HIGHLIGHTS
ABOUT SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR) is known as one of the main highways in Dubai and the road that connects the seven emirates. SZR not only is the busiest road in Dubai, but it also has many high-rise buildings that house residential apartments and serviced hotel apartments. The area is always bustling and is popular amongst working professionals due to its proximity to many business hubs. But what is it like living on Sheikh Zayed Road? This area guide discusses everything in detail.
IN A NUTSHELL
- One of the prominent highways in the UAE
- Best known as the E11 highway connecting the two largest cities of UAE; Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- Stretches from Dubai to the other emirates
- Home to many high-rise residential skyscrapers
- Stretches to 558.44 km from Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah
- It has different names across the other emirates
NEIGHBOURHOOD
COMMUNITY OVERVIEW
Known to be the longest road in the UAE, construction for Sheikh Zayed Road began in 1971. The highway was completed in 1980. The road is named after the then President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. SZR starts as Abu Dhabi – Ghweifat International Highway at the Abu Dhabi – Saudi border and ends as the Al Manama – Ras Al Khaimah Road at the Ras Al Khaimah Oman border.
Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai starts from the interchange near the Oud Metha area to the Jebel Ali near Dubai – Abu Dhabi border. It runs through the heart of the emirate along with the Dubai World Trade Centre, Emirates Towers, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and many more landmarks. The buildings situated along the road from the Trade Centre area to Business Bay are considered to be on Sheikh Zayed Road. These buildings not only offer a high standard of living but also come with many luxurious amenities nearby. The iconic Maze Tower and Ghaya Residence are situated on the same road.
PROPERTIES ON SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
SZR runs along with many commercial and residential communities and provides easy access to several amenities. The buildings on Sheikh Zayed Road are popular among families and individuals alike. While the area is popular among renters, investors will find a few freehold options in the new developments. If you are thinking about renting apartments on Sheikh Zayed Road, you may come across a range of luxurious to affordable options. The prices of properties are evidently variable as there are numerous sub-communities involved, all offering different amenities and conveniences.
Further, the area is home to several sky-high apartments, but there are currently no villa communities on the road. Apartments in the towers usually range from studios to 4-bedrooms flats, as well as penthouses. There are also hotel apartments, fully serviced and managed by renowned hospitality groups.
Most apartments in this area are centrally air-conditioned and have a central heating system as well. There are modern apartments for rent on SZR offering reserved parking spaces and uninterrupted lifestyle amenities. Common facilities include swimming pools, kid’s play areas, BBQ areas, activity areas and covered parking. The apartments are spacious with a big hall and a balcony with a nice view of other residential towers on the road down below. Some buildings offer views of the Burj Khalifa.
One can also find some offices for rent on Sheikh Zayed Road. These commercial properties range from small offices to full-floor units. There are many types of commercial properties on Sheikh Zayed Road such as fitted offices, shell-and-core units, furnished spaces, retail stores and showrooms.
Rental Trends for Sheikh Zayed Road
Apartment Type | Average Rental Price in AED |
|---|---|
Apartment Type Studio | Average Rental Price in AED 49,000 |
Apartment Type 1-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 72,000 |
Apartment Type 2-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 96,000 |
Apartment Type 3-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 117,000 |
Apartment Type 4-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 180,000 |
Anyone looking to move to the central, SZR, can choose from a range of furnished apartments for rent. If you are interested in renting a studio apartment on SZR, expect prices to start from AED 90k. Further, rents for 1-bedroom apartments on Sheikh Zayed Road range from AED 53k to AED 300k per annum.
Renting a 2-bedroom flat on SZR will cost an average of AED 96k, while a 3 BHK apartment will cost around AED 117k. Those looking for more space can go for luxurious 4-bedroom flats available for AED 180k per annum. Renting luxury apartments on SZR may cost around AED 198k per annum. Adding to that, there are penthouses popular for luxurious amenities and breathtaking views. Residents can expect to spend AED 160k to AED 294k for renting penthouses on Sheikh Zayed Road offering a scenic view of Burj Khalifa and Emirates Towers.
Sales Trends for Sheikh Zayed Road
Apartment Type | Average Sales Price in AED |
|---|---|
Apartment Type Studio | Average Sales Price in AED 750,000 |
Apartment Type 1-Bed | Average Sales Price in AED 1,610,000 |
Apartment Type 2-Bed | Average Sales Price in AED 2,729,000 |
Apartment Type 3-Bed | Average Sales Price in AED 4,041,000 |
Although the residential communities on the major highway are fully-developed, there are a few options available for those interested in buying property. Investors can choose from a range of studios to 3-bed units available for sale.
