Al Jaddaf to be Dubai's next affordable freehold location

Dubai: After Sheikh Zayed Road, the freehold conversion boom has now reached the Al Jaddaf area, with new projects being launched or about to do so.

What this does is create new freehold residential options for property investors in Dubai, especially those interested in buying a home for their own use.

“Al Jaddaf could well become one of the locations where end-user property buyers still don’t have to pay a price premium compared to apartments on SZR, the Downtown Dubai or Business Bay,” said an estate agent.

“The other emerging location that end-users are seriously interested in is Dubai Maritime City, again for the same reason of value-for-money.”

It was in early 2025 that Dubai said designated plots and buildings owned by private investors in Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Jaddaf can be converted into freehold. It meant that 329 plots in Al Jaddaf could make the transition.

Industry sources say that such locations allow new and existing investors come to market at prices that are yet to fully experience the Dubai property boom highs of recent years. And by the time these investors take possession of their homes in 3-4 years, there is a good chance that property values will have started moving up. 

This week Azizi Developments goes on sale with the ‘Azizi David’ in Al Jaddaf, which will be on land that was earlier designated for GCC investors only. It has now been repurposed to being a freehold. “Dubai’s famed Al Jaddaf continues to draw strong demand from local and international buyers,” said Farhad Azizi, Group CEO.

Prices at Azizi David show 1-bedroom units at Dh1.24 million, and 2-bedroom apartments for Dh1.6. This is also the second Azizi project launched in successive weeks where the developer has chosen emerging locations. The previous launch, Azizi Abraham’, was in the Jebel Ali Free Zone area.    

Recently, Harbor Real Estate recently said it was working as advisor to JAD Global Real Estate Development to launch a one of the ‘first freehold projects launched in Al Jaddaf’ as part of the Dubai initiative to repurpose plots on SZR and in Al Jaddaf.  

“We are preparing a new development aligned with a comprehensive vision that reflects the government’s ambition to transform the area into a vibrant, mixed-use urban hub, open to investors of all nationalities,” said Dr. Mohanad Alwadiya, CEO of Harbor in the statement. 

The area already has its fair share of developments through projects such as the D1 Tower and the Culture Village.  The D1 tower – easily the most eye-catching project in the area – is seeing secondary market transactions hitting Dh1.1 million for studios and Dh1.7 million to Dh2.2 million for 1-bedroom units depending on size and views.

More projects are in advanced stages of their construction closer to the Al Garhoud Bridge. (The area is also turning popular for offices as more infrastructure access and roadways are built.)

“The current pricing for studios and 1-bedroom apartments in the wider Al Jaddaf area start from Dh650,000 and Dh1 million reaching up to AED 1.5m, depending on the finishing and views,” said Aakarshan Kathuria, CEO of RiseUp. 

“That would mean a median price per square foot of Dh1,550-Dh1,620.

“The forecast are for 15%-30% increase in property values in the coming years following Dubai’s freehold conversion and redevelopment initiatives. Particularly at prime and ‘well-located’ plots.”

For those looking to Dubai Metro rides, Al Jaddaf residents have connectivity via the Al Jaddaf and Creek stations. “Plus, there’s the proximity to Downtown, Healthcare City, and upcoming Etihad Rail hub – all of which enhance Al Jaddaf’s appeal,” said Kathuria.

According to industry sources, there is growing interest in property among UAE residents who have spent 3-5 years here and are ready to ‘take a step up’ on committing to a longer time here.

“Locations such as Al Jaddaf will fit in neatly into the recent Dubai ‘first-time home buyer’ programme,” said a property agent. “if developers assign a certain number of units at reduced prices for such buyers, Al Jaddaf gives them a good entry point.”

In July, Dubai announced new incentives for investors who are buying their first homes in the city. As part of this, developers who sign up for this set aside a certain number of units and also have discounted prices on them. Whether in Al Jaddaf or elsewhere in the city, this potentially creates new sales opportunities to keep the Dubai property demand curve keep moving higher.

Those developers with upcoming projects in Al Jaddaf will be thinking on those lines too.