Emaar South

Emaar South is one of the latest urban developments in Dubai, located within Dubai South. Spanning approximately 7 square kilometers, this district lies in close proximity to the Expo 2020 site and Al Maktoum International Airport, and borders the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Geographical Location and Accessibility

The area enjoys excellent road connectivity through two major highways: Emirates Road (E611) and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). Additionally, its direct access to Expo Road and the Abu Dhabi–Dubai highway network allows residents of Emaar South to commute quickly to both emirates. For example:

• Al Maktoum Airport (DWC): Approximately 15 minutes by car (very close to the terminal of Dubai’s new airport)
• Expo City Site: Around 15 minutes by car
• Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone: Roughly 20 minutes by car
• Dubai Marina and Jebel Ali (coastal tourist areas): Around 25 to 30 minutes by car
• Downtown Dubai (including Burj Khalifa): Approximately 30 to 35 minutes by car
• Dubai International Airport (DXB): About 45 minutes by car

These figures highlight the strategic location of Emaar South.

In terms of public transportation, the nearest metro station is currently Expo 2020 Station (at the end of the Red Line). While the metro line does not yet extend directly into Emaar South, RTA buses (Route F55) connect the community to both the Expo Metro Station and Al Maktoum Airport approximately every 30 minutes. Future plans also include extending the metro line toward Al Maktoum Airport, potentially establishing a station near Emaar South.

Neighborhoods and Proximity to Key Areas

Emaar South is located at the heart of the broader “Dubai South” development plan and is surrounded by a number of important projects and districts. Within a 30-minute radius, many of Dubai’s key destinations are easily accessible:

• Dubai Expo City Site – Approximately 10 to 15 minutes
• Dubai South Residential District – Within 5 to 10 minutes
• Al Maktoum International Airport – Less than 15 minutes
• Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone – Around 20 minutes
• Dubai Marina, Jebel Ali, and Ibn Battuta – Roughly 20 minutes away
• Downtown Dubai – Approximately 30 minutes
• Dubai–Abu Dhabi Border – Emaar South is situated near the border between the two emirates. The distance to the Ghantoot area (Abu Dhabi border) is about 20 minutes. This means residents can reach Yas Island in Abu Dhabi in under an hour, or even arrive in central Abu Dhabi in just about an hour. This feature is particularly valuable for individuals who work in one emirate but prefer to reside in the other.

Appeal for Living, Investment, Tourism, and Employment Living

Emaar South offers a calm, low-density environment that is ideal for families and individuals seeking tranquility after a busy workday. Additionally, compared to central areas of Dubai, the more affordable property prices in Emaar South make homeownership in a high-quality community accessible to a broader range of buyers.

Investment

From an investor's perspective, Emaar South is considered a promising area. As part of Dubai’s ambitious long-term development for the future airport city, the rental yields in Emaar South are notable—thanks to competitive purchase prices and growing rental demand. This allows real estate investors to benefit from both strong rental income and mid-term capital appreciation.

Tourism

 New hotels and accommodations are under construction around Al Maktoum Airport and Expo City, aiming to cater to business and event travelers. Exhibition and business tourists visiting for events at Expo City or airshows can opt to stay close to the venue in Emaar South’s hotels or furnished apartments. Moreover, Expo City itself—with its permanent pavilions such as the Terra Museum and other scientific and recreational attractions—is becoming an emerging tourism hub near Emaar South. Currently, the area’s tourism appeal is primarily focused on golf tourism and business or event-related travel.

Employment

The presence of the Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai South industrial parks, the expanding Al Maktoum Airport, and Expo City means that thousands of jobs in logistics, aviation, warehousing, manufacturing, exhibitions, and support services are either already based in the vicinity or are in development. Major air freight companies, e-commerce logistics centers, international exhibition offices, and more are gradually expanding their operations in Dubai South.

Lifestyle and Quality of Life in Emaar South

The lifestyle in Emaar South is a blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban comfort. The community has been designed with a focus on healthy, family-oriented living. Dedicated running and cycling tracks are integrated throughout the area, alongside 18 local parks and green spaces—ranging from children’s playgrounds to expansive central parks.

