dubai and Egypt. Over the next five years, I see ONE Development operating as a global developer with strong roots in the UAE and Egypt and strategic expansion into Saudi Arabia and Europe. Our ambition is to build the smartest developments. As I often say: technology can tell us how people live. Vision tells us why. And that distinction will define the next era of real estate.