What is Dubai South (Dubai World Central)
Dubai South is a government-owned master development of about 145 square kilometres around Al Maktoum International Airport in the south-west of Dubai.
The Government of Dubai started the project in 2006. Its first name was Dubai World Central (DWC). Khaleej Times reported on 20 August 2015 that a new law from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum changed the name to Dubai South.
Dubai South is the master developer. Its property arm is Dubai South Properties. Other developers, such as Emaar and Azizi, build large projects on land inside the master plan.
The airport is the centre of the plan. Gulf News reported in November 2018 that the airport and its airside land take up 65% of the 145 square kilometres.
The districts
Dubai South divides the area into districts. Each district has a different use. The list below uses the names that Dubai South and news reports use most often.
- Aviation District: Al Maktoum International Airport and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH). Gulf News reported in July 2023 that MBRAH hosts international aviation companies.
- Logistics District: Warehouses and freight companies. Dubai South says Expeditors, a Ford distribution facility and the DHL Innovation Centre opened there in 2025.
- Business Park (Commercial District): Offices and free zone companies. Gulf News reported that about 700 companies joined the Business Park in 2022.
- Residential District: The main home area run by Dubai South Properties. It holds The Pulse, The Pulse Beachfront, South Bay, South Living, Beachfront Gates and HAYAT.
- Golf District: The area for golf communities. Emaar South is here. Gulf News reported in July 2023 that a 2 square kilometre golf community was planned with the US developer Discovery Land.
- Exhibition District: The former Expo 2020 site, now Expo City Dubai, and the Dubai Exhibition Centre. Expo City Dubai has its own authority.
- EZDubai: An e-commerce free zone. Gulf News reported that Mumzworld joined it.
Azizi Venice is a large project by Azizi Developments inside Dubai South. Gulf News reported in July 2023 that Dubai South planned a mixed-use project with Azizi in the Golf District. We could not confirm that Azizi Venice sits on that same land.
Sources: Khaleej Times, DWC rebranded as Dubai South, 20 Aug 2015; Gulf News, Khalifa Al Zaffin interview, 4 Jul 2023; Gulf News, Dubai's new city set to welcome residents, Nov 2018; Dubai Media Office, South Bay sells out, 13 Jun 2024; Dubai Media Office, Al Maktoum International Airport, 28 Apr 2024; Dubai Media Office, Dubai South 2025 results, 29 Jan 2026; Gulf News, Rise of a new city near Expo site, 23 Jan 2019; Wikipedia, Dubai South
Where you can live in Dubai South: the residential projects
Homes in Dubai South are in 7 residential areas: Azizi Venice, Residential District, Emaar South, Hayat Dubai South, Waada by Bahria Town, Commercial District, Other buildings.
Dubai South sets out its plan as Live, Work and Thrive. The master developer says the plan covers 145 sq km, with homes for up to 1 million residents and up to 500,000 jobs. Most of that area is the airport, logistics and business zones. The homes are in a few named areas.
- The Residential District. Dubai South Properties builds its own projects here: The Pulse (apartments, villas, townhouses and The Pulse Beachfront villas), South Square, Beachfront Gates, South Living and South Bay. Dubai South says South Living is a 12-floor building with studios and 1- to 3-bed apartments. It says South Bay is a gated community on a 1 km lagoon, with 1,000 homes in six clusters. Private developers also have buildings in the district, for example Mag 5 Boulevard, Celestia, Windsor House and Avenew 888.
- Emaar South. Emaar's community of apartments, villas and townhouses next to the golf course, with projects such as Urbana, Golf Views, Golf Point, Vista Ridge and Grove Ridge.
- Azizi Venice. Azizi's large off-plan development. It holds most of the Dubai South sales of 2026.
- Hayat Dubai South and Waada by Bahria Town. Newer off-plan projects with villas, townhouses and apartments. Dubai South lists Hayat with its own homes.
The map below shows each project as a circle. The tables under it list the projects in each area with our sales figures.
Sources: Dubai South, Live, read 12 October 2026. Project and developer names: Dubai Land Department sale records.
