Downtown Dubai: the area by Burj Khalifa and new developments at its centre
How former military land by an interchange became the centre of Dubai, the Mercedes-Benz tower, Skyblade, Sofitel, One Residence, Inaura, the entry price and what you do not see at a viewing.
Downtown Dubai is the area around Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. It is also home to Dubai Mall, the dancing fountain on the lake, the opera house and a 3.5 km boulevard. Twenty years ago, this was vacant land by an interchange. Now it is the Emirates' best-known address. New developments here are sold under Mercedes-Benz, Sofitel and Baccarat brands, with entry from AED 1.5 million. Our catalogue lists 61 developments in the area. Of these, 17 hand over in 2026 or later and are being built by 14 developers. We look at how a vacant plot became the centre of Dubai, how the main new developments differ, how much it costs to buy in and what you do not see at a viewing.
What is happening in the area
Downtown has largely been built out. The tower, mall, fountain, opera house, hotels and most residential buildings were completed between 2008 and 2020. There is almost no vacant land left, so new developments occupy the last plots, most often at the edges of the area: by Sheikh Zayed Road, Financial Centre Road and the Business Bay border.
For a buyer, this means three things. First, everything people come here for is already operating and can be seen in person. Second, almost every new development sells not just an apartment but a brand. Mercedes-Benz, Sofitel, Baccarat, Fairmont, Rixos, St. Regis: this one area has more brands than anywhere else in the city. Third, prices vary more widely than in neighbouring areas. A studio costs AED 1.5 million, while an apartment at Baccarat starts from AED 35 million.
If you are buying in the UAE for the first time, start with “How to buy property in the UAE”: it explains the Dubai transaction from reservation to handover.
Vacant land by an interchange: how Downtown came to be
As recently as the early 2000s, there was nothing here worth looking at. Former military land lay by the Defence Roundabout interchange on Sheikh Zayed Road. In January 2004, Dubai announced to the world that the planet's tallest building would rise on this site. Emaar, the company founded by Mohamed Alabbar in 1997, took on its construction.
From the outset, the tower was conceived as the heart of an entire district. In September 2007, the project was described as 500 acres, about 200 ha, AED 73 billion in investment and 'more than 100,000' future residents. The area was then called Downtown Burj Dubai. One of the first projects launched in 2004 was Old Town: homes in a traditional Arabian style, built by Emaar as a reminder of the past amid new construction.
828 metres: how Burj Khalifa was built
The tower was built from 21 September 2004 to 4 January 2010. The project was designed by SOM, with Adrian Smith as lead architect. The desert flower Hymenocallis inspired its form, hence the tower's Y-shaped plan. More than 12,000 people worked on site. Its foundations and walls used 330,000 m³ of concrete, and the tower stands on 192 piles driven 50 m into the ground.
The tower is 828 m high, a Guinness World Records title. It has 163 floors, 900 apartments, a 304-room hotel and 58 lifts. The façade is made up of 28,000 glass panels, and its spire can be seen from 95 km away. Samsung C&T, Arabtec and BESIX were the main contractors.
The opening came at a difficult time. Until the final day, the tower was called Burj Dubai. At the opening ceremony it was renamed in honour of Sheikh Khalifa, President of the Emirates. A month earlier, Abu Dhabi had provided Dubai with $10 billion at the height of Dubai's debt crisis. The tower's first months bore this out: in October 2010, rents there fell by 40%, and 825 of its 900 apartments stood empty.
It is now the city's defining image. The At the Top observation deck is on the 124th floor, while At the Top SKY is on the 148th floor, at a height of 555 m. The view from above clearly shows the area's layout: the fountain lake in the middle, with Old Town, hotels and residential towers around it.
The mall, fountain and metro
Dubai Mall opened on 4 November 2008, before the tower. Today it has more than 1,200 shops and more than 200 restaurants. It received 105 million visitors in 2023 and 111 million in 2024. In June 2024, Emaar announced an AED 1.5 billion expansion of the mall, adding 240 shops and restaurants.
The mall contains an aquarium, which is why many people visit. Its 32.88 by 8.3 m glass panel made it into Guinness World Records. Behind it are 10 million litres of water and more than 33,000 animals, including rays and sharks.
