HIGHLIGHTS
ABOUT OLD TOWN DUBAI
Located in Downtown Dubai, Old Town is the only low-rise apartment complex in the area. It is developed by Emaar Properties – one of the premier developers in the region. The term ‘Old’ refers to the architectural style in which this region was built. The construction of the area completed in 2006.
Properties in Old Dubai are quite different from the properties found in the neighbouring Downtown Burj area. The 35 low-rise buildings feature classic Arabian architecture, more commonly found in the older parts of Dubai. In this Old Town Dubai area guide, you will find in-depth information about the properties, amenities, facilities and more.
IN A NUTSHELL
- A project by Emaar in Downtown Dubai
- A mix of low-rise and mid-rise apartments
- 35 buildings divided into 6 districts
- Close to Business Bay, Al Safa and Al Wasl
- Souk Al Bahar, Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa in walking distance
NEIGHBOURHOOD
COMMUNITY OVERVIEW
Although the residences in Old Town Dubai give off a vintage look, the lifestyle is far from that. It is located in the most happening part of the emirate, Downtown Dubai – aptly named as ‘the centre of now’.
As it is a pedestrian-friendly district, the area is in close walking distance of Souk Al Bahar, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain. It also gives easy access to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, which is decked with coffee shops, restaurants, hotels and other facilities for those living in the neighbourhood to experience the perks to the fullest.
PROPERTIES IN OLD TOWN DUBAI
Properties in Old Town Dubai are highly sought-after due to their unique architectural elements. There are over 1,500 residential units in 35 buildings spread over 6 districts. The Yansoon district features 9 buildings, Reehan has 8, while Zafran and Miska are clusters of 5 low-rise buildings each. Furthermore, Zanzebeel and Kamoon districts are home to 4 apartment buoldings each. A slighter newer project, Old Town Island is separate and closer to the Souk Al Bahar area. The project also features The Palace Hotel.
Properties in Old Town Dubai range from a few studios to many spacious 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments. Some apartments in Old Dubai do offer views of the dancing Dubai Fountain whilst others are facing the Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard. This leads to a price difference in terms of renting and investing in freehold apartments. If you are looking at property in the area, it would be best to view a few different units before you make your decision.
RENTAL TRENDS IN OLD TOWN DUBAI
Apartment Type | Average Rental Price in AED |
|---|---|
Apartment Type Studio | Average Rental Price in AED 61,000 |
Apartment Type 1-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 78,000 |
Apartment Type 2-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 109,000 |
Apartment Type 3-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 175,000 |
Apartment Type 4-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 223,000 |
Renting 1-bedroom apartments in Old Town may cost between AED 96k and AED 188k per annum. 2-bed flats for rent in Old Town Dubai ranging from AED 150k to AED 336k per annum. Most of the 2-bed flats also come with balconies, maid’s room, a garden and more.
Most of the rental 3-bed flats in Old Town Dubai offer full Burj Khalifa and Fountain views. These are priced between AED 215k and AED 390k per annum, coming in with 2 parking spaces and a maid’s room.
One may also find even luxurious penthouses for rent in Old Town but the number of units available might be limited. These apartments spanning across 3,000 sq. ft. with fully upgraded living space with lake and Burj views, 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms may cost around AED 320k, per annum.
There are also few villas for rent in Old Town spanning 1,500 sq. ft. The 1-bedroom villas for rent in Old Town is AED 200k per annum.
SALES TRENDS IN OLD TOWN DUBAI
Apartment Type | Average Sale Price in AED |
|---|---|
Apartment Type 1-Bed | Average Sale Price in AED 1,310,000 |
Apartment Type 2-Bed | Average Sale Price in AED 2,014,000 |
Apartment Type 3-Bed | Average Sale Price in AED 3,468,000 |
Apartment Type 4-Bed | Average Sale Price in AED 4,335,000 |
As Dubai Old City is an investor hotspot the demand for the freehold properties in the area is quite high. There is a good range of options in Reehan and Yansoon districts. One can expect the sales price for 1-bedroom flats in Old Town Dubai between AED 1.39M and AED 3.1M. Likewise, 2-bedroom flats for sale in Old Town start from AED 2.19M and goes up to AED 4.5M. Whereas, if you are interested in buying 3-bed apartments in Old Town Dubai, prepare to shell out an amount around AED 3.8M to AED 9.9M. The sale price for a 4-bed flat in Old Town will be AED 5.8M.
There are few penthouses for sale in Old Town that comes in 4-bedroom units. The sale price for 4-bedroom villas in Old Town is AED 14M.
ROI IN OLD TOWN DUBAI
Apartment Type | ROI |
|---|---|
Apartment Type 1-Bed | ROI 6.1% |
Apartment Type 2-Bed | ROI 5.8% |
Apartment Type 3-Bed | ROI 5.2% |
Apartment Type 4-Bed | ROI 5.2% |
The highest ROI for apartments is 6.1% for 1-bed units. The 2-bed flats follow with expected returns of 5.8%. Investing 3-bedroom flats can get you a rental yield of 5.2%. At the higher end, there are some 4-bedroom apartments for sale with an expected ROI of 5.2%.
