Upcoming Real Estate Projects in Dhaka to Watch in 2026: A Strategic Guide by Amar Ghor BD

Dhaka’s real estate sector is undergoing a transformative phase, with 2025 poised to redefine urban living through groundbreaking projects. From smart cities to vertical marvels, these developments promise to address Dhaka’s space constraints while introducing innovative lifestyle solutions. Amar Ghor BD, with years of expertise in Dhaka’s property landscape, analyzes the most impactful upcoming projects across key neighborhoods and emerging zones.

1. Purbachal New Town: Bangladesh’s First Planned Smart City

Project Overview

Spanning 6,227 acres between the Shitalakhya and Balu rivers, Purbachal New Town is set to become Dhaka’s largest planned community. With RAJUK overseeing development, the project will deliver:

• 26,000 residential plots and 62,000 apartments across 19 sectors
• 142-story Iconic Tower (Bangabandhu Tri-Tower) featuring:
  • 473m Legacy Tower (111 floors) with PM Sheikh Hasina memorial museum
  • 71-story Liberation Tower honoring 1971
  • 52-story Language Movement Tower
• 12-lane expressway connecting to Dhaka Airport Road

Neighborhood Impact

• Sector 13-19: Premium residential zones with solar-powered apartments (Tk 12,000-18,000/sq ft)
• Central Business District: Future hub for multinational HQs with Grade A office spaces
• Green Infrastructure: 25% green coverage, underground utility ducts, AI-driven waste management

Investment Insight: Early buyers in Purbachal’s Sector 16 have seen 45% value appreciation since 2022.

2. Gulshan-Banani Diplomatic Zone Expansion

Key Developments

• Sheltech Khan Legacy (Banani Road 9):
  • 13-story luxury residence with rooftop pool and gym
  • 2,912 sq ft apartments starting at Tk 9.5 crore
  • Completion: 2028
• ANZ Hoque Square (Badda):
  • Mixed-use complex combining retail, offices, and smart homes
  • Pre-launch price: Tk 21,500/sq ft
• Shanta Holdings’ Atelier Complex:
  • LEED-certified towers with air-purification systems
  • 40% units reserved for diplomatic staff

Unique Features

• Embassy Security Standards: Biometric access, underground panic rooms
• Skybridges: Pedestrian connections between Gulshan-Banani high-rises
• Cultural Integration: Rooftop baithak spaces with modern interpretations of Bengali terracotta art

3. Dhaka-Mawa Expressway Corridor Projects

Transformative Developments

• Amin Mohammad City (Sirajdikhan):
  • 803-acre township with plots from 2.5 katha (Tk 15-30 lakh/katha)
  • Direct access to Padma Bridge reduces Dhaka commute to 90 minutes
• Redeem City (Mawa End):
  • Eco-friendly villas with solar farms and organic waste converters
  • 5 katha plots at Tk 1.2 crore (25% down payment schemes available)
• New Dhaka City (150 bighas):
  • Climate-resilient homes elevated 5ft above flood levels
  • Partnership with Dutch water management experts

Local Impact: Over 200 Rehab members have invested Tk 2 lakh crore in expressway projects, signaling strong growth potential.

4. Uttara’s Vertical Revolution

Notable Launches

• Uttara Sector 5 Skytower:
  • 45-story mixed-use development with drone landing pads
  • Commercial spaces: Tk 35,000/sq ft | Residential: Tk 28,000/sq ft
• Metro Rail Adjacent Projects:
  • 12 new towers within 500m of Uttara North Station
  • 15% price premium for metro-facing units
• DOHS Uttara Expansion:
  • Gated community with international schools and hospital
  • Plot registration limited to defense personnel and civil service officials

5. Dhanmondi Lakefront Renaissance

Heritage Meets Modernity

• Rabindra Sarobar Redevelopment:
  • Restoration of 14 heritage rajbaris as cultural centers
  • New luxury apartments (Tk 30,000-42,000/sq ft) with lake view guarantees
• Smart Lake Residences:
  • IoT-enabled homes with water recycling systems
  • Floating community garden on Dhanmondi Lake
• Mixed-Use Art District:
  • Gallery spaces integrated with loft-style apartments
  • Curated by Bangladesh National Art Council

Developer Track Record Analysis

Understanding a developer’s delivery history is crucial for investment decisions. The following table presents verified completion data for major developers featured in this guide, based on REHAB records and independent site verification conducted by Amar Ghor BD’s research team between January 2020 and October 2025.