The average price of a studio for sale is around AED 750k while 1-bed flats for sale on SZR are also popular among young expats and couples starting from AED 1.3M to AED 4.4M. The expansive 2-bedroom apartments for sale on Sheikh Zayed Road are available for AED 2M while the 3-bedroom units can be purchased for AED 3.6M to AED 8.7M.
ROI for Apartments on Sheikh Zayed Road
Apartment Type | ROI |
|---|---|
Apartment Type Studio | ROI 5.17% |
Apartment Type 1-Bed | ROI 3.97% |
Apartment Type 2-Bed | ROI 3.52% |
Apartment Type 3-Bed | ROI 3.02% |
According to the statistics, studio apartment tops the list with a 5.17% rental yield. With 3.9% lucrative returns, 1-bedroom apartments on Sheikh Zayed Road stand in the second position while 2 and 3-bedroom units round up the list with 3.5% and 3% ROI respectively.
Most Popular Buildings on SZR
SZR is an arterial highway that connects major areas of the UAE. It houses many different property types, communities and landmarks. While planning to move here, the decision might get a little overwhelming so check out all the top buildings on Sheikh Zayed Road to get an apartment.
As per the collected data, Saeed Towers is the popular building on Sheikh Zayed Road. It is a complex of two buildings offering mixed-use properties for rent and sale. The starting price of apartments for rent in Saeed Towers is AED 56k and it goes up to AED 120k per annum.
The upcoming Al Wasl Tower is the second most popular mixed-use development on SZR. A project by Wasl Asset Management Group, the 302-metre twisting skyscraper will feature residential apartments, hotel rooms, office spaces and parking floors. The ceramic façade of Al Wasl Tower is claimed to be the largest one in the region that will present an illusion of dynamic motion. The expected completion date of the project is Q2 2024.
Park Place Towers by Ascott The Residence is the third most popular building on SZR. It stands tall with 56 floors above the ground featuring 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments.
Also known as HHHR Tower, Blue Tower is a super-tall skyscraper consisting of 72 floors of residential and commercial space. Interested tenants can rent 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments while office space for rent is also available in the tower. The annual rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Blue Tower starts from AED 69k and goes up to AED 70k for a 2-bedroom apartment.
Next on the list is Duja Tower, a 51-storey skyscraper standing 195 metres above the ground. The residential tower is located just across from the Dubai World Trade Centre. There’s a range of 1, 2 and 3-bed flats spanning 900 sq. ft. to 2,500 sq. ft. If you rent a standard 2-bedroom apartment in Duja Tower, SZR, prepare to shell out around AED 100k per annum. There is a Carrefour supermarket, pharmacies and retail shops in the tower which makes it a hot favourite.
Apart from these, there are several other apartment buildings on Sheikh Zayed Road known for their features and strategic location. Burj Al Salam has 180 residential units offering a range of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom units. Generally, apartments in Burj Al Salam Tower are only up for rent in affordable ranges. Sheikh Rashid Building, Latifa Tower and 21st Century Tower are other top buildings on SZR.
SZR Floor Plans
Those looking for SZR floor plans can browse through the floor plans available for popular buildings on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Hotels on Sheikh Zayed Road
There are several grand hotels on Sheikh Zayed Road that welcome thousands of tourists every year. These include:
- Crowne Plaza Sheikh Zayed Road
- Towers Rotana
- Emirates Grand Hotel Apartments
- Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai
- Fairmount Dubai
- The Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai
Crowne Plaza is a 5-star hotel featuring elegant rooms, meeting spaces, dining facilities and steam and sauna rooms. Towers Rotana is another luxury hotel offering 375-furnished suites and apartments. The hotel has meeting rooms equipped with modern amenities, a fitness club and a range of dining options.
Hotel apartments for rent are also a popular choice for those looking for a long-term staycation on Sheikh Zayed Road. The cost of renting a studio hotel apartment on SZR starts from AED 67k, 2-bedroom suites can be rented for as low as AED 95k and 3-bed hotel apartments are priced upwards of AED 194k.
TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING SPACES ON SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
Getting a parking spot on SZR Road can be rather difficult, especially during weekends and peak hours. While the residential buildings have dedicated floors for parking, there is also paid street parking. This is often filled up due to the many restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies and other establishments open at the ground level of the apartment buildings. Those looking to move to one of the residential towers on Sheikh Zayed Road can consider renting apartments with parking spaces allotted based on the covered area.
