Yousef Abdullah Al Shelash, founder and chairman of Dar Al Arkan, has secured the 16th position on Forbes Middle East’s list of the Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders for 2025, recognizing his significant influence on shaping the region’s real estate landscape.
Since founding Dar Al Arkan in Riyadh in 1994, Al Shelash has built the company into one of Saudi Arabia’s leading real estate developers. In 2024, Dar Al Arkan reported revenues of $1 billion (SAR 3.8 billion), achieving a profit margin of 43 percent. The company closed the year with total assets valued at $9.9 billion (SAR 36.9 billion).
Born in 1967, Al Shelash established Dar Al Arkan at the age of 27 alongside his brothers and five other families: the Al Hethlouls, Al Roumis, Al Jarallahs, Al Qasems, and Al Babtains. By 2000, he owned 23.5 percent of the business, making him the group’s largest shareholder.
Through a combination of long-term vision and strategic execution, Al Shelash has transformed Dar Al Arkan into a real estate powerhouse whose impact extends well beyond property development.
Eight Things to Know About Yousef Al Shelash
Land Development Roots
In its early years, Dar Al Arkan focused on acquiring large tracts of undeveloped land in central Saudi Arabia. The company added essential infrastructure such as water, sewage, electricity, roads, and sidewalks before selling the plots to investors and developers. In the early 2000s, it expanded into the western and eastern regions of the Kingdom and began developing residential units. In 2024, land sales accounted for nearly 83 percent of the company’s revenue.
Sealing Mega Deals with Trump
Since 2022, Dar Global and the Trump Organization, led by Eric Trump, have announced at least six projects spanning hotels, golf clubs, and luxury residential towers. These include the $530 million Trump Tower Jeddah, the $2.66 billion Trump International Oman, which includes a hotel, golf club, and villas, and the $1 billion Trump International Hotel and Tower Dubai.
Blending Innovation with Cultural Heritage
Al Shelash is known for integrating modern construction technologies with traditional cultural values. In 2021, Dar Al Arkan introduced the region’s first 3D construction printing technology in collaboration with Construction of Buildings on Demand. In 2022, the company completed the region’s first two-story, 9.9-meter-high 3D-printed villa at its Shams Al Riyadh development, followed by a 280-square-meter two-story villa completed in just 26 working days.
Fostering Luxury Collaborations
Dar Al Arkan has positioned itself at the forefront of luxury real estate through collaborations with global brands. In 2021, it launched the world’s first villas featuring Versace Home interiors at Shams Al Riyadh. Later that year, the company unveiled the Urban Oasis residential tower in Dubai in partnership with Italian fashion house Missoni, valued at $217.8 million. In 2023, it launched Etoile, the first branded villas designed by Elie Saab in Riyadh, offering three and four-bedroom residences, including Wadi Villas overlooking surrounding natural landscapes.
Expanding Horizons Internationally
The company’s first international project launched in Dubai in 2017 with I Love Florence Tower. This was followed by Pagani Tower in Dubai and Aida in Oman in 2021. In 2022, Dar Al Arkan accelerated its global expansion with projects in Qatar, including Les Vagues, developments in Dubai such as W Residences, luxury properties in Spain, and a prestigious residence at 149 Old Park Lane in London.
Making Global Market Moves
In February 2023, Dar Al Arkan’s international arm, Dar Global, which was established in 2017, listed on the London Stock Exchange with a valuation of $600 million, raising gross proceeds of $72 million. Al Shelash emphasized London’s role as a strategic platform for attracting international investors and partners. This milestone followed Dar Al Arkan’s listing on the Saudi Exchange in 2007, reinforcing the group’s long-term global ambitions.
