Downtown Dubai

Downtown Dubai is a mixed-use development by Emaar Properties located in the city’s centre. It is located along Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), across from Al Wasl community on the northwest. It is bounded by Financial Centre Road (D71) towards the northeast and Business Bay towards the south.

The downtown area in Dubai is home to landmarks, shopping malls and leisure attractions namely, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dancing Fountain and Dubai Opera. The properties include high-rise buildings, penthouses, villas, commercial buildings, and upscale hotels.

As per Bayut’s Dubai real estate sales market report for H1 2023, it is the second most popular area offering luxury apartments for sale after Dubai Marina.

• A mixed-use development in the centre of the city
• Developed by Emaar Properties
• Home to the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa
• Hosts several parades and festivals throughout the year
• Lives up to its tagline, ‘the centre of now’
• Offers a community experience despite being a tourist hotspot
• Properties boast impressive world-class amenities
• One of the top areas with family-friendly apartments in Dubai

Downtown Dubai is a mixed-use neighbourhood categorised into Old Town and New Town. Old Town is home to 35 low-rise buildings that feature classic Arabian architecture. New Town has high-rise contemporary buildings. There are luxurious apartments, making Downtown Dubai a top choice among areas in Dubai to rent apartments. One can also find elegant penthouses and podium villas in the luxury residential towers.

Downtown in Dubai location is home to apartments, hotel apartments, penthouses and a few villas.

There are studio to 4-bedroom apartments in the area. These apartments have master bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a fitted kitchen, a living room, dining spaces, a spacious balcony and covered parking spaces.

The Downtown area in Dubai features 3 to 6-bedroom penthouses. These units have master bedrooms, full bathrooms, a maid’s room with a maid’s bathroom, a laundry room, and a storage room. Each unit has a fitted kitchen, a spacious living area, a dining space and a balcony.

Hotel apartments in Downtown Dubai feature studio to 4-bedroom units. These units have master bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a maid’s room with a maid’s bathroom, built-in wardrobes, a laundry room, a storage area, a fitted kitchen with appliances, a living and dining area, a balcony and covered parking spaces. These properties have access to the shared swimming pool and a health club.

There is also a wide range of villas concentrated at the podium levels of The Residences, Boulevard Point and other developments. The configuration for such units ranges from 3 to 4 bedrooms. Also, Opera Grand is an off-plan project with an exclusive collection of townhomes on offer.

There are several off-plan buildings in Downtown Dubai. These include:

• Elegance Tower
• W Residences
• St. Regis Residences
• Burj Crown
• Society House
• Rove Home

Elegance Tower will be a 26-storey building by DAMAC Properties. It will offer 1 and 2-bedroom apartments. The handover is expected in Q4 2026.

W Residences will be a 49-storey building in Downtown Dubai. It will offer hotel-style 384 units as 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartment types. The project is expected to be completed in 2025.

St. Regis Residences will be the two-tower complex located in the Burj District. This off-plan project by Emaar Properties will have 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments. The expected completion date of this project is December 2026.

Burj Crown will be a 44-floor building featuring 440 apartments in 1, 2 and 3-bedroom configurations. This off-plan project by Emaar is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Society House will be a 52-storey tower located on Umniyati Street. This off-plan project by Invest Group Overseas (IGO) will have studio, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments. The project is expected to be completed by Q2, 2026.

Rove Home is an off-plan building developed by OCTA Properties and IRTH Developments. The building will feature studio, 1 and 2-bedroom apartments. The expected date of completion is Q2 2026.

Those looking for Downtown Dubai floor plans can browse through the floor plans available for popular communities/buildings in the community.

As Downtown is a bustling tourist destination the area is filled with hotels. Some of the best hotels in Downtown Dubai are:

• Armani Hotel
• Palace Downtown
• Kempinski The Boulevard (previously The Address Boulevard)

Armani Hotel is a 5-star hotel located on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Boulevard. The hotel is located on 11 floors of the Burj Khalifa and is a joint project between Emaar Hotels & Resorts and Giorgio Armani. Hotel amenities include a spa, a gym, restaurants, valet parking, elevators, event spaces and 24-hour security services.

The Palace Downtown Dubai is a 5-star hotel located on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard. The hotel features Middle-Eastern themes and overlooks the dancing Dubai Fountain. The hotel amenities include a wellness spa, a well-equipped gym and various dining options.

Kempinski The Boulevard is a 72-storey tower standing 368 metres tall. The building has 196 luxury hotel rooms. It is one of the Address Hotels in Dubai located on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Boulevard.

The Heritage Hotel, Autograph Collection (former Manzil Downtown Dubai) is a 4-star hotel located slightly further away from Burj Khalifa. The hotel offers three dining options and a deluxe pool for guests. Hotel Boulevard, Autograph Collection (Vida Downtown Hotel) is one of Dubai’s best boutique hotels located within the neighbourhood. It is known for its peaceful environment and dining establishments.

