05.08.2025
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What's this about? Business Bay is a district in Dubai, located near Downtown, combining business, commercial and residential sectors. There are many high-rise towers, nurseries, and sports grounds here.
What to pay attention to? Business Bay is also a good option for real estate investment. The cost per square metre in the area is growing, while the expenses for purchasing premises and apartments are lower than in the neighbouring Downtown.
Business Bay in Dubai is a rapidly developing district where many entrepreneurs live and work. It is located along the banks of Dubai Canal. The quarter's project provides for accommodating about 300 thousand people in high-rise buildings, however, ongoing construction and infrastructure growth may significantly increase this number in a few years. The building density increases every year. At the same time, this quarter is considered a very comfortable place to live.
Business Bay covers an area of 6 km². The neighbouring district on the northern side is Downtown, the central part of Dubai. Construction of the district began in 2003 under the management of Dubai Properties, a government organisation owned by Dubai authorities.
The main infrastructure elements were built by 2008, and key facilities were completed between 2014 and 2015. However, the development of the district didn't stop there. Due to the high level of investment attractiveness, the construction of high-rise buildings for business and residential purposes is in full swing, making the district even more dynamic.
Initially, the Business Bay project was focused on creating real estate for commercial purposes. It was assumed that the district would become Dubai's business activity centre. Over time, premium residential complexes and luxury hotels appeared in the quarter, making the district not only a business zone but also an attractive place for leisure.
Business Bay district thrives due to its popularity among both residents and workers. Its attractiveness is driven by several key advantages:
It has everything needed for life and business: various shops, hospitals, banks and numerous dining establishments. There are also places for recreation and entertainment.
Business Bay has direct access to the main highways of the UAE capital, making it easy to reach any part of the city. The airport can be reached in just 10–15 minutes, and well-maintained beaches – in no more than 30 minutes.
Additionally, the quarter is located near tourist attractions. This is one of the most important advantages of Business Bay. It takes just a few minutes to reach such iconic places as Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountains, Opera District and Burj Khalifa.
Acquiring real estate in this quarter is considered a profitable investment due to consistently high demand and growing rental rates.
However, UAE citizens and foreigners living or working in this quarter point out several disadvantages. For example, there are no large park zones, an increased vehicle traffic, and people often get stuck in traffic jams. High noise levels due to construction is also a negative factor, especially considering that construction sites may block roads.
There are several nurseries in Business Bay:
There are no schools in the Business Bay district itself. However, several accessible educational institutions are nearby:
Parents have the opportunity to choose among numerous schools with different educational programmes and approaches to find the optimal option for their children. It's recommended to visit each educational institution, meet with teachers and get detailed information about the teaching methods used.
Physical activity is an important element of a healthy lifestyle. In the UAE, there are many places where children and adults can engage in sports. Let's consider several of the highest quality sports facilities in Business Bay:
For children:
For adults:
Business Bay has several hospitals, clinics and medical centres offering various services. One of the most popular medical institutions here is Emirates Hospital Clinics, part of Emirates Healthcare Group. In this organisation, you can receive high-quality medical services.
Equally well-known is Aster medical institution. The clinic is one of the largest in Dubai. Various medical services are provided here, for example, orthopaedic surgery, dermatology, dentistry and general practice (GP).
Other clinics and medical centres are also located in the Business Bay district. For example, Medcare Medical Centre and Medeor Hospital, which provide the most modern medical services. Also worth noting are:
Business Bay is one of the most sought-after districts in the UAE. In this location, you can find a large number of modern real estate properties. Business Bay residents can expect a high quality of life along the canal at more affordable prices per square metre compared to Downtown Dubai.
In September 2023, the average price of an off-plan apartment in the Business Bay area was 7,545 dollars per square metre, while in the Downtown area prices were 9% higher, reaching 8,237 dollars per square metre. Moreover, prices in Business Bay grew faster than in Downtown Dubai: over six months, the cost of luxury housing increased by 10% compared to 5.7%.
Let's look at the prices of residential properties in Business Bay (data is current as of August–September 2023):
| Average off-plan apartment price | AED 2,575/sq ft | $7,545/m² |
| Median off-plan apartment price | AED 1,835,540 | $499,733 |
| Average off-plan apartment price | AED 2,154,666 | $586,616 |
Real estate in the Business Bay district, both in the new construction segment and in the secondary housing sector, continues to be popular. For example, in the third quarter of 2023, this district ranked third in terms of market transactions.
The number of transactions in Dubai's central districts decreased in 2023 compared to 2022: in Business Bay it decreased by 9%, and in Downtown Dubai – by 14.5%. At the same time, there is high interest in real estate in family districts such as JVC, JVT, Motor City and Arjan. In these locations, the entry cost is lower, and the number of launched off-plan projects is significantly higher. The average property yield in the Business Bay area is at 6.02%.
Interestingly, studios demonstrate the highest level of profitability. This is because the district is popular among young professionals, entrepreneurs and office workers.
The average annual rent is around 24,500 dollars for a one-bedroom apartment, 38,400 dollars for a two-bedroom apartment, and 53,000 dollars for a three-bedroom apartment.
The district attracts a diverse audience, including young couples, professional workers and families interested in urban lifestyle and real estate investments.
Moving around the district poses no difficulties. You always have access to key points of the city. Business Bay metro station is located near many important buildings. Convenient bus stops serve the entire district, including routes from Business Bay landside metro station and along Sheikh Zayed Road. Uber and Careem taxis are also available.
Business Bay is not a FEZ. It is a modern business and residential district that was developed by Dubai Properties. If you need access to FEZs, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Dubai Healthcare City are located near Business Bay.
Business Bay attracts thousands of investors from around the world. This is due to the rapid development of the district and the creation of important business institutions. The district is distinguished by its technological advancement, living convenience and advantageous location. Major international companies and entrepreneurs conduct their activities in this location. The district is known for its high-class real estate and modern office buildings that complement Dubai's urban landscape.
