Anwa

TL;DR: Anwa by Omniyat is a landmark 48-storey luxury residential tower in Dubai Maritime City — the first major residential building completed within the man-made peninsula. Designed by Foster + Partners with interiors by Parisian studio Gilles & Boissier, this Art Deco-inspired tower houses 225 residences including studios from 469 sq ft, 1-bedrooms from 1,006 sq ft, penthouses, and five exclusive townhouses. Secondary market prices range from AED 1.1 million to AED 10.7 million, with the building achieving 14.93% year-on-year price appreciation.

Introduction

Anwa holds the distinction of being the very first major residential tower completed within Dubai Maritime City — a 249-hectare man-made peninsula situated between the historic Port Rashid (Mina Rashid) and Dubai Dry Docks. Developed by Omniyat through its subsidiary Anwa Real Estate Development and handed over to residents in December 2021, this 48-storey skyscraper establishes the architectural benchmark for an entire emerging waterfront district. The tower's design, entrusted to Foster + Partners — one of the world's most acclaimed architecture practices — draws explicit inspiration from the golden age of 1920s transatlantic cruising, creating an Art Deco residential experience that pays homage to Dubai Maritime City's nautical heritage.

The project represented an investment of AED 600 million (USD 163 million) at groundbreaking, with construction spanning from November 2014 to December 2021. As the tallest structure in Dubai Maritime City, Anwa functions as a lighthouse-like landmark visible from the sea upon approach to Dubai — a deliberate design gesture that reinforces the tower's identity as the gateway to a new waterfront precinct.

Architecture and Design Philosophy

Foster + Partners designed Anwa's exterior with a silhouette that evokes a ship's bow or lighthouse, creating a striking maritime identity visible from Port Rashid and the approaching sea lanes. The cylindrical tower maximizes its peninsular position to deliver unobstructed 360-degree views from every residence — encompassing the Arabian Gulf, Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa, Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, and the Mina Rashid cruise terminal.

Interior design was entrusted to Gilles & Boissier, the renowned Parisian studio whose portfolio includes some of Europe's most celebrated hospitality interiors. Their design palette for Anwa uses neutral materials that 'echo the maritime landscape, intertwining the essence of sea, sand, and sky within each space.' Every residence features premium natural marble stone flooring in living areas, Italian Travertino ceramic tiles in bathrooms, Bagno Design fittings, Porcelanosa fully equipped European kitchens with built-in Gorenje appliances, and Alico system glazing providing exceptional natural light.

Ceiling heights are a defining feature: standard living areas reach 3.3 metres, while select duplex units achieve dramatic 6.3-metre double-height spaces. The Control4 smart home automation system is integrated throughout every residence, providing centralized control of lighting, climate, entertainment, and security from a single interface.

Unit Configurations and Pricing

Anwa houses 225 residential units across six configuration types, plus four ground-floor retail units:

• Studios (29 units): 436–566 sq ft — compact waterfront living with full sea views. Secondary market: AED 1,100,000–1,205,000
• 1-Bedroom (80 units): 848–1,006 sq ft — the most common configuration, featuring open-plan living with generous balconies. Secondary market: AED 1,675,000–1,850,000
• 2-Bedroom (87 units): 1,352–2,435 sq ft — ranging from standard apartments to large-format ground-floor duplexes. Secondary market: AED 2,400,000–2,500,000 (standard) to AED 10,500,000 (duplex)
• 3-Bedroom (23 units): 1,884–1,940 sq ft — expansive family residences occupying premium floors. Secondary market: AED 3,900,000–4,380,000
• Townhouses (5 units): 2,192–5,628 sq ft — exclusive ground-level residences with private outdoor access
• Penthouses (4 units): Including a 2BR at 1,856 sq ft, 3BR units at 2,156–2,561 sq ft, and a 4BR at 4,023 sq ft on the 38th floor — the crown jewel listed at AED 10,700,000+

The building's average price per sq ft stands at AED 1,906, reflecting a 14.93% year-on-year increase. The broader Dubai Maritime City area averages AED 3,003 per sq ft, indicating Anwa's secondary market still offers relative value as a completed product within the precinct.

