Al Barsha 1

Al Barsha 1 is a part of the Al Barsha community in Dubai. The community lies along Umm Suqeim Road and is further divided into Al Barsha 2, Al Barsha 3 and Al Barsha South. It has recently grown into a popular destination with a nice blend of residential suites, commercial spaces, private villas, hotels and offices.

Among the four different blocks, Al Barsha 1 is highly populated with mid-rise buildings and hotel suites. Al Barsha 1 is mainly popular for its affordable apartments and for the easy access it provides to Sheikh Zayed Road, Mall of the Emirates and the Dubai Metro.

• The first phase of Al Barsha
• In proximity to Sheikh Zayed Road 
• Has various property types and configurations
• Mostly consists of mid-rise buildings
• A sought-after area for renting apartments
• Freehold properties for individuals and expatriate families
• A preferable option for working professionals
• Home to Mall of the Emirates

The area is home to various apartment buildings and multi-purpose towers. Although it is primarily residential, a major chunk is dedicated to commercial properties. Therefore, it is busier than the neighbouring districts and is usually preferred by working professionals. The most attractive features of the community are:

• Variety of commercial and residential properties
• Access to many amenities
• Vibrant bustling community

Offering a wide range of properties and associated facilities, Al Barsha 1 is always bustling like most areas of Dubai. The community has a typical metropolitan vibe and it is a location where expats from around the world have settled. One can expect a colourful neighbourhood with a mixed cultural environment.

Properties in Al Barsha 1 include apartments, serviced apartments, villas, townhouses, hotels, offices, retail shops and commercial plots. Mid-rise apartment buildings are mainly preferred for residential use.

The neighbourhood is home to numerous residential buildings that offers apartments in various configurations. Some of the renowned ones are Zee Zee Tower, Al Murad Tower, Palacio Residence, Heritage Building, Saratoga Complex, Barsha Valley, Barsha Oasis, Rose Garden Building, Al Salam Tower and Dania Building among others.

With lavish suites and amazing dining options, there are many luxurious hotels in Al Barsha, popular among visitors. The hotels located in Al Barsha 1 include:

• Novotel Suites Dubai Mall of the Emirates
• Media One Hotel
• Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel

Novotel Suites Dubai Mall of the Emirates is a three-star suite hotel. It is located just a 7-minute walk from Sharaf DG Metro Station. The hotel has elegant suites with Wi-Fi, minibars and a living room facility. They have rooms for up to guest in their family suites. Amenities include a rooftop pool, spa and a gym.

Moving up to a four-star luxury hotel, Media One Hotel is a high-rise building with contemporary suites. It is located at a minute walk from Nakheel Metro Station. The hotel offers sleek rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, separate living rooms. There is a Mediterranean restaurant and a rooftop bar offering great views.

The upmarket hotel, Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel offers five-star services to the guests. It is connected to the Mall of the Emirates and only 7 km away from Wild Wadi Water Park. It features modern rooms, custom-made beds, flat-screen TVs, coffee machines and Wi-Fi access. The hotel also features Valet parking and shuttle service to the beach.

Located in the west, Al Barsha 1 is close to two main highways, Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road. Hence, it is easier to travel to and from this area. Also, being closer to the metro stations makes it convenient for residents to commute for work and leisure via the Dubai Metro.

There are plenty of parking spaces in Al Barsha 1 for residents and visitors. While residents get to park cars in the covered basement area or garages, guests can benefit from the spots on the street.

There are two alternatives for public transportation in Al Barsha 1. First, the community is serviced by two metro stations, Mall of the Emirates Metro Station and Sharaf DG Metro Station. Second, several buses link the community to the metro stations.

You can find many bus stations throughout the whole community, it is well-connected through public transportation. The nearest bus stations are Al Barsha Heights, Saleh Bin Lahej Building 1 and Al Barsha Heights, Saleh Bin Lahej Building 2. These are located in Barsha Heights at a 9 to 11-minute drive by car.