A lake lies in front of the mall, with a fountain on it. It opened on 8 May 2009 and was created by the California company WET. In 2013, the fountain was extended to 275 m. Its jets reach up to 150 m, and the show is lit by 6,600 lights. The fountain cost about $218 million. It closed for renovation in April 2025 and reopened on 1 October 2025 with new lighting, sound and choreography.
Across the lake from the mall is Souk Al Bahar, an Arabian-style market with restaurants on its terraces. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard runs 3.5 km around the area. Until December 2012, it was called Emaar Boulevard. Dubai Opera opened by the lake in 2016. The 2,000-seat building is shaped like a dhow. Plácido Domingo gave its first concert on 31 August 2016.
Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall metro station opened on the same day as the tower, 4 January 2010. Since 2012, it has been linked to the mall by a covered walkway 820 m long. The station has long struggled with passenger numbers, and in June 2025 Dubai authorities unveiled plans to expand it: capacity will rise from 7,244 to 12,318 passengers an hour.
Fireworks, a fire and residents
Every New Year, the world watches Downtown. Half a million people came to welcome 2011. For New Year 2019, 2 million visitors were expected and 4,000 police officers were deployed. For residents, that means road closures: on 31 December 2025, streets around the tower closed from 16:00, Sheikh Zayed Road from 23:00, and Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall metro station from 17:00.
A year later, the night ended in disaster. On 31 December 2015, just hours before the fireworks, the facade of The Address Downtown hotel, next to the tower, caught fire. The blaze started outside, at the level of the 20th floor. 14 people sustained minor injuries. A short circuit in a spotlight was identified as the cause, and insurers paid AED 1.24 billion. The hotel was restored and welcomed guests again in 2018: 63 floors and 220 rooms.
Meanwhile, the district is filling up quickly. The Burj Khalifa community had 389 residents in 2010 and 32,354 in 2024. It has not yet reached the 100,000 residents promised in 2007, and new towers are helping close that gap.
Mercedes-Benz Places: stars on the facade charge electric vehicles
Mercedes-Benz Places by BinghattiMercedes-Benz Places is a residential tower bearing the Mercedes-Benz name. It is being developed by Dubai-based Binghatti, with its appearance guided by the car brand's design principles. The tower is 341 m tall and has 150 residences. It stands in the middle of Downtown, near the boulevard and the exit to Al Khail Road.
The main feature is the facade. It carries an illuminated pattern of three-pointed stars, the brand's emblem. Solar panels are integrated into the stars on the rear facade, powering electric-vehicle chargers in the car park. Another detail: every residence has its own pool. Floor-to-floor height is 4.2 m. Four penthouses are named after the brand's cars, while the top holds a three-level Uhlenhaut Coupé. The Vision EQ Silver Arrow duplex covers 1,160 m² and has a dedicated lift directly to the residence.
Apartments here are all large: from two-bedroom Pagoda Suites of 140 to 170 m² to five-bedroom Gullwing penthouses of 623 to 667 m². Residents have an infinity pool, podium pool, spa, gym, concierge and valet parking. Finishes include travertine, walnut, leather and marble. Available apartments in our catalogue start with a two-bedroom home of 170.56 m² for AED 10,299,999, or AED 60,375 per m². Payments go into escrow at Sharjah Islamic Bank. Completion is scheduled for Q4 2026, while the tower is 65% complete. Ask the developer for the revised completion date in writing.
Binghatti Skyblade: a blade-shaped tower on the boulevard
Binghatti Skyblade Binghatti Skyblade, by the same developer, stands directly on the boulevard. Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the opera are about three minutes away, while DIFC is about ten minutes away. Above the podium are 55 residential floors and 619 apartments. The tower's silhouette resembles a blade, hence the name. The facade glass is finished with satin chrome, and the tower is topped with a crown.
This is the district's largest new residential development. Of its 619 apartments, 396 are studios, another 100 have one bedroom and 110 have two. At the top are ten Burj Royal Suites and three three-bedroom apartments. Most balconies have their own small pool. The roof has an infinity pool; the building also has the Skyline Gym, a running track, spa and children's play area. Pets are allowed under the building rules.
A 35.82 m² studio in our catalogue starts at AED 1,764,999, or AED 38,547 per m². Note that its area includes the balcony: the studio has 26.80 m² of indoor space and a 9.02 m² balcony. A one-bedroom apartment of 95.69 m² starts at AED 3,984,999, and a two-bedroom apartment of 117.32 m² at AED 4,874,999. The payment plan is 70/30: 20% on reservation, 50% in fourteen instalments during construction and 30% on handover. Escrow is with Dubai Islamic Bank, with completion in Q4 2027.
