Al Khawaneej

There may be a smaller number of farming communities in Dubai but major investments have been ploughed into the agricultural sector by the government. One such community called Al Khawaneej lies behind the more culturally-diverse areas, such as International City, Al Warqaa and Mirdif. Mostly a desert area, it begins from the western side of Emirates Road (E611) and runs parallel to the Sharjah-Dubai border. With a large percentage of the population being natives, Al Khawaneej represents the true Emirati side of the city. Al Awir, another agricultural centre of the emirate and home to many farms including one owned by the royal Maktoum family, borders the development from the east.

Meeras is a leading property developer with many completed and on-going projects throughout the emirate. There are a number of new developments added to the market in the past few years. Al Khawaneej is also one of the Meeras projects in Dubai home to Al Khawaneej Walk, The Last Exit and offering a range of residential properties for rent.

• Contributes to the agricultural sector of the UAE
• Home to one of the best new attractions in Dubai
• Mostly occupied by Emirati nationals
• Residential properties include villas for rent
• Home to the picturesque leisure destination The Yard
• Unique leisure spots and outdoor activities

The suburban neighbourhood of Al Khawaneej is split into two districts, Al Khawaneej 1 and Al Khawaneej 2. Also, it encompasses many private farms and other agricultural areas. Wealthy families who have their agricultural businesses established and running since generations, choose to reside in this neighbourhood.

Hailed as a ‘suburban hideaway’, the much-hyped and recently-launched lesiure destination by Meraas titled The Yard is a part of this district. Spread across 350,000 sq. ft., this picturesque lakefront destination is a project by the developer behind Dubai’s famous spots such as City Walk and La Mer. Instilling a rustic vibe, it features a lake, bakery, walking trails, an organic farmer’s market and an 18-metre tall windmill. There is also the funky food truck park, known as The Last Exit. It also includes the nostalgic Promise Bridge where one can fasten padlocks as a romantic pledge, making it a perfect spot for couples. Additionally, The Yard offers quirky street art murals, a wishing well and mesmerising circus performances.

Al Khawaneej 2 may not be as popular as its other precinct for residential properties but it has great significance for various reasons. Firstly, it is largely occupied by agricultural lands such as nurseries, farms and stables for camel as well as horse breeding. The farms of well-known companies include Al Rawabi Dairy Company, the UAE’s leading manufacturer and distributor of dairy and juice products as well as National Agricultural Development Company (NADEC) which is one of the biggest agricultural companies in the Middle East.

The internationally and locally certified organic farm in Al Khawaneej 2 called Organic Oasis does not only offer freshly harvested food but also allows its visitors to go vegetable and fruit picking in the open fields. From carrots, broccoli and aubergine to coriander, parsley and dill, Organic Oasis Farms have a variety of crops thriving in this desert sand.

The residential properties for rent in Al Khawaneej, Dubai largely include huge villas with plush surroundings. Unlike the new wave of properties in Dubai that offer different globally-inspired styles, villas in Al Khawaneej feature strong traditional Arab elements. These houses include sprawling courtyards, shaded pathways, boundary walls and large ornate gates. The exterior often includes a swimming pool, a water fountain, expansive well-manicured gardens and covered parking for two or more cars.

The types of villas in Al Khawaneej include 3-bedroom, 4-bedroom and 5-bedroom units. In rare cases, you may even come across a vacant 6 or 7-bedroom house. Divided into two floors, these houses are built across expansive areas ranging between 4,000 sq. ft. to a whopping 15,000 sq. ft. The ground floor features two majlis rooms, a hallway, two kitchens, a dining area, a laundry room, maid’s room attached with a bathroom and a guest bedroom. Since Emirati culture observes and respects segregated social areas, the interior space of the homes is divided accordingly. Preserving privacy, a majlis (a room for social gatherings) for males has a separate entrance. The top floor includes more personal spaces for families, such as a TV lounge, study room, general bedrooms and a master bedroom.

The yearly rent of villas begins from an approximate amount of AED 110k and could go up to AED 400k and can be paid through four cheques, this is mentioned by your real estate agent and on the tenancy contract.

Since it is an off-centre area where traffic is not as challenging as in most central localities of the city, finding a parking space in Al Khawaneej is never a problem. Houses have their own private parking areas, whereas guests can make use of the ample space available around the properties. The public areas usually have a sizeable parking ground with large bays.