Map of the Dubai South projects
Azizi Venice
10 residential buildings: 10 apartments. 1 completed, 9 off-plan. 2,986 sales in 12 months. Main developers: Azizi Developments.
| Project or building | Buildings | Status | Homes | Sales, 12 months | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azizi Venice 14 | 7 | Off-plan | apartments | 2,040 | AED 1,648 |
| Azizi Venice 11 | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 460 | AED 1,671 |
| Azizi Venice 16 | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 294 | AED 1,900 |
| Azizi Venice 2 | 1 | Completed | apartments | 192 | AED 1,986 |
Residential District
129 residential buildings: 120 apartments, 9 villas and townhouses. 59 completed, 54 off-plan. 2,341 sales in 12 months. Main developers: Dubai South Properties, Mag 5 Property Development, Damac Development(L L C).
| Project or building | Buildings | Status | Homes | Sales, 12 months | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windsor House | 2 | Off-plan | apartments | 396 | AED 1,459 |
| The Pulse | 13 | Completed, Off-plan | apartments, villas, townhouses | 152 | AED 1,561 |
| Enre Residence by Imtiaz | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 129 | AED 1,571 |
| South Bay | 6 | Off-plan | villas, townhouses | 102 | – |
| Mag 5 Boulevard | 13 | Completed | apartments | 86 | AED 1,120 |
| RR Residence | 1 | Completed | apartments | 86 | AED 1,148 |
| Celestia | 2 | Completed | apartments | 84 | AED 1,116 |
| Windsor House 2 | 3 | Off-plan | apartments | 80 | AED 1,541 |
| AB Residences | 1 | Completed | apartments | 66 | AED 898 |
| Oasis Residences | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 64 | AED 1,222 |
| Kappa Acca 6 | 1 | Completed | apartments | 59 | AED 1,059 |
| Majestique Residence | 2 | Completed | apartments | 54 | AED 1,261 |
| Divine Elements | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 49 | AED 1,462 |
| Stories by Mirfa | 1 | Completed | apartments | 45 | AED 1,309 |
And 74 more projects or buildings: see the map.
Emaar South
42 residential buildings: 22 apartments, 20 villas and townhouses. 17 completed, 23 off-plan. 1,463 sales in 12 months. Main developers: Emaar Dubai South.
| Project or building | Buildings | Status | Homes | Sales, 12 months | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf Vale | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 238 | AED 1,663 |
| Golf Fields | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 181 | AED 1,580 |
| Golf Hills | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 166 | AED 1,609 |
| Golf Hills 2 | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 160 | AED 1,587 |
| Grove Ridge | 2 | Off-plan | apartments | 160 | AED 1,625 |
| Vista Ridge | 3 | Off-plan | apartments, villas, townhouses | 159 | AED 1,631 |
| Golf Trails | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 91 | AED 1,711 |
| Urbana | 4 | Completed, Off-plan | apartments | 54 | AED 1,086 |
| Parkside 3 | 1 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 36 | – |
| Parkside 2 | 1 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 30 | – |
| Greenview 3 | 1 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 28 | – |
| Fairway Villas 2 | 1 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 23 | – |
| Golf Views | 3 | Completed | apartments | 21 | AED 1,473 |
| Greenway 2 | 1 | Off-plan | villas, townhouses | 18 | – |
And 20 more projects or buildings: see the map.
Hayat Dubai South
7 residential buildings: 7 villas and townhouses. 0 completed, 7 off-plan. 573 sales in 12 months.
| Project or building | Buildings | Status | Homes | Sales, 12 months | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayat 4 | 1 | Off-plan | villas, townhouses | 193 | – |
| Hayat 1 | 1 | Off-plan | villas, townhouses | 116 | – |
| Hayat 5 | 1 | Off-plan | villas, townhouses | 109 | – |
| Hayat 6 | 1 | Off-plan | villas, townhouses | 86 | – |
| Hayat 3 | 1 | Off-plan | villas, townhouses | 34 | – |
| Hayat 2 | 1 | Off-plan | villas, townhouses | 33 | – |
| Hayat 7 | 1 | Off-plan | villas, townhouses | 2 | – |
Waada by Bahria Town
5 residential buildings: 3 villas and townhouses, 2 apartments. 0 completed, 5 off-plan. 511 sales in 12 months. Main developers: Bt Properties.
