Mapping Dubai in Interactive 3D for Property Sales
An interactive Three.js map with 27 modeled buildings that lets Marketika’s real estate client showcase Dubai properties to investors and buyers on any device.
Business Need
Marketika is a Montreal-based digital marketing agency that builds digital experiences for clients across North America and beyond. One of its clients, a real estate developer operating in Dubai, needed a compelling way to present properties to investors and buyers. Marketika set out to give that client an interactive 3D map of the city that would work as a marketing and presentation tool: modern, immersive, and easy to explore. The challenge was to pair high-quality 3D visualization with genuine interactivity while keeping load times fast and performance smooth across devices.
Result
We built an interactive 3D map of Dubai on Three.js, with 27 individually modeled buildings, integrated directly into the client’s website. Users can move freely around the map, interact with individual buildings, and open information on each property. The map now serves as a sales and presentation tool, and the engagement has since expanded into ongoing development.
Static renders and video flyovers are the default in real estate marketing, but they keep the viewer passive. Marketika wanted the opposite: a tool where an investor could explore Dubai the way they would on a site visit, moving through the city, picking a building, and pulling up its details on the spot.
That ambition came with hard constraints. The map had to live directly on the client's website, not as a separate app. It had to load fast enough that a first-time visitor wouldn't bounce, and run smoothly on whatever device a buyer happened to open it on, from a desktop in a sales office to a phone in a taxi.
Key items:
- Replace passive renders with a self-guided exploration experience
- Embed the 3D map natively into the existing website
- Per-building interactivity: click, explore, open property details
- Fast load and stable performance on desktop and mobile
High-Fidelity 3D That Performs
We built the map on Three.js, using GLB assets for the 3D models alongside tooling for animation, camera control, shading, and interactive effects. The map includes 27 individually modeled buildings that closely mirror Dubai’s real geography and landmarks. Users can move freely across the scene, interact with individual buildings, and open information on each property.
Optimized for Every Device
Balancing rich 3D with performance was the central technical challenge. We tuned the asset pipeline and rendering so the map loads quickly and stays responsive whether it is viewed on desktop or mobile, so the sales experience holds up wherever an investor or buyer opens it.
A Working Sales Tool, and a Growing Partnership
The finished 3D map was integrated directly into the client’s website, where, in Marketika’s words, it now serves as a sales tool. The project was delivered on time, managed by a dedicated project manager acting as the single point of contact. Since the initial delivery, the relationship has expanded: per Marketika’s public Clutch review, the scope has grown into ongoing development and enhancements, including microsites and continued support for the agency’s clients.
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