Dubai Design District (d3)

Dubai Design District, known as d3, is a creative and business district developed by TECOM Group, launched in 2013 with its first phase completed in 2015. It sits beside Dubai Creek, with Business Bay to the west, Za'abeel to the north, Ras Al Khor to the east and Meydan and Mohammed Bin Rashid City to the south. Downtown Dubai is a short drive across Business Bay.

What makes d3 stand out?
• Offices, studios and showrooms for design, art and fashion brands, alongside the in5 start-up centre.
• It hosts Dubai Design Week, Sole DXB and Dubai Fashion Week.
• The Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI) is on site.
• A creek-side setting, with The Block offering sports courts, a climbing wall and an urban beach.

Education
DIDI is in Building 4 and there is a nursery within the district. Schools within roughly 10–15 minutes include Hartland International School, JSS Private School and Swiss International Scientific School. Check ratings and fees on the KHDA website.

Healthcare
Emirates Hospital & Clinic, Latifa Women and Children Hospital and Iranian Hospital's Safa clinic are around 9–12 minutes by car.

Transport & connectivity
d3 connects to Al Ain–Dubai Road (E66), Ras Al Khor Road (E44) and Financial Centre Road (D71). There is no metro station inside the district; the nearest stations, including Business Bay, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall and Creek, are a 6–10 minute drive. RTA buses D03 and D03A serve the area, and multi-level car parks are available.

Lifestyle & shopping
The ground floors are lined with independent cafés and restaurants, and the creek promenade is good for an evening walk. Dubai Opera, the Dubai Canal and Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary are around 10–12 minutes away, with Dubai Mall close by for larger shopping trips.

Important note
d3 began as a free zone business district and residential ownership here is newer, so confirm with the Dubai Land Department that the project and unit you are buying carry freehold title for your nationality. For off-plan, check RERA registration and the escrow account, and judge views and distances from the exact building, since the district is still developing.

Photo: Leakingh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.