Dubai Creek Harbour (The Lagoons): the area, the buildings and what homes sell for

What is Dubai Creek Harbour

Dubai Creek Harbour is an Emaar master development of about six square kilometres on the east bank of Dubai Creek, beside Ras Al Khor sanctuary.

Emaar Properties and Dubai Holding started the project as a joint venture. Dubai Holding announced the first residential launch on 27 October 2014. Emaar bought Dubai Holding's share in 2022. Emaar is now the sole master developer. Emaar says the community has 7.4 million square metres of residential space and 500,000 square metres of parks and open spaces.

Sources disagree on the total land area. Dubai Holding said in October 2014 that the site covered 6 million square metres. Khaleej Times reported on 12 August 2022 that the project would cover six square kilometres when complete. Arabian Business reported on 5 August 2026 that the masterplan covers 5.65 million square metres of land. Emaar said on 5 December 2025 that the wider project spans over 11 million square metres. The larger figure may include water, the sanctuary buffer and future phases. We could not confirm this.

The districts

Arabian Business named four districts in August 2026: Creek Island, Creek Beach, the Bridges District and Greengate. Aurecon, the engineer that wrote the transport masterplan, said the land use is spread across nine district zones.

• Creek Island: The first district. It holds Dubai Creek Residences, Creek Horizon, The Cove, the Creek Marina, the Vida Creek Harbour hotel and a central park. Emaar describes it as a waterfront district with a marina and yacht club.
• Creek Beach: A low-rise district around a 600-metre urban beach. Khaleej Times reported on 11 October 2018 that the first building, Breeze, went on sale on 13 October 2018.
• Dubai Square district: The newest district. It is built around Dubai Square Mall and the Emaar Properties metro station. Emaar launched Valia, the first tower there, in 2026.
• Dubai Creek Tower site: The landmark tower plot sits next to Dubai Square. Emaar has not yet built the tower above its foundations.

Land ownership

Dubai Creek Harbour is a freehold area. Emaar sells apartments there to buyers of all nationalities. Several sources give the DLD area name as Al Khairan First. We could not confirm this with DLD.

Sources: Dubai Holding, First luxury residences in Dubai Creek Harbour, 27 October 2014; Dubai Holding, Emaar fully acquires Dubai Creek Harbour, 11 August 2022; Khaleej Times, Emaar to buy Dubai Creek Harbour for Dh7.5 billion, 12 August 2022; Emaar, Dubai Creek Harbour, 2026; Emaar, Emaar unveils Dubai Square, 5 December 2025; Arabian Business, Unveiling the next chapter of Dubai Creek Harbour, 5 August 2026

Where you can live in Dubai Creek Harbour: the residential projects

Homes in Dubai Creek Harbour are in 10 residential areas: Other buildings, Creek Beach, The Cove ll, Dubai Creek Residences, Creek Rise, Harbour Gate, Harbour Views, Creek Horizon.

Map of the Dubai Creek Harbour projects

Other buildings

23 residential buildings: 23 apartments. 12 completed, 11 off-plan. 1,859 sales in 12 months. Main developers: Dubai Creek Harbour, The Lagoons Phase One.

And 9 more projects or buildings: see the map.

Creek Beach

36 residential buildings: 36 apartments. 36 completed, 0 off-plan. 254 sales in 12 months. Main developers: Dubai Creek Harbour.

The Cove ll

9 residential buildings: 9 apartments. 9 completed, 0 off-plan. 81 sales in 12 months. Main developers: The Lagoons Phase One.

Dubai Creek Residences

9 residential buildings: 9 apartments. 7 completed, 1 off-plan. 69 sales in 12 months. Main developers: The Lagoons Phase One.

Creek Rise

3 residential buildings: 3 apartments. 3 completed, 0 off-plan. 60 sales in 12 months. Main developers: The Lagoons Phase One.

Harbour Gate

3 residential buildings: 3 apartments. 3 completed, 0 off-plan. 49 sales in 12 months. Main developers: The Lagoons Phase One.

