Dubai Culture Village or Culture Village as it is commonly referred to, is a waterfront development near Al Jaddaf along the Dubai Creek. The village is spread over 3.7 million square metres, it will include many residential towers, the luxury 5-star Palazzo Versace Dubai hotel, a harbour, exhibition centres and a waterfront development when completed.
Culture Village was launched in 2006 by Dubai Properties, the first phase consists of D1 Tower and Palazzo Versace Dubai was completed in 2017. More projects have been launched and are expected to be complete in the coming years.
As the name implies, the development aims to preserve and celebrate the traditional art and culture of the United Arab Emirates. Therefore, every project displays the true colours and designs significant of Islamic architecture. To preserve and showcase the rich history and culture of the region many visual and performing art centres, museums and literary societies have been planned. Cultural institutions and schools of arts and creative design have also been planned. Jaddaf Waterfront is and will be an ideal home for all art lovers.
Dubai Culture Village is divided into four different districts; residential, commercial, retail and shopping. Moreover, it is located between the two major bridges running over the creek, Al Garhoud Bridge and Business Bay Crossing. These two bridges lead to many important areas such as Bur Dubai, Al Jaddaf, Downtown Dubai and Business Bay . Hence, Culture Village’s prime loction and connectivity to these major areas enhances the value of living in Dubai Culture Village.
Dubai Culture Village is a family-oriented community housing luxurious properties. It is an ideal residence for those who prefer an upscale and sophisticated lifestyle. It is home to two exclusive hotels, Palazzo Versace Dubai which is completed and Iris Asmar which is still under construction.
There are also many shops, apartment buildings and over 2,000 parking spaces built in the community. The cultural museum called Jameel Arts Centre is also located in the community, opposite Palazzo Versace Dubai.
The architectural theme of properties in Dubai Culture Village follows a mix of traditional and contemporary artwork. While some apartment buildings flaunt traditional Middle Eastern architecture with modern interiors, others have contemporarily designed exteriors with ancient Arab designs inside.
Renting flats in Culture Village costs around AED 57k to AED 110k for 1-bedroom apartments. If you’re looking to rent furnished apartments in affordable ranges, you can find many options here. 2 BHK flats for rent are priced upwards of AED 75k, annually. Those who have a bigger family can rent out larger units such as the 3-bedroom apartments for around AED 135k. Moreover, rents for 4-bed flats in Dubai Culture Village range from AED 152k to AED 350k, per annum.
Those hoping to invest in a decent property can consider buying an apartment in one of the popular buildings in Dubai Culture Village, such as D1 Tower, Manazel Al Khor or Dubai Wharf. The asking price for studio flats for sale in Culture Village starts from AED 933k, while the average price for a 1-bedroom apartment is around AED 1M. Prices for luxurious units for sale such as 3-bed apartments range from AED 1.8M to AED 6.7M.
Transportation in Dubai Culture Village has been well-thought-out. There is a large road network, many parking areas, multiple electricity sub-stations, as well as sewage and water networks. There are over 2,000 parking spaces in Dubai Culture Village.
The community lies in proximity to Al Jadaf Metro Station, it is on the Green Line of the Dubai Metro. Al Jadaf Metro Station is a short walk away from most of the community and the apartment buildings. Water Taxi services are also soon to be introduced as part of the efforts to enhance public transportation in Dubai Culture Village.
W Mart Supermarket, a local grocery shopping chain that is present in many parts of the city is also located in Dubai Culture Village. There are two branches of W Mart, one in the retail centre for Dubai Wharf residents and another for the Manazel Al Khor community. It is open throughout the day and offers a wide range of fresh grocery items and organic produce. W Mart is usually the first choice for residents while Spring Green Supermarket near Dubai Culture Village is preferred for regular shopping.
Otherwise, there is a Carrefour hypermarket part of the Dubai Festival City Mall, 7 minutes from Culture Village.
Sheikh Athija Bin Saqer Al Nahyan Mosque is built inside the community following the distinguished Islamic architectural theme. It is spacious enough to accommodate a big crowd. This mosque in Dubai Culture Village comes with a segregated prayer area for men and women and dedicated parking spaces for its worshippers.
