A perfect retreat from urban life, the Old Town is spread over six quarters namely: Yansoon, Zaafaran, Reehan, Zanzebeel, Kamoon and Miska. With its meandering alleyways, the development features low- to mid-rise towers with penthouses inspired by traditional Arabic architecture. Units in these buildings come in one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom formats, many with terraces, balconies, recesses and niches. Its status as a car-free zone adds to its serene atmosphere. Unit size is 660 to 2,550 square feet and amenities include children's play areas, pool facilities, gym, games room, aerobic room, squash courts, entertainment lounge, underground parking and landscaped sitting areas.
Prices to rent: One-bedrooms range from Dh65,000 to Dh80,000, two-bedrooms from Dh95,000 to Dh130,000, three-bedrooms from Dh180,000 to Dh220,000 and four-bedrooms are priced at Dh220,000. Image Credit: Stefan Lindeque/ANM
One of the most popular and alluring residential destinations, Downtown Dubai could be billed as the world's most prestigious square kilometre, with the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, forming its epicentre.
The neighbourhood features impressive residential, commercial and leisure elements such as The Dubai Mall, six world-class hotels and The Dubai Fountain, the world's tallest performing fountain.
In pictures: Where to live in Downtown Dubai
According to a spokesperson from Hamptons Mena, "Downtown Dubai's new lifestyle campaign positioning it as ‘The Centre of Now' has further strengthened interest in the community.
Rental values in homes that face the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Fountain have appreciated in some instances. In terms of investment, the community fetches yields of 5 to 8 per cent. It also offers strong rental returns."
Tips...
Sales and leasing Experts
Downtown Dubai offers a range of different styles of buildings. With an array of things to see and do, it is proving to be a very popular choice when looking for a cosmopolitan location to live in.
Adam Adami, senior leasing consultant, Oceanview Real Estate
Downtown real estate market has begun showing major recovery signs as of October 2010. With positive movements from investors, and with end-users returning to the market, we have witnessed an increased number of sales all around Downtown Dubai.
Latif Habib - senior sales executive , Oceanview Real Estate
Residents
It's a perfect place to live with easy access to the mall and other urban areas of the city. As an investment, my apartment in Burj Residences has definitely appreciated in value, though minimal. In terms of renting, it is absolutely the perfect time to do so.
Karim Al Bassatne, British, media professional and owner-occupier
I love the low-rise design of Old Town that gives a resort-style feel. Conveniently located, it is equidistant to new and old Dubai and also close to DIFC, where I work. Downtown has a wide range of options, a few of my personal favourites are Momotaro at Souq Al Bahar, Deli at The Dubai Mall and Tasti D-Lite.
Natasha Lavrnja, South African, finance professional and tenant
Property recommends: Emaar Boulevard, the main arterial road, runs through Downtown Dubai connecting major residential, leisure and commercial components in the district. Replete with cafés, hotels and high-end retail, the 3.5km stretch is where the Downtown action lies.
How to get there: From Abu Dhabi, take Exit 51 after Interchange 2. Follow The Dubai Mall sign, turn right at the second traffic light on Doha Street on to Emaar Boulevard. From Dubai, take Exit 51B before Interchange 1 on to The Dubai Mall flyover, turn right at 2nd traffic light
Current sales prices
Studio: Dh750,000 - Dh800,000
One-bed : Dh800,000 - Dh1.3 million
Two-bed: Dh1.2 million - Dh1.65 million
Three-bed: Dh1.9 million - Dh3.2 million
Four-bed: Dh3.6 million - Dh4.5million
Source: Better Homes — Residential Department
Current rental prices
Studio: Dh40,000 - Dh50,000 p.a
One-bed : Dh50,000 - Dh95,000 p.a
Two-bed: Dh80,000 - Dh130,000 p.a
Three-bed: Dh160,000 - Dh200,000 p.a
* Sales and rental prices not applicable to Burj Khalifa
Source: Better Homes — Residential Department
Positives
- Just 10.50km from the Dubai International Airport and 0.95km from The Dubai Mall Metro station
- Easy access to urban centres and business districts like DIFC, WTC and Business Bay
- A well secured and guarded community
- Domestic household pets are allowed
- Dedicated parking for every unit, with provisions for visitors' parking too
Negatives
- With The Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa within the community, the area is bustling with tourists and mall shoppers all year round
- Road signs keep changing often, with infrastructure work still on-going
- Traffic on Emaar Boulevard gets busy, especially on weekends
- Etisalat users may have to switch to Du connectivity, as a majority of towers are serviced by Du for TV and internet packages with a few exceptions
Supermarkets
Al Maya Supermarket
Where: 8 Boulevard Walk
How: Tel: 04 432 9624
When: Open 24 hours
What: Home delivery available with a minimum order of Dh50
Spinneys
Where: Al Manzil district
When: 10am to 10pm
How: 04 420 3648
Where: Souq Al Bahar
How: 04-420 3644
Where: South Ridge
How: 04 422 0399
Where: The Residences
How: 04 360 3980
What: DVD rentals available at Al Manzil and Residences outlets
Waitrose
Where: The Dubai Mall, Lower Ground Level
When: Daily 8am till midnight
How: 04 434 0700
The Farmers' Market
Where: Souq Al Bahar (on the terrace)
When: Friday 10am to 5pm
What: Meet local farmers and farm hands as they bring you their freshest harvest, all locally-grown organic fruit and vegetables during the growing season.