Harbour Views

3 residential buildings: 3 apartments. 3 completed, 0 off-plan. 47 sales in 12 months. Main developers: The Lagoons Phase One.

Creek Horizon

3 residential buildings: 3 apartments. 3 completed, 0 off-plan. 43 sales in 12 months. Main developers: The Lagoons Phase One.

Creekside 18

3 residential buildings: 3 apartments. 3 completed, 0 off-plan. 36 sales in 12 months. Main developers: The Lagoons Phase One.

The Cove

3 residential buildings: 3 apartments. 3 completed, 0 off-plan. 31 sales in 12 months. Main developers: The Lagoons Phase One.

Source: Dubai Land Department sale records and our building list, 15 October 2026. A project is a group of buildings with one name; a building with no group is listed on its own. Per sq ft is the median of apartment sales in 12 months.

Dubai Creek Harbour property prices and sales

Apartments in Dubai Creek Harbour sold for a median of AED 2,560 per sq ft in the 12 months to 10 October 2026, across 3,896 apartment sales.

Where Dubai Creek Harbour ranks in Dubai

Rank among 66 Dubai communities with 300 or more sales in 12 months. See what the sales records say.

Dubai Creek Harbour apartment price per sq ft, by quarter

The median price of an apartment sold in Dubai Creek Harbour was AED 2,536 per sq ft in 2026 Q3. The highest quarter in the last three years was 2026 Q2, at AED 2,603. A median moves when the mix of homes sold changes.

What the sale records show now

• Sales fell. Dubai Creek Harbour had 1,065 sales in the last 6 months, against 2,326 in the same months a year before (-54%).
• New buildings keep launching. 6 buildings had their first sale in the last 12 months, with 1,708 sales between them.
• Most sales are off-plan. 68% of sales in 12 months were of homes not yet finished.
• Rental yield. Asking rents against sold prices give a gross yield of 5.8%.
• Homes due. Land Department projects in Dubai Creek Harbour due by June 2027 hold 232 homes.

Dubai Creek Harbour price per sq ft by district

The 10 Dubai Creek Harbour buildings with the most sales in 12 months

Source: Dubai Land Department sale records and project register, as built into BUY DUBAI on 15 October 2026. Price per sq ft is a median of apartment sales. Yield is asking rent against sold price. Dates are registration dates.

Where is Dubai Creek Harbour in Dubai

Dubai Creek Harbour sits on the east shore of Dubai Creek, between Ras Al Khor Road and Dubai Festival City.

Aurecon says the site is bounded to the south by Ras Al Khor Road and to the north by the proposed Sixth Creek Crossing. The Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary lies directly to the south and west across the water. Arabian Business reported in August 2026 that the site is about three kilometres from the sanctuary and within a ten-minute drive of Downtown Dubai. The Burj Khalifa is visible across the creek.

Neighbours

• Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary: South and west. Dubai Municipality says the sanctuary covers 10.13 square kilometres. Emaar says the sanctuary is five minutes away by car.
• Dubai Festival City: North, across the proposed Sixth Creek Crossing. Gulf News reported in November 2025 that Festival City has around 77,000 residents and a large mall.
• Al Jaddaf and Culture Village: North-west, across the creek. The Creek metro station on the Green Line is in Al Jaddaf.
• Ras Al Khor Industrial Area: East and south-east, across Ras Al Khor Road.
• Nad Al Hamar and Nad Al Sheba: East and south-east. Several schools are in these areas.
• Downtown Dubai and Business Bay: South-west, across the sanctuary and Ras Al Khor Road. Emaar says Downtown is 15 minutes away by car.

Distances Emaar gives

Emaar's community page lists these drive times. Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary: five minutes. Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai: 15 minutes. Dubai Marina: 25 minutes. Arabian Business gave ten minutes to Downtown in August 2026. Sources disagree, and travel times depend on traffic. Dubai International Airport is close, but Emaar does not give a time. Gulf News reported on 24 November 2023 that the Blue Line will reach the airport in 10 to 25 minutes.