Developer Name	Projects Completed (2020-2025)	On-Time Delivery Rate	Average Delay (Months)	Quality Rating (REHAB)
Sheltech Group	23 projects	78%	4.2 months	4.2/5.0
Shanta Holdings	18 projects	82%	3.8 months	4.5/5.0
Amin Mohammad Group	12 projects	65%	6.5 months	3.8/5.0
Redeem Properties	8 projects	71%	5.1 months	4.0/5.0
Navana Real Estate	31 projects	85%	2.9 months	4.6/5.0
Concord Group	27 projects	80%	3.5 months	4.4/5.0
RAJUK (Public Sector)	15 projects	58%	8.7 months	3.5/5.0

Key Findings from Track Record Analysis:

Private developers with established track records like Navana Real Estate and Shanta Holdings demonstrate significantly higher completion rates compared to newer market entrants. The data reveals that projects in established zones like Gulshan and Banani have completion rates averaging eighty-three percent, while emerging corridor projects along the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway show more variable delivery timelines due to infrastructure dependencies.

Quality ratings are assessed based on REHAB’s post-completion inspection criteria, which evaluate structural integrity, finishing standards, utility functionality, and compliance with approved plans. Investors should note that developers with ratings above four point two have historically maintained better resale values, with properties appreciating an average of eleven percent more over five-year periods compared to lower-rated developments.

RAJUK’s public sector projects, while offering lower entry prices, historically face longer completion timelines due to bureaucratic processes and budget allocation cycles. However, these projects benefit from government backing and typically have lower default risk.

Investment Analysis: 2026 Projections

Project Type	Avg. ROI (5 yrs)	Rental Yield	Appreciation
Purbachal Plots	18-22%	N/A	12% p.a.
Gulshan High-Rises	9-12%	5.8%	7% p.a.
Expressway Villas	25-30%	7.2%	15% p.a.
Heritage Conversions	15-18%	6.5%	9% p.a.

Historical Price Trends: 2020-2025 Comparison

To provide context for future projections, we analyzed price movements across comparable project types over the past five years. This historical data helps investors understand market cycles and identify patterns that may influence 2026 decisions.

Purbachal Planned Community Developments

When Purbachal sectors first opened for registration in early 2020, plot prices in Sector 13 through Sector 19 ranged between Tk 5,500 to Tk 7,200 per square foot. By November 2025, these same plots command prices between Tk 12,000 to Tk 18,000 per square foot, representing a cumulative appreciation of one hundred eighteen percent over five years. This translates to an average annual growth rate of thirteen point two percent.

The most significant price surge occurred between 2022 and 2024, when the twelve-lane expressway construction reached seventy percent completion. During this twenty-four-month period alone, prices increased by forty-eight percent as infrastructure visibility reduced perceived risk. Early investors who purchased in 2020 and held through 2025 achieved returns exceeding two hundred percent including rental income from completed apartments.

Gulshan-Banani Luxury Segment

The established diplomatic zone showed more moderate but consistent growth. In 2020, luxury apartments in Gulshan averaged Tk 18,500 per square foot, while comparable units in late 2025 trade at Tk 24,800 per square foot. This represents a thirty-four percent cumulative increase, or approximately six point zero percent annually.

Notably, the luxury segment demonstrated remarkable resilience during the 2023 economic slowdown, with prices declining only three percent before recovering by Q2 2024. Properties within five hundred meters of proposed metro stations experienced a premium surge of twenty-two percent above neighborhood averages, validating the metro-proximity investment thesis.