Public Transportation on SZR
It is a 12-lane highway so the residents should not expect it to be a quiet area, especially during peak hours which are 07:00 am to 09:00 am and then in the evening from 05:00 pm to 07:00 pm; the area gives a true representation of being the busiest highway of the UAE. Most of the Red Line of the Dubai Metro runs parallel to the long highway. Those who use public transport will find that getting around is a breeze, many use it at rush hour to avoid the traffic on the road. There are also bus stops around the neighbourhood.
AMENITIES, SCHOOLS AND HEALTHCARE
Sheikh Zayed Road is flooded with healthcare centres, schools, restaurants, and recreational options. All such necessary destinations are linked through this road.
SUPERMARKETS ON SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
Known to be a bustling area finding a supermarket isn’t an issue for residents of Sheikh Zayed Road. There is an Al Maya Supermarket, Unique Tower Supermarket and New Delma Supermarket. Other supermarkets on Sheikh Zayed Road are City Supermarket, Spinney’s supermarket and West Zone Fresh Supermarket. Plus, there are many smaller marts that also do offer a home delivery service to nearby residential towers
CHURCHES, TEMPLES AND MOSQUES ON SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
The population of Dubai is based on 85% expats and they have different beliefs and religions. To accommodate individuals of each belief, there are numerous churches, temples and gurudwaras along with mosques located in the area.
The churches in Oud Mehta are located close to the beginning of Sheikh Zayed Road. This includes St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Coptic Church, St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral and more.
Those belonging to the Hindu and Sikh faith will find options in the neighbouring communities. Temples in Bur Dubai include the Shiva and Krishna temples, Sikh residents can visit the Sindhi Gurdarbar and the Sikh Gurudwara which are located right behind the temples.
There are many mosques near Sheikh Zayed Road, you can find Khalifa Bin Da’en Mosque, Abdulrahman Al Qasimi Mosque, Ramadan Juma Mosque and more.
SCHOOLS NEAR SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
Sheikh Zayed Road is a busy highway from where it generally takes 10 minutes to reach areas where schools are located. There are many schools nearby that have a different curriculum including daycare centres and nurseries.
Willows Children Nursery, Safa Early Learning Center, Little Champion Nursery, Grassland Daycare & Nursery, British Orchard Nursery Dubai and British Berries Nursery are pre-primary schooling options.
Schools close by include GEMS Wellington Primary School, which follows the National Curriculum for England and Jumeirah Baccalaureate School, which follows the International Baccalaureate curriculum. Both these are well-known primary and secondary schools near Sheikh Zayed Road. Following the Indian curriculum, Delhi Private School is a 6 minutes drive.
The Canadian University of Dubai and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Middle East are also close to this area.
HOSPITALS AND CLINICS ON SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
There are various medical clinics on Sheikh Zayed Road. Emirates Hospitals Clinics, Elite Style Polyclinic and Padra Clinic are located in the area. The nearest hospitals are Medcare Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital, Medcare Women & Children Hospital and Burjeel Hospital for Advanced Surgery Dubai.
NEARBY AREAS
Sheikh Zayed Road runs through Downtown Dubai and Dubai World Trade Center. The world’s tallest Burj Khalifa and the famous City Walk are also just a few miles away. Living in a place like Sheikh Zayed Road allows people to access different areas of Dubai as well as other cities. The expansive highway also allows easy access to the commercial hubs including Business Bay and DIFC.
LIFESTYLE
SHOPPING, DINING AND NIGHTLIFE
With many things to do on Sheikh Zayed Road, residents can be constantly entertained. There are many hotels lining the long strip which are packed with restaurants, spas and nightlife options.
MALLS ON SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
Malls on Sheikh Zayed Road consist of Times Square Centre, Oasis Mall and the Mall of the Emirates. Fun activities keep upgrading in these malls and families, youngsters and kids enjoy a good time besides the retail therapy. VR Park and Ski Dubai in the Mall of the Emirates are a few of them.
Further south, towards the Jebel Ali area, is Dubai Marina Mall hosting a range of events and entertainment activities besides shopping. All these malls offer a wide range of high street to luxury retail brands, multiple entertainment options and a vast selection of cafes and restaurants. Additionally, there are many fashion stores and retail outlets at Ibn Battuta Mall, a family-favourite option in Jebel Ali.
Restaurants on Sheikh Zayed Road
You can find many fast-food chains, cafes and restaurants on Sheikh Zayed Road. Subway, McDonald’s, KFC, Wendy’s and more make up the fast-food outlets. Casual dining restaurants include the Lebanese eatery Zaroob, American diner Johnny Rockets and Thai restaurant Little Bangkok.