Sources: Aurecon, Dubai Creek Harbour Transport Masterplan, 2015; Arabian Business, Unveiling the next chapter of Dubai Creek Harbour, 5 August 2026; Emaar, Dubai Creek Harbour, 2026; Dubai Municipality, Dubai Protected Areas, updated 7 October 2025; Gulf News, Where are the 14 Blue Line stations located?, 12 November 2025; Gulf News, Dh18 billion Blue Line approved, 24 November 2023

Dubai Creek Harbour roads, traffic, parking and transport

Residents reach Dubai Creek Harbour by car from Ras Al Khor Road today, and the Blue Line metro will add three stations in 2029.

Roads and exits

Ras Al Khor Road is the main access road. The Dubai Media Office reported on 7 August 2022 that RTA had completed a 740-metre, three-lane bridge to the western entrance of Dubai Creek Harbour. The bridge carries traffic from Dubai–Al Ain Road and Al Khail Road. RTA said the bridge has a capacity of 7,500 vehicles per hour. RTA also built a 1.5-kilometre internal road with four lanes in each direction and 108 streetlight poles.

The same report said RTA was building a 640-metre bridge for traffic leaving Dubai Creek Harbour towards Ras Al Khor Road. That bridge was designed for about 3,100 vehicles per hour. We could not confirm its opening date.

These works are part of the Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Corridor project. RTA said the corridor runs eight kilometres along Ras Al Khor Road. RTA widened the road from three to four lanes in each direction. RTA said the project would raise capacity to 10,000 vehicles per hour. RTA said the corridor serves 650,000 residents.

The Sixth Creek Crossing

RTA said in August 2022 that a future phase will add the Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing. This bridge will cross Dubai Creek to link Al Jaddaf with the road between Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Festival City. Aurecon calls this the Sixth Creek Crossing. We could not confirm a start date or an opening date for the crossing.

Traffic

Aurecon designed the transport masterplan for Emaar in 2015. Aurecon said the network must handle more than 100,000 cars in peak hours. Access points are limited because the creek surrounds the site. Aurecon planned to shift 30 to 35 per cent of car trips to public transport. The metro is not yet running, so most trips today are by car or taxi.

Parking

Emaar towers have resident parking in podiums. Visitor parking is limited in the residential clusters. Mediclinic directs visitors to the marina parking on Creek Island. Gulf News reported on 7 September 2026 that Dubai Square Mall plans air-conditioned parking with full interior design treatment. Emaar said the mall will be the first drive-through mall.

Metro: the Blue Line

Gulf News reported on 24 November 2023 that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved the Dh18 billion Blue Line. The launch ceremony took place at Dubai Creek Harbour. The line is 30 kilometres long with 14 stations. Nine stations are elevated and five are underground. RTA says the line will open in 2029.

The first route starts at the Creek interchange station on the Green Line in Al Jaddaf. It passes Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour and Ras Al Khor. It then reaches International City 1, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Academic City. RTA said this is the first metro line to cross Dubai Creek. The crossing is a 1,300-metre viaduct.

Emaar announced on 10 June 2025 that it bought the naming rights to the main station. The station will be called Emaar Properties Station. Emaar says it will be 74 metres tall and the highest metro station in the world. SOM designed it. It covers about 11,000 square metres. Emaar says it can handle up to 160,000 passengers a day. The naming rights run for ten years from the station's opening in 2029. Gulf News reported on 14 January 2026 that RTA showed a scale model of the station at the Dubai International Project Management Forum.

Arabian Business reported in August 2026 that three Blue Line stations will serve the development. Gulf News reported on 12 November 2025 that the Ras Al Khor station sits between International City and the Emaar Properties station. Gulf News reported on 12 November 2025 that the Blue Line was 10 per cent complete after five months of work. Gulf News said RTA targeted 30 per cent by the end of 2025. We could not confirm the progress figure as of October 2026.

Buses, cycling and water

Arabian Business reported in August 2026 that the masterplan includes 17 bus stops and dedicated bus routes. We could not confirm the current RTA bus route numbers that serve the community. Arabian Business also reported more than 35 kilometres of cycling routes and a seven-kilometre walking loop called the Discovery Loop. The Creek Marina on Creek Island has berths for yachts. Aurecon's masterplan proposed marine stations on Harbour Island. We could not confirm a regular RTA water transport service from the marina.

