Properties in Dubai Islands

Dubai Islands feature 5 residential districts and options to suit different requirements and budgets. This includes:

• Bay Residences Dubai Islands
• Bay Villas
• Beach Residences Dubai Islands
• Deira Central
• Rixos Dubai Islands Hotel & Residences

Popular Property Type 

• Apartments – Studios to 4 bedrooms
• Townhouses – 3 to 5 bedrooms
• Villas – 4 to 6 bedrooms
• Waterfront Villas – 5 to 8 bedrooms
• Branded Residences – 1 to 4 bedrooms

In addition to its residential options, Dubai Islands has extensive commercial space planned across the five islands. This includes:

• Deira Mall – A mega-mall spanning 761,840 sqm on Central Island containing retail, dining, entertainment, and leisure options.
• Souk Al Marfa – Dubai’s largest night market with 5,300 shops and quayside dining on Central Island.
• Office Towers – Grade A office towers integrated within mixed-use developments on Central and Marina Islands.
• Luxury Hotels & Resorts – 80+ luxury hotels, resorts and serviced apartments spread across the islands.
• Marinas – State-of-the-art marina facilities located on Marina Island and Central Island.

Sales Trends

Property sales prices on Dubai Islands have steadily grown since initial launches in 2018. Rates average AED 1,450 psf for apartments and AED 1,700 psf for villas. However, branded residences and luxury options fetch significantly higher values ranging from AED 2,000 to 8,000+ psf.

Strong investor interest has resulted in several launches sold out within a few days of release. Waterfront villas in particular, have witnessed rapid uptake. Sales momentum is expected to accelerate as new projects are announced.

ROI Potential

Dubai Islands offers robust ROI potential for investors:

• Branded residences fetching 8-10% returns driven by hotel management
• Retail unit yields of 10%+ boosted by the mega-mall
• Apartments yields of 6-8% from rental demand
• Villas returns of 4-6% from luxury demand

As new attractions open, ROI has significant room for growth in the early phases of development.

Master Plan of Dubai Island 

There are five main islands that makeup Dubai Islands:

• Marina Island
• Central Island
• Shore Island
• Golf Island
• Elite Island

The largest island is Central Island, located in the middle of the group. It will be home to the Deira Mall mega-project as well as residential and hospitality offerings. Marina Island sits to the west of Central Island. As the name suggests, this island will house a new premium marina for Dubai.

To the east is Shore Island, which is dedicated to resorts and sports facilities. Next is the Golf Island, focused on golf courses and residential communities. The smallest island is Elite Island on the southeast side. It will have luxury waterfront villas looking out over the Arabian Gulf.

The islands are designed to each have their unique proposition and attractions. Bridges will link them together into one interconnected city.

Other standalone features of the Dubai Island masterplan are as follows 

• 40km of new coastline, 21km of beaches
• A population of 250,000 expected
• 80+ hotels and resorts planned
• Retail hub – Souk Al Marfa, over 1000 shops
• Seaside attractions – beaches, marinas, parks
• Connected to mainland Deira by bridges
• Extensive road network, walkways, parking
• Residential components – villas, apartments
• Sustainability focus – parks, renewable energy
• 80,000 jobs expected when operational
• Aligns with Dubai’s development plans

Attractions and Facilities

Some of the key attractions and facilities at Dubai Islands include:

• Deira Islands Mall – The massive entertainment, leisure and shopping destination.
• Souk Al Marfa – Dubai’s largest night market, offering street food and retail.
• Beaches – Over 50km of pristine beaches for sunbathing, watersports, and activities.
• Waterparks – As part of hotels like Riu Dubai and Centara Mirage.
• Luxury Spas – Offered at hotels and resorts like Rixos and Anantara.
• Golf Courses – Al Badia Golf Club with waterfront views.
• Marinas – Providing boat docking, yacht clubhouses, water activities etc.
• Parks and Trails – Over 2 sq km of green spaces, parks, jogging and cycling tracks.
• Observation Wheel – A huge observation wheel, similar to the London Eye, is planned on Central Island.
• Nakheel Marinas Dubai Islands – the new marina with 13 superyachts 