Sofitel Residences: a hotel-branded apartment
Sofitel Residences Downtown DubaiSofitel Residences is a small 11-storey building 700 m from Dubai Mall. It is being developed by Azha Downtown Residences and will be managed by Accor, owner of the Sofitel brand. The building was designed by Saffarini, with interiors by KCA. It has 76 apartments, with penthouses on the top three floors.
One benefit not offered by nearby buildings: an apartment owner receives Diamond status in the Accor Live Limitless programme, with the fee already included in the service charge. In practice, this means room upgrades at more than 5,500 Accor hotels worldwide when rooms are available. Residents have a residents' club, cinema, restaurant, garden, spa and rooftop pool with a bar. If you live in another country, the apartment can be managed for you.
One-bedroom apartments start at 68 m², two-bedroom homes are 133 to 139 m², and penthouses measure 535 and 554 m². Apartments are handed over unfurnished. An available apartment in our catalogue starts at AED 4,596,175. The payment plan is 40/60: 40% before completion and 60% on handover; escrow is with Commercial Bank of Dubai, with completion in Q3 2027. Note that the brand is used under licence and that, under its terms, the licence may be withdrawn.
One Residence: a copper-coloured tower and the lowest entry price
One Residence One Residence is being developed by Ginco Properties, a GINCO Group company operating since 1975. The 30-storey tower stands between Sheikh Zayed Road and Financial Centre Road and has 453 residences. Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall are about five minutes away.
The tower is recognisable by its facade: bronze balconies form a wave over its full height, with copper panels between them. At sunset, the building takes on a copper glow among its glass-clad neighbours. The entrance is beneath a canopy with a starry ceiling and a sculpture. Apartments come with SMEG appliances and Villeroy & Boch bathroom fittings. Residents have an infinity pool, fire pit, yoga area, zen garden, cinema, golf simulator, co-working space, children's club and trampoline park.
This development offers the lowest entry price among Downtown's new developments: a 43.62 m² studio in our catalogue starts at AED 1,565,000, or AED 35,878 per m². A two-bedroom apartment starts at AED 3,350,000. The payment plan is 30/70: 30% before completion and 70% on handover. Escrow is with Emirates Islamic Bank, with completion in Q3 2028. Construction is only 6% complete, so work has just begun.
Inaura: a three-storey void in the middle of the tower
Inaura Hotels & Residences Inaura is being developed by Arada, a UAE company founded in 2017. The architect is Dutch practice MVRDV. This is the first tower under Arada's new hotel brand, Inaura: 43 floors, a hotel on floors 5 to 14, and 114 apartments above.
The main feature is visible from afar: a three-storey void is cut through the middle of the tower and illuminated at night. The 32nd floor has a sky lounge for residents. At the top are two five-bedroom Sky Villas and The Sky Penthouse, measuring 1,650.90 m² with a 440 m² terrace and a 25 m pool. The tower has received LEED Gold pre-certification. One point to note: there is a hotel in the building, and its guests can also use the lounge.
A one-bedroom apartment of 65.5 m² in our catalogue starts at AED 3,620,000, or AED 54,374 per m². The payment plan is 40/60: 10% on reservation, 30% in five instalments during construction and 60% on handover. Escrow is with Dubai Islamic Bank. This is the district's latest completion date: Q2 2030, and construction has not yet started.
Nearby: Business Bay and DIFC
Business Bay lies directly beside Downtown: towers along the canal, more offices and new homes, and a lower entry price. We covered it in detail in our article about Business Bay. On the other side of Sheikh Zayed Road is DIFC, the financial centre with banks, galleries and restaurants. Many buyers consider all three districts at once, choosing between address and price.
If water matters more to you than a tower outside your window, compare Downtown with Dubai Marina: we covered it in our article about Dubai Marina. The median entry price for new developments in Dubai Marina is about AED 4.5 million, almost the same as here, but there you get a promenade and beach, while here you get the fountain and Burj Khalifa.
More new developments in the area
More new developments in Downtown from our catalogue. The price and completion date are updated on each development's page; find other developments in the Emirates catalogue.