Sources: Dubai Media Office, RTA completes 75% of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Corridor Project, 7 August 2022; Aurecon, Dubai Creek Harbour Transport Masterplan, 2015; Gulf News, Dh18 billion Blue Line approved, 24 November 2023; Emaar, Emaar's name rises with the world's highest metro station, 10 June 2025; Gulf News, First look: world's tallest metro station, 14 January 2026; Gulf News, Where are the 14 Blue Line stations located?, 12 November 2025; Arabian Business, Unveiling the next chapter of Dubai Creek Harbour, 5 August 2026

Living in Dubai Creek Harbour

Dubai Creek Harbour is a high-rise apartment community with a marina, a beach, parks, a clinic and nurseries, but its main mall is under construction.

Shops and food

The finished districts have shops and restaurants at the base of the towers. Emaar lists retail outlets and dining along the promenade on Creek Island. Emaar says the Creek Beach district has a town centre with retail and food outlets. Dubai Square Mall is the planned main mall. Emaar said on 5 December 2025 that construction is under way and that it should open in three years. Mohamed Alabbar, Emaar's founder, said in January 2026 that the mall will be slightly smaller than Dubai Mall. Until it opens, the nearest large mall is Dubai Festival City Mall to the north.

Parks, beach and promenade

Emaar says the community has 500,000 square metres of parks and open spaces. Arabian Business reported in August 2026 that the masterplan has 15 parks, four green corridors, a 4.5-kilometre waterfront promenade and a 600-metre urban beach. Public open space is 13 per cent of the development. The Discovery Loop is a seven-kilometre walking circuit that links gardens and plazas. Creek Island has a central park. The Creek Beach district has a beach, a boardwalk and plazas.

The sanctuary

The Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is the community's closest open space. Dubai Municipality says the sanctuary covers 10.13 square kilometres. It became a protected area on 1 March 1998. In 2007 it became the first Ramsar wetland of international importance in the UAE. Dubai Municipality says up to 25,000 birds of 201 species visit in winter. Flamingos are the main attraction. Dubai Municipality has built three bird hides. The Flamingo Hide and the Lagoon Hide are open. The Mangrove Hide was temporarily closed as of the last update of the Dubai Municipality visit page. Entry for families and individuals is by walk-in registration. Sources disagree on the sanctuary's size. WWF gives 6.2 square kilometres. Dubai Municipality gives 10.13 square kilometres, which may include the buffer zone.

Clinics and health

Mediclinic Creek Harbour is in Creekside Building 18 on Creek Island. It opens every day from 8am to 8pm. It offers family medicine, paediatrics, dermatology, ENT, and obstetrics and gynaecology. Arabian Business reported that the full masterplan includes 27 healthcare facilities. We could not confirm a hospital inside the community. The nearest hospitals are outside the development.

Hotels

Emaar lists three hotels: Vida Creek Harbour, Address Harbour Point and Palace Dubai Creek Harbour. Arabian Business reported that the full masterplan includes eight hotels.

Mosques

Arabian Business reported that the full masterplan includes 11 mosques. We could not confirm how many are open today.

Nurseries

Blossom Nursery operates in Creek Gate Tower 2. It takes children from 45 days to five years old. Maple Bear also lists a nursery in Creek Harbour. Arabian Business reported that the masterplan includes 14 nurseries at full build-out.

Sources: Emaar, Dubai Creek Harbour, 2026; Emaar, Emaar unveils Dubai Square, 5 December 2025; Arabian Business, Unveiling the next chapter of Dubai Creek Harbour, 5 August 2026; Dubai Municipality, Dubai Protected Areas, updated 7 October 2025; Dubai Municipality, Book a visit, updated 28 August 2025; WWF, Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary; Mediclinic, Mediclinic Creek Harbour, 2026; Blossom Nursery, Blossom Creek Harbour, 2026

Schools in and near Dubai Creek Harbour

No school is open inside Dubai Creek Harbour yet, but several KHDA-rated schools are a short drive away in Nad Al Sheba and Festival City.