The residential apartments come with dedicated parking spaces. Whereas, visitors can make use of the paid parking bays dotted around the area or the underground parking along Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard.

Dubai Metro service, Dubai RTA bus service and taxi service are modes of public transportation in Downtown Dubai. Numerous registered taxis service the area. Burj Khalifa, The Palace Hotel bus stop is at a 3-minute drive by car. Route 27 and F13 service the bus station. Burj View Central Tower 1 & 2 bus stops and South Ridge Tower 1 & 2 bus stops are reachable within a 10-minute drive.

Burj Khalifa/ Dubai Mall Metro Station on the Red Line is a popular choice amongst Dubai Metro users. It is accessible at a 10-minute drive by car.

Dubai Trolley also travels along Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard. It is the world’s first hydrogen-powered trolley that transports people to and from various hot spots in the area. Due to its vibrant, ‘never stop’ vibe, the neighbourhood has been designed to be pedestrian-friendly. Many visitors and residents are often seen strolling around the area.

There are three branches of Dubai’s Spinneys supermarkets in the area. Waitrose hypermarket is located in Dubai Mall. Grandiose Supermarket, ZOOM, Old Town Minimart, Carrefour Market and Choithrams have branches in the Dubai Downtown area.

Sheikha Abdullah Salem Mosque and Al Ghafoor Mosque are located in the area. Dubai Mall has its own mosque and prayer areas within its premises.

Some of the best Dubai churches are about a 15-minute drive from the area. These include The Dubai City Church, Holy Trinity Church and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oud Mehta. Hindu residents can also head to the temples in Bur Dubai, reachable at around a 20-minute drive.

Toddler Town British Nursery, Blossom Nursery and Jumeirah International Nurseries are options available for parents within the area.

Toddler Town British Nursery offers early years education based on the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework. It enrols children from 3 months to 4 years and offers standard nursery classes from 08:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m.

Blossom Nursery follow the British curriculum based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. It enrolls students aged eight weeks to 5 years. It is located in Al Manzil District, Yansoon 7, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard.

Jumeirah International Nursery Dubai follows the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. It is located at Al Abraj Street, South Ridge Towers.

For primary education, there is JSS Private School in Al Safa. It follows the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum. It is located slightly off Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) near the intersection of 45 Street and 48 B Street.

Downtown in Dubai location is well-connected to medical facilities. Dubai Mall is home to a branch of Mediclinic. It is one of the finest private hospitals in Dubai offering treatment across different disciplines, including cardiology, dentistry, obstetrics and dermatology.

Sage Clinics is a mental health clinic located at Saaha Building, Block A Suite 519.

Downtown Dubai is the unofficial heart of the city, connected to both old and new Dubai. Geographically, it sits off Sheikh Zayed Road, between the business hubs of DIFC and Business Bay. Nad Al Sheba (home to the Meydan Racecourse) is a short drive towards the east. While Jumeirah 1 is to the west of the neighbourhood.

You don’t have to be a tourist to feel the magnetic attraction of Downtown Dubai!

Downtown Dubai is home to the most popular and best malls in Dubai. So, retail therapy and hanging out at the mall are a few of the most favourite activities here.

Dubai Mall

The city’s largest mall, Dubai Mall is home to international, regional and local brands that encompass everything from fashion to literature and technology. With the opening of Fashion Avenue in Dubai Mall, visitors can now shop from high-end brands like Chanel, Prada, Louis Vuitton etc. Other shops in Dubai Mall include a hypermarket, electronics stores, home furnishings outlets and exclusive eateries.

Besides shopping, fun activities to do in the Dubai Mall include dining, watching a movie or enjoying eKart Zabeel. All you need to get started is to register yourself and book a ride. Moreover, there are shisha cafes in Dubai Mall such as HuQQa, Cabana and Dish/Dash. India Palace Express, Texas Roadhouse, New Shanghai and P.F. Chang’s are a few popular restaurants in Dubai Mall. One can choose to dine from the range of eateries or grab a cup of coffee and snacks from various cafes in Dubai Mall such as Angelina Tearoom, Coffeol and Starbucks.

Souk Al Bahar

Another upscale shopping experience can be found in the relatively relaxed Souk Al Bahar which has more curated and specialised shops. It is home to casual lounges, eateries and more than 100 shops. From Arabic perfumes to dried fruits and spices, one can find authentic local brands here. Popular restaurants in Souk al Bahar include Shakespeare and Co., Patiala, Karma Kafe and Claw BBQ.

Another integral part of the Downtown Dubai lifestyle is food and social celebrations. Well-known cafes and fine-dining restaurants in Downtown Dubai serve everything from nitrogen-frozen ice cream to mouth-watering steaks. There are also hotels in and around the area, including Souk Al Bahar, that feature cosy eateries and some of Dubai’s trendiest bars. You will find some amazing Downtown Dubai restaurants with Dubai Fountain views for romantic date nights to more casual cafes to hang out with friends. It’s a phrase often used, but this neighbourhood has something for everyone; you’d be hard-pressed to find a reason to leave! As for Indian expats missing home, there are many Indian restaurants in Downtown Dubai such as Shamiana, Patiala and Peppermil.

