Sanzen launches human-centred developments in Dubai and Sharjah to redefine urban living with wellness focus

Sanzen, a project development and management brand that was born in the UAE, made a public debut in Dubai this week. It’s positioning itself as a developer focused on placing human wellbeing right at the heart of urban growth. According to the initial reports, the company held a three-day early-bird pre-launch event at the Sanzen Experience Center from December 11 to 13. During this time, they invited government officials, industry partners, investors, and brokers to get a first look at two initial projects: Zen Lagoons in Dubai and Sukoon by Sanzen in Sharjah.

The company is presenting itself as a sort of umbrella brand with two separate development arms: Zenova Realty Real Estate Developments, responsible for Zen Lagoons, and Al-Sanad Investment & Development, which is working on Sukoon. They argue that this setup allows them to combine a consistent “human-centered” philosophy with specialized project knowledge at the individual project level, that’s their thinking, anyway.

“Sanzen was created from a belief that the future belongs to developers who create real, lasting value, those who put people, not just buildings, at the center,” stated Abdul Aziz Al Sanad, the Chairman of Sanzen, during the opening ceremony. His comments, made at the launch event, framed their vision: focusing on developments that prioritize clarity, purpose, and wellbeing over pure density or spectacle for its own sake.

Zen Lagoons: Waterfront Living in Meydan
Zen Lagoons is being described as a mixed-use waterfront sanctuary located in Dubai’s Meydan area. The project appears to be targeting a market segment that has recently shown greater interest from both families and investors. They highlighted its connectivity to key spots like Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, and Dubai International Airport. Residential units will range from one to three bedrooms. The project will also include commercial office space.

Pricing announced during the pre-launch starts at AED 1.5 million for residences, roughly 630 square feet, and commercial spaces are starting from AED 2.8 million for about 697 square feet. During the pre-limited release, Sanzen only released 47 residential units, giving brokers and investors the chance to express interest and claim up to a 10% early-bird discount on selected units before the big public launch.

Wellness amenities are a big focus at Zen Lagoons. The development will feature dedicated spaces for meditation, yoga, Pilates, sound healing, and aromatherapy. There will also be an infinity pool, outdoor gym, jogging track, plus direct lagoon access with views of the water. It seems like an effort to bring together city convenience and a retreat-like atmosphere, to create a kind of peaceful urban escape.

Sukoon: Family-First Living in Sharjah
Sukoon by Sanzen is described as a gated villa community in Sharjah aimed at families wanting space and good value. The villas will come in three- to seven-bedroom options, with prices starting from AED 2.1 million and sizes beginning around 2,240 square feet.

This community is promoted as a master-planned neighborhood, complete with lagoon-style pools, private patios, parks, and plenty of green space. The infrastructure at launch includes a Zen Market retail hub, a nursery, a mosque, and a community center. They’re also highlighting features aimed at active lifestyles, such as cycle lanes and sports courts, along with smart-home enabled villas.

The company frames Sukoon as a response to market trends in Sharjah, which they say has attracted increasing investor interest in 2025, mainly thanks to competitive prices, higher rental yields, and steady demand.

Claims and Context
Sanzen strongly emphasizes that its approach places people above just the buildings. “Sanzen comes into the UAE with a purpose, to redefine how we live by bringing the essence of Zen into modern urban development,” said Amro Saleh, the CEO. He added, “Luxury should feel light. Communities should feel intentional. Homes should give people their time back, not take it away,” at the event.

Industry experts and local market reports indicate that developers are increasingly using lifestyles and well-being narratives to stand out in a competitive off-plan market. Government statistics and independent data show consistent investor appetite in Dubai’s key areas and growing interest in Sharjah’s suburbs. Much of this demand is driven by value propositions and higher yields. The initial launch material singled out Meydan and Sharjah as strategic locations balancing good connectivity and affordability.

The three-day pre-launch was designed to channel early demand through brokers and institutional partners. Participants were offered prioritized access to prices, inventory, and unit choices before a wider public release.

What remains to be seen, though, is whether Sanzen’s focus on a human-centered approach will actually lead to tangible outcomes in areas like sustainability, operational efficiency, and long-term community engagement. The pitch is heavily rooted in wellness activities and amenity-rich placemaking, but it lacks detailed technical info on energy performance, water management, or other metrics that are increasingly important for resilience and climate impact in UAE developments.

Developers aiming to genuinely claim a wellbeing and environmentally responsive strategy typically publish technical specs, independent certifications, or explicit performance targets as part of their sales and planning materials. For a market that values long-term sustainability and regulatory compliance, such disclosures are often essential for investors and environmentally conscious buyers who evaluate lifecycle costs and environmental impact.

All in all, Sanzen’s debut signals a new player trying to tap into the lifestyle-driven demand that’s been growing in the UAE’s property scene. They’ve even offered early reservations with incentives. The real test, however, will come when these projects move beyond concept and planning into actual construction, whether they stay true to that initial balance, purpose, and focus on people that they promoted during their launch.

Source: Noah Wire Services