Arabian Business reported in August 2026 that the full masterplan includes seven schools. We could not confirm an opening date for any of them. KHDA's last full inspection cycle for existing schools was 2023-24. WhichSchoolAdvisor reported in 2026 that KHDA did not inspect existing schools in 2024-25 or 2025-26, and that inspections return in 2026-27. The ratings below are from the 2023-24 cycle unless stated.

Nearest rated schools

• Deira International School (Dubai Festival City): UK curriculum and IB. KHDA rating: Outstanding. The school says British Schools Overseas also rated it Outstanding in March 2025. It opened in 2005.
• Hartland International School (Sobha Hartland, MBR City): UK curriculum. KHDA rating 2023-24: Very Good. The school says British Schools Overseas rated it Outstanding in 2025.
• Kent College Dubai (Nad Al Sheba 2): UK curriculum, FS1 to Year 13. KHDA rating 2023-24: Very Good, according to the KHDA education directory.
• GEMS Modern Academy (Nad Al Sheba 1): Indian curriculum and IB. KHDA rating: Outstanding, according to the KHDA education directory.
• Swiss International Scientific School (Al Jaddaf): IB. KHDA rating: Very Good, according to WhichSchoolAdvisor's 2026 list.
• North London Collegiate School Dubai (Sobha Hartland): IB. KHDA rating: Very Good, according to WhichSchoolAdvisor's 2026 list.

Nurseries inside the community

Blossom Nursery is in Creek Gate Tower 2. It follows the British EYFS framework and takes children from 45 days to five years. It opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, with early drop-off from 7:30am. Maple Bear lists a nursery and kindergarten in Creek Harbour.

Check before you choose

KHDA publishes each school's inspection report and fee sheet in its education directory. Ratings can change after the 2026-27 inspections.

Sources: KHDA, Education Directory: Schools, 2026; WhichSchoolAdvisor, The complete list of KHDA ratings for Dubai private schools, 2026; Deira International School, Accreditations and inspections, 2026; Hartland International School, Inspection reports, 12 November 2025; Blossom Nursery, Blossom Creek Harbour, 2026

Who lives in Dubai Creek Harbour

Dubai Creek Harbour is home to apartment residents in Emaar towers, and the plan is for more than 200,000 people at full build-out.

We could not confirm the current population. The Dubai Statistics Centre does not publish a figure for Dubai Creek Harbour by that name. Arabian Business reported in August 2026 that the complete masterplan will house over 200,000 residents in 75,500 homes. The same report said about 70 per cent of the masterplan area is still to be built. So the current population is a small part of the planned total.

Housing types

Emaar sells one- to four-bedroom apartments, duplexes and penthouses. Emaar's community page lists villas too, but most built homes are apartments in towers. The first project, Dubai Creek Residences, was a 40-storey tower with one- to three-bedroom homes of about 900 to over 2,150 square feet. Creek Beach has lower buildings. Emaar launched Breeze there in October 2018 with one- to three-bedroom homes and four-bedroom penthouses.

Buyers

Dubai Holding launched the first homes on 1 November 2014 in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London and Moscow at the same time. This shows the community was aimed at both local and international buyers from the start. Emaar said in August 2022 that it sold AED 4.2 billion of homes there in 2021. It sold AED 3.6 billion more in the first half of 2022. We could not confirm the nationality mix of owners or tenants.

Daily life

Mediclinic says its clinic staff speak English, German, Russian, Mandarin, French and Arabic. This suggests a mixed international community.

Sources: Arabian Business, Unveiling the next chapter of Dubai Creek Harbour, 5 August 2026; Dubai Holding, First luxury residences in Dubai Creek Harbour, 27 October 2014; Dubai Holding, Emaar fully acquires Dubai Creek Harbour, 11 August 2022; Emaar, Dubai Creek Harbour, 2026; Mediclinic, Mediclinic Creek Harbour, 2026

Dubai Creek Harbour service charges and running costs

Owners in Dubai Creek Harbour pay a yearly service charge to Emaar Community Management, and DLD publishes each building's rate per square foot.