Health care
The Dubai Mall Medical Centre
Where: The Dubai Mall, Fashion Car Park, Level 7
How: 04 449 5111
When: Sat to Thur, 8am to 8pm, Fri 3pm to 7pm
What: A premium medical centre, it offers a wide array of specialities. Equipped with a clinical laboratory, digital radiology and imaging unit, pharmacy and a wellness centre, the clinic accepts most major insurance cards.
Marina Pharmacy
Where: Souq Al Bahar
How: 04 420 1172
When: 10am to 1am
Boots Pharmacy
Where: The Residences 1
How: 04 420 0339
When: 10am to 10pm
Nurseries
Old Town Nursery
Where: Qamardeen district
How: 04 427 1453
When: 8am to 2pm; day care: available until 5pm
What: The Old Town Nursery offers Early Years Curriculum and a Montessori Programme from 18 months up to four years.
Kangaroo Kids Nursery
Where: Residences 1, Tower 4
How: 04 420 5250
When: 8am to 5pm What: Based on the concept of learn as you play, the nursery features a Baby Club and programmes for Toddlers, Nursery and Foundation levels from six months to four years.
Banks and ATMs
Commercial Bank of Dubai
Where: Souq Al Bahar
Timings: 10am to 5:45pm, Sat to Thu; How: 04 420 0292
Emirates NBD
Where: The Residences 1, Tower 6
When: 9am to 3pm, Sat to Thu
How: 04 432 8623
Mashreq bank
Where: South Ridge
When: 8am to 4pm, Sat to Thu
How: 04 428 6104
Restaurants & cafes
Boulevard Café
Where: Emaar Boulevard
How: 04 428 5888
When: 7am to 11pm daily
What: Inspired by French cuisine, the café offers fresh and healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Also a wide range of shisha flavours available with disposable pipes.
Rivington Grill
Where: Souq Al Bahar
How: 04 423 0903
When: 12pm to 12am
What: A modern British menu, with the finest puddings in town.
Tasti D-Lite
Where: Emaar Boulevard, The Residences 2
How: 800-TASTI (800 82784)
When: 11am to midnight
What: New York's number one guilt-free frozen yoghurt dessert.
Leisure
Arthur & Murray Dance Centre
Where: Souq Al Bahar
How: 04 450 8648
When: Sat to Wed, 2pm to 9:30pm, Fri 11:30am to 3:30pm
What: Now you can learn to dance at Arthur & Murray. Choose from ballroom to spicy Latin American dance styles at levels to meet your dancing needs.
Hayya!
Where: Al Manzil Club
How: 04 367 3282
When: 6am to 10pm daily
What: A perfect way to revitalise your mind, body and soul, Hayya! features a gym, swimming pool, aerobics studio, squash courts and steam rooms.
Hotels
Armani Hotel
Where: Burj Khalifa - Levels 1 to 8 and Level 38 to 39 How: 04 888 3888
What: Bringing the ‘Stay with Armani' promise, the hotel features 160 guest rooms and suites, eight restaurants and the first in-hotel Armani/Spa.
Al Manzil
Where: Emaar Boulevard, Old Town; How: 04 428 5888
What: This four-star hotel has 197 guest rooms, four restaurants, meeting rooms, swimming pool, gym and a business centre.
Qamardeen
Where: Emaar Boulevard, Old Town; How: 04 428 6888
What: The hotel features 186 rooms, an Italian restaurant, a boardroom, swimming pool, gym and a business centre.
The Address - Dubai Mall
How: 04 438 8888
What: It offers 244 rooms, spa, swimming pool, business facilities and five restaurants.
The Palace - The Old Town
Where: Emaar Boulevard, The Old Town Island
How: 04 428 7888
What: The hotel comprises 242 rooms, three restaurants, a pool, fitness centre, tennis and squash courts, and business facilities.
The Address - Downtown Dubai
Where: Emaar Boulevard, How: 04 436 8888
What: The hotel comprises 196 rooms and 626 serviced residences, spa, pool and meeting facilities.
Miscellaneous
Budget Car Rentals
Where: 8 Boulevard Walk
How: 04 447 7447
When: Sat to Thu, 8am to 6pm
Champion Cleaners
Where: South Ridge Tower
When: 10am to 10pm
How: 04 432 7460
The Dubai Mall also offers a wide range of dining and retail option.