There are no churches or Hindu temples in this community at the moment but a few can be visited in the neighbouring localities of Oud Metha and Bur Dubai. St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral Dubai and The Dubai City Church are located in Oud Metha and can be reached in 10 minutes or less. The Hindu Shiva and Krishna temples in Bur Dubai, as well as the Sikh Gurudwara and the Sindhi Gurdarbar, are 20 minutes away.
Several reputable schooling options can be found in neighbouring localities. The options in Al Garhoud and Oud Metha are both 10 minutes away. Notable options in Al Garhoud include Cambridge International School, The Indian High School, Al Mawakeb School and Al Khaleej National School. Schools near Dubai Culture Village in Oud Mehta consist of Dubai Gem Private School, GEMS Winchester School, St. Mary’s Catholic High School and Lycée Français International Prive.
University options can be found in the nearby area of Dubai Healthcare City, such as European University College and Mohammed Bin Rashid University Of Medicine and Health Sciences. The American College Of Dubai, Al Falah University and Emirates Aviation University are a few university options in Al Garhoud.
Many medical institutions, pharmacies and hospitals near Dubai Culture Village provide health facilities to residents in and outside the community. The community of Dubai Healthcare City is dedicated to such an industry and it has many clinics, specialized centres and hospitals for the community of Jaddaf Waterfront.
You can find Primavera Medical Centre, Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital, Mediclinic City Hospital, Latifa Hospital, Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital and Emirates Specialty Hospital in the nearby areas.
Besides being divided into five districts, the master plan of Dubai Culture Village also includes some projects that have been a huge success. The residential side of the community has several apartments available for rent and sale. There a few completed buildings such as D1 Tower, Manazel Al Khor, Dubai Wharf, Riah Towers and Nilofar Tower.
D1 Tower stands for Dubai 1 tower, it is an 80 storey skyscraper standing at 284 metres. The tower has a total of 528 apartments ranging from 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom configurations. It offers many luxurious amenities to its residents such as access to an indoor pool, an outdoor lagoon pool, a kids club, a state-of-the-art gym, a spa, a sky lounge, a private cinema, a lobby lounge with 24-hour concierge services and also offers free valet parking for guests.
Manazel Al Khor is a low-rise apartment complex developed by Dubai Properties. It is characterized by its traditional Arabic architecture similar to the Arabic wind towers of the past. It has 74 apartments ranging in 1, 2 and 3-bedroom configurations. It features amenities such as fitness centres, a swimming pool, kids play area and promenade features retail spaces and restaurants.
Dubai Wharf is a mixed-use complex developed by Dubai Properties. It is composed of multiple buildings stretched across the banks of the creek, it is close to the Jadaf Metro Station. It is often compared to Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), another highly popular waterfront community by Dubai Properties. Dubai Wharf features 582 flats and 150 retail shops, the residential side consists of studio units, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom flats.
Riah Towers is a 17-storey building with 154 residential units and 4 retail shops. You can rent to buy studios, 1, 2, 3-bedroom apartments and penthouse suites in Riah Towers. Niloofar Tower is a 14-floor residential building developed by RMG Limited. It contains studio flats, 1 and 2-bedroom apartments.
The location of Dubai Culture Village makes it an ideal place for families and professionals working in Dubai as it is connected to all the key areas and has a metro station at a short walking distance. The communities of Al Jaddaf, Dubai Healthcare City and Al Garhoud surround this extravagant district. It is easy to reach the areas of Bur Dubai, Ras Al Khor and Dubai Festival City.
Dubai Culture Village promotes an upscale lifestyle through its shopping avenues and nightlife destinations. The lavish resorts and hotels are enough to outshine other developments in the locality, adding a modern touch to the neighbourhood. The area is also close to family-friendly locations and landmarks.
Dubai Festival City Mall is located close to the Business Bay Crossing which connects Jaddaf Waterfront with the Al Garhoud/Dubai Festival City area. Dubai Festival City Mall fulfils the requirements of the residents and is also popular with tourists. It has many dining facilities, a wide range of international and local retail outlets, an expansive food court and a branch of Novo Cinemas.
Other malls near Dubai Culture Village are Wafi Mall, Burjuman and Deira City Centre. All these malls are popular among families and are located 7 to 12 minutes away.