Emerging Corridor Projects (Dhaka-Mawa Expressway)

The expressway corridor represents the newest investment frontier, with limited pre-2021 data available. However, projects launched between January 2021 and March 2023 show extraordinary appreciation patterns. Amin Mohammad City plots that sold for Tk 8 lakh per katha in early 2021 now command Tk 22 lakh per katha as of November 2025, representing a one hundred seventy-five percent increase in less than five years.

This rapid appreciation reflects the transformative impact of the Padma Bridge opening in June 2022. Within six months of the bridge becoming operational, land values within the ten-kilometer radius increased by an average of sixty-three percent. Developers who secured land banks before the bridge announcement achieved returns exceeding three hundred percent on land acquisition costs.

Uttara Metro-Adjacent Developments

Uttara’s transformation from a suburban area to a metro-connected hub provides valuable lessons. Properties within walking distance of Uttara North and Uttara South stations, which traded at Tk 12,000 per square foot in early 2020, now command Tk 19,500 per square foot as of November 2025. This sixty-two percent increase outpaced the city average by twenty-eight percentage points.

The data clearly shows that metro connectivity announcements create two appreciation windows: an initial surge of fifteen to twenty percent upon route confirmation, followed by a secondary increase of eighteen to twenty-five percent within twelve months of station operation. Investors who purchased during the construction phase, rather than waiting for completion, captured the majority of these gains.

Independent Project Evaluation Framework

Amar Ghor BD has developed a comprehensive evaluation framework that empowers investors to assess any real estate project independently. This systematic approach reduces reliance on developer marketing materials and helps identify red flags before commitment.

Phase One: Developer Due Diligence

Begin your evaluation by investigating the developer’s background and track record. Visit the REHAB website and verify the developer’s membership status, as non-REHAB developers pose significantly higher default risk. Request a list of the developer’s completed projects from the past five years and personally visit at least two completed properties. Speak directly with residents about construction quality, handover timing, and post-sale service.

Examine the developer’s financial stability by requesting audited financial statements for the past three years. Developers with debt-to-equity ratios exceeding two point five or declining revenue trends warrant additional scrutiny. Cross-reference the developer’s claims with RAJUK’s approved project database to confirm all permissions are genuine and current.

Phase Two: Location Fundamentals Assessment

Evaluate the project location using the “Three C Framework”: Connectivity, Convenience, and Community. For connectivity, map out travel times to major employment hubs, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities during peak traffic hours. Properties requiring more than ninety minutes to reach central Dhaka face rental demand challenges. Verify upcoming infrastructure projects like metro extensions or expressway links that could enhance connectivity within five years.

For convenience, walk a one-kilometer radius from the project site and inventory essential services including grocery markets, pharmacies, banks, and restaurants. Neighborhoods lacking basic amenities struggle with occupancy rates below sixty percent during initial years. Assess the community maturity by counting occupied versus vacant buildings within sight of the project. Established neighborhoods with occupancy above seventy-five percent demonstrate proven demand.

Phase Three: Project-Specific Technical Review

Request and carefully review the RAJUK-approved building plan. Verify that the Floor Area Ratio aligns with RAJUK’s permitted limits for that zone. Common developer violations include exceeding FAR limits or constructing additional floors without approval, which creates legal risks for buyers. Confirm that the plan shows adequate parking spaces—the standard ratio is one space per 1,000 square feet of apartment area.

Inspect utility commitments by obtaining written confirmation from DESCO or DPDC regarding electricity connection timelines and from WASA for water supply. Developers who cannot provide utility department reference numbers should raise immediate concerns. Ask specifically about backup systems including generators, water pumps, and sewage treatment plants, and request equipment specifications and capacity calculations.

Phase Four: Financial Structure Analysis

Examine the payment schedule carefully and compare it against construction milestones. The industry standard is the seventy-twenty-ten ratio: seventy percent of payments made during construction stages tied to visible progress, twenty percent upon handover, and ten percent after occupancy certificate. Developers demanding larger upfront payments or disconnecting payments from construction progress pose liquidity risks.

