Inside Dubai Design District’s new creative-led waterfront neighbourhood

Dubai Design District – home to global fashion weeks, forward-thinking design studios, experimental galleries and a fast-evolving cafe culture – has long been the city’s place to work, create and collaborate.

Now, a major new residential masterplan by Meraas is set to expand the quarter beyond studios and showrooms by introducing canal-front living, walkable streets and integrated cultural spaces that are set to reshape d3 into one of Dubai’s most distinctive waterfront neighbourhoods.

Spanning 18 million square feet, the masterplan clusters homes, retail, hospitality and cultural venues around the Design Line — a shaded, pedestrian-first spine that runs through d3 from end to end.

Conceived as both an urban connector and a social artery, it is designed to be walked slowly rather than passed through quickly, and will be animated by public art, creative installations and landscaped green corridors that encourage chance encounters and informal gatherings.

The waterfront plays an equally central role. Along the canal, contemporary residences and boutique hospitality will unfold onto wide-open promenades flanked by terraces, planting and public spaces designed to keep the water’s edge lively throughout the day and well into the evening.

Elsewhere – benefitting from Dubai Design District’s central location just minutes from Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and Dubai Creek – the urban core blends residential living with a curated selection of retail and dining options, closely integrated with the wider area’s established ecosystem of studios, showrooms and event venues.

Further inland, the masterplan breaks into several distinct yet complementary zones. A cultural quarter clusters performance venues and mid-rise residences around the d3 Bowl, while a wellness-focused area introduces parks, sports facilities and a mangrove-inspired landscape that softens the city grid.

The final zone is unapologetically creative, with galleries, studios and loft-style spaces designed to support collaboration, production and artistic experimentation.

Targeting LEED Silver community certification, the development prioritises energy-efficient design, sustainable mobility and enhanced connectivity, alongside visual and spatial links to Dubai Creek and the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary.

The announcement builds on strong residential momentum across the district in recent months, including the rapid sell-out of the 280-unit, waterfront tower Atelis and the launch of The Edit, a three-tower development delivering 557 design-led homes.

For Meraas, the expanded masterplan aligns closely with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, reinforcing the emirate’s ambition to attract global talent, investment and innovation.

Since its launch, Dubai Design District has established itself as one of the region’s most important creative hubs. The district hosts Dubai Fashion Week and major international runway shows, alongside a year-round calendar of exhibitions, talks, pop-ups and design-led events.

It is home to hundreds of regional and international brands, creative agencies and fashion houses, as well as galleries, concept stores and flexible event spaces that transform into venues for art fairs, product launches and cultural programming.

As Meraas’ new neighbourhood takes shape along the water, Dubai Design District is evolving into a place that embeds creativity into everyday life — from the streets you walk to the home you return to.

Source: Condé Nast Traveller