| Project or building | Buildings | Status | Homes | Sales, 12 months | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altura 2 | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 236 | AED 1,171 |
| Altura | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 219 | AED 1,169 |
| Rayhan 1 | 1 | Off-plan | villas, townhouses | 56 | – |
| Raiha | 1 | Off-plan | villas, townhouses | 0 | – |
| Raiha Villas | 1 | Off-plan | villas, townhouses | 0 | – |
Commercial District
1 residential buildings: 1 apartments. 0 completed, 1 off-plan. 156 sales in 12 months. Main developers: Dubai South Properties.
| Project or building | Buildings | Status | Homes | Sales, 12 months | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Square | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 156 | AED 1,527 |
Other buildings
3 residential buildings: 2 apartments, 1 villas and townhouses. 2 completed, 1 off-plan. 58 sales in 12 months. Main developers: Timber Terrace Development.
| Project or building | Buildings | Status | Homes | Sales, 12 months | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timber Terrace | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 35 | AED 1,254 |
| Discovery Dunes | 1 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 13 | – |
| Views 1 | 1 | Completed | apartments | 10 | AED 1,073 |
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 South property prices and sales
Apartments in Dubai South sold for a median of AED 1,638 per sq ft in the 12 months to 10 October 2026, across 13,333 apartment sales.
Where Dubai South ranks in Dubai
Rank among 66 Dubai communities with 300 or more sales in 12 months. See what the sales records say.
Dubai South apartment price per sq ft, by quarter
The median price of an apartment sold in Dubai South was AED 1,706 per sq ft in 2026 Q3. The highest quarter in the last three years was 2026 Q3, at AED 1,706. A median moves when the mix of homes sold changes.
What the sale records show now
- Sales rose. Dubai South had 9,487 sales in the last 6 months, against 3,461 in the same months a year before (+174%).
- New buildings keep launching. 47 buildings had their first sale in the last 12 months, with 3,864 sales between them.
- Most sales are off-plan. 91% of sales in 12 months were of homes not yet finished.
- Rental yield. Asking rents against sold prices give a gross yield of 6.4%.
- Homes due. Land Department projects in Dubai South due by June 2027 hold 836 homes.
- One developer leads the sales. 61% of sales in 12 months were in buildings with the Azizi name.
Dubai South price per sq ft by district
| District | Per sq ft, 12 months | Change on the year | Sales, 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azizi Venice | AED 1,722 | +3.4% | 8,309 |
| Residential District | AED 1,375 | +20.9% | 3,161 |
| Emaar South | AED 1,628 | +8.9% | 1,561 |
| Waada by Bahria Town | AED 1,170 | +2.9% | 670 |
| Hayat Dubai South | – | – | 576 |
| Commercial District | AED 1,472 | +0.5% | 228 |
| Other | AED 1,232 | +35.7% | 45 |
The 10 Dubai South buildings with the most sales in 12 months
| Building | Status | District | Developer | Per sq ft | Sales, 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azizi Venice 15 Building B | Off-plan | Azizi Venice | AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS L.L.C | AED 1,718 | 673 |
| Azizi Venice 11 | Off-plan | Azizi Venice | AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS L.L.C | AED 1,671 | 460 |
| Azizi Venice 14 Building G | Off-plan | Azizi Venice | AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS L.L.C | AED 1,725 | 441 |
| Azizi Venice 13 Building B | Off-plan | Azizi Venice | AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS L.L.C | AED 1,676 | 433 |
| Azizi Venice 14 Building A | Off-plan | Azizi Venice | AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS L.L.C | AED 1,639 | 428 |
| Azizi Venice 14 - Building F | Off-plan | Azizi Venice | AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS L.L.C | AED 1,735 | 389 |
| Azizi Venice 12 Building A | Off-plan | Azizi Venice | AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS L.L.C | AED 1,701 | 377 |
| Azizi Venice 6 Building A | Off-plan | Azizi Venice | AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS L.L.C | AED 1,973 | 360 |
| Azizi Venice 14 - Building E | Off-plan | Azizi Venice | AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS L.L.C | AED 1,588 | 334 |
| Azizi Venice 16 | Off-plan | Azizi Venice | AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS L.L.C | AED 1,900 | 294 |
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 South in Dubai
Dubai South is in the far south-west of Dubai, inland from Jebel Ali, between Expo City Dubai, Dubai Investments Park and the Abu Dhabi side of the emirate.
