Downtown Dubai: buying an apartment by the Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, the Fountain and the Opera: what makes Downtown Dubai, which parts the district has and what to look for when buying an apartment.
In short: Downtown Dubai is the city’s showpiece – with the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain and Dubai Opera. The district was developed by Emaar. Almost all purchases are apartments; the most sought-after have views of the Burj Khalifa or the Fountain.
Location and access
Downtown Dubai lies at the centre of the city, right on Sheikh Zayed Road. Business Bay borders it to the north and east; across Sheikh Zayed Road lie DIFC and City Walk. The Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall metro station connects the district to the Red Line.
Few districts are as central: DXB airport is around 15 to 20 minutes away depending on traffic, Dubai Marina about half an hour. Dubai Hills Estate and MBR City are close by.
From wasteland to city centre
In the early 2000s this was mostly wasteland. Emaar developed the site under the name “Downtown Burj Dubai” around the planned tallest tower in the world. Dubai Mall opened in 2008, the Burj Khalifa in 2010 – at 828 metres still the tallest building in the world. Since then Downtown has been the district where Dubai celebrates New Year’s Eve and that appears on almost every postcard.
The parts of Downtown
Downtown is not uniform. For buyers it pays to know the sub-areas:
- Around the Burj Khalifa and the Fountain: The best-known addresses, with direct views of the tower and the fountain shows.
- Opera District: Around Dubai Opera, with newer towers and views of the Burj Khalifa and the Fountain.
- Old Town: Lower, Arabic-style buildings with courtyards – quieter and cosier than the towers.
- On the Boulevard: Along Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, the main street with cafés and shops that loops around the district.
- Towards Sheikh Zayed Road: Towers with city views, often a little cheaper, but closer to traffic and the metro.
Living in Downtown
Landmarks on your doorstep
Living in Downtown means living among Dubai’s sights: Dubai Mall with its aquarium, ice rink and hundreds of shops, the evening shows of the Dubai Fountain, Dubai Opera with concerts and performances, and Souk Al Bahar with waterside restaurants.
Everyday life
- Shopping: Supermarkets in Dubai Mall and in the buildings.
- Exercise: The Boulevard and the paths around the lake are great for walking and jogging.
- Families: Schools tend to be in neighbouring districts; Downtown is mainly popular with couples, singles and professionals.
- Crowds: Around the mall and the Fountain there are lots of visitors every day – something to factor in depending on where the apartment is.
Buying an apartment in Downtown
In Downtown you buy apartments – from studios to penthouses in one of the towers. Most are completed, and Emaar keeps launching new projects, especially in the Opera District. Besides classic apartments there are hotel residences operated by a hotel brand.
What drives value
- View: The Burj Khalifa and the Fountain are the main value drivers. An apartment with a full view of both can be worth much more than the same size facing the back.
- Building: Older towers from the first phase and new projects differ in finish and service charges.
- Floor: Higher floors offer more view and less noise.
- Service charges: Check them in the Service Charge Index of the Dubai Land Department, especially for hotel residences.
On top of the price come around 6.5 percent in buying costs; new projects follow the rules for off-plan. Many larger apartments are above AED 2 million and therefore qualify for the Golden Visa.
Running costs as an owner in Downtown
After buying an apartment, these are the main ongoing costs:
- Service charges: for maintenance, security, pools and common areas, calculated by the size of your unit. The approved rates for each building are listed in the Service Charge Index of the Dubai Land Department.
- Electricity and water: via the utility DEWA; many buildings add a separate charge for district cooling.
- Housing fee: 5 percent of the annual rental value, billed through the DEWA account. It is paid by whoever lives in the home – so by your tenant if you let it.
- Ejari: every tenancy contract is registered; via the Dubai REST app this costs AED 177.75.
- Management: if you aren’t on site, a property manager handles letting and upkeep for a fee.
Unlike in many countries, there is no annual property tax in Dubai. All items are explained in our guide Buying costs in Dubai.
A visa through your property
With a property in Downtown you may also be able to get a residence visa:
- Golden Visa: ten years of residence if your properties in Dubai are worth at least AED 2 million in total – also with a mortgage or, under certain conditions, off-plan.
- Investor visa: a shorter visa for owners who don’t reach the Golden Visa threshold.
The detailed requirements are explained in our guide Golden Visa with property.
Renting out
Downtown is in demand for both types of letting. Holidaymakers book here to have the Burj Khalifa and the Fountain right outside the window; long-term tenants value the central location near DIFC and Business Bay. For holiday lets you need a holiday home permit. Compare both routes with our rental yield calculator.
Pros and cons
In favour of Downtown
- The most central location in the city
- World-famous landmarks on the doorstep
- Strong demand from holidaymakers and tenants
- Developer Emaar, well-kept district
- Close to DIFC, Business Bay and the airport
Worth considering
- Lots of bustle around the mall and the Fountain
- High prices for apartments with a view
- Hardly any houses or villas
- Few schools in the district itself
Who Downtown suits
Downtown suits the lifestyle investor looking for the city’s best-known address, the portfolio investor counting on lasting demand, and the entrepreneur who wants to live centrally. If you want a similarly central location at a lower entry price, look at Business Bay.
How buying in Downtown works
In Downtown there are ready properties as well as projects under construction. The process differs:
- Ready property: sale agreement in line with RERA (Form F) with a deposit of usually 10 percent, a no objection certificate (NOC) from the developer, then payment and transfer at a Registration Trustee of the Dubai Land Department. Details in our guide Buying a ready property.
- Off-plan: reservation, purchase agreement with the developer (Sale and Purchase Agreement), registration in the interim register Oqood and payments according to construction progress into an escrow account. On handover you receive the title deed. Details in our guide Buying off-plan in Dubai.
For ready properties, budget around 6.5 percent in buying costs; for off-plan mainly the 4 percent registration fee. Both can be done from abroad – with video viewings and a power of attorney.
Our verdict
Downtown Dubai is the city’s best-known address and stays in demand with tenants and holidaymakers. The key is in the detail: view, building and floor determine value and rentability. Choose carefully here and you’ll buy an apartment with very broad demand.
Looking for an apartment in Downtown?
We check the view, the building and a realistic rent – and tell you honestly whether the price is right.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners buy in Downtown Dubai?
Yes. Downtown Dubai is a freehold area; you acquire full ownership, registered with the Dubai Land Department.
Can you buy an apartment in the Burj Khalifa?
Yes, there are privately owned apartments in the Burj Khalifa that occasionally come up for sale. Apartments with a view of the Burj Khalifa are bought far more often, though.
Downtown or Business Bay?
Downtown offers the landmarks and the better-known setting; Business Bay usually offers lower entry prices and many new projects right next door.
Updated: October 2026. This article describes the district in general terms. Prices, rents and service charges change all the time; for a specific property we check the current figures with you.
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