What the charge covers

Emaar Community Management (ECM) manages the community. ECM calls the charge the community service fee (CSF). ECM says the fee is the owner's annual share of the common expenses. It has four main parts. The general fund pays for daily operations, utilities for common areas, landscaping, waste collection and management. The capital reserve fund pays for large repairs, such as lift or chiller replacement, painting and cladding. The master community levy pays for roads, underground services, storm drains, sewage lines and pavements. A special levy is a one-off charge for items not in the original design.

ECM says 5 per cent VAT is added to the fee. ECM pays the VAT to the Federal Tax Authority. ECM sets the fee each year from past expenses, contracts, asset reviews and any surplus or deficit from earlier years.

How to check the rate

The Dubai Land Department publishes a Service Charge Index. It gives the approved rate per square foot for each building. We could not confirm a single rate for Dubai Creek Harbour on 14 October 2026. Rates differ between towers because each tower has its own budget. Buyers should check the index for the exact building.

Cooling

Emaar towers in Dubai Creek Harbour use district cooling. ECM lists air-conditioning among the services paid for through the CSF. Several reports in 2026 said that Emaar began to meter and bill cooling separately in Dubai Creek Harbour. We could not confirm this with Emaar or ECM. Owners and tenants should ask for the current cooling billing arrangement for their building.

Late payment

ECM says it can suspend non-emergency services for owners who do not pay. ECM can also refuse a no-objection certificate for a sale or a visa renewal. ECM can refer cases to a debt collection agency or start legal action.

Other running costs

Owners pay DEWA for electricity and water in their homes. Parking access cards are sold at a small cost, and ECM says the income goes to the community account.

Sources: Emaar Community Management, Dubai Creek Harbour community service fee, 2026; Dubai Land Department, Service Charge Index, 2026

New projects and what is coming to Dubai Creek Harbour

The biggest changes coming are Dubai Square Mall, the Blue Line metro, the redesigned Dubai Creek Tower and a new district around them.

Dubai Square Mall

Emaar announced on 7 February 2024 that it had completed the detailed design for Dubai Square. Emaar unveiled the project on 5 December 2025. Emaar said the total retail, hospitality and commercial area is 2.6 million square metres. Emaar called it the world's first drive-through mall. Emaar said construction was under way and that the mall would open in three years. Arabian Business reported in August 2026 that the mall has 98,179 square metres of retail floor area. It is an outdoor retail concept with several entrances and exits. Gulf News reported on 7 September 2026 that the mall plans air-conditioned parking with interior design treatment. Mohamed Alabbar said in January 2026 that the mall will be slightly smaller than Dubai Mall.

Dubai Creek Tower

Emaar first planned a tower taller than the Burj Khalifa. Khaleej Times reported on 4 February 2024 that Alabbar dropped the plan for a kilometre-tall tower. He said the new tower would be smaller than the Burj Khalifa. He said Emaar made money from apartments that look at the tower, not from the tower. Gulf News reported on 14 January 2026 that Alabbar said the tender would go out within three months. AGBI reported on 23 June 2026 that Emaar delayed the tender by at least four months. Alabbar said port closures raised the cost of materials. As of 14 October 2026, we could not confirm that the tender had been issued.

The Emaar Properties metro station

The station is due to open with the Blue Line in 2029. Emaar says it will be 74 metres tall. The naming rights run for ten years from opening. Gulf News reported in January 2026 that the station precinct will have landscaped areas, restaurants, bus and taxi links and bicycle stands.

Valia and the new district

Arabian Business reported in August 2026 that Emaar launched a new district around Dubai Square Mall and the metro station. Valia is the first tower there. Emaar says Valia has one- to four-bedroom apartments. Emaar says Valia sits across from the retail hub, with the canal and the Blue Line on the other side. Its amenities include a padel court, pools, a yoga deck and outdoor play zones. Emaar lists Creek Marina, Creek Beach, the Harbour Promenade, Central Park, Dubai Square Mall and the metro station as nearby.