There are no specific routes for public transportation in Al Khawaneej but Al Khawaneej Street (D89) is dotted with several bus stations. Similarly, there are a few bus-stops on Al Amardi Street found down the D89 and D50 intersection. The 11A and 11B buses can be used to reach the Al Awir area or the bustling Gold Souk in Deira.

Those willing to catch a metro, can find Etisalat Metro Station at a 15-minute drive by car. At the same driving distance, you can access Uptown Mirdif Taxi Stand located in Mirdif community.

There are several supermarkets in Al Khawaneej, Dubai. Al Amardi Street is lined with Lafi Supermarket, Emi Bay Mini Mart and Weld AlFegir Grocery. Larger supermarkets in Al Khawaneej include Zam Zam Al Madina Supermarket, Kohaj Supermarket and Al Ttay Supermarket. Also, a few other mini-marts and grocery stores scattered around the neighbourhood. The closest hypermarkets include Lulu Hypermarket in Arabian Centre and Union Coop Hypermarket in Etihad Mall, both of which are 13 minutes away.

Mosques in Al Khawaneej are present abundantly. The architecture of the community mosques is also a true reflection of Emirati heritage. Abdullah bin Rawahah Masjid, Yousef Abdulla AlJaziri Smart Masjid and Masjid Alharamain are a few options for Muslim residents within the area. They can find many mosques in the residential area as well.

Moreover, the closest churches are concentrated in Deira, roughly 30 minutes away. Here, you will find Winners Chapel International Dubai, Fellowship of the Nations and All Nations Tabernacle. Whereas, Sikh residents can travel to Ras Al Khor Industrial Area to visit the Gurudwara Al Aweer and Automech Gurudwara, 25 minutes away. The Hindu temples in Bur Dubai such as Shiva Temple, Shree Krishna Haveli and ShrinathJi Temple are a 35-minute drive away from the neighbourhood.

Learning facilities for younger children include Basateen Kindergarten which is located in the community itself, while Creative Nest Nursery and Crystal Valley Nursery are located at a distance of 15 minutes. There are also a few institutes for religious studies in Al Khawaneej.

Ajyal International School, Otbah Bin Ghazwan Boy’s School and Al Athba School for Girls are a few schools in Al Khawaneej. The neighbouring Al Mizhar community also has several educational institutes including Al Mizhar American Academy School, Mirdif American School, Arab Unity School, GEMS Founder’s School and Al Mawakeb School. All of these schools are easily reachable, in under 15 minutes or less, and are located towards Al Khawaneej 1.

Two higher education hubs can be reached in 25 minutes or less. Residents can choose from the reputed universities which are a part of University City of Sharjah or the international institutes part of Dubai International Academic City.

Located near Al Amardi Street and the Al Khawaneej Street intersection, Al Khawaneej Health Centre provides all the general health care facilities. O2 Pharmacy, Medcare Medical Centre and Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehab are some of the other clinics in Al Khawaneej.

The nearest hospital would be the Aster Hospital in Al Qusais, 20 minutes away. In that area, you will also find Thumbay Hospital Dubai and Zulekha Hospital. Those with pets can visit the Dubai Municipality Veterinary Section which is located on the border of Al Khawaneej and Mushrif Park.

The southern region, just below Al Khawaneej 1, is surrounded by another farming-focused locality called Wadi Al Amardi. Adjoining the western border, Al Mizhar is also a similar villa community but is more developed in terms of the presence of modern amenities. Other nearby areas include Mirdif, which lies on the southwestern side, while the industrial developments of Sharjah lie across the northern boundary.

Currently, there is no comprehensive retail centre in the vicinity but plans to launch a mall in Al Khawaneej are in the pipeline. The mall will be developed as a joint venture between Nakheel and Al Nasr Cultural & Sports Club. This mall will have restaurants, shops and entertainment outlets distributed between three floors. There will also be parking spaces for around 700 cars on the ground level. Set to be the centrepiece of Al Khawaneej, the shopping complex will include a supermarket, anchor stores, kids zone, food court, fitness centre and a movie theatre.

As of now, residents can drive to one of the best malls in Dubai present in nearby areas, such as Arabian Centre and Etihad Mall. These are accessible at 13 minutes away. Some of the best malls in Mirdif include the large City Centre Mirdif is 20 minutes away and the unique Mirdif 35 lifestyle destination is 15 minutes away. All of these malls feature fantastic dining options, retails stores, grocery shopping options and entertainment options such as cinemas, play areas for children, arcades and more.

