Dubai Festival City
Project Highlights
Key features
Mixed-use development with residential, commercial, and entertainment spaces
Home to Dubai Festival City Mall, featuring over 400 retail stores and numerous dining options
Waterfront leisure spots like Festival Bay and IMAGINE Dubai, offering spectacular light and water shows
Diverse residential options: apartments, villas, and townhouses with modern and traditional architectural styles
Family-friendly amenities including schools, supermarkets, gyms, and parks
Proximity to Dubai Creek, providing scenic views and recreational activities
Excellent connectivity with metro stations, bus routes, and major roads
A range of hotels including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn
Dubai Festival City (DFC) is a premier mixed-use development in Dubai, spanning 5.2 million square meters along the picturesque Dubai Creek. Developed by Al-Futtaim Real Estate, part of the Al-Futtaim Group, DFC is designed to offer a complete community lifestyle, blending residential, commercial, and entertainment spaces seamlessly. The community features a variety of residential options, including apartments, villas, and townhouses, catering to diverse needs from individuals to families. With its strategic location and ongoing development since the early 2000s, DFC continues to be a sought-after destination in Dubai.
The community is divided into three main residential districts: Al Badia Residences, Al Badia Hillside Village, and Marsa Plaza. Al Badia Residences offers a mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments as well as 4-bedroom villas, while Al Badia Hillside Village and Marsa Plaza focus on apartments with Mediterranean and Arabic architectural designs. Marsa Plaza stands out for its upscale curved tower design and direct views of Dubai Creek. DFC is particularly appealing to families due to its array of amenities, including renowned schools, healthcare facilities, and recreational hubs.
The presence of Dubai Festival City Mall, one of the largest shopping centers in the emirate, provides residents with easy access to daily necessities, luxury brands, and entertainment options. The mall, which opened in 2007, features over 400 retail stores, a variety of dining experiences, and attractions like IMAGINE Dubai, a state-of-the-art light and water show. Additionally, the community’s location along Dubai Creek offers stunning views and a tranquil setting for residents, enhancing the overall living experience.
With its mix of residential units, business towers, and leisure spots, Dubai Festival City stands out as one of the most prestigious regions in Dubai, offering a high quality of life for its residents. The development’s ongoing enhancements ensure it remains a dynamic and attractive place to live, work, and play.
Market Trends & Living Insights
Real Estate Market Trends & Prices
Dubai Festival City boasts a strong real estate market with a variety of options for renters and buyers. Average rental prices range from AED 100,000 for 1-bedroom units to AED 280,000 for 4-bedroom apartments. Sale prices follow a similar trend, with 1-bedroom units averaging AED 1.5 million and 3-bedrooms around AED 3.57 million. Among all unit types, 2-bedroom apartments offer the highest return on investment (ROI) at 6.57%, making them a popular choice for investors. The area’s freehold status and proximity to amenities further enhance its appeal.
Recent transactions support the community’s active market. Rental deals include 2-bedroom units ranging from AED 127,500 to AED 164,000, and 3-bedroom units renting for up to AED 291,000. On the sales side, 1-bedroom apartments have sold for around AED 1 million, while 2- and 3-bedroom units reached up to AED 3.83 million in prime locations. These figures highlight Dubai Festival City’s consistent demand and solid performance in both rental and sales markets.
Popular Property Types & Layouts
Dubai Festival City offers a variety of property types, primarily apartments and villas, across three districts:
Al Badia Residences: Includes 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments (1,109–3,154 sq.ft.) and 4-bedroom villas, some upgraded with additional bedrooms. Villas feature Mediterranean-style architecture and cost around AED 6M to buy or AED 250,000 annually to rent.
Al Badia Hillside Village: Offers 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments with Mediterranean and Arabic designs, ranging from 1,109 to 3,154 sq.ft.
Marsa Plaza: An upscale residential tower with 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments and 3- and 4-bedroom duplex units, known for its curved design and unobstructed Dubai Creek views.
Pros & Cons of Living in Dubai Festival City
Pros:
Family-friendly community with excellent amenities
Proximity to Dubai Creek and scenic views
Large shopping mall with diverse retail and dining options
Good connectivity via public transport and major roads
Variety of residential options to suit different lifestyles
Cons:
Distance from central Dubai areas like Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina (20-25 minutes away)
Potential traffic congestion during peak hours
Limited direct metro access; requires bus transfer from nearby stations
Transportation & Parking
For car owners, Dubai Festival City offers ample parking options. Most residential units have designated spaces, with apartments providing underground and street parking, while villas include at least two dedicated spots.
Public Transportation in Dubai Festival City
Dubai Festival City is well-connected through various transportation options, though it lacks a direct metro station:
Metro Stations: Accessible via bus from Emirates Metro Station (Red Line, 8 minutes away) or Creek and Al Jaddaf Metro Stations (Green Line, 5-10 minutes away).
Bus Routes: Multiple bus stations, including Dubai Festival City, Festival Centre Bus Stop (near IKEA), and Al Badia Hillside Village, connect to various parts of Dubai.