Wikipedia says Al Maktoum International Airport is 37 km south-west of the city of Dubai. flydubai says the airport is about 70 km from Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Neighbours
- Expo City Dubai: The former Expo 2020 site, on Expo Road. Khaleej Times said in August 2015 that the Dubai South city hosts the Expo site. Expo City now has its own authority.
- Dubai Investments Park (DIP): Wikipedia says DIP borders the Expo site to the south and Dubai South to the east.
- Jebel Ali: The port, the Jebel Ali Free Zone and Jebel Ali Industrial Area lie to the west and north-west.
- Jumeirah Golf Estates and Al Furjan: These communities lie to the north, on the Route 2020 metro line.
Where the homes are
Most homes are in two areas. The first is the Residential District, which runs along Expo Road. The Dubai Media Office said in May 2024 that the GEMS school there sits alongside Expo Road. The second is the Golf District, where Emaar South is.
Gulf News reported in January 2019 that the Residential City covered seven square kilometres. Gulf Business and Emaar both say Emaar South covers about 7 square kilometres.
Sources: Wikipedia, Al Maktoum International Airport; flydubai, Al Maktoum International Airport; Wikipedia, Dubai Investments Park; Dubai Media Office, GEMS agreement, 30 May 2024; Gulf News, Rise of a new city near Expo site, 23 Jan 2019; Gulf Business, Emaar unveils golf development, 5 Sep 2016
Dubai South roads, traffic, parking and transport
Most residents of Dubai South use a car, because the nearest metro station is at Expo City and the public bus runs about once every 90 minutes.
Main roads
- Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311): flydubai lists it as one of three main roads to the airport.
- Emirates Road (E611): Also listed by flydubai. Gulf News reported in August 2025 that residents of the Residential District must use E611 for many trips.
- Sheikh Zayed Road (E11): The third main road named by flydubai. It runs along the coast past Jebel Ali.
- Expo Road (E77): Gulf News reported in February 2020 that the RTA widened it from four to six lanes in each direction over 27 km.
- Al Maktoum Airport Road: The RTA built the Al Maktoum Airport Interchange as part of the Expo 2020 roads project. Gulf News reported that the trip from Al Houdh Interchange to the airport entry fell from 35 minutes to six minutes.
Gulf News reported in February 2020 that the Expo roads project raised the capacity of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road from 8,000 to 60,000 vehicles per hour.
Road access problems
Gulf News reported on 19 August 2025 that the Residential District has no direct link to Expo Road or Al Yalayis Road. Residents said they must make long detours through E611. One resident said DIP is 3 to 4 km away in a straight line, but the drive is almost 19 km.
Metro
The nearest metro station is Expo 2020 station on Route 2020 of the Red Line. The Dubai Media Office said this station opened on 1 June 2021. It is the end station of the line.
The Blue Line does not serve Dubai South. Gulf News reported in June 2025 that the Blue Line links Al Jaddaf, International City and Al Rashidiya. The RTA plans to finish it in 2029.
Khaleej Times reported on 14 September 2026 that the RTA has started a study for a metro link between DXB and Al Maktoum International. RTA Director General Mattar Al Tayer said the study will take about one year. The route and stations are not yet public.
Buses
The RTA started bus route DS1 between Expo 2020 metro station and Dubai South on 19 May 2022. The Dubai Media Office said the bus runs every 90 minutes from 6am to midnight.
Gulf News reported in August 2025 that buses still ran about once every 90 minutes. Residents asked for more buses, more stops and a bus-on-demand service.
Etihad Rail
The nearest Etihad Rail passenger station is Al Yalayis Station in Jumeirah Golf Estates. It is not inside Dubai South. Gulf News reported on 23 September 2026 that the first Dubai to Abu Dhabi passenger service was due on 30 September 2026. The trip to Mohammed Bin Zayed City takes about 57 minutes. A covered footbridge links the station to Jumeirah Golf Estates metro station. We could not confirm the first day of passenger service.
Drive times
Emaar says Downtown Dubai is 25 to 30 minutes from Emaar South by car. Emaar says Dubai International Airport is about 44 minutes away. These are developer figures.
We could not confirm independent drive times from Dubai South to DIFC, Dubai Marina or Abu Dhabi city. Times change a lot with traffic and with the start point inside a 145 square kilometre area.
Parking
Most villas and townhouses have their own covered parking. Dubai South Properties lists covered parking as a feature of The Pulse Beachfront villas. We could not confirm whether street parking in the Residential District is paid.