Other recent launches

Emaar's community page listed 41 projects in Dubai Creek Harbour in October 2026. Recent launches include Creek Bay, Creek Haven, Oria, Aeon and Albero.

Sources: Emaar, Emaar unveils Dubai Square: the world's first drive-through mall, 5 December 2025; Khaleej Times, Want to drive through a mall?, 4 February 2024; Gulf News, Emaar to launch tender for Dubai Creek Tower within three months, 14 January 2026; AGBI, Emaar delays Dubai Creek Tower tender over cost issues, 23 June 2026; Emaar, Emaar's name rises with the world's highest metro station, 10 June 2025; Arabian Business, Unveiling the next chapter of Dubai Creek Harbour, 5 August 2026; Emaar, Valia at Dubai Creek Harbour, 2026

Dubai Creek Harbour history

Dubai Creek Harbour began in 2014 as an Emaar and Dubai Holding joint venture on the former Lagoons site, and Emaar took control in 2022.

Before 2014: The Lagoons

The site was first planned as The Lagoons, a Dubai Holding project from the mid-2000s. Dubai Holding's 2014 press release still used the name "Dubai Creek Harbour at The Lagoons". The release said the project was part of Mohammed bin Rashid City. We could not confirm the full details of the earlier plan from government or developer sources.

2014: Launch

On 27 October 2014, Emaar and Dubai Holding announced Dubai Creek Residences. This was the first project in the development. Mohamed Alabbar, then Emaar chairman, said the creek was "the cradle of our heritage". Ahmad Bin Byat, then Dubai Holding chief executive, called it a historic development. The release said the site covered 6 million square metres. It said the plan included "The Dubai Twin Towers", which it called the tallest twin towers in the world. The sale opened on 1 November 2014 in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London and Moscow.

2015 to 2016: Masterplan and tower

Aurecon completed the transport masterplan in 2015. The plan proposed an extension of the Green Line with three stations in the development. Emaar replaced the twin towers idea with a single landmark tower designed by Santiago Calatrava. Wikipedia says the groundbreaking took place on 11 October 2016 with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum present. Wikipedia says Six Construct completed the foundations in May 2018.

2018: Creek Beach

Khaleej Times reported on 11 October 2018 that Emaar opened the Creek Beach district. The first building, Breeze, went on sale on 13 October 2018 at the sales pavilion in Ras Al Khor. The district was described as Dubai's first urban beach of its kind.

2020: Pause

Construction Week reported in January 2026 that work on the tower paused during COVID-19 while Emaar reassessed the design. Gulf News reported that construction of the tower "was paused in recent years".

2022: Emaar buys out Dubai Holding

On 11 August 2022, Emaar announced it would buy Dubai Holding's share for AED 7.5 billion. Half was paid in cash and half in Emaar shares. Dubai Holding became Emaar's second largest shareholder. Khaleej Times reported that the deal was expected to close on 27 September 2022. Dubai Holding said the project had about 100 million square feet of future development.

2023: Blue Line

Gulf News reported on 24 November 2023 that Sheikh Mohammed approved the Blue Line. The launch ceremony was held at Dubai Creek Harbour.

2024 to 2026: New plans

In February 2024, Alabbar said the tower would be shorter than the Burj Khalifa. Emaar completed the detailed design for Dubai Square in the same month. In June 2025 Emaar bought the naming rights to the main metro station. In December 2025 Emaar unveiled Dubai Square as a drive-through mall. In January 2026 Alabbar said the tower tender would follow within three months. In June 2026 the tender was delayed. In August 2026 Emaar launched a new district with Valia as its first tower.

