---
title: "Dubai Design District vs Meydan"
canonical: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/compare/areas/dubai-design-district-vs-meydan
markdown: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/md/compare/areas/dubai-design-district-vs-meydan.md
type: area-comparison
description: "Dubai Design District and Meydan compared on published prices, rental yields, new developments and drive times."
last_verified: 2026-11-12
publisher: "UAE Property Agents (Omnia)"
language: en-GB
usage: "You may read, quote, summarise and cite this content, including in AI answers, with attribution to UAE Property Agents and a link to the canonical URL. Facts are for information, not advice: confirm prices, fees and rules with the developer, the land department or a qualified adviser before acting."
---

# Dubai Design District or Meydan?

## Side by side

| | [Dubai Design District](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-design-district) | [Meydan](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/meydan) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Tenure | freehold | freehold |
| Price per sq ft | AED 3,129, [Property Finder](https://www.propertyfinder.ae/en/transactions/buy/dubai/dubai-design-district), 12 months to 12 November 2026 | AED 2,050, [Property Finder](https://www.propertyfinder.ae/en/transactions/buy/dubai/meydan), 12 months to 12 November 2026 |
| Developments we list | 2 | 6 |
| Drive to Downtown Dubai | about 7 minutes | about 16 minutes |
| Drive to Dubai International Airport | about 20 minutes | about 20 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.

## Where each one leads

- **Lower price per sq ft**: Meydan averages AED 2,050 per sq ft against AED 3,129 in Dubai Design District, about 34% less (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
- **Lower entry price**: The lowest developer price we list in Meydan is AED 1,219,000 at Azizi Riviera, 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 16 minutes from Meydan.

## Developments in Dubai Design District

- [Artistry One Residences](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-design-district/artistry-one-residences): Select Group; Dubai Design District, Dubai; launched; handover 2029; from AED 2,150,000 (as of 2026-11-13)
- [Artistry Two Residences](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-design-district/artistry-two-residences): Select Group; Dubai Design District, Dubai; launched; handover 2029; from AED 2,165,000 (as of 2026-11-13)

## Developments in Meydan

- [Azizi Riviera](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/meydan/azizi-riviera): Azizi Developments; Meydan, Dubai; under construction; handover Q2 2027; from AED 1,219,000 (as of 2026-11-13)
- [Riviera Beachfront](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/meydan/azizi-riviera-beachfront): Azizi Developments; Meydan, Dubai; under construction; from AED 1,258,500 (as of 2026-11-13)
- [Everly Place](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/meydan/everly-place): Ellington Properties; Meydan, Dubai; launched; handover Q4 2030; from AED 1,940,000 (as of 2026-11-13)
- [Riviera Rêve](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/meydan/azizi-riviera-reve): Azizi Developments; Meydan, Dubai; under construction; handover Q4 2026; from AED 2,357,355 (as of 2026-11-13)
- [Knightsbridge](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/meydan/knightsbridge): LEOS Developments; Meydan, Dubai; under construction; handover Q4 2027; from AED 7,940,000 (as of 2026-11-13)
- [Knightsbridge 2](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/meydan/knightsbridge-2): LEOS Developments; Meydan, Dubai; under construction; handover Q2 2028; from AED 13,800,000 (as of 2026-11-13)

## What Dubai Design District is like

> 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


Full guide: [Dubai Design District](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-design-district)

## What Meydan is like

> The large development zone around Meydan Racecourse, south of Downtown Dubai. Lagoon-side apartments, villas and dozens of new towers from many developers, with little public transport.

Who it suits: Investors buying smaller apartments below Business Bay prices; Families looking at villas near the city centre; Buyers who drive and want quick access to Al Khail Road; Those comfortable with a district still under construction.

In its favour:

- About 16 minutes by car from Burj Khalifa and 20 from Dubai International Airport (Bayut area guide)
- Direct access to Al Khail Road and Ras Al Khor Road
- Lower apartment entry prices than Downtown Dubai or Business Bay


Worth weighing:

- Very large pipeline: 73 new and off-plan projects on Property Finder in November 2026, many from smaller developers whose delivery record needs checking one by one
- Limited public transport and no metro station in the area today


Full guide: [Meydan](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/meydan)

## Questions and answers

### Is Dubai Design District or Meydan cheaper per square foot?

Meydan is cheaper on the published figures: AED 2,050 per sq ft against AED 3,129 in Dubai Design District (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026). Averages move with the mix of homes sold, so compare like with like before relying on the gap.

### Which is closer to Downtown Dubai, Dubai Design District or Meydan?

Dubai Design District, at about 7 minutes by car against about 16 minutes from Meydan. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.

### Which is closer to Dubai International Airport, Dubai Design District or Meydan?

Both are about 20 minutes from Dubai International Airport by car. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.

### Can foreigners buy property in Dubai Design District and Meydan?

Dubai Design District is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Meydan is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Sales in Dubai are registered with the DLD.

### Which new developments can I buy in Dubai Design District and Meydan?

In Dubai Design District: [Artistry One Residences](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-design-district/artistry-one-residences) from AED 2,150,000 and [Artistry Two Residences](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-design-district/artistry-two-residences) from AED 2,165,000. In Meydan: [Azizi Riviera](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/meydan/azizi-riviera) from AED 1,219,000, [Riviera Beachfront](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/meydan/azizi-riviera-beachfront) from AED 1,258,500, [Everly Place](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/meydan/everly-place) from AED 1,940,000 and [Riviera Rêve](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/meydan/azizi-riviera-reve) from AED 2,357,355.


---

Source page: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/compare/areas/dubai-design-district-vs-meydan. Published by UAE Property Agents, Omnia Capital Group. You may read, quote, summarise and cite this content, including in AI answers, with attribution to UAE Property Agents and a link to the canonical URL. Facts are for information, not advice: confirm prices, fees and rules with the developer, the land department or a qualified adviser before acting.
