Community Guide: Downtown Dubai

Written by Bethan Hurst-Haynes

Downtown Dubai occupies 500 acres and a good portion of the city's most prime luxury real estate. It comprises multiple projects and prestigious buildings, housing tens of thousands of residents. Big-name hotels and luxury boutiques are interspersed with green spaces complete with fountains and lakes, whilst wide pedestrian boulevards weave through it all, adorned with art installations. Downtown Dubai is one of the world’s most exclusive communities blending leisure, retail and living into a seamless spectacle of innovation and architecture.

Downtown Dubai Overview

​The Neighborhood

The Neighborhood at Downtown

Some of the world’s most iconic buildings can be found here - Dubai Mall and the Dubai Opera house nestle either side of the park and fountains facing Burj Khalifa which is the crowning glory of Emaar and the tallest residential tower globally.

Don’t be fooled by the glamour present at every turn - the multitude of residential buildings offer something for every-one from studio apartments to penthouses occupying a full floor. All of the communities are carefully constructed to maximise their appeal from the green spaces of South Ridge to the village aesthetic of Old town and the glittering theatrics of Burj Vista.

Of course, in addition to properties that are ready, there are a great range of upcoming and off-plan projects - highlights include Act One Act Two, Il Primo and Bellevue Towers. Payment plans including DLD waivers make these great mid to long-term investment options for both the new and seasoned investor with attractive returns on your investment.

Amenities

Connectivity

Dubai Mall is the world’s second largest mall and whilst it may not take the crown on size, it certainly breaks other records. It attracts more visitors per year than New York City and has the world’s largest OLED screen at 709 square metres, situated by the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. It also has the biggest choreographed fountain display, with 6,600 lights and 50 coloured projectors shooting water 500 feet in the air in a series of meticulously planned shows. During the shows, there is a near constant 83,000 litres of water being moved around!

Aside from these accolades, the mall hosts 1,200 shops over a retail area of 502,000 square feet including the recently opened Fashion Avenue and Zabeel extension with E-Kart experience. For those needing respite from retail therapy, there are over 200 restaurants and cafes to choose from as well as entertainment options such as the 22 screen Reel cinema, VR park or the Dino fossil - a 24 metre long genuine Diplodocus relic.

Adjacent to Dubai Mall is CZN Burak, a highly-anticipated Turkish eatery from restaurateur Burak Ozdemir. Downtown Kitchens at Fountain Views on the Boulevard and Souk Al Bahar are a true foodies paradise with Lebanese, artisanal craft and seafood options as well as a dedicated specialty truffle store. The new Timeout Market occupies the third floor of Souk Al Bahar, a curated experience of hand-picked eateries from some of the region's best chefs which is sure to delight even the pickiest of palettes.

Connectivity

Emaar

Whilst Downtown offers everything you could possibly want and need, inevitably there will be times when you need to venture elsewhere in the city. This is made very easy with quick connections to Al Kahil and Sheikh Zayed Road southbound. Metro links are available northbound to the old town, or south towards Dubai Marina and JBR is a cost-effective way to move around Dubai. Aspects of everyday living are also taken care of, with healthcare options like Mediclinic readily available (there is a clinic inside Dubai Mall) as well as Aster Clinic and Emirates Hospital in Business Bay. Plenty of excellent schools are available too, such as Clarion, Babilou Nursery and Safa British School.

Dubai offers arguably some of the best residential options available in any market, but for those seeking a 24/7 lifestyle in the beating heart of the city, Downtown is surely the only choice. Please contact one of our specialists to arrange a private tour of some of the city's most spectacular residential options.

Things To Do in Downtown Dubai

There are many things available in Downtown Dubai for those who love exploring new indoor activities or an outdoor adventure. For outdoor leisure time, the area has plenty of parks, and green spaces, especially the Dubai Opera House, a multi-format performing arts center. Also, the area has Dubai's most popular tourist attractions, including the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, and the Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in the world. Explore our list of top things to do in the area.

Fine Dining Restaurants in Downtown Dubai

The community has plenty of high-end restaurants to choose from, each offering its own unique cuisine and atmosphere. Discover the list, and you won't be disappointed.

Best Hospitals in Downtown Dubai

The hospitals here offer a wide range of services to tourists and locals. Some of the best hospitals in Downtown Dubai include Mediclinic Dubai Mall and Valiant Clinic & Hospital. Have a look at the Best Clinics and Hospitals in Downtown Dubai.

Downtown Dubai Real Estate Market Report

Downtown Dubai's real estate market is one of the most popular and profitable markets in the city. The community is home to some of the most expensive and luxurious properties, hotels, shopping centers, and dining restaurants. The number of factors that have contributed to the success of the Downtown Dubai real estate market report, including the strong economy of the United Arab Emirates, the increasing number of investors/visitors moving to Dubai from UK with family, and the massive investment that has been made in infrastructure and development projects in recent years. 