One of the hallmarks of lifestyle in Emaar South is its 18-hole golf course. This 200-hectare championship golf course, located at the heart of the community, offers scenic green views to many of the surrounding villas and apartments.

Overall, the lifestyle in Emaar South is well-suited for those seeking peace, open space, and family-friendly amenities—without compromising on access to modern city facilities.

Amenities: Leisure, Retail, Healthcare, Education, and Culture

• Retail and Shopping: A dedicated community shopping center is currently under construction within Emaar South. Until its completion, residents meet their daily needs through local shops and small chain supermarkets such as Zoom and Carrefour Market. Major shopping malls like Ibn Battuta Mall (20 minutes away) and Dubai Marina Mall (around 30 minutes) are within convenient reach. Additionally, Dubai Outlet Village, a popular discount shopping destination, is located near the Expo site—approximately a 15-minute drive.
• Leisure and Sports Facilities: As mentioned earlier, the community’s key recreational feature is the 18-hole golf course with a fully equipped golf club. In addition to golf, each residential cluster includes outdoor swimming pools and private fitness centers for residents.
• Healthcare Services: A multi-specialty medical clinic has already opened within Emaar South. The nearest hospitals are located 15 to 20 minutes away, including NMC Royal Hospital in Dubai Investments Park (DIP) and specialized clinics in Motor City and Jebel Ali. Plans are underway to establish a full-service medical facility in Dubai South in the coming years.
• Educational Institutions: As a newly developing community, Emaar South currently has a limited number of schools operating within its boundaries. However, the area's master plan includes designated plots for schools and educational campuses. At present, the nearest operational international schools are Nobel International School in Dubai South and Nibras International School in DIP—both located around 15 to 20 minutes away. For early childhood education, several private nurseries and preschools have either opened or are soon to launch within Emaar South.
• Cultural and Artistic Venues: The themed museums within Expo City serve as the nearest cultural institutions. Additionally, the conference and event halls in Expo City have the capacity to host artistic events such as concerts and art exhibitions.

Notable Projects and Active Developers in Emaar South

Emaar South is a major urban development initiated and led by Emaar Properties, one of the UAE’s most prominent real estate developers. In fact, the district takes its name from the developer itself. Since the project's inception around 2016–2017, several key phases and landmark sub-projects have been launched or are currently under development. Some of the most notable projects include:

• Urbana 1, 2, 3
• Golf Views
• Golf Links
• SaffronExpo Golf Villas – Parkside
• Fairway Villas 1, 2, 3
• The "Golf" and "Green" series of projects

Major Local Events and Surrounding Developments

• Expo 2020 Dubai: Undoubtedly the most significant event was Expo 2020 Dubai, held just north of Emaar South. While Expo was a temporary event, it left behind lasting infrastructure in the form of Expo City.
• Dubai Airshow: This prestigious international aerospace exhibition, held biennially, has been hosted at Al Maktoum International Airport since 2017.
• Expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport: Until recently, the airport primarily handled cargo and limited passenger traffic. However, by 2024–2025, operations have expanded with increased flight capacity and a partial shift of cargo operations from the older airport.
• Launch of Major New Projects: In 2023, several mega-developments were announced in Dubai South. Although not directly part of Emaar South, these projects will influence the overall atmosphere of the area. Key among them is Azizi Venice, a large-scale leisure-themed development inspired by Venice, planned just east of Emaar South and slated for completion between 2028 and 2030. Additionally, proposals for a massive shopping mall and a major sports complex/stadium in Dubai South have been unveiled.

Population and Demographic Profile

Emaar South remains a developing district. As of now, it is estimated to house several thousand households—approximately 8,000 to 10,000 residents. In the long-term vision, with the full build-out of all phases (a total of around 22,850 planned residential units), the population capacity of Emaar South may exceed 80,000 to 90,000 people.

In terms of demographics, Emaar South—like most modern Dubai neighborhoods—is a multicultural community. The dominant profile consists of young families and professionals who have relocated to Dubai for work and are seeking high-quality, reasonably priced modern homes.