MOST POPULAR COMMUNITIES IN OLD TOWN DUBAI
According to Bayut’s statistics, the most popular community in Dubai Old City is The Old Town Island. The sub-community is distributed into 4 low-rise developments, such as Downtown Al Bahar Apartments, Tajer, The Palace Downtown Dubai and Attareen. There are 405 residential units categorised into 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments. This sub-district is in closer proximity to Souk Al Bahar and The Dubai Mall and thus, prices may seem slightly higher in comparison. Rental apartments in The Old Town Island range from AED 130k to AED 550k per annum. The sale price for apartments in The Old Town Island are as low as AED 2.0M and as high as AED 6.15M.
Yansoon is the second most popular community in Old Town Dubai. Rounding up our list are the Reehan, Miska and Zanzebeel districts.
OLD TOWN DUBAI FLOOR PLANS
Those looking for floor plans can browse through the Old Town floor plans available for popular communities.
HOTELS IN OLD TOWN DUBAI
Besides residential properties, there is Manzil Downtown Hotel, a 4-star hotel in Old Town Dubai. It combines traditional Arabesque architecture with modern design. There is a variety of rooms including deluxe suites, deluxe pool-view rooms and the Burj-view Suite. Also, the property features free Wi-Fi and an outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers. All guest rooms have free bottled water, free tea and coffee facilities and wall-mounted satellite LCD TVs.
Those who want to keep fit can find a well-equipped fitness centre and a business centre. Guests can dine at Boulevard Kitchen, Nezesaussi Grill, The Courtyard and Fümé Neighborhood Eatery. It is one of the top hotels in Downtown Dubai located at a 10-minute walk from the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall. Moreover, Old Town Island features The Palace Hotel.
TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING SPACES IN OLD TOWN DUBAI
Each apartment in Old Town Dubai comes with designated parking spaces. Each district also has a visitor’s parking lot for guests, otherwise, there are also underground parking spaces on the Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN OLD TOWN DUBAI
In terms of public transport, the closest one would be the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall stop, an 8-minute drive away. Catching Dubai Metro is also possible by the F13 feeder bus. The closest bus stop would be the one for The Palace Downtown on Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard. The area is pedestrian-friendly and those living in Old Dubai are just a stroll away from many of Dubai’s famous landmarks.
AMENITIES, SCHOOLS AND HEALTHCARE
SUPERMARKETS IN OLD TOWN DUBAI
For all major shops, it would be best to head to the massive Waitrose Supermarket in The Dubai Mall. The international supermarket chain is known for its imported items and fresh produce as well as its bakery items. Otherwise, there is an Old Town Mini-Mart in Yansoon 9, it stocks day to day essentials.
Moreover, there is Spinney’s in Souk Al Bahar and another outlet of Spinneys in The Residences located nearby. There is also a Carrefour Market in the Burj Views Podium and an Al Maya Supermarket in the 8 Boulevard Walk Tower.
CHURCHES, TEMPLES AND MOSQUES IN OLD TOWN DUBAI
The main mosque for the area is Al Ghafoor Mosque on Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard. There are other mosques in nearby Business Bay for the Muslim residents to visit.
Those looking for churches can head to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oud Mehta which is a 15 to 20-minute drive away. Hindu residents can head to their respective temples in Bur Dubai.
SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES IN OLD TOWN DUBAI
Parents will find that there are many nurseries in the area for their toddlers. Popular options include Babilou Downtown and Blossom Nursery Downtown, the nurseries in Business Bay are also close by.
There are many primary schools close by, and most of them offer the British curriculum until Year 6. GEMS Wellington Primary School in the community of Al Satwa is merely 13 minutes away if you drive. At the same distance, there is Horizons English School in Al Wasl. Further, 20 minutes away from the neighbourhood, Hartland International School is located near the master development, Meydan City. It offers the UK/IB curriculum until Year 9. The many schools in the Al Safa and Jumeirah districts are also close by and easily accessible.
As Dubai Old City is part of Downtown Dubai, it is approximately 20 minutes away from both of the university hubs of Dubai. It takes 20 minutes to reach either Knowledge Park or Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) near Dubai Silicon Oasis.
CLINICS AND HOSPITALS IN OLD TOWN DUBAI
For medical services, residents can head to the Mediclinic branch within The Dubai Mall. The Emirates Hospital Clinic is one of the top clinics in Business Bay.
Medcare Hospital in Al Safa is also close by. Moreover, pharmacies are at convenient intervals around the community.