Service Charge Index 2022

Have a look at the service charge index for Downtown this year.

#

Property Name

Service Charge

  AED / Sq.Ft

1

DT1

15.02

2

The Distinction

23.1

3

Bahwan Tower Downtown    

19.42

4

Upper Crest

19.77

5

RP Heights    

16.36

6

Damac Maison Prive    

20.93

7

118 Downtown    

27.99

Properties in Downtown

For Buy

Owning a property in Downtown Dubai means taking part in a multinational atmosphere and enjoying the most luxurious and modern lifestyle that the city has to offer. As a resident of this beautiful area will allow you to enjoy the five-star amenities, including beautiful views surrounding and living in the center of the city.

Latest Downtown Dubai Apartments for Sale

As the most popular area of this city, there are always new developments popping up in Downtown Dubai. If someone is looking for new apartments for sale in Downtown Dubai, here are some of the latest options on the market.

People Also Search For

Latest Downtown Dubai Villas for Sale

The Downtown Dubai Villas are a collection of luxury residences that offer the ultimate in Dubai living. Some of the villas have exquisitely high-end furnishing and feature their own private pool, garden, and maids' quarters. For a truly luxurious experience, Downtown Dubai Villas for Sale is a perfect choice.

For Rent

The community offers a wide range of properties available for rent, from apartments to luxurious penthouses with beautiful views of the surrounding areas. Contact our expert team to help you to find the perfect property for rent in Downtown Dubai.

Types of Downtown Dubai Apartments for Rent

There are many different types of apartments for rent in Downtown Dubai. Each unit has its own unique features, different sizes, layout, views, bedrooms, and amenities. Below are the most popular types of flats available in Downtown Dubai:

 

Downtown Dubai Property Tours

For those looking to buy/rent a property in this area, a guided video tour is the best way to see what special the particular unit has. Our experienced team will take you around the most popular neighbourhoods and will explain to you the best properties in Downtown Dubai. Have a look below:

Investment Property in Downtown Dubai

As the area continues to develop, investors are always considering properties that are close to new construction, future development projects, and near to major landmarks that the community offers. Many of the buildings in Downtown Dubai are based on luxury because of their modern lifestyle. However, investing in an area that is extremely popular for tourists and ex-pats will have a high demand. Because of the many high-end businesses and attractions in this area, Downtown Dubai stands as one of the top communities for those who want to do off-plan investment in Downtown Dubai.

​Investment Options in Downtown Dubai

1. Burj Khalifa Residences 2. 29 Blvd 3. The Residences
4. South Ridge

1. Burj Khalifa Residences

Within one of the most instantly recognizable buildings in the world, the Burj Khalifa offers 900 apartments from studios to penthouses. Offering a variety of views, they are highly desirable and always en vogue. As you would expect from such an iconic building, there are an abundance of amenities and resident benefits, including a direct link to the mall plus a lounge on the 123rd floor. Anchoring the Downtown area, many of the attractions flow out and around Burj park and the Burj Khalifa, setting it as the areas ‘North Star’. Downtown loves breaking records and the Burj Khalifa contributes to this with the world's tallest art gallery featuring contributions from 85 artists. During the tower's construction, the world’s three largest self-jacking cranes were used.

2. 29 Blvd

Designed by Frank Williams & Partners, 29 Blvd is certainly one of the most stylish buildings in the area. Drawing inspiration from New York architecture, 29 Blvd, two towers offer 750 apartments in a mix of living options from studios up to three bed apartments and its frontage is linked by a podium level housing leisure and retail. The architectural details include a double storey reception and ‘boulevard type’ apartments on the podium level and amenities include pools, gyms, barbeque areas and a games room.

rsz dsc06955 1

3. The Residences

The Residences I and II is a development of nine towers, including both residential and commercial options. For residents, there are apartments for sale in Downtown Dubai from one to four beds plus penthouses and villas skirting Burj Lake. The community is self-contained, with a podium level that links the towers offering leisure and retail options as well as vantage points to enjoy glittering views over Dubai’s skyline. Of course, the standard amenities such as a pool, gym and games room are available but The Residences also offers a library, mini-theatre and badminton courts. The 996 apartments are an excellent option for any-one working in Emaar Square, Boulevard Plaza or Al Saaha in Old Town which are next door.

4. South Ridge

Made up of six towers and set around dog-friendly parks, South Ridge offers 997 apartments from one to four bed, plus penthouses, and various retail outlets including a supermarket and several coffee shops. Handed over in 2008, Dubai Mall and Old Town are just a short walk away, but if you don’t want to venture out at all then you can take advantage of the great building amenities including mini-theatres, squash and badminton courts and a sauna.

DOWNTOWN31 (1)