Having announced a massive expansion of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in late January, Dubai has already gone full throttle on the project by embarking on the initial phase of the development which will comprise luxury residences.
The Zabeel District, with an estimated gross development value exceeding AED 100 billion ($27.2 billion), will create a vibrant mixed-use ecosystem with offices, the world’s largest Innovation Hub, a purpose-built AI campus, Art Pavilion, luxury hospitality, conference centre, elegant residences and a host of amenities and retail experiences.
The landmark development has officially entered its initial delivery stage with the launch of “The Residences”, the first residential project within Phase A of the newly unveiled district, signalling the centre’s evolution into a fully integrated urban destination.
DIFC Zabeel District ... a 7.1-million-sq-ft expansion project.
The 7.1-million-sq-ft expansion project was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who described the DIFC Zabeel District as a vital step in advancing the global financial sector, noting that Dubai continues to build a comprehensive ecosystem that integrates business requirements with a high quality of life.
The first phase of the district is expected to open to the public in 2030, with sales for The Residences having officially commenced on February 12, 2026.
The Residences, the district’s residential flagship, comprises two elegant towers featuring 463 units ranging from one-bedroom apartments starting at 846 sq ft to four-bedroom duplex penthouses reaching 4,489 sq ft – which are part of The Penthouse Collection Select residences offering views of Burj Khalifa.
Centrally positioned within Phase A, the development sits amid many of the district’s most anticipated cultural and lifestyle destinations, including the first-of-its-kind Art Pavilion and the restored Zabeel Stables, set to house a curated mix of high-end boutique retail and destination dining.
The first phase of the district is expected to open to the public in 2030.
Saleh Al Akrabi, Chief Real Estate Officer at DIFC Investments, notes that the development is intended to set new benchmarks for urban living by integrating work, wellbeing, and culture.
Amenities are arranged in a sophisticated clubhouse-style setting, offering a hospitality-inspired lifestyle that supports both wellbeing and community. Facilities include resort-style and family swimming pools, a fully-equipped gym, yoga studio, shared working lounges, landscaped gathering spaces, squash courts and padel courts.
The project is linked to the district’s ‘Inner Circle’, a 2-km landscaped loop, and provides pedestrian connectivity to the existing DIFC Gate District, Emirates Towers, and the Dubai World Trade Centre. It is also positioned to integrate with future city infrastructure such as the Dubai Loop, alongside easy access to major arterial road networks, ensuring effortless movement across the city.
The community’s uniquely curated open spaces will be filled with abundant levels of greenery and thriving biodiversity.
Zabeel District
The DIFC Zabeel District is described as the largest demand-led expansion of a financial centre in the region. The DIFC was launched in 2004 and has grown so rapidly over the last two decades that this new expansion is now essential to accommodate the surging influx of international firms and fintech innovators.
Upon completion of its six phases, the district is expected to house more than 42,000 companies and a workforce exceeding 125,000 people. The masterplan, which is slated for full completion by 2040, includes 17.7 million sq ft of gross floor area dedicated to commercial, tech, and residential use.
Zabeel District will create a vibrant mixed-use ecosystem.
At the launch of the district, HH Sheikh Mohammed stated: “DIFC Zabeel District is a key step towards advancing the financial sector in Dubai and worldwide. The new district will see DIFC surge in scale to accommodate over 42,000 companies, a workforce exceeding 125,000. It will also offer state-of-the-art spaces for business, innovation, education, and residential living. DIFC is the pulsing heart of Dubai’s economy and the bridge connecting East and West. It is the nexus of investment and innovation.”
The DIFC Zabeel District will offer a mix of commercial and residential spaces anchored from a central boulevard, a conference centre, hotels, upscale retail offerings, and cutting-edge technology infrastructure.
The DIFC Zabeel District will offer a mix of commercial and residential spaces anchored from a central boulevard.
A central pillar of the new district is its focus on future technologies. The expansion allocates over one million sq ft to what is planned to be the world’s largest Innovation Hub and a purpose-built AI Campus. These facilities are designed to support 6,000 businesses and 30,000 tech specialists. The district will also feature a Gaming and Immersive Technologies Hub and an expanded DIFC Academy, which is set to grow tenfold to 370,000 sq ft to meet the goals of Dubai’s Education 33 strategy.
The community’s uniquely curated open spaces will be filled with abundant levels of greenery and thriving biodiversity, underpinning healthier working, living and social connections. The design philosophy of the expansion revolves around fostering connectivity and easily accessible integrated living. Connected to the existing DIFC Gate District by a signature bridge, the new expansion will form a seamless continuation of DIFC’s institutional and urban fabric.