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Century Tower Completes Handovers Two Months Ahead of Schedule in Business Bay
Dubai, UAE, 18 February, 2026: Rising construction costs are changing the financial picture for developers across Dubai’s real estate market. Against that backdrop, a residential project in Business Bay has completed handovers two months ahead of schedule, offering a clear example of what timely delivery can mean in the current climate.
Century Tower is a 23-floor residential building with 210 units. Its early completion stands out at a time when delays have become common across the sector.
AMBS Real Estate Development built the project, with fäm Properties acting as master agent for sales. The outcome points to the advantage developers gain when they bring projects in on or before the agreed date, particularly as competition in the market grows.
Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties, says the message to developers across Dubai is that, regardless of how well a project sells on launch, the priority is to start construction immediately.
“Developers who have launched projects, whether fully sold or partially sold, must recognise that the market pricing they relied on two or three years ago, or even one year ago, is no longer relevant. Construction costs have increased and are still rising,” said Al Msaddi.
“The longer that construction is delayed, the higher the cost the developer has to absorb, and the primary driver, inflation, is forecast to continue rising over the coming years. Developers must do their homework, select proven contractors, secure materials early, and build realistic timelines into their financial models from day one.”
A Turner & Townsend report recorded a notable rise in construction material prices in 2025, with materials now accounting for around 60% of baseline construction costs in the UAE.
Concrete, MEP, plastics, timber, and structural steel prices are all forecast to rise again this year. Supply chain pressures continue to add to delays. In response, a growing number of developers are buying materials in bulk to cut lead times and limit their exposure to cost increases.
Off-plan sales remain the dominant transaction type in Dubai. Data from DXBinteract showed that first sales from developers reached 12,106 transactions worth AED 52 billion in January, against 5,362 resale transactions valued at AED 20.5 billion.
The pressure on developers to match that level of demand with actual delivery is growing. Investors and end users focused on construction quality and design are paying closer attention to how quickly an off-plan asset will reach completion and start generating income or become a home.
Century Tower saw more than 90% of its apartments sell on launch day in June 2024. At that point, construction was already well advanced, which set it apart from the typical off-plan model where sales begin before building work starts.
“This response to property launches has generally become much more considered in recent years, as investors and end users take more time and care to analyse projects, and do their own market research,” said Al Msaddi.
“Buyers look beyond the marketing renders and location promises. They want to see that the developer has a trusted reputation for quality construction and timely delivery. This is another sign of market maturity. Early completions help alleviate common concerns about off-plan projects, and reinforce buyer confidence in those who deliver on their promises.”
Century Tower was designed to fill a gap in the Business Bay market for well-crafted residential units within what fäm Properties identified as the area’s Golden Triangle. The building’s design, layout, and specifications came out of detailed market research and analysis carried out by fäm Properties to reflect what investors and buyers were looking for.