Sources: flydubai, Al Maktoum International Airport; Gulf News, Expo 2020 roads open, Feb 2020; Gulf News, Dubai South residents urge ATM access, 19 Aug 2025; Dubai Media Office, Route 2020 stations, 22 May 2021; Gulf News, Blue Line guide, Jun 2025; Khaleej Times, DXB-DWC metro study, 14 Sep 2026; Dubai Media Office, Bus route DS1, 25 Apr 2022; Gulf News, Etihad Rail Al Yalayis station, 23 Sep 2026; Emaar, Emaar South; Dubai South, The Pulse Beachfront phase one
Living in Dubai South
Dubai South is a quiet, low-density suburb with supermarkets, parks and mosques, but it has few malls, few clinics and, in 2025, no easy access to cash machines.
Shops and malls
- Lulu Hypermarket: Lulu announced its Dubai South store on 14 March 2023. Lulu says it has about 3,100 square metres. Dubai South describes a 50,000 sq ft hypermarket in the Residential District.
- Spinneys: Gulf News reported in August 2025 that a new Spinneys had opened in the area.
- Smaller shops: Gulf News also named Quick Supermarket, Domino's Pizza and fast-food outlets near the ENOC petrol station.
- South Bay Mall: Dubai South Properties announced this mall on 25 November 2025. It will have about 200,000 sq ft, two anchor stores, 60 shops and a food hall. No opening date is public.
There is no large regional mall inside Dubai South. The nearest large malls, such as Ibn Battuta Mall, are outside the area. Gulf News named Ibn Battuta Mall as one of the places residents drive to for cash machines.
Banks and cash
Gulf News reported on 19 August 2025 that most residents had no working ATM within walking or short driving distance. Residents said the nearest ATMs were at the airport, Ibn Battuta Mall, DIP and a hotel in Emaar South. These are 20 to 30 minutes away by car.
Health care
Gulf News reported in November 2018 that Dubai South was in talks with hospital operators. We could not confirm that a hospital has opened inside Dubai South. We could not confirm the names of clinics in the Residential District.
Parks, sport and leisure
- Dubai South says the Residential District has public parks and sports courts.
- The Pulse Beachfront has a lagoon, a man-made beach, a fitness club, squash and tennis courts, climbing walls, a water park and skate parks, according to Dubai South Properties.
- South Bay will have a 1 km lagoon and a 3 km waterfront promenade, according to Dubai South Properties.
- Emaar South has an 18-hole championship golf course with a clubhouse. Emaar says the community has 25 parks.
- Gulf News reported in August 2025 that residents asked for padel and badminton courts.
Mosques and services
Dubai South says the Residential District has a mosque and a petrol station. Gulf News reported in August 2025 that the area has several mosques. Emaar lists mosques in Emaar South.
Sources: Lulu Retail, Dubai South hypermarket, 14 Mar 2023; Gulf News, Dubai South residents urge ATM access, 19 Aug 2025; Dubai Media Office, South Bay Mall, 25 Nov 2025; Gulf News, Dubai's new city set to welcome residents, Nov 2018; Dubai South, The Pulse Beachfront phase one; Dubai Media Office, South Bay sells out, 13 Jun 2024; Emaar, Emaar South; Dubai Media Office, Al Maktoum International Airport, 28 Apr 2024
Schools in and near Dubai South
Dubai South has one main private school, GEMS Founders School – Dubai South, which opened in 2024 and has no KHDA rating yet.
GEMS Founders School – Dubai South
- Location: The Residential District, alongside Expo Road, according to the Dubai Media Office.
- Curriculum: British, following the National Curriculum for England.
- Opened: For the 2024-25 school year. The Dubai Media Office gave August 2024 as the planned opening. One school data site says September 2024.
- Year groups: GEMS says it opened for FS1 to Year 8 and will grow to Year 13.
- Size: A campus of about 250,000 sq ft for more than 2,500 students at full size, according to the Dubai Media Office.
- KHDA rating: Not yet given. New Dubai schools get their first full KHDA inspection after about three years. One school data site expects it in 2026-27.
Schools near Dubai South
Families in Dubai South often look at schools in nearby areas. The list below gives only schools where we found a published KHDA rating.
