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Dubai Design District expansion: A vision for seamless living, innovation, and relaxation
DHRE chief executive Khalid Al Malik shares details of d3 major expansion that promises to bring luxury homes, creative hubs, wellness spaces and waterfront living to one of the city’s prime spots along the Creek
- PUBLISHED: Mon 19 Jan 2026, 1:12 PM
- By:
- Muzaffar Rizvi
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Dubai Holding Real Estate, or DHRE, has lifted the curtain on the next chapter of development at Dubai Design District (d3), laying out a major expansion that promises to bring luxury homes, creative hubs, wellness spaces and waterfront living to one of the city’s prime spots along the Creek.
Khalid Al Malik, CEO of Dubai Holding Real Estate and Managing Director of Dubai Holding, said the vision for d3 is to build a destination where residents can live, work, innovate and relax without skipping a beat.
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“The idea behind crafting such a mixed-use master plan is to create a place that ticks all the boxes — a space where people can live, work, dream up new ideas and enjoy themselves under one roof. If you make this your home in the future, you practically won’t need to step out. Everything will be right at your fingertips,” Malik said during a media briefing.
Located between Downtown Dubai and Dubai Creek, the enhanced masterplan spans 18 million sqft of land. Designed and delivered by Meraas, the neighbourhood blends residential, cultural, retail and hospitality experiences, reinforcing Dubai’s ambition to strengthen its position as a global centre for design, innovation and culture in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. The residential expansion also responds to increasing market demand, following the strong performance of recent launches and growing interest from both local and international buyers seeking design-led, well-connected waterfront communities.
The expansion is headlined by The Edit, a new residential enclave featuring three towers that offer sweeping views of Dubai Creek and the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. The latest development is set to raise the bar, featuring three towers that offer one‑ to five‑bedroom apartments and suites with front‑row seats to Dubai Creek, passing dhows and the nearby wildlife sanctuary.
“Now we’re moving on to The Edit, which brings three elegantly designed towers right on the Creek — built with the bells and whistles the market is clamoring for. We’re offering everything from one‑bedroom units to five‑bedroom apartments, plus suites. The appetite for high‑end living is the name of the game, and this project is built to fit the bill.”
Another defining feature of the new masterplan is the Design Line, a fully shaded, pedestrian-first spine that seamlessly connects the entire district. Activated through public art, creative installations, community spaces and landscaped green corridors, it will support walkable, human-centric living while strengthening d3’s identity as one of Dubai’s most design-forward urban neighbourhoods.
The masterplan is also targeting LEED Silver community certification, with sustainable mobility, enhanced connectivity, energy-efficient design and integration with natural landscapes, including visual links to Dubai Creek and the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary.
Five distinct areas will shape the character of the new neighbourhood. Along the canal, the first will introduce contemporary residences and boutique hospitality set against an activated waterfront promenade. The urban core will unite residential offerings with curated retail and dining, integrated with d3’s established global creative ecosystem. A third area will become the cultural heart of the community, featuring performance venues and mid-rise residences overlooking the d3 Bowl. Another will offer a wellness-focused residential setting defined by parks, sports facilities and a mangrove-inspired landscape. The final area will become a centre for creativity, with galleries, studios and loft-style spaces designed to support collaboration, creativity and artistic production.
“Expanding the Dubai Design District masterplan into a fully integrated creative neighbourhood is a significant step in advancing the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. This development strengthens Dubai Design District’s position as a global benchmark for design-focused urban living and reaffirms Dubai’s status as a destination of choice for long-term investment, talent and innovation,” Malik said.
Momentum around the district continues to accelerate. Meraas’ recent residential releases at d3 have attracted exceptional demand, including the rapid sell-out of Atelis, a 280-unit waterfront tower, and the successful launch of The Edit, a three-tower development offering 557 design-led homes.
With its expanded vision, new residential offering and distinctive creative identity, the enhanced d3 masterplan will establish the district as one of Dubai’s most inspiring and globally relevant neighbourhoods – a place where creativity shapes everyday life and where the world’s creative community can truly belong.
Dubai Holding Real Estate is the region’s leading integrated master developer within Dubai Holding’s diversified portfolio. With over 30 years of collective development experience, it combines the heritage and innovation of Nakheel, Meraas and Dubai Properties to shape Dubai's urban landscape and coastline through iconic destinations that reinforce the emirate's status as a global hub for real estate investment.
Its portfolio is home to over 1.2 million residents across Dubai’s most sought-after locations, delivering value through master planning, development, strategic land sales and asset management, in alignment with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan to support sustainable, long-term growth.