Since it is located on the eastern side of Sheikh Zayed Road (i.e. inland), residents will unfortunately not be able to walk to the beach. However, thanks to well-planned overpasses, reaching the popular public beaches is just a short 15 to 20-minute drive. Those who love the water but can’t quite wait that long just need to head to their community swimming pool – a feature of the majority of towers Downtown.

You would never run out of things to do in Downtown! The area’s busy vibe is certainly one of the biggest advantages of renting in Downtown Dubai. There is a cinema, theme park, arcade, ice rink and a multitude of children’s entertainment venues in Dubai Mall alone. Kids and adults, both enjoy fun activities at Trampo Extreme. A friends’ meetup can be planned at the shisha cafes in Downtown Dubai.

Dubai Opera

Dubai Opera hosts international shows, concerts and events all year round.

Also, a part of the cultural offerings of the Downtown area in Dubai is the outdoor gallery featuring local artists. Strolling through the tree-lined Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard you will find quirky and eclectic installations every so often, as well as a slide beloved by adults and little kids alike.

Constantly attracting tourists, there are always some new things to do in Downtown Dubai. The area is best known for offering a luxurious lifestyle. It used to be a vertical community, but many villas have also been added to the real estate market.

Pet-lovers can easily live in the community with their pets. The serene Burj Park is one of the pet-friendly parks in Dubai, perfect for walks and general playtime. From cycling to lake rides, there are many healthy activities in Burj Park for kids and adults alike. The place is also a hit with fitness fans who are often seen running or jogging against the iconic Downtown backdrop. The pet-friendly nature of the Downtown Dubai community is one of the biggest benefits of living in the area.

For outdoor fitness options in Downtown Dubai, there is a bicycle rental system – simply pick up a cycle from one station and ride it to the next. For a more formal exercise regime, residents often visit the well-equipped communal gyms available to them or visit studios such as the Fitness First Platinum, Fitness 360 or the ever-popular Flywheel Studio.

Expected from such an upscale neighbourhood are several upmarket spas and salons. Most of them are found in Dubai Mall and the surrounding areas. Some of these also offer medical spa services.

One of the most well-known and anticipated events of the year, the countdown to the new year, happens in Downtown Dubai. Best known for awe-inspiring fireworks, photographs and videos from the event are immediately broadcasted around the world. People travel from far away to be there in person. Some other events in Downtown Dubai that consistently draw crowds include motorcades of classic cars as well as parades for the UAE National Day leading to the area never having a dull moment. Residents can just take a stroll down to the Dubai Fountains and enjoy the views of a breathtaking engineering marvel.

Downtown Dubai also has its fair share of community-focused events, such as free outdoor film screenings, concerts, and food and craft markets that support local brands, while individual towers often host events throughout the year just for tenants.

Even with its many benefits, there are a few things to consider before moving to the district. Since Downtown Dubai is a hot tourist destination, it gets congested during peak seasons. Living in Downtown Dubai is ideal for anyone from singles to families. Mostly, there are luxury apartments but one may be lucky to find a few affordable options.

Downtown Dubai is called the ‘centre of now’ and is considered the centre of Dubai. It is located between old and new Dubai, which means residents can easily access areas like Bur Dubai and Deira as well as Dubai Marina and JLT.

Yes, Downtown Dubai is one of the freehold areas in Dubai. There is a range of apartments and villas on offer.

You can take a bus, taxi or ride in the metro to reach Downtown Dubai from different areas. The closest stations are Moosa Tower and Emirates Tower.

The fountain show takes place daily in the afternoon and evening. Afternoon shows take place at 01:00 pm and 01:30 pm, on Fridays, the timings are 01:30 pm and 02:00 pm. The evening shows are held from 06:00 pm onwards, every half hour until 11:00 pm. The show lasts for about 5 minutes, where the fountains dance to the upbeat music in sync with over 6,000 lights/lasers and 50 colour projectors.

Downtown Dubai is a pedestrian-friendly community and you can walk from the Dubai Mall to Dubai Opera. Just take the exit near the At The Top ticket counter on the ground floor and follow the pathway from the fountains to the Dubai Opera.

The Burj Khalifa offers the best views of Dubai from its observation deck. Visitors will need to purchase a ticket to reach the observation decks that are located on floors 124, 125 and 148. Ticket prices start from AED 99.

• As the unofficial (but widely accepted) city centre, Downtown is one of the key locations in Dubai
• Located mere minutes from two business hubs (DIFC & Business Bay)
• 18 minutes from the Dubai International Airport
• Minutes from two of the city’s major highways – Sheikh Zayed Road (which links the seven emirates) and Al Khail Road
• A 20-minute drive to the Dubai Marina – perfect if you love watersports