Dubai Design District Charts a New Chapter as a Waterfront Residential Neighbourhood

Meraas transforms d3 into a canal-front community where design, culture and everyday living converge

As global cities rethink how creative districts function, Dubai Design District is making a decisive move that will define its evolution. An expanded residential masterplan by Meraas is transforming d3 from a destination for design into a fully integrated waterfront neighbourhood that blends canal-front living, cultural spaces and pedestrian-first streets.

Unveiled by Meraas, a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate, the enhanced masterplan repositions d3 as one of Dubai’s most desirable addresses. Spanning 18 million square feet between Downtown Dubai and Dubai Creek, the development will include residences, cultural quarters, public green spaces and walkable urban streets, shaping a neighbourhood where people can live, work and innovate within a single, cohesive environment.

At the heart of the masterplan is the Design Line, a shaded, pedestrian-first spine that connects the entire district. Designed to encourage movement and interaction, it weaves together public art, creative installations, landscaped green corridors and community spaces, reinforcing d3’s identity as one of the city’s most design-forward urban quarters. The emphasis on walkability marks a shift toward connected urban living.

Sustainability is central to the vision. The community is targeting LEED Silver certification, with a focus on sustainable mobility, enhanced connectivity and energy-efficient design. Natural elements are integrated throughout, with views overlooking Dubai Creek and the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, grounding the district within its wider ecological context.

Five distinct areas will define the character of the neighbourhood. Along the canal, residences and boutique hospitality offerings will line a waterfront promenade. The urban core will bring together residential living with retail and dining, integrated into d3’s established creative ecosystem. A cultural quarter will centre around performance venues and mid-rise residences overlooking the d3 Bowl, while a wellness-focused zone will introduce parks, sports facilities and a mangrove-inspired landscape. Completing the vision is a hub of galleries, studios and loft-style spaces designed to support collaboration and artistic production.

Momentum within the district continues to build. Recent residential launches have seen exceptional demand, including the rapid sell-out of Atelis, a 280-unit waterfront

tower, and the successful debut of The Edit, a three-tower development offering 557 design-led homes. The expansion responds directly to growing interest from local and international buyers seeking well-connected waterfront communities.

“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,” says Khalid Al Malik, CEO of Dubai Holding Real Estate. “This development strengthens d3’s position as a global benchmark for design-focused urban living and reinforces Dubai’s appeal as a destination for long-term investment, talent and innovation.”

With its expanded vision and distinctive creative identity, the enhanced d3 masterplan signals a new chapter for the district, one where design shapes what is made, as well as how life unfolds.

Source: Architectural Digest Middle East