Sources: Dubai Holding, First luxury residences in Dubai Creek Harbour, 27 October 2014; Aurecon, Dubai Creek Harbour Transport Masterplan, 2015; Wikipedia, Dubai Creek Tower, 12 August 2026; Khaleej Times, The city meets the beach at the new Creek Beach district, 11 October 2018; Dubai Holding, Emaar fully acquires Dubai Creek Harbour, 11 August 2022; Gulf News, Dh18 billion Blue Line approved, 24 November 2023; Khaleej Times, Want to drive through a mall?, 4 February 2024; Arabian Business, Unveiling the next chapter of Dubai Creek Harbour, 5 August 2026

Dubai Creek Harbour vs Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Ras Al Khor, Dubai Islands

Dubai Creek Harbour is larger, newer and quieter than Downtown Dubai and Business Bay, but it has no metro or large mall until 2029.

Dubai Creek Harbour vs Downtown Dubai

Emaar developed both. Emaar says Downtown Dubai covers two square kilometres between Sheikh Zayed Road and Financial Centre Road. Downtown has the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall with over 1,300 outlets, Dubai Opera and the Dubai Fountain. It has a Red Line metro station. Emaar said in December 2025 that Dubai Creek Harbour is three times the size of Downtown. Dubai Creek Harbour has fewer finished buildings and no metro until 2029. Its mall is under construction. Downtown is denser and busier. Dubai Creek Harbour has more open water, a beach and the sanctuary next door.

Dubai Creek Harbour vs Business Bay

Dubai Properties developed Business Bay. It sits along the Dubai Water Canal next to Downtown. Dubai Properties describes it as a business district with offices, apartment towers and hotels. The Marasi Business Bay project adds a 12-kilometre promenade and five marinas. Business Bay has a Red Line metro station. Business Bay is a mixed office and residential area with many developers. Dubai Creek Harbour is a single-developer residential community with less office space. Business Bay is closer to Sheikh Zayed Road and DIFC. Dubai Creek Harbour is closer to Dubai International Airport.

Dubai Creek Harbour vs Ras Al Khor

Ras Al Khor is the wider area that contains the sanctuary, the Ras Al Khor Industrial Area and Dubai Creek Harbour. Vida Creek Harbour gives its address as Ras Al Khor. The industrial area has warehouses, workshops and labour accommodation. It will get its own Blue Line station. Dubai Creek Harbour is the residential waterfront part of Ras Al Khor. Dubai Municipality manages the sanctuary and keeps it as a protected area.

Dubai Creek Harbour vs Dubai Islands

Nakheel develops Dubai Islands. Nakheel said on 22 August 2022 that Dubai Islands cover 17 square kilometres across five islands. The plan includes over 80 hotels and resorts, more than 20 kilometres of beaches and about two square kilometres of parks. The islands sit off the Deira coast, north of the creek mouth. Road bridges link them to the mainland. Dubai Islands face the open sea. Dubai Creek Harbour faces the creek and the sanctuary. Dubai Islands are at an earlier stage of construction. Both are waterfront master developments without a metro station today.

Summary

• Size: Dubai Islands 17 km² (Nakheel); Dubai Creek Harbour about 6 km² (Khaleej Times, 2022); Downtown 2 km² (Emaar).
• Metro today: Downtown and Business Bay have Red Line stations. Dubai Creek Harbour gets three Blue Line stations in 2029.
• Nature: Dubai Creek Harbour borders the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. The others do not.

Sources: Emaar, Downtown Dubai, 2026; Emaar, Emaar unveils Dubai Square, 5 December 2025; Emaar, Dubai Creek Harbour, 2026; Dubai Properties, Dubai Business Bay, 2026; Nakheel, Nakheel unveils master plan vision for Dubai Islands, 22 August 2022; Khaleej Times, Emaar to buy Dubai Creek Harbour for Dh7.5 billion, 12 August 2022

Common questions about Dubai Creek Harbour

These are the questions people ask most often about living in Dubai Creek Harbour, with short answers from the sources above.

Sources: Emaar, Dubai Creek Harbour, 2026; AGBI, Emaar delays Dubai Creek Tower tender, 23 June 2026; KHDA, Education Directory: Schools, 2026; Mediclinic, Mediclinic Creek Harbour, 2026; Dubai Municipality, Book a visit, 2025; Emaar Community Management, Community service fee, 2026; Arabian Business, Unveiling the next chapter of Dubai Creek Harbour, 5 August 2026