If you ever fly Emirates Airlines, their in-flight magazine has plenty of advertisements for snagging property on any of those buildings. Millions of dollars. The developments are funded by the oil money in that country. UAE is one of the countries in the Middle East that realized oil money will not last forever, and making a solid tourism industry would keep them going when that runs out in 30-50 years. They are certainly making that desert an appealing place to be.
This is by far my favorite building they have produced. It is absolutely gorgeous to see in person.