Amenities and Lifestyle

Anwa delivers a comprehensive resort-grade amenity package designed around its waterfront setting:

• Infinity swimming pool with unobstructed Arabian Gulf views
• Dedicated children's swimming pool
• Gymnasium and fitness club with 24/7 access and sea views
• Yoga and pilates studio
• Spa facilities with sauna and steam rooms
• Landscaped gardens and green spaces
• Leisure and observation deck overlooking the marina
• BBQ areas and outdoor terraces
• Children's play area and kids' centre
• Outdoor cinema
• Business centre and co-working zone
• Resident lounge with Wi-Fi connectivity
• Reading room and library
• Four ground-floor retail and dining outlets
• 24/7 concierge and security with CCTV
• Secure podium parking
• Valet dry cleaning service

Dubai Maritime City

Dubai Maritime City spans 249 hectares across six distinct districts: Maritime Centre, Industrial Precinct, Academic Quarter, Marina District, Harbour Residence, and Harbour Offices. The master developer is DP World, which acquired the precinct in 2017 and unveiled a revised masterplan in July 2019. The man-made peninsula features a 3.5-kilometre waterfront promenade designed to support restaurants, cafés, retail, and leisure facilities, with distinct lifestyle zones including The Cove, The Forest, and The Promenade.

The peninsula's industrial maritime heritage is substantial — featuring a 1,270-metre stretch of wet berths, 42 dry berths, over 65 total berths, and a 6,000-tonne ship lift. This working maritime infrastructure coexists with the emerging residential and lifestyle precinct, creating a distinctive character unlike any other waterfront community in Dubai. Anwa sits within a 5-minute walk of Mina Rashid, where a 2.3-kilometre quay wall can berth 7 mega-cruise liners simultaneously, handling up to 25,000 cruise passengers in a single day.

Developer: Omniyat

Omniyat was founded in 2005 by Mahdi Amjad and has grown into one of Dubai's most prominent ultra-luxury developers, capturing more than one-third of the emirate's residential transactions above USD 10 million in 2024. The company's portfolio, valued at over USD 5 billion, includes some of Dubai's most architecturally significant buildings: The Opus in Business Bay (the only inhabitable building in the Middle East personally designed by Dame Zaha Hadid), One at Palm Jumeirah with Dorchester Collection (the world's first residence with a private beach branded by Dorchester), The Lana Dorchester Collection (designed by Foster + Partners with Gilles & Boissier interiors), and AVA at Palm Jumeirah (featuring the region's first 360-degree outdoor infinity pool in a private residence).

Omniyat is actively expanding its Dubai Maritime City presence with Anwa Aria — a second tower of 30 levels offering studios to 4-bedroom penthouses, targeting completion in Q4 2027. The company has announced a target AED 100 billion portfolio over the coming five years, underscoring its commitment to Dubai's ultra-luxury segment.

Rental Market and Investment Returns

Anwa's rental market reflects its premium waterfront positioning: studios command AED 75,000–95,000 per year, 1-bedrooms achieve AED 100,000–130,000, 2-bedrooms reach AED 135,000–160,000, and 3-bedrooms attain AED 230,000–280,000. The building average rental stands at AED 161,918 per year, yielding approximately 5.11% gross on a standard lease basis. Furnished short-term rental configurations can achieve 8–10% yields within the broader Maritime City market.

The investment thesis for Anwa rests on its first-mover advantage within a maturing precinct. As Dubai Maritime City's broader masterplan develops — with additional residential towers, the promenade retail and dining infrastructure, and the marina facilities — Anwa's status as the original landmark tower should command an enduring premium. The 14.93% year-on-year appreciation already evidenced, combined with freehold ownership available to all nationalities and service charges of approximately AED 19 per sq ft, positions the tower as a compelling waterfront investment with both capital growth and income generation potential.