- Durham School Dubai, Dubai Investments Park First: Gulf News reported that KHDA rated it Acceptable in its 2024-25 inspection. It opened in 2022.
We could not confirm a KHDA-rated school inside Emaar South, Expo City Dubai or the Azizi Venice area. Parents should check the current list on the KHDA website before they choose a home.
Sources: Dubai Media Office, GEMS agreement, 30 May 2024; GEMS Education, GEMS Founders School – Dubai South; Edcare, GEMS Founders School DWC; Gulf News, KHDA ratings for new schools, Nov 2025
Who lives in Dubai South
Dubai South is home to families and working professionals, many in aviation and logistics, and Dubai South Properties says more than 25,000 people live in its Residential District.
Population figures
- 25,000+ in the Residential District: Dubai South Properties gave this figure in June 2024 and in other press releases.
- About 25,000 in Dubai South: Gulf News gave this figure in July 2023.
- 6,000 in staff housing: Gulf News reported in January 2019 that the Sakany staff accommodation housed 6,000 people.
- 50,000 target by 2020: Gulf News reported in January 2019 that officials expected 50,000 residents by the Expo 2020 opening. We could not confirm that this figure was reached.
- 1 million long-term target: The Dubai Media Office said in April 2024 that the airport city will need housing for one million people.
Sources disagree on whether the 25,000 figure covers only the Residential District or all of Dubai South. We could not find a Dubai Statistics Centre population figure for Dubai South as one area.
Who the area was built for
Gulf News reported in November 2018 that Dubai South aimed to give affordable homes to workers in aviation and logistics. The same report named lower and middle managers and senior professionals as target buyers.
Gulf News reported in August 2025 that residents include families and professionals. One resident in the report was an Emirates pilot and flight instructor who lives in The Pulse Beachfront.
Nationality mix
We could not find published data on the nationality mix of Dubai South residents.
Sources: Dubai Media Office, South Bay sells out, 13 Jun 2024; Gulf News, Khalifa Al Zaffin interview, 4 Jul 2023; Gulf News, Rise of a new city near Expo site, 23 Jan 2019; Dubai Media Office, Al Maktoum International Airport, 28 Apr 2024; Gulf News, Dubai's new city set to welcome residents, Nov 2018; Gulf News, Dubai South residents urge ATM access, 19 Aug 2025
Dubai South service charges and running costs
Service charges in Dubai South differ by building and project, and owners can check the approved figure for their unit in the Dubai Land Department Service Charge Index.
Service charges
RERA, part of the Dubai Land Department (DLD), launched the Service Charge Index on 15 October 2014. The DLD says the index shows approved charges for each project in freehold areas. It covers apartments, villas, offices and shops.
Gulf News reported in February 2026 that owners can check the index on the DLD website or the Dubai REST app. The owner enters the title deed number, the property type and the year. Owners pay through the Mollak system into DLD-approved bank accounts.
Gulf News reported that Dubai service charges range from about AED 3 to more than AED 30 per sq ft per year. This is a Dubai-wide range, not a Dubai South figure.
We could not confirm a published average service charge for Dubai South as a whole. Buyers should check the exact project in the index.
Cooling
Emirates 24|7 reported in August 2026 that district cooling users usually pay a metered charge and a fixed capacity charge. The cooling provider bills these apart from DEWA. In a chiller-free building, the landlord pays for cooling and the tenant pays only DEWA.
We could not confirm which district cooling company, if any, serves the Dubai South Residential District. Ask the seller or landlord for recent cooling bills.
DEWA
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) supplies power and water. Gulf News lists utilities, including DEWA, among the items that some service charges cover for shared areas. Each unit has its own DEWA account for its own use.
Sources: DLD, RERA Service Charge Index, 15 Oct 2014; Gulf News, Service charges in Dubai, 13 Feb 2026; Emirates 24|7, Chiller-free vs district cooling, 20 Aug 2026
New projects and what is coming to Dubai South
The biggest change coming to Dubai South is the new Al Maktoum International terminal, with a first phase that The National says is due in 2032, plus tens of thousands of new homes.
Al Maktoum International Airport expansion
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved the designs on 28 April 2024. The Dubai Media Office gave these facts:
- A new passenger terminal costing AED 128 billion.
- Five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates.
- Up to 260 million passengers per year at full operation.
- A first phase for 150 million passengers per year.
- A total airport area of 70 square kilometres.