Main Roads: Reachable via Sheikh Zayed Road (Exit 58 on Al Garhoud Bridge), Al Khail Road (via Business Bay Crossing), or Rebat Street from Sharjah.
Other Options: Water taxis (abras) along Dubai Creek offer a scenic commute option.
Amenities, Schools & Healthcare
Supermarkets Near Dubai Festival City
Dubai Festival City caters to residents’ daily needs with several supermarkets. Carrefour, a leading hypermarket, is located within Dubai Festival City Mall. Nearby options, about 6-7 minutes away, include:
Choithrams
Abu Hail Supermarket
Kadooli Supermarket
Spinneys (at Al Areesh Club)
Mosques, Temples, and Churches in Dubai Festival City
Mosques: The only mosque within Dubai Festival City is Osama Bin Zayed Masjid. Nearby mosques in Al Rashidiya and Umm Ramool, such as Ibrahim Al Khalil Mosque, Al Rashidiya Al Kabeer Mosque, and Habib Mosque, are 6-7 minutes away.
Temples: The Shiva Temple and Sikh Gurdwara in Bur Dubai are accessible in 15-20 minutes.
Churches: Churches in Oud Metha, including St Mary’s Church, Coptic Church, The Dubai City Church, and Saint Paul’s Chapel, are reachable in 15-20 minutes.
Schools and Higher Education in Dubai Festival City
Schools:
Deira International School (UK and IB curriculum)
Universal American School (American and IB curriculum)
Cambridge International School (UK curriculum, 5 minutes away in Al Garhoud)
Higher Education:
Al Falah University (all within 5-10 minutes)
Clinics and Hospitals Near Dubai Festival City
Mediclinic Welcare Hospital (Garhoud, 9 minutes away)
Emirates Specialty Hospital (10-11 minutes away)
Magrabi Eye Hospital (10-11 minutes away)
Dubai London Clinic (Dubai Festival City Mall)
Al Badia Dental Clinic
Al Sultan Medical Centre
Nearby Areas
Dubai Festival City is strategically located near Al Garhoud, Umm Ramool, Nad Shamma, and Ras Al Khor. Al Garhoud is a business hub with institutions like the American University in Dubai, while Umm Ramool offers additional residential communities. Nad Shamma and Ras Al Khor provide access to natural reserves and bird sanctuaries, enhancing the area’s appeal with a mix of urban and natural environments.
Lifestyle & Leisure
Shopping Near Dubai Festival City
Dubai Festival City Mall is the centerpiece, with over 400 stores, including Zara, H&M, Marks & Spencer, the first IKEA in Dubai, and the largest ACE Hardware outside North America. It also features a flagship Robinsons department store.
Restaurants Near Dubai Festival City
The mall offers 35 independent restaurants and 19 cafes, with popular options like Hard Rock Cafe, Cheesecake Factory, P.F Chang’s, and Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe. Festival Bay hosts 15 waterfront restaurants with diverse cuisines and scenic views.
Other Nearby Dining Options Near Dubai Festival City
Licensed restaurants in hotels like InterContinental (Belgian Beer Cafe, Vista) and Crowne Plaza. Nearby Al Garhoud offers The Irish Village and dining at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre.
Nightlife Near Dubai Festival City
DFC is family-oriented, but hotels offer sophisticated dining and bar experiences. For vibrant nightlife, Business Bay and Downtown Dubai are a short drive away.
Beaches Near Dubai Festival City
Al Mamzar Beach (under 20 minutes): Offers fitness amenities and shaded areas.
Jumeirah Beach (25 minutes): Known for pristine sands and water sports.
Sunset Beach (25 minutes): Provides serene sunset views.
Leisure & Landmarks Near Dubai Festival City
IMAGINE Dubai: A state-of-the-art light and water show with 30 fountains and surround sound.
Festival Bay: A waterfront spot with dining, a 40-meter Ferris wheel, and fountain shows.
Dubai Creek: Offers dhow cruises with buffets and live performances.
Al-Futtaim Automall: A popular car buying/selling hub near ACE Hardware and IKEA.
Outdoor, Fitness & Beauty Near Dubai Festival City
Al Areesh Club: Features gyms, pools, sports courts, and children’s play areas.
Fitness First: Located in Dubai Festival City Mall, popular for modern facilities.
Beauty Centers: Includes Tips and Toes, NBar, The Barber Room, and M&J Gents Salon.
Community Events Near Dubai Festival City
Dubai Festival City hosts events year-round, especially at Festival Bay, with concerts, shows, and performances. IMAGINE Dubai features special lighting and fireworks during festivals. The Dubai Shopping Festival draws crowds to the mall for sales and promotions.
FAQs
Dubai Festival City is situated along the eastern bank of Dubai Creek in north-central Dubai. Accessible via Sheikh Zayed Road (Exit 58 on Al Garhoud Bridge), Al Khail Road (via Business Bay Crossing), or Rebat Street from Sharjah, it’s close to Dubai International Airport.
Key Travel Times:
Burj Khalifa: ~15 minutes
Dubai Mall: ~12 minutes
Dubai Marina: ~25 minutes
Dubai International Airport: <5 minutes
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