UNINEST, DUBAI (P.B.S.A)

Uninest Dubai was the first purpose-built student accommodation development in the UAE, establishing a completely new asset class in a market previously served only by ad-hoc or on-campus housing. The 600-bed residence was delivered adjacent to Dubai Academic City, home to more than 20,000 students, and was designed to introduce international standards of student living, combining modern rooms with shared kitchens, study areas, recreational amenities and on-site management.

Beyond its physical delivery, the project represented a wider strategic shift for the region. Uninest demonstrated how student housing could operate as an institutional-grade investment product, support higher-education growth and contribute to the creation of a more vibrant, international student community in Dubai. Its success helped build confidence in the viability of PBSA as a sustainable real-estate category in the Middle East.

Our Role at Uninest Dubai

In a previous capacity, one of our founders served as Regional Managing Director for the Middle East, India and Africa with responsibility for establishing and growing a new student accommodation business across multiple markets. This included setting up the regional headquarters, securing licences, and recruiting and leading the development, operations, marketing, research, sales and finance teams.

Specific responsibilities on Uninest Dubai included leading the development of the 600-bed scheme, securing nomination agreements with partner universities, and launching the region’s first dedicated student accommodation brand, Uninest. The role also involved advising government bodies on regulatory frameworks for the emerging sector, undertaking pre-development and investment analysis on a pipeline of projects, and helping establish a regional fund structure in partnership with institutional investors.