Residents will find many supermarkets in Al Barsha 1. There is a mix of local corner shops and popular supermarket chains. First, there is a Carrefour Hypermarket in the Mall of the Emirates. LuLu Hypermarket is another popular option located next to the mall. Pakistani Moon Supermarket, Grandiose Supermarket, VIVA Supermarket, Al Rayan Supermarket and Al Barsha Madina Supermarket are also nearby.

For daily essentials, one can check out Carryfood Minimart, West Zone Fresh Supermarket, Sprouts Supermarket, Sun N Moon Minimart and Care Plus Supermarket. These are some mini-marts and local stores close-by.

There are many community mosques in Al Barsha 1 located at short intervals such as Fatemah Marzouq Al Rashdan Mosque, Shareefa Al Attar Mosque, Fatima Abdullah Mohammed Rasheed Mosque and Al Barsha Mosque. Besides these options, some buildings in the area have dedicated prayer halls.

The community is home to people with different cultural and religious backgrounds. Therefore, it caters to the basic requirements of the majority. There is currently only one church in Al Barsha 1, the Emirates Baptist Church.

However, there are no temples or gurudwaras in the community. Shiva Temple in the Za’abeel community is just an 18-minute drive by car.

The other option would be temples in Bur Dubai namely Shiva Temple, Shree Krishna Haveli, the Sikh Gurudwara and the Sindhi Gurdarbar located 26 minutes away in Al Fahidi district.

Guru Nanak Darbar is a popular gurudwara situated within Jebel Ali Village, accessible at a 17-minute drive by car.

There are a few options for pre-schoolers as well, including:

• Cherry Town Nursery
• Dewdrops Nursery

The community is quite favoured amongst families for housing reputable educational institutes. Schools in Al Barsha 1 include:

• GEMS Dubai American Academy
• Dubai National School
• American School of Dubai
• Al Arqm Private School
• Dubai International Academy

GEMS Dubai American Academy, Dubai National School and American School of Dubai follow the American curriculum. Al Arqm Private School teaches the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) curriculum, while Dubai International Academy is a well-known option for the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. A few of these schools are also known as the best schools in Al Barsha.

Residents will find many other educational institutes within the vicinity such as Safe Center for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. For future scientists, there is the Young Scientists Centre. Polyskills Institute and Happy Mandarin Chinese Language Institute in Dubai are language schools in the area.

Presently, there are no universities in Al Barsha. Residents can travel to the University of Wollongong (UOWD) in Dubai Knowledge Park or Oracle University on Sheikh Zayed Road to pursue higher education.

Al Zahra Hospital Dubai is the only hospital in Al Barsha 1. Residents can also visit Saudi German Hospital Dubai in Al Barsha 3, located just opposite Al Barsha 1.

As for specialised clinics in Al Barsha 1, notable options include:

• Aster Clinic
• Houston Clinic
• SoloMed Polyclinic
• TruCare Clinics

Apart from the sister sub-communities, Al Barsha 1 is surrounded by popular residential and commercial districts including:

• Barsha Heights
• Al Quoz Industrial Area
• Al Sufouh
• Dubai Internet City

Barsha Heights and Al Quoz Industrial Area are next-door neighbours to Al Barsha 1.

Al Sufouh lies just off the main road, a 5-minute drive away. The commercial hub of Dubai Internet City is located roughly 12 minutes away.

There are a few malls in Al Barsha 1 and residents can make the most of many shopping opportunities nearby. These include:

• Mall of the Emirates
• Al Barsha Mall
• Dubai Marina Mall

Mall of the Emirates is a popular tourist attraction located in Al Barsha 1. Here, you will find everything under one roof from grocery to fashion and electronics. It is home to Ski Dubai, an indoor ski park and houses many luxury and high street fashion brands. Besides shopping, there are many fun things to do at Mall of the Emirates. These include ziplining, climbing wall at the Go Sports megastore, meeting penguins and learning skiing or snowboarding. The mall has two food courts and many casual dining options. It is also directly connected to the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Dubai and the Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel, Dubai.

