Continental Investments

Developer overview

Continental Investments is the UAE company behind projects now marketed under the LMD brand. According to LMD's about page, LMD has been developing residential and commercial property since 2007, with a portfolio spread across Egypt, Dubai, Spain and Greece. In 2011 it founded Continental Investment Company, whose first project in Dubai was The Continental Tower in Dubai Marina. That was followed by the Rukan residential community in Dubailand, and later by projects in Barcelona and Greece.

For buyers, the practical point is naming. A DPF listing may say Continental Investments, Continental Investment Company or LMD. Today's sales material and construction updates appear on LMD's UAE website, while sale agreements and Oqood certificates name the registered developer entity. Always check that entity on your documents rather than relying on the brand name in an advert.

Portfolio and locations

LMD's UAE menu names Continental Tower, the Rukan community, Marina Living, The Pier Residence, two Taiyo projects and three Boutique-branded buildings (La Boutique, Boutique XII and Boutique 23). The two projects that link to current DPF listings are:

• Marina Living – a residential project in Dubai Marina with one- and two-bedroom apartments, a pool, gym, children's area and padel court. LMD publishes quarterly construction updates for it. See Dubai Marina listings and the Dubai Marina area guide.
• The Pier Residence – a waterfront residential project in Dubai Maritime City with one- to three-bedroom apartments. LMD lists a rooftop deck and pool, an infinity pool, a padel court, a yoga studio, a walking track, an indoor play area and a gym. See Dubai Maritime City listings and the Dubai Maritime City area guide.

Older Continental projects include Continental Tower in Dubai Marina and the Rukan community in Dubailand, which LMD describes as its first Dubai projects.

Property types

LMD's current Dubai projects are apartment buildings, with one- to three-bedroom homes and shared leisure facilities such as pools, gyms and padel courts. The Rukan community adds villas, lofts and residences in Dubailand. Several of the newer buildings carry the "Boutique" name, which signals smaller buildings with fewer units, so comparable sales may be limited.

What buyers should verify

1. The developer entity. Check which company is named on the sale agreement and Oqood certificate, and which entity will issue the NOC.
2. Construction stage. LMD publishes construction updates for projects such as Marina Living and The Pier Residence. Cross-check them with the Dubai Land Department's Project Status Enquiry service.
3. Project name. LMD has several projects with similar names, such as Boutique XII, Boutique 23 and La Boutique, and two Taiyo projects. Confirm the exact building and unit.
4. Amenity access. Ask whether listed facilities, such as the rooftop deck at The Pier Residence, are shared by all residents of the building.

Finding distressed and below-market Continental Investments properties

Because Marina Living and The Pier Residence are still under construction, most distressed property in Dubai from this developer appears as an off-plan resale or assignment. The seller transfers their contract, and the buyer agrees to pay the instalments still due under the payment plan. A motivated seller might do this to avoid the next payment, to release capital or because their plans have changed. If the asking figure is under the price in the original contract, it is described as below original price (below OP). A distress sale marked below market value is being judged against recent sales of similar units in the same project or area.

Before you agree to an urgent sale, request the developer's statement of account showing paid and outstanding amounts, confirm any transfer fees the developer charges, and make sure the developer will issue the NOC that the Dubai Land Department needs to register the assignment. Cash buyer deals can close quickly, but they still need the same Oqood and NOC checks.