NEARBY AREAS
Old Town Dubai is close to business hubs such as Business Bay and DIFC. Whereas, it may take more or less 25 minutes by car to reach the central Internet City and Dubai Media City. The community also sits in proximity to popular residential districts such as Al Wasl, Al Safa and Jumeirah offering plenty of entertainment activities for families to enjoy. Those in search of educational opportunities can get to Academic City in around 20 minutes by car.
LIFESTYLE
SHOPPING, DINING AND NIGHTLIFE
As it is part of ‘The Centre Of Now’, Old Dubai has a reputation for being a quieter part of the bustling Downtown Dubai district.
MALLS IN OLD TOWN DUBAI
While the gigantic Dubai Mall with its regional, local and international stores is the main shopping mall in the area, Dubai Old City residents can head to the more laidback Souk Al Bahar. It has a mix of dining and retail options, not to mention the unique specialised shops attracting both, locals and tourists alike.
From fashion stores to grocery, home furnishing and electronics, there is a wide range of brand shops in Dubai Mall you can shop from. For a more unique experience and entertainment, urban malls such as Boxpark and Citywalk are 8 to 12 minutes away from this area. Both of them feature outdoor retail and dining, however, the second phase of Citywalk is indoors.
RESTAURANTS IN OLD TOWN DUBAI
There is certainly no shortage of restaurants in Old Town Dubai. There are 22 alone in Souk Al Bahar, not to mention the various restaurants in Dubai Mall which range from every single price point. There are also the restaurants on Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard and the fine-dining establishments part of the many hotels in the area.
The Downtown district is also great for those who enjoy a night out, the resident favourite licensed restaurants are Japanese eatery Downtown Toko which is part of the Vida Downtown Hotel, Peruvian restaurant Inka which is part of the Sofitel Downtown Hotel and the sports-themed pub Nezesaussi Grill in Manzil Downtown Dubai.
BEACHES NEAR OLD TOWN DUBAI
There is no beach in Old Town Dubai or Downtown Dubai but since the area is centrally located, the Jumeirah Public Beach is only 20-minutes away. Those who love the water can also head to the community swimming pools, part of each building in Old Town if a trip to the beach is too far.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND NOTABLE LANDMARKS
There is so much to do around Old Town Dubai. The towering Burj Khalifa alone offers a plethora of facilities including a health club, hotel, restaurants, observation decks and more. It is often referred to as a virtual city for this very reason.
Another landmark for the area is the Dubai Opera. It is an architectural marvel to view located in the heart of the Opera District. An entertainment project Emaar Properties, hosts a variety of performances and events such as theatre, opera and ballet shows as well as concerts and exhibitions.
Another cultural element in Downtown Dubai is the art installations alongside Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard. These are normally created by local artists, residents can head down and stroll through the Boulevard to take it all in.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, FITNESS AND BEAUTY
The main park in the area is the Burj Park which is also pet-friendly. There are many fun things to do in Burj Park including cycling, jogging or enjoying a leisurely stroll. As it offers views of Burj Khalifa and the Dancing Fountain many couples and families often head down here for a leisurely picnic.
Another park close to Old Town would be the South Ridge Park in Business Bay, it is a small park that is mainly used for dog-walking. It has a branch of Universal Fitness which uses the park for its outdoor boot camp sessions and other training exercises.
There is a community gym and a community pool in the buildings of Old Town for residents to use. Other gyms in the area include the Burj Club gym inside the Burj Khalifa, this is by membership only, offering a separate ladies gym and access to a temperature-controlled indoor pool and an outdoor infinity pool. For a different type of workout, there are also bikes you can rent along Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
The best part about living in Dubai Old City is that you can watch the New Year fireworks from the comfort of your own home. Residents can also view the Dancing Fountain from their balconies for those who reside in the fountain facing apartments. Those facing Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard can view the many parades that occur yearly, such as those for National Day or the classic car show.
There are also community events within the buildings such as events for Halloween, Christmas and more. The nearby Burj Park hosts food festivals, craft markets, free movie screenings and more.
For more information about what is happening in the locality, residents can join the Facebook group: Old Town Dubai Community Page. Here residents can share information, ask questions and socialize.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Living in Old Town Dubai has many benefits, one thing to consider is that the area is prone to high amounts of traffic at rush hour. There are high amounts of traffic typically in the morning and evening times at the entry and exits points of Downtown Dubai. Also, due to this traffic, the lower floor residences that are facing Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard often complain about the noise. Regardless, there are many reasons the area is popular among tenants and investors.
FAQs About Old Town Dubai
Where is Old Town located?
It is a part of the Downtown Dubai area.
How do I get to Old Town Dubai?
Dubai Old City is easily accessed via metro or taxi. Both options are pretty economical.
Location
- Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and Souk Al Bahar are within 5-10 minutes walking distance
- Business Bay and Dubai International Financial City are 10 minutes away
- Urban malls such as Boxpark and Citywalk are under 15 minutes away
- Dubai International Airport is a 17-minute drive away
- Business hubs such as Internet City, Media City and Dubai Marina are a 25-minute drive away