The restaurants in Al Khawaneej spoil you with a wide range of options.

The Last Exit Al Khawaneej

The food truck park called Last Exit Al Khawaneej features many alfresco and indoor eateries. Those craving a good burger can head to Big Smoke Burger, Krush Burger, Crave Too or Mooyah. Cupagahwa, Il Cafe De Roma and Saddle Cafe are best for snacks and drinks. DOH and Ice Cream Lab are where you will find sweet treats.

Enveloping the air with a heart-warming aroma, Al Khawaneej is also dotted with several coffee places and espresso bars. Some of which are XO Coffee Boutique, Gossip Café, Grind Coffee and Roastery House.

Moreover, for scrumptious varieties of waffles, pancakes and crêpes, residents can head over to Grain. Acai bowls and poke bowls can be found at PWR, while those looking for American food can visit Angus Burger in the area. Those who prefer gluten-free, paleo or vegan options will find I Healthy Foods and Café in Al Khawaneej 2.

The community of Al Khawaneej is located on the outskirts of the city but a 30-minute drive will lead you to the vibrant beaches near Al Khawaneej. These coastal destinations of Dubai include Jumeirah Beach and Al Mamzar Beach. Both of these public beaches are known to be among the best beaches in Dubai. They offer many amenities to its visitors, such as exercise equipment, jogging tracks and many food and beverage options.

One may expect life to be dull in a remote locality but surprisingly, Al Khawaneej Walk proves that wrong. This area provides a different leisure experience, thanks to the presence of the aforementioned Yard next to Last Exit Al Khawaneej. This suburban hideaway houses Dubai’s first love lock bridge called Promise Bridge. In addition to this, it also has pony rides, a farmer’s market, a wishing well and quirky seated spots.

Mushrif Park is located close to Al Khawaneej and is one of the best public parks in Dubai. It is known for the large amount of Ghaf trees present in the park, numbering over 10,000. The park has many activities on offer such as barbecue areas, sports fields, children’s play areas, bicycle tracks and swimming pools. Key points of interest in Mushrif Park include the astronomy centre, the park’s theatre and an international village with 13 models of traditional houses from around the world.

Aventura Park is also part of Mushrif Park, it can easily be reached from Gate 1. It is an outdoor activity park, it features zip-lining, tree surfing and rope climbing. It is open during the winter months of Dubai as it is outdoors.

Quranic Park is a new addition to the area, it is the first Quran inspired park. It offers Muslims and non-Muslims the chance to learn more about the miracle and plants mentioned in the Holy Quran. Also part of the park is the Cave of Miracles where one can learn about the Prophets and the Glass House which is filled with plants and trees mentioned in the Quran.

Apart from the above-mentioned parks, residents can also visit Al Khawaneej Pond Park. It is preferred for those who want to cycle, walk, run or jog around the central pond. Moreover, towards the south of Al Khawaneej, you will find the Desert Equestrian Club, UAE Football Association grounds and a few other equestrian-themed activities such as stables, horse jumping arenas, training academies and more.

There is Khalifa AlJaziri Gym in Al Khawaneej, while Fitness 360 and Rise Fitness Boutique are located in Al Mizhar. If you’re looking for beauty salons, you can find 86 Beauty Lounge in Al Khawaneej and Urban Look Gents Salon in Al Mizhar.

The highlight of the neighbourhood, The Yard hosts a few community events throughout the year. Motor enthusiasts can connect with other like-minded individuals at the Mancave Dubai in Al Khawaneej 1.

Like most areas that lie on the outskirts, Al Khawaneej has a limited number of amenities such as schools, hospitals and retail centres. But with a short drive, residents can visit the more modern inland areas that have more of these amenities.

Public transport is not operational in the vicinity. People who don’t have their own means of transport will have to rely on taxi services.

Al Khawaneej community is named after the name of water wells located in the area.

The distance between Al Khawaneej to Dubai International Airport is 16.3 km. Travelling by car takes around 16 minutes to reach via D89.

• Less than a 20-minute drive from Dubai International Airport
• About 11 minutes away from Arabian Centre
• City Centre Mirdif is around 17 minutes away
• The University City of Sharjah is accessible in about 25 minutes via Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311)
• Business Bay and Downtown Dubai are 30 minutes drive by car