“Cities are built not just with concrete, but with vision and ambition.” — Mohamed Alabbar

Mohamed Alabbar is a prominent Emirati businessman, best known as the founder and chairman of Emaar Properties, the company behind iconic projects such as the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. Born November 8, 1956, in Dubai, Alabbar has played a central role in shaping modern Dubai’s skyline and economy while also founding Eagle Hills, the e‑commerce platform Noon.com, and serving as chairman of Americana Group.

Quick Facts

Attribute	Detail
Full Name	Mohamed Ali Alabbar
Birthdate	November 8, 1956
Birthplace	Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Nationality	Emirati
Ethnicity	Arab (Emirati descent)
Religion	Muslim
Age	69 years (as of 2026)
Height	Approx. 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Education	Seattle University, B.A. Business Administration (1981); Honorary Doctorate (2007)
Profession	Businessman, Investor
Employer	Founder/Chairman of Emaar Properties, Eagle Hills, Noon.com, Americana Group
Children	Seven (Rashed, Salama, Shamsa, Mouza, Ali, Noon, Haya)
Net Worth	Estimated multi-billionaire (exact figures vary)
Awards	Honorary doctorates; recognition for contributions to Dubai’s economy

Early Life & Education

Alabbar was born in Dubai’s Rashidiya district, the eldest of 12 children. His father was a dhow captain, instilling discipline and resilience. In the 1970s, he earned a government scholarship to study in the United States, graduating from Seattle University in 1981 with a degree in business administration. He later received an honorary doctorate in humanities in 2007.

Career Background

Early Career: Began at the Central Bank of the UAE as a banking manager.
Government Role: Appointed Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (1992), working closely with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to modernize Dubai’s economy.
Emaar Properties (1997): Founded one of the world’s largest real estate companies, delivering landmarks such as Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and Downtown Dubai.
Global Expansion: Emaar expanded into over 15 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and Morocco.
Diversification: Founded Eagle Hills (real estate investment) and Noon.com (e-commerce) and became chairman of Americana Group (food industry). He also invested in fashion retail (YOOX Net-a-Porter) and hospitality ventures.

Mohamed Alabbar Photo - WikiiTrends — Mohamed Alabbar Photo – **WikiiTrends**

Achievements

Founder of Emaar Properties, developer of Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall
Founder of Eagle Hills, expanding real estate globally
Founder of Noon.com, a leading Middle East e-commerce platform
Chairman of Americana Group, a major food conglomerate
Key architect of Dubai’s transformation into a global hub

Personal Life & Family

Alabbar is married and has seven children. He is known for his close relationship with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his role as a trusted economic adviser. Despite his global business ventures, he remains deeply connected to Dubai’s development.

Legacy

Mohamed Alabbar’s legacy lies in his visionary leadership in real estate, retail, and digital commerce, positioning Dubai as a global city. His projects, from Burj Khalifa to Noon.com, symbolize ambition, innovation, and the UAE’s rise as a modern economic powerhouse.

Mohamed Alabbar — FAQ (Business Leader / Entrepreneur)

Who is Mohamed Alabbar? He is an Emirati businessman, founder of Emaar Properties, Eagle Hills, and Noon.com.

When was he born? November 8, 1956, in Dubai, UAE.

What is his nationality? Emirati.

What is his ethnicity? Arab (Emirati descent).

What is his religion? Muslim.

What is he known for? Developing Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and founding Noon.com.

What companies does he lead? Emaar Properties, Eagle Hills, Noon.com, Americana Group.

What is his net worth? Multi-billionaire (exact figures vary).

Colleagues & Collaborators

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – Mentor and collaborator in Dubai’s economic development
Emaar Properties Team – Colleagues in real estate development
Noon.com Executives—Partners in e-commerce expansion
Americana Group Leadership—Collaborators in food industry ventures

Why Mohamed Alabbar Is in the News

Alabbar is frequently in the news for Emaar’s global projects, Noon.com’s expansion in e-commerce, and his leadership in Dubai’s economic development.

Timeline Overview

Year	Milestone
1956	Born November 8 in Dubai, UAE
1970s	Received government scholarship to study in the US
1981	Graduated from Seattle University with a degree in business administration.
1980s	Began career at Central Bank of the UAE
1992	Appointed founding Director General of Dubai Department of Economic Development
1997	Founded Emaar Properties
2000s	Oversaw development of Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and Downtown Dubai
2014	Founded Eagle Hills (Abu Dhabi-based real estate investment firm)
2016	Launched Noon.com, a Middle East e-commerce platform
Present	Chairman of Emaar, Eagle Hills, Noon.com, and Americana Group

What Caused the Search Surge for Mohamed Alabbar?

The search surge was driven by his role in Dubai’s transformation, his leadership in iconic projects like Burj Khalifa, and his ventures in e-commerce and global real estate.