Furthermore, one can shop and hang out at Al Barsha Mall which is 8 minutes away. While reaching Dubai Marina Mall may take more than 10 minutes depending on the traffic. Both these malls are popular with the residential community.

First, you have many options in The Mall of The Emirates, ranging from fast-food chains, cafes, casual dining restaurant and upscale eateries. Popular options in Mall of the Emirates include:

• The Cheesecake Factory
• Shake Shack 
• P. F. Chang’s China Bistro
• Din Tai Fung
• Farzi Cafe
• Texas De Brazil

Al Barsha is known for its food scene, you can find restaurants that serve many different cuisines at different price points. Popular restaurants in Al Barsha 1 include:

• Nom Nom Asia
• Griller
• Mr Crab
• Spinzer
• Foul W Hummus

Nom Nom Asia serves a mix of Chinese, Thai and Asian cuisines. Griller is popular for its grilled items, while Mr Crab specializes in seafood dishes. Spinzer is known for its Pakistani/Indian menu and you can visit Foul V Hummus for Lebanese dishes.

The community is also loaded with options for foodies. Since there are many hotels, one can expect plenty of fine-dining restaurants in Al Barsha 1. Some worth mentioning options are;

• Olea – Arabic restaurant in Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Dubai
• Salero Tapas & Bodega – Spanish restaurant in Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Dubai
• The Royal Buddha – Thai restaurant in Holiday Inn Dubai
• Besh – Turkish restaurant in Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel, Dubai.

While there is no sea within the vicinity, a few beaches near Al Barsha 1 are the first go-to option for families, teens and youngsters. Al Sufouh Beach, JBR Beach and Jumeirah Public Beach are worth mentioning. All of these options are popular spots for water sports and beach parties.

Al Sufouh Beach and Jumeirah Public Beach can be reached in 5 to 7 minutes. JBR Beach which is close to many hotels and beach resorts can be reached in 12 minutes.

Mall of the Emirates is undoubtedly the biggest landmark in this area. The mall apart from an extensive retail centre and VOX Cinema is adored for Ski Dubai. Well-known landmarks in the area include:

• Emirates Golf Club
• Jebel Ali Racecourse
• Skydive Dubai

Emirates Golf Club and Jebel Ali Racecourse are often found hosting tournaments and events. The two destinations are reachable within 10 minutes or less. Moreover, adventure seekers can check out Skydive Dubai which offers exhilarating skydiving experiences. It lies a 14-minute drive away from Al Barsha 1.

Each phase in Al Barsha has a community park and so does the first sub-community. At walking distance, there is Al Barsha Pond Park and the community parks and playgrounds in Al Barsha 2 and 3. Dog Park near Greens Community is also nearby.

To stay fit, residents can head towards:

• Crunch Fitness
• Fat To Fit Fitness
• Al Barsha Gym 
• Synergy Fitness

For beauty and wellness sessions, there are a few spas and salons such as:

• Sisters Beauty Lounge
• The Nail Spa
• Pout Salon & Spa
• Lavana Spa Al Barsha (also known as Lavana Spa)
• Super Trim Gents Salon
• Sharp Scissors Gents Salon

Mall of the Emirates usually hosts many events and festivals on special occasions. Entertainment activities are often organised for kids where they can participate and socialise with other kids. Ripe Market arranged at the Barsha Pond Park is a home-grown concept to promote local business and features a farmers market.

While the community has a lot to offer to guests and residents, it might be a bummer for those who prefer a quiet surrounding. However, frequent commuters enjoy easy conveyance and a vibrant lifestyle in Al Barsha 1.

Al Barsha 1 is part of the Al Barsha community. It lies close to Umm Suqeim Road.

The bus number 84 and 93 have routes that pass near the community. Those willing to travel by metro can use M1 to commute.

• Sheikh Zayed Road is accessible within 10 minutes
• JBR Beach is 12 minutes away
• The drive towards Dubai Marina will take 13 minutes
• Dubai International Airport is 23 minutes away