Further, fine dining restaurants can be found in many hotels, popular options consist of molecular gastronomy Indian restaurant Tresind in the VOCO Hotel, Brazillian meat eatery Chamas in the Crown Plaza Hotel and European restaurant Noire in the Fairmount Hotel.
Nightlife options consist of Level 43 Sky Lounge at the Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road, Cavalli Club in the Fairmount Dubai and Vii Dubai in the Conrad Dubai.
BEACHES NEAR SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
Tourists, nationals and expats all surround the beaches of this megacity during holidays and weekends. Jumeirah Beach, Kite Beach and JBR Beach are a few of the well-known beaches near Sheikh Zayed Road. There are all within a 15-minute drive from SZR. Here you will find many fitness amenities, shaded walkways and waterfront restaurants.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND NOTABLE LANDMARKS
Due to its location, Sheikh Zayed Road can fulfil all the leisure needs of its residents. Everything is either right there or very close to it. The properties on Sheikh Zayed Road are near five-star lodgings, recreational offices and amusement centres.
The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa are famous places that lie across this area. A stunning tourist attraction, The Dubai Fountain is also close to Sheikh Zayed Road which gives the spectators a breathtaking experience one can never forget. As the Dubai Metro runs adjacent to Sheikh Zayed Road, people can get easy access to all the above landmarks and tourist attractions.
There is also the Dubai World Trade Centre which used to be the tallest building in Dubai at one point. Now it hosts thousands of people every year for gigantic events, exhibitions and conferences, such as Comic-Con Dubai, World Art Dubai, Gulfood, Gitex and more.
There are the mega-tall twin Emirates Towers which are located along SZR. One tower is commercial while the other houses the Jumeirah Emirates Tower Hotel. There is also the funky Youth Hub which is one of the best co-working spaces in Dubai. The one-of-its-kind project, Museum of the Future is also located along the Sheikh Zayed Road near Emirates Towers. Inside the museum has three sections while the exterior is covered with Arabic calligraphy.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, FITNESS AND BEAUTY
A larger well-known park near Sheikh Zayed Road is Zabeel Park. It features many amenities for children and adults alike. There are areas to barbecue, picnic or just walk around. Go-karts can also be rented at Zabeel Park. A new installation is the Dubai Garden Glow which features many art installations and other attractions. Al Satwa Park is also located just behind the Towers Rotana Hotel, it is a small well-maintained community park.
Fitness options include Gold’s Gym, Target Gym, Smart Fitness Gym and The Warehouse Gym. These are all well-equipped and well-known gyms that lie close to Sheikh Zayed Road.
For both men and women, several salons are located within the premises, including Nikkis Beauty Salon, Juan Salon and Black and White Salon.
COMMUNITY EVENT
The mega annual event of Gitex gathers thousands of computer and gadget geeks under one roof and is held at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) which is a famous building on Sheikh Zayed Road. there are other events held at DWTC such as Beautyworld, Automechanika, Arab Health and more.
Alif Art Gallery is located on SZR and is a haven for art lovers. It often hosts cultural events and showcases local artists’ works. The Last Exit Jebel Ali South on Sheikh Zayed Road is a fun spot to relax while trying out dishes from the local food trucks. Some of the best restaurants at Last Exit are Urban Seafood, Big Smoke Burger and Burger Pit.
Things to Consider
Sheikh Zayed Road is perfect for those who want to live in a bustling area. It is well-connected by public transport and offers luxurious properties. One thing to consider is that the rent for these properties tends to be on the higher side and traffic will be an issue during peak rush hour times.
FAQs About Sheikh Zayed Road
What is the length of Sheikh Zayed Road?
Sheikh Zayed Road is the major highway in the UAE. It is 558.4 km long stretching from Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah.
What is the speed limit for Sheikh Zayed Road?
The speed limit for Sheikh Zayed Road is 100 to 120 km/h.
Is there any off-plan project on Sheikh Zayed Road?
Al Wasl Tower is the upcoming mixed-use development on Sheikh Zayed Road featuring 229 apartments, 258 hotel rooms, 11 parking floors, office spaces and a helipad. The 56-floor high asymmetrically designed tower will be completed in Q2 2024.
LOCATION
- Dubai International Airport is a 15-minute drive away from Sheikh Zayed Road
- The much-visited Downtown Dubai district is hardly 12 minutes away
- The emirate of Abu Dhabi is at a distance of 1 hour and 26 minutes
- The Red Line of the Dubai Metro runs parallel Sheikh Zayed Road