Dubai: Burj Khalifa penthouse leased for Dh12 million, setting UAE rental record
Exclusive duplex features private pool, cinema and vast terrace
DUBAI – Dubai’s ultra-luxury property market has reached a new milestone, with a duplex penthouse in Burj Khalifa leased for Dh12 million annually.
The deal, facilitated by property platform Keyper, is described as the highest recorded annual apartment rent in the UAE.
It shows sustained demand at the very top end of Dubai’s real estate sector despite broader regional uncertainty.
Prime heights
The residence occupies the 87th and 88th floors of the world’s tallest tower and spans more than 10,000 square feet, with plans to expand to nearly 15,000 square feet. Owned by Karl Haddad, the home is currently the largest in the tower and the only duplex of its kind. It also features the only private outdoor pool within the building.
Designed as a “vertical estate”, the property was created by merging multiple units in a process that took over six years, including more than three years of approvals. Structural modifications included drilling concrete slabs to install a private internal staircase.
Luxury detail
The penthouse includes a 2,000 square foot terrace overlooking Dubai’s skyline, a 2,500 square foot master suite, and a 1,000 square foot private cinema. Additional amenities include a spa, sauna and gym. Interiors are finished with Patagonia marble, Alcantara-lined ceilings, and a 45-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system.
According to Keyper, the transaction reflects evolving preferences among ultra-high-net-worth tenants, who are increasingly prioritising flexibility alongside scale, privacy and prestige. While eight-figure property purchases have become more common, annual leases at this level remain rare globally.