The capital of the United Arab Emirates has for years been the centre of global architecture, with iconic buildings that are enhanced by the most sophisticated technology of the day.
Among the great architects who are creating and transforming Dubai into an architectural hub is the Greek, Despina Tabakopoulou.

The distinguished architect has been involved in major projects in the UAE such as the Dubai Opera House, the Opera Grand supertall building and served as director of construction and project management for RMJM, having overseen iconic projects such as the UAE Pavilion, the Emirates Airlines pavilion for Expo 2020, the construction of the Holiday Inn hotel in Dubai South and other major projects.

“I was involved in the construction of these projects and not in the design as part of wider teams, but always in key positions and having a lot of responsibility as potential mistakes in the construction of such buildings cost millions and we were there to correct the designers’ mistakes. The implementation engineers are always the goalkeeper of the project,” says the Greek architect.

In 2021, together with two other Greek architects, Sotirios Tsoulos and Filippos Zannettos, they created the Dubai-based construction company TTZ. Having already spent 11 years in the country, she considers the Emirates her second home. She first travelled to Dubai in 2013 to interview “for a big project” without knowing what it was. When it was time for the interview, she was informed that she had been invited to participate in the construction of the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi. Since then, one project succeeded another and as a result the experiences she gained led her to a high level of technical knowledge, something she would not have been able to achieve had she remained in Greece.
“A very important issue I had to deal with was being a woman on the construction sites, in large and serious councils, where I had to speak and get my point of view across. In some of them I was the only woman who participated. But when you are a proper professional you can earn respect,” she adds.
In recent years, and despite the turmoil internationally, the war in Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas, the Emirates continues to be an attractive destination for real estate investors but also benefits whenever there is chaos. Last year 431 homes were sold in Dubai, a record number, with the majority of buyers being Russian.

Regarding the intense rumour that has been developed recently that Dubai is experiencing the last two years of the real estate boom, the Greek architect believes that even if it happens, the events of 2008 will not be repeated, as the Emiratis have learned their lesson and at the same time have taken their measures.

“We are clearly in a more mature phase of the Emirati economy, as we see that taxes are gradually starting to come in. This is the first year that we have the implementation of corporate tax, which until last year was zero. We also have to consider that Dubai’s economy is predominantly based on foreign investors in terms of real estate and that the war in Ukraine contributed significantly to the inflow of capital into the country and there are still flows. Property prices are still moving upwards, however there are still many opportunities for profitability in the so-called off plan, land market and also in slightly older properties in good condition with the addition of renovations” concludes the Greek architect.