Culture Village is home to various fine dining restaurants and cafes that are located in Palazzo Versace Dubai. Mosaico and Vanitas are Italian restaurants in the hotel, while Amalfi is favoured for its Mediterranean cuisine. Enigma is a luxury dining restaurant in the Palazzo Versace Dubai, it is known for its authentic Persian menu. Giardino has an international menu and is popular for its Friday brunch. Nightlife options include Q’s Bar and Lounge and the smoke-free La Vita lounge. Those who do not drink can head to Gazebo, which is an outdoor lounge/restaurant only open in winters.
Residents like to spend quality time at the casual dining restaurants in Dubai Festival City and Deira City Centre.
The community is not close to the beaches of Dubai but it is surrounded by Dubai Creek. Almost all of the residents can view the creek from their balconies, Culture Village also has a 3.8 km promenade with separate walking and cycling tracks. While living in Dubai Culture Village, residents hardly find the need to leave their homes as the community is loaded with swimming pools and exclusive leisure spots.
If you do prefer to visit a real beach then you can drive for 20 minutes to reach either Kite Beach in Jumeirah or Al Mamzar Beach Park in Al Mamzar. Kite Beach is popular for watersports, community events and its waterfront dining outlets. Al Mamzar Beach Park is preferred by those who like to picnic and barbecue.
Palazzo Versace Dubai is the key highlight of Dubai Culture Village overlooking the stunning Dubai Creek. Launched in 2015, it is a 5-star luxury hotel featuring 215 hotel rooms and 169 condos in 1 to 6-bedroom configurations and eight restaurants.
Besides this luxurious hotel, there is the Anantara Hotel and Spa which will boast 290 guestrooms along with various retail outlets, bars and a rooftop pool. This hotel is expected to launch in 2020. D1 Tower next to Palazzo Versace is another striking project and landmark. Developed by Enshaa, it is a tall 80-storey skyscraper flaunting a beautiful sky lounge, indoor pool, cinema and gym. It was launched in 2015 with various 1 to 4-bedroom condos.
As it is called Culture Village, Jameel Arts Centre is the main landmark in the area for art enthusiasts. It features many exhibitions and programs related to the culture and traditions of the UAE, as well as the international art world. The centre itself is spread across three floors and has gallery spaces, a research centre, a library and dedicated event space. There is even a rooftop terrace for film screenings, art installations or outdoor events. Jameel Arts Centre also has a gift shop, restaurant and espresso bar on the premises. One of the most notable areas of the centre is the Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park, which is the first open-air sculpture park in the UAE. The park surrounds Jameel Arts Centre and doubles as an outdoor gallery and open walkway area.
Other landmarks near Jaddaf Waterfront include Dubai Dolphinarium where you can catch the daily dolphin shows, Creek Park which is a large public park with any activities and Zabeel Stadium which often hosts football matches.
Dubai Culture Village is designed and developed with a smart master plan to cater to the needs of an elite society. Most families who move to Dubai Culture Village are health conscious. Therefore, the community has many fitness clubs, jogging tracks, cycling tracks and spas. Big play areas for children and family recreational centres also lie in the vicinity.
Each building in Jaddaf Waterfront has a fitness centre, gym or swimming pool. Most have all three and more fitness amenities such as a sauna or spa. There are outdoor walking tracks, promenade and many shaded areas to enjoy the outdoors. You can walk, jog or run along the Dubai Creek too.
For a pampering experience, you can visit The Spa in the Palazzo Versace Dubai and Golden Massage & Spa in Al Jaddaf. Salons in the area include Silvio Gents Salon and Fine Line Gents Salon in Al Jaddaf for men. Women can visit Toni & Guy, Hush Salon and Nail Moda in the Wafi Mall area.
Culture Village speaks for its name and hosts many cultural events and festivals. There is always something going on in the hotels and clubs for the lovers of art and music. Moreover, the community is also home to the Jameel Arts Centre which celebrates the ancient and modern history of Dubai. It hosts many cultural shows and exhibitions in its many gallery spaces.
Dubai Culture Village may leave you star-struck at first sight. However, it might not be a perfect home for singles who prefer a bustling neighbourhood. If you appreciate art, this community certainly has a lot to offer. It is also still under development, many amenities are not yet available and residents will have to travel to the neighbouring areas. The community is expected to be self-sufficient as it nears completion.