As the UAE’s real estate sector enters a new phase of accelerated growth and diversification, BNW Developments stands out as a dynamic force shaping this evolution. With a portfolio exceeding AED 22 billion, the company has built its reputation on delivering “investment-grade” developments marked by design excellence, prime locations, and luxury living experiences. In this interview, Muhammad Younis engages with Ankur Aggarwal, Chairman and Founder of BNW Developments, who shares his insights on the shifting investment landscape, the influence of macro-trends such as proptech and visa reforms, and BNW’s strategic vision for expanding into emerging markets like Ras Al Khaimah.

#RAKIS: With a portfolio now exceeding AED 22 billion, how does BNW Developments assess the current investment landscape in UAE real estate, and what key factors are shaping opportunities for both established developers and new entrants?

Ankur Aggarwal: With an expanding portfolio, BNW Developments sees the UAE real estate market as a convergence of regulatory confidence, global capital inflows, and lifestyle-driven demand. Structural reforms around long-term visas, rising tourism inflows, and growing foreign ownership appetite are accelerating this momentum, as per my observation, creating a deep and resilient investment base. In Ras Al Khaimah, we are actively contributing to the growth of both Al Marjan Island and the emerging RAK Central business district, positioning BNW at the heart of the emirate’s transformation. I believe that these two precincts offer rare first-mover potential, and our belief is clear: future value will be created where design excellence meets economic foresight and location logic. While established developers consolidate large-scale portfolios, new entrants will find their edge in focused, high-yield micro-markets supported by strong infrastructure and policy clarity.

#RAKIS: BNW Developments highlights “investment-grade” finishes, prime locations, freehold rights, and luxury amenities; how do you balance design excellence with cost, compliance, and speed to market, and how does this edge help you stay competitive?

Ankur Aggarwal: For BNW, I’ve always ensured that design excellence remains inseparable from operational discipline. From waterfront residences at Aqua Arc to the upcoming Ramada Residences by Wyndham, A Signature BNW Development, every project begins with early-locked specifications, Tier-1 partners, and compliance protocols built into the design process. This enables us to deliver investment-grade finishes, freehold certainty, and world-class amenities without compromising on timelines. It’s an approach that helps BNW inch closer towards fostering investor trust and being a fundamental part of RAK Skyline’s transformation.

#RAKIS: How do macro-trends like young buyers, expats, proptech, smart homes, tourism, and visa reforms shape your upcoming projects? How is BNW Developments positioning itself to adapt and lead?

Ankur Aggarwal: Macro shifts, from younger global buyers and proptech adoption to visa reforms and long-stay tourism, are not just influencing our roadmap, they’re embedded in our blueprints. Our pipeline prioritises adaptable layouts, and fully serviced amenities aligned with the evolving lifestyle economy. Across Ras Al Khaimah, the branded residences movement reflects through our collaborations with IHCL Taj, FashionTV, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, merging design, hospitality, and real estate value creation. Simultaneously, BNW Mortgages, our newly launched mortgage arm, will simplify ownership pathways with tailored financing solutions, ensuring our investors’ journeys are as seamless as the assets they acquire.

#RAKIS: Looking back, what lessons from BNW Developments’s past are guiding its future? Which priorities—new markets, geographic expansion, design innovation, customer experience, or risk management—will define your strategy?

Ankur Aggarwal: Over the years, I think that our journey has underscored that clarity, consistency, and control are the true levers of scale. Every milestone has reaffirmed the importance of phased risk-taking, regulatory rigour, and end-to-end brand coherence. Looking ahead, we are deepening our footprint across Dubai’s prime hubs and RAK Central’s upcoming commercial ecosystem, while continuing to redefine luxury living on Al Marjan Island. Alongside my brother, Managing Partner & Co-founder, Vivek Oberoi, we envision BNW to continue prioritising design innovation that amplifies investment value, curated customer experience, and long-term delivery discipline.

#RAKIS: With Ras Al Khaimah’s rise in real estate, how is BNW Developments shaping its strategy there? What unique challenges and opportunities, across infrastructure, investor sentiment, and regulation, set it apart from other regions of the UAE?

Ankur Aggarwal: Ras Al Khaimah offers a rare convergence of coastal tourism, competitive pricing, and supportive policy, making it one of the UAE’s most compelling growth corridors. BNW is honoured to work in alignment with Marjan and is enriching the skyline of Ras Al Khaimah with ultra-luxury branded residences. We are also actively planning mixed-use and commercial developments in RAK Central, the emirate’s future business hub. Unlike other markets, RAK offers a powerful affordability-to-yield advantage; the challenge is aligning new supply with infrastructure rollout, which we navigate through phased delivery and demand-led product segmentation.

#RAKIS: What role do investment summits like RAKIS play in the growth strategy of established developers like BNW Developments and for other new entrants?

Ankur Aggarwal: I firmly believe that investment summits such as RAKIS are catalysts, uniting developers, policymakers, institutional capital, and global media to accelerate market trust and capital inflow. For BNW, they provide a strategic platform to showcase our RAK Central and Al Marjan Island pipeline, reinforce investor trust, and shape long-term partnerships. In my opinion, these forums are where we move beyond presenting projects; they are where we translate vision into bankable alliances, ownership pathways, and de-risked execution that drive Ras Al Khaimah’s emergence on the global real estate map.