Dubai Design District or Sheikh Zayed Road?
Side by side on published prices, yields, new developments and drive times.
Pictured: Artistry One Residences by Select Group
Where each one leads
Drawn only from published figures and the developments we list, each with its source.
Lower entry price
The lowest developer price we list in Sheikh Zayed Road is AED 1,434,000 at AYKON City Tower C, against AED 2,150,000 at Artistry One Residences in Dubai Design District.
Closer to Downtown Dubai
Dubai Design District is about 7 minutes from Downtown Dubai by car, against about 12 minutes from Sheikh Zayed Road.
Side by side
| Measure | Dubai Design District | Sheikh Zayed Road |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Tenure | Freehold | Mixed |
| Developments we list | 2 | 5 |
| Lowest developer price | AED 2,150,000Artistry One Residences | AED 1,434,000AYKON City Tower C |
| Drive to Downtown Dubai | about 7 minutes | about 12 minutes |
| Drive to Dubai International Airport | about 20 minutes | about 15 minutes |
Each figure is shown as its publisher states it, with the period it covers. A row appears only where both areas have a figure.
New developments in each
Dubai Design District
- Artistry One ResidencesSelect GroupAED 2,150,000
- Artistry Two ResidencesSelect GroupAED 2,165,000
Sheikh Zayed Road
- AYKON City Tower CDAMAC PropertiesAED 1,434,000
- Safa GateDAMAC PropertiesAED 2,149,000
- VoltaDAMAC PropertiesAED 2,457,000
- Safa Two de GRISOGONODAMAC PropertiesAED 3,263,000
- Burj AziziAzizi DevelopmentsAED 9,331,000
What each area is like
Dubai Design District
The creative and fashion business district on the creek, east of Business Bay, now adding its first homes. A small number of Meraas waterfront towers, all still off-plan.
Who it suits
- Buyers who want a central waterfront flat with character
- People working in design, fashion and media
- Investors willing to wait until 2030 for a new district to mature
- Owner-occupiers who dislike generic tower districts
In its favour
- Established creative district with offices, studios, restaurants and a full events calendar
- Creek waterfront with views towards Burj Khalifa
- About seven minutes by car from Downtown Dubai (Meraas)
Worth weighing
- No completed homes yet, so there is no rental or resale record to judge by; the first building is due in 2027 and The Edit in 2030
- No metro station; the nearest Red Line stations are a 6 to 10 minute drive
Sheikh Zayed Road
The tower strip along the E11 from the Trade Centre area towards Al Safa and Al Wasl, lined with apartment, office and hotel towers beside the metro Red Line. Central and well connected, but busy at peak hours.
Who it suits
- Professionals working in DIFC, Downtown Dubai or the Trade Centre district
- Tenants and buyers who want to live by the metro rather than drive
- Investors in serviced and hotel apartments
In its favour
- Most of the Dubai Metro Red Line runs alongside the road
- About 12 minutes to Downtown Dubai and 15 minutes to Dubai International Airport on Bayut's estimates
- Studios to four-bedroom apartments, penthouses and serviced hotel apartments
Worth weighing
- Bayut notes that rents tend to be on the higher side and that traffic is an issue at peak times
- Parking can be difficult, especially at weekends and peak hours
Dubai Design District or Sheikh Zayed Road: quick answers
Which is closer to Downtown Dubai, Dubai Design District or Sheikh Zayed Road?
Dubai Design District, at about 7 minutes by car against about 12 minutes from Sheikh Zayed Road. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Which is closer to Dubai International Airport, Dubai Design District or Sheikh Zayed Road?
Sheikh Zayed Road, at about 15 minutes by car against about 20 minutes from Dubai Design District. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai Design District and Sheikh Zayed Road?
Dubai Design District is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. In Sheikh Zayed Road, tenure varies by project: some are freehold for all nationalities, others leasehold. Sales in Dubai are registered with the DLD.
Which new developments can I buy in Dubai Design District and Sheikh Zayed Road?
In Dubai Design District: Artistry One Residences from AED 2,150,000 and Artistry Two Residences from AED 2,165,000. In Sheikh Zayed Road: AYKON City Tower C from AED 1,434,000, Safa Gate from AED 2,149,000, Volta from AED 2,457,000 and Safa Two de GRISOGONO from AED 3,263,000.
More area comparisons
- Al Jaddaf vs Dubai Design District
- Business Bay vs Dubai Design District
- Downtown Dubai vs Dubai Design District
- Dubai Creek Harbour vs Dubai Design District
- Dubai Design District vs Meydan
- Dubai Design District vs Nad Al Sheba
- City Walk vs Dubai Design District
- Dubai Design District vs Sobha Hartland II
- Business Bay vs Sheikh Zayed Road
- DIFC vs Sheikh Zayed Road
- Downtown Dubai vs Sheikh Zayed Road
Not sure which area fits?
Tell us your budget, your timing and whether you will live there or let it, and we will set the two areas against each other for you.
- Current price list and availability, direct from the developer
- No fee to you on off-plan purchases: the developer pays us
- One salaried adviser, not on commission, from first call to handover
