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Downtown Dubai

Burj Khalifa district. A buyer's guide by Tarek Wazzan.

Facts checked 30 September 2026 · General information, not advice

Short answerDowntown Dubai is Emaar's district around Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall, and it is a freehold area where foreigners can own. Most homes are in completed towers, so buyers mostly choose between resale apartments and the occasional new launch. Budget for the 4% DLD transfer fee and check each building's service charges with DLD.

What Downtown Dubai is

Downtown Dubai is the district Emaar Properties built around Burj Khalifa, which Guinness World Records lists as the world's tallest building and which opened on 4 January 2010. It also contains The Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain and Dubai Opera, with residential towers and hotels along the boulevard. It is a designated freehold area, so non-UAE nationals can own apartments here, with ownership registered by the Dubai Land Department.

Ready, resale or off-plan

Because most of Downtown is built, the bulk of what you can buy is resale: apartments in completed towers, some with hotel-branded services. New launches appear occasionally on the remaining plots. Resale lets you see the actual unit, view and service-charge history, and rent it out or move in straight away. Under Central Bank of the UAE rules, a mortgage can cover up to 80% for an expat's first home under AED 5 million; for off-plan the cap is 50%.

What to check

  • Service charges, which vary widely between towers. DLD publishes a Service Charge Index.
  • The view you are paying for, and what could be built in front of it.
  • Building age and condition, and the owners' association record, for resale units.
  • Recent DLD-registered sales in the same tower, not asking prices.

Questions

Can foreigners buy property in Downtown Dubai?

Yes. Downtown Dubai is a freehold area in Dubai, so non-UAE nationals can own property there, registered with the Dubai Land Department.

What should I check before buying in Downtown Dubai?

Service charges, which vary widely between towers. DLD publishes a Service Charge Index. The view you are paying for, and what could be built in front of it. Building age and condition, and the owners' association record, for resale units. Recent DLD-registered sales in the same tower, not asking prices.

Who can advise me on Downtown Dubai?

Tarek Wazzan, Senior Property Consultant at NAAS Properties, advises buyers and investors on Downtown Dubai in English and Arabic. Message him on WhatsApp or use the contact form on this page.

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I reply personally on WhatsApp or email, usually the same day, with options that fit and the full cost of each.

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