From an income and lifestyle standpoint, Emaar South appeals to the upper-middle class. Property prices are relatively accessible for Dubai’s middle-income segment. A significant proportion of property owners are also investors who rent out their units rather than occupying them.

Project Volume, Residential Unit Types, and Construction Status

To grasp the overall scale of development, the following approximate figures offer insight:

• Number of Major Residential Projects: Around 10 to 12 large-scale residential projects have been launched in Emaar South so far, some completed and others under construction.
• Number of Residential Towers: Emaar South is predominantly a low-rise, horizontal community focused on townhouses and villas. To date, only two mid-rise apartment buildings—Golf Views A and B—have been delivered, alongside several low-rise apartment blocks (5 to 7 stories) in Urbana and adjacent areas. Upcoming developments such as Greenspoint and Golf Expo Residences will add several new towers ranging from 10 to 15 floors.
• Number of Completed Residential Units: As of early 2025, more than 3,415 residential units have been built and handed over in Emaar South.
• Number of Units Under Construction: Emaar South is currently experiencing another wave of rapid development. Sold and ongoing projects are expected to deliver an additional 4000-6000 units between 2025 and 2028.

Residential Property Sale Prices (Past 6 Months: September 2024 – March 2025)

Based on transaction data from the period between September 2024 and March 2025, the average sale prices for residential units in Emaar South are as follows:

Average Rental Prices for Apartments

• 1-Bedroom Apartment: Average annual rent is approximately AED 54,000
• 2-Bedroom Apartment: Estimated average annual rent is AED 80,000
• 3-Bedroom Apartment: Average annual rent is around AED 110,000

Average Rental Prices for Villas :

• 3-Bedroom Apartment: Average annual rent is approximately AED 110,000
• 4-Bedroom Apartment: Estimated average annual rent is AED 146,000

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Market Trends and Forecast (2025–2026)

Over the past two years, the Emaar South property market has experienced significant growth, in line with the broader upward trend seen across Dubai. From the second half of 2021 to late 2024, property sale prices in the area have increased by 20% to 50%, while rental rates have seen annual increases of over 15%.

Looking ahead to 2025, many Dubai market analysts anticipate a period of adjustment and stabilization. After the strong price surges in 2022 and 2023, the rate of property price growth in 2024 and 2025 is expected to moderate.

Assuming current conditions continue, Emaar South is projected to witness modest, single-digit price growth in 2025—approximately 5% to 8% compared to 2024. This increase is expected to be more pronounced in completed and ready-to-occupy properties. On the rental side, there remains potential for moderate double-digit growth (around 10%) due to continued high demand from new residents and the influx of newly delivered units entering the leasing market.

In 2026, the market outlook will depend in part on the realization of key infrastructure projects. Should there be an official announcement regarding the Dubai Metro expansion to Al Maktoum International Airport, or a significant phase of passenger flight relocations to DWC, this could result in a sharp spike in demand and noticeable price appreciation. Furthermore, the completion and opening of major projects such as the Emaar South community mall or the launch of a school or hospital in the area would enhance quality of life and support increased property values.

For investors, Emaar South continues to be considered one of the lower-risk areas for off-plan purchases. Emaar has a strong track record of delivering projects on schedule with supporting infrastructure, while launch prices here remain more affordable compared to central Dubai—allowing for meaningful capital growth potential.

All of this indicates that demand for housing in this district is expected to follow a long-term upward trajectory.

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Conclusion

In a remarkably short span of time, Emaar South has transformed from a peripheral vision on the edge of the city into a vibrant and attractive community for both living and investment. Its unique location adjacent to Dubai’s future exhibition city and international airport, combined with extensive amenities such as a championship golf course and numerous parks, a wide range of competitively priced properties, and a fast-growing real estate market, have all positioned Emaar South as a focal point for smart property buyers.

This area is an excellent choice for families seeking a comfortable home in a peaceful setting, a golden opportunity for investors who believe in Dubai’s future, and a worthy option for tenants aiming to enjoy a high quality of life at a reasonable cost.

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