The price of entry
You can buy an apartment in a new Downtown development for AED 1.5 million or AED 35 million. The median entry price for new developments is about AED 4.1 million. This is more expensive than Business Bay, where the median is around AED 2.8 million, and slightly cheaper than the Marina. See our comparison with other city districts in "How much does it cost to enter the Dubai market?".
A "from" price is always the cheapest available apartment in a development. At One Residence, that is a 44 m² studio; at Baccarat, a 350 m² three-bedroom apartment. Price per square metre is a fairer comparison. It shows that Elegance Tower and One Residence are cheaper than their neighbours, The Residence beside the tower costs almost the same as Skyblade, and the price per square metre at Baccarat is nearly three times that of One Residence.
On top of the price, the buyer pays a 4% Dubai Land Department registration fee and then an annual service charge after completion. In Downtown, it has long been among the city's highest: as early as 2014, the average was AED 19.40 per sq ft a year, about AED 209 per m², more than in the Marina. In the district's new developments, it ranges from AED 194 per m² a year at One Residence to AED 377 at Sofitel and Inaura. We explain how it works in our article about apartment running costs. We explain how to read a payment plan in our article about developer instalment plans.
A studio near Burj Khalifa before completion: an example from our experience
We do not yet have client transactions in Downtown itself, so we will use an example from elsewhere in Dubai. In December 2023, a client of ours bought a 40 m² studio in a building under construction, 15 minutes from Burj Khalifa. The client paid the full price during construction, then sold the apartment before completion to a buyer from our database, making 14% on the money invested over 16 months.
There are two takeaways from this example for Downtown. First: for resale before handover, it is better to buy what costs less in absolute terms. More people are looking for an AED 1.5 million studio than an AED 10 million apartment. Second: the transaction took place in a rising market. If the market stalls, it will be harder to sell before completion and you will have to pay the remaining balance on handover. Decide in advance how you will cover that payment.
What you don’t see at a viewing
Who it suits and who it doesn't
| What matters to you | Which development | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Smaller budget | One Residence, Skyblade | Studios from AED 1.57 million and AED 1.76 million, five minutes from the tower |
| Low price per square metre | Elegance Tower | AED 30,437 per m², building nearly complete |
| A landmark development | Mercedes-Benz Places | The brand's first residential tower, with a private pool in every residence |
| Hotel service | Sofitel Residences | Managed by Accor; owners receive Diamond status at the group's hotels |
| Architecture | Inaura | An MVRDV tower with a glowing void and a lounge on the 32nd floor |
| An almost complete Emaar development | The Residence Burj Khalifa | 36 apartments by Emaar, 93% complete |
Who it may not suit. Anyone looking for quiet, a villa with a garden and a school around the corner: Downtown is dense, tourist-oriented and noisy during holidays. Anyone who wants to live by the sea: there is no beach in the district. Read about how foreign ownership works in the Emirates in our guide to freehold.
Buying mistakes
Quick answers
Where is Downtown Dubai?
In central Dubai, along Sheikh Zayed Road, around Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. It borders Business Bay on one side and DIFC on the other.
How much does an apartment in a new Downtown development cost?
The lowest-priced apartment in a new development in the district is a studio at One Residence for AED 1,565,000. A studio at Binghatti Skyblade starts at AED 1,764,999, while a one-bedroom apartment at Elegance Tower starts at AED 2,070,000. The median entry price for new developments in the district is about AED 4.1 million.
Which Downtown developments are due for completion soon?
Mercedes-Benz Places, Elegance Tower, Society House, St. Regis Residences, City Center Residences and Rove Home Downtown are due for completion in 2026. Skyblade and Sofitel Residences complete in 2027, One Residence in 2028 and Inaura in 2030.
Is it profitable to rent out an apartment in Downtown?
Apartments by Burj Khalifa and the fountain are readily rented by tourists, but entry prices are high and the district's service charge has long been among the city's highest. Calculate returns using your own purchase price and service charge, not the citywide average rate.
How do you pay for an apartment in a building under construction?
Each development has its own plan. At One Residence, 70% of the price is paid on handover; at Inaura and Sofitel, 60%; at Skyblade, 30%. By law, payments go into the development's escrow account.
How does Downtown differ from Business Bay?
Downtown is an established district around Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the fountain. Business Bay is next door along the canal, with more offices and new towers, and a notably lower entry price: a median of about AED 2.8 million versus AED 4.1 million in Downtown.
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