Schools and Healthcare

Several schools are planned within dedicated education clusters on the Dubai Islands. For now, there are many options within a 10-15 minute drive, including:

• The Elite English School
• Al Ittihad Private School Mamzar
• Amna Bint Wahab School for Girls
• Sabari Indian School
• Little Flower English School

Healthcare facilities such as clinics, specialist centers, and hospitals will also be part of the development. Nearby hospitals accessible within 10-15 minutes include:

• Dubai Hospital 
• Kuwait Hospital

Shopping, Dining and Nightlife

As a self-contained community, Dubai Islands will offer extensive shopping, dining and leisure choices, including:

Shopping

• Deira Mall – Dubai’s largest shopping mall
• Souk Al Marfa – Traditional Arabic souk
• Retail stores, boutiques, supermarkets

Dining

Nightlife

• Rooftop lounges, bars, shisha places
  • Bebemos
  • Eve Penthouse and Lounge
  • Cu-ba
• Beach clubs, pool parties
• Live entertainment venues & hotel
  • Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai 
  •  Hotel RIU Dubai
• Cinemas
  • Vox Cinemas at City Centre Shindagha
  • Vox Cinemas Burjuman
  • Vox Cinemas at City Centre Deira

Location and Connectivity

Dubai Islands is located off the coast of Deira, near Dubai International Airport. It is currently connected via a road from Abu Hail Road. An additional bridge is under construction from the Abu Baker Al Siddique Road which will be the main access point.

Once complete, the islands will be interconnected through road bridges. Public transport access is planned via the Dubai Metro, water taxi, abras, and water bus services. The RTA has also announced a new 6-lane bridge linking Dubai Islands to Bur Dubai, significantly enhancing connectivity.

Dubai Islands enjoys close proximity to several key areas and attractions:

• Dubai International Airport – 20 minutes 
• Downtown Dubai – 25 minutes
• Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa – 30 mins
• Palm Jumeirah – 20 mins
• Dubai Marina – 25 mins 
• Dubai Parks & Resorts – 30 mins 
• Dubai Expo 2020 Site – 30 mins 

Construction Status and Completion Timelines

Infrastructure construction commenced in 2014, with extensive land reclamation and marine works underway. This includes over 23km of coastline and breakwaters.

The first residential buildings launched were Centara Mirage Resort and RIU Hotel in 2018 on Central Island and Marina Island, respectively. Construction on Deira Mall also began the same year.

In 2021, the Souk Al Marfa retail and entertainment zone was opened. Several new hotel projects were announced in 2022 – including Rixos Residences, Anantara Desaru and Jumeirah Iznad.

The first luxury villa launches – Bay Villas and Beach Villas – were announced in early 2023. Infrastructure work is progressing rapidly, with interconnecting bridges between the islands now visible.

The project will be delivered in multiple phases over 10 to 15 years. The initial residential and hospitality offerings are slated for completion before 2025.

Why Invest in Dubai Island?

Dubai Islands is well-positioned to capitalize on Dubai’s strong tourism, hospitality, retail and residential demand drivers.

Its extensive beachfront and leisure offerings cater perfectly to Dubai’s booming hotel and tourism sector. Branded residences allow investors to tap into this demand while enjoying hassle-free returns. 

For end-users, the apartment options offer accessibility and affordability compared to prime central areas. The villa communities target aspirational luxury home buyers.

With new supply constrained in established areas, Dubai Islands offers investors and residents the opportunity to get in early on Dubai’s next landmark destination. 

So in short, Dubai Islands has all the ingredients to become one of the most prominent master-planned developments in the Emirates. Its diverse mix of hospitality, High ROI, retail, recreational, and residential offerings will cement its status as a thriving waterfront city. With milestones marked rapidly, Dubai Islands is the next investment hub, following in the footsteps of Palm Jumeirah.