Winston Klint, Chief Operating Officer of Meraki Integrated Contracting, Meraki Group
“My advice to anyone taking their first steps in this industry is to resist the temptation to work from broad outlines alone. Take the time to understand the detail behind every task. Before you begin anything, gather the information you need, review the requirements properly, and be clear on what the outcome should look like.
A strong start is always built on preparation, not assumption. And if something is unclear, ask. Seeking clarity from a senior colleague is never a weakness; it prevents confusion later and ensures the work is right from the start.
Three lessons have shaped how I lead. The first is teamwork. Talent alone does not deliver results; coordination and shared responsibility do. Even the most capable individuals will lose direction without proper collaboration.
The second is decision-making. In projects where time, cost and resources are tightly linked, delay is expensive. Timely decisions, grounded in good information and sound judgement, keep a team moving with confidence.
The third is fiscal discipline. Controlled spending and responsible resource management are not administrative details; they determine whether a project succeeds.
Additionally, you must never stop learning. Technology is reshaping this industry quickly, and the professionals who stay relevant are the ones who keep updating their skills long after formal training ends. Growth should be a constant, not a phase.”
Tomorrow World Properties
Zhou Yuan, Director of Operations & Chairman Assistant – Tomorrow World Properties
“One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in real estate is that meaningful opportunities rarely arrive with noise; they appear quietly through shifts in policy, market behaviour, or community needs.
Dubai’s recent residency reforms are a perfect example. On paper, they look like regulatory updates; in reality, they reshape the path to stability for thousands of people. Early in my career, I used to wait for certainty before making decisions. Over time, I realised that certainty rarely comes first – clarity does. When the system becomes more supportive, when access widens, when long‑term residency aligns with ownership, that is the moment to act.
For younger professionals entering this field, I’d advise them to learn to recognise structural change before it hits the headlines. The removal of the minimum property value requirement and initiatives like the First-Time Home Buyer Programme signal a city choosing inclusivity and long-term confidence. If you wait until everyone else does, you’re already late.
Hesitation often looks like caution, but in a city growing as fast as Dubai, it can be the biggest risk. Waiting too long can mean missing government-backed advantages or facing higher entry prices as demand expands. In life and in real estate, progress belongs to those who develop the instinct to see the right conditions early and have the courage to step forward.”
Tomorrow World Properties has partnered with Italian luxury brand Missoni for an upcoming Dubai development, combining vibrant urban living with retreat-inspired design. Homes will feature Missoni interiors, signature patterns, custom fixtures, and location-inspired colours. OCTA Properties will serve as the exclusive sales, marketing, and brand management partner for the project.
International City is evolving from an affordable residential community into a more diverse commercial destination. With over 22,000 homes, established retail activity around Dragon Mart, and growing demand for office space, the area presents opportunities for new commercial development. Tomorrow World Properties sees International City as a location with strong fundamentals and room for growth. Through Tomorrow Commercial Tower and Tomorrow Commercial Tower 2, the company aims to introduce modern, efficient commercial spaces that serve the surrounding community. Rather than competing with Downtown Dubai or DIFC, International City is expected to develop its own identity as an emerging business and investment destination.
Construction Week’s Top 100 Real Estate Developers list highlights leading property companies across the GCC, recognising their influence, project portfolios and contribution to the region’s rapidly evolving real estate sector. The list is compiled using publicly available information and is presented as a selection rather than a formal ranking.
UAE real estate leaders advise young professionals to think beyond short-term sales and focus on long-term value. Key lessons include understanding the full development lifecycle, designing around people, protecting reputation through reliable delivery, building multidisciplinary teams, and planning for future communities. Sustainable growth depends on discipline, thoughtful design, credibility, and investor-focused decisions.