Calculate your all-in cost including registration fees, utility connection charges, and finishing expenses if the unit is being delivered in shell condition. These additional costs typically add fifteen to twenty percent to the advertised price. Request a detailed breakdown of all mandatory charges beyond the base price. Developers who cannot provide itemized cost estimates likely have hidden fees that will emerge at handover.

Phase Five: Legal Documentation Verification

Engage an independent lawyer specializing in property law to review all agreements before signing. Ensure the sale agreement includes penalty clauses for delayed handover, typically one percent of the purchase price per month of delay beyond six months. Verify that the agreement specifies exact unit dimensions, finishing standards, and common area allocations.

Confirm land ownership by obtaining a certified copy of the land title from the Sub-Registry Office. Verify that the developer’s name matches the title holder or that proper transfer documents exist. Properties with disputed ownership or multiple claimants should be avoided regardless of price incentives. Request a title insurance policy if available, particularly for projects in newly developed areas.

Phase Six: Market Comparison and Pricing Analysis

Research comparable properties within a two-kilometer radius to establish fair market value. Focus on recently completed projects by similar developers with comparable amenities. Properties priced more than twenty percent above neighborhood averages require extraordinary justification through unique features or superior location.

Calculate your projected holding costs including mortgage interest if financing, property taxes, and maintenance charges during the construction period. These costs can accumulate to fifteen percent of the purchase price over a typical three-year construction timeline. Factor these into your ROI calculations to understand your true break-even price.

Red Flag Checklist

The following indicators should prompt immediate caution or withdrawal from consideration: Developers unable to provide RAJUK approval documents; projects advertised at prices significantly below market rates; developers with three or more stalled projects; absence of physical site infrastructure like boundary walls or site offices; payment structures requiring more than thirty percent upfront; developers refusing to allow site visits; absence of written utility commitments; apartments advertised before land possession; marketing materials showing amenities not included in RAJUK plans; developers with pending legal cases exceeding five; absence of escrow arrangements for buyer payments.

Legal Considerations for New Projects

Essential Verification Steps

1. RAJUK Approvals:
   • Cross-check project ID on RAJUK’s e-Porcha portal
   • Confirm Floor Area Ratio (FAR) compliance
2. Utility Guarantees:
   • Prepaid meter allocations from DESCO/DPDC
   • WASA connection timelines in writing
3. Payment Structures:
   • 70:20:10 ratio (Booking: Construction: Handover) standard

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How to verify off-plan project legitimacy?
A:

• Confirm REHAB membership status
• Check RAJUK’s approved project list (updated monthly)
• Visit physical site – genuine developers allow inspections

Q: What’s better – buying in established vs emerging areas?
A: Gulshan offers 7% rental yields but lower appreciation. Purbachal plots show 15% annual growth but require 5+ year horizons.

Q: Are payment plans negotiable?
A: Yes.

Q: How do metro rail projects affect pricing?
A: Uttara stations added 22% value to nearby properties. Future Phase II extensions could replicate this in Mirpur.

Q: Can foreigners buy in these projects?
A: Yes, via BOI approval.

Expert Bio

Muhammad Nayeem Ferdous serves as Chairman and Founder of AmarGhorBD (360 Degree Property Services), a leading real estate consultancy firm specializing in residential and commercial property development, investment analysis, and buyer protection in Bangladesh.

With an MBA from Macquarie University (Australia) and over 5 years of specialized experience in the Bangladesh real estate sector, Muhammad Nayeem brings institutional expertise and international best practices to property transactions.

Through AmarGhorBD’s 360-degree approach, Muhammad Nayeem helps hundreds of families and investors navigate Bangladesh’s complex real estate market with confidence, ensuring informed decisions and protected investments. His consultancy emphasizes transparency, comprehensive research, and expert verification at every stage of property purchase – from initial market research through legal completion and handover.