- All Dubai International (DXB) operations to move to the new airport "in the coming years".
Sources disagree on the date of the first phase. In April 2024, the Dubai Media Office said it would be ready within 10 years. Gulf News wrote 2030 in October 2024. The National reported on 26 August 2026 that the first phase is due in 2032.
The National reported that Dubai Airports had awarded AED 13 billion in contracts in 2026. It planned to award a further AED 55 billion by the end of 2026. About 9,000 workers were on site, and the number may rise to 120,000.
Wikipedia says Emirates and flydubai will move only when the airport is complete, and not before 2035. We could not confirm this date in an official source.
Dubai South Properties projects
- The Pulse Beachfront: Dubai South says it delivered this project of about 800 homes in 2025.
- South Bay: More than 800 villas and townhouses and more than 200 waterfront mansions. Dubai South says about 1,300 units across South Bay and South Living Tower are due for handover in 2026.
- Beachfront Gates: 227 units in two towers in the Residential District, according to Dubai South. It sold out in 2025.
- South Square: Launched and sold out in 2025, according to Dubai South.
- HAYAT by Dubai South: About 2,500 homes on 10 million sq ft next to the Golf District. Gulf News reported on 30 March 2026 that Dubai South awarded an AED 2 billion contract. Building starts in Q2 2026, and the first phases are due by 2028.
- South Bay Mall: About 200,000 sq ft in the Residential District. No opening date is public.
Azizi Venice
Azizi Developments started building Azizi Venice in October 2023. Gulf Today reported that the plan had more than 30,000 homes in 100 mid-rise blocks. It also had more than 400 villas and an opera house.
Middle East Construction News reported on 7 May 2026 that the first 14 buildings were 39% complete. The same report gave more than 36,000 homes and more than 109 mansions. Sources disagree on the number of homes, because Azizi has changed the plan over time.
Gulf News reported in September 2023 that Azizi wanted first handovers well before 2027. We could not confirm a current handover date.
Emaar South
Emaar South is a joint venture between Emaar and Dubai South on about 7 square kilometres. Gulf News reported in January 2019 that the joint venture covers 50% of the land in Golf City.
Emaar has launched many phases since 2017, such as Golf Links, Golf Views, Golf Vale, Expo Golf Villas, Greenview and Urbana. Sources disagree on the total number of homes. Gulf Business reported 15,000 in 2016. A later Emaar release gave 75,000.
Expo City Dubai
Expo City Dubai is next to Dubai South. The Dubai Media Office said in November 2025 that Expo City will grow to 35,000 residents. Its projects include Expo Valley, Expo Valley Views, Mangrove Residences and Sky Residences.
Sources: Dubai Media Office, Al Maktoum International Airport, 28 Apr 2024; Gulf News, Expo City masterplan, 4 Oct 2024; The National, Dh55bn Al Maktoum contracts, 26 Aug 2026; Wikipedia, Al Maktoum International Airport; Dubai Media Office, Dubai South 2025 results, 29 Jan 2026; Dubai South, Beachfront Gates launch; Gulf News, Dh2bn HAYAT contract, 30 Mar 2026; Dubai Media Office, South Bay Mall, 25 Nov 2025; Gulf Today, Azizi Venice groundbreaking, 3 Oct 2023; ME Construction News, Azizi Venice 39% complete, 7 May 2026; Gulf News, Azizi Dh30b Venice project, 27 Sep 2023; Gulf Business, Emaar unveils golf development, 5 Sep 2016; Emaar, Golf Links launch, 2017; Gulf News, Rise of a new city near Expo site, 23 Jan 2019; Dubai Media Office, Expo Valley Views, 12 Nov 2025
Dubai South history
Dubai South began in 2006 as Dubai World Central, an airport city first called Jebel Ali Airport City, and took its current name in August 2015.
Timeline
- 2006: The Government of Dubai launched the project. Khaleej Times gives 2006 as the start. Wikipedia says early working names included Jebel Ali Airport City and Jebel Ali International Airport.
- 2007: Wikipedia says the first 4,500 m runway was finished after 600 days of work.
- 2008-2009: Wikipedia says the global financial crisis pushed the full completion date from 2017 to 2027.
- June 2010: The airport opened for cargo flights. Dubai Airports gives 27 June 2010. Wikipedia gives 24 June in its text. Sources disagree on the exact day.
