Emaar Properties was established in 1997 as a public joint stock company and listed in March 2000 on the Dubai Financial MarketDubai Financial Market. In June 2005, Emaar doubled its share capital through a rights issue making it the world's largest listed property developer with a market capitalization of AED92 billion (USD25 billion). Foreign ownership of the stock was also raised from 20% to 49%.

In 2004, Emaar Properties handed over 8,000 homes to owners in Dubai and launched nearly 40 real estate developments, including the USD20 billion Burj DubaiBurj Dubai District, which comprises of the Burj DubaiBurj Dubai project - set to become the world's tallest building when completed in 2008 (the exact height hasn't been disclosed yet, but it has been confirmed that the tower will be over 700 meters). Other landmark projects include the 12.1 million square feet Dubai MallDubai Mall - the world's largest shopping and entertainment complex - and Marina Walk.

Also in 2004, Emaar Properties established Emaar International Development to further invest in various instruments and develop master planned communities in strategic countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Lebanon, Turkey, India and Pakistan. One of the first moves was when Emaar International entered in a joint venture with Al Oula GroupAl Oula Group, one of the biggest players in Saudi Arabia. However, the department also won a USD2 billion bid to build seven villages in Egypt and has set up a USD500 million joint venture in India with Delhi based MGF Group to undertake numerous developments there.

On another front, Emaar Properties has partnered up with Giorgio Armani SPA to develop a worldwide group of luxury hotels and vacation resorts in prime locations, including Dubai, London, Milan, New York, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo. The first such hotel will be located in the Burj DubaiBurj Dubai tower, under the name Armani Hotel, and will feature 250 suites.

In 2006, Emaar expanded in unexplored industries before by establishing Emaar EducationEmaar Education as well as Emaar Healthcare. New mega projects also made their appearance in the region like the USD500 million Dead Sea Project in Jordan, along with the Arabian Ranches in the UAE. Emaar is also finalizing the construction of the USD3.3 billion Umm Al Quwain Marina which incorporates residential, retail and recreational facilities, sport and yacht clubs, waterfront resorts, boutique hotels, schools, community centers, open beaches, and landscapes with parks and trails. The company will continue its expansion by developing new projects in Tunisia, Libya and Syria.

Emaar announced in March 2007 plans for a land-swap deal that would give the government owned Dubai HoldingDubai Holding a 28% equity stake in Emaar in exchange for land ownership; the deal was canceled later in the year.

Emaar announced, in November 2007, its plan for a USD40 billion share listing on the London Stock Exchange.