- October 2013: Passenger flights started. Dubai Airports says Wizz Air was the launch airline on 27 October 2013. Wikipedia gives 26 October 2013.
- Airshow: Khaleej Times said in August 2015 that the city hosts the Dubai Airshow. We could not confirm the year the show first moved to the site.
- September 2014: Gulf News reported a USD 32 billion plan to raise airport capacity to 120 million passengers.
- August 2015: A new law renamed Dubai World Central as Dubai South. Khaleej Times reported it on 20 August 2015. At that time, the airport plan was for 220 million passengers per year.
- 2016: Emaar announced Emaar South, a golf community of nearly 7 square kilometres, on 5 September 2016.
- 2017: Dubai South Properties launched The Pulse, its first project that it built and sold itself. Gulf News reported 90% of units sold.
- 2018: Dubai Airports says the expanded passenger terminal opened with capacity for 26.5 million passengers per year. Gulf News reported first home handovers in Dubai South were due before the end of 2018.
- 2021: Expo 2020 station on the metro opened on 1 June 2021. Expo 2020 Dubai ran from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022.
- 2023: Lulu opened a hypermarket in the Residential District. Azizi broke ground on Azizi Venice in October 2023.
- April 2024: Sheikh Mohammed approved the AED 128 billion passenger terminal.
- 2024: GEMS Founders School – Dubai South opened. The last phase of South Bay sold out within four hours on 13 June 2024.
- 2025: Dubai South delivered The Pulse Beachfront and launched HAYAT, Beachfront Gates and South Square. It announced South Bay Mall on 25 November 2025.
- 2026: Dubai South awarded a AED 2 billion contract for HAYAT in March. Dubai Airports continued to award airport contracts.
Airport traffic over time
Dubai Airports says DWC handled 1,634,058 passengers in 2019. It handled more than 1.1 million in 2024, up 95% on 2023. Cargo was 911,571 tonnes in 2019 and 576,000 tonnes in 2023. We could not confirm 2025 traffic figures.
Sources: Khaleej Times, DWC rebranded as Dubai South, 20 Aug 2015; Wikipedia, Al Maktoum International Airport; Dubai Airports, DWC fact page; Gulf News, $32b DWC airport plan, Sep 2014; Gulf Business, Emaar unveils golf development, 5 Sep 2016; Gulf News, Dubai's new city set to welcome residents, Nov 2018; Dubai Media Office, Route 2020 stations, 22 May 2021; Lulu Retail, Dubai South hypermarket, 14 Mar 2023; Gulf Today, Azizi Venice groundbreaking, 3 Oct 2023; Dubai Media Office, South Bay sells out, 13 Jun 2024; Dubai Media Office, Dubai South 2025 results, 29 Jan 2026; Gulf News, Dh2bn HAYAT contract, 30 Mar 2026
Dubai South vs Expo City, Dubai Investment Park, Damac Hills 2, Arjan and other areas
Dubai South is larger, newer and further from the city centre than its neighbours, and its future depends more on the airport than any other area.
Dubai South vs Expo City Dubai
- Size: Gulf News says Expo City covers 3.5 square kilometres. Dubai South covers about 145 square kilometres.
- Owner: Expo City Dubai has its own authority. Dubai South has its own master developer.
- Residents: Expo City plans for up to 35,000 residents. Dubai South plans for one million in the long term.
- Metro: Expo City has the Expo 2020 metro station. Dubai South residents must drive or take bus DS1 to reach it.
- Jobs: Gulf News reported that DP World moved its global headquarters to Expo City.
Dubai South vs Dubai Investments Park (DIP)
- Age: Wikipedia says DIP was set up in 1997, and its first tenants moved in by 1999. Dubai South started in 2006.
- Size: Wikipedia says DIP covers about 23 square kilometres.
- Metro: DIP has its own station on Route 2020, opened on 1 June 2021.
- Homes: DIP has Green Community and Dunes Village, according to Wikipedia.
- Freehold: Khaleej Times lists DIP as a freehold area.
- Access: A Dubai South resident told Gulf News in August 2025 that DIP is 3 to 4 km away in a straight line, but the drive is almost 19 km.
Dubai South vs Damac Hills 2
- Location: Khaleej Times says Damac Hills 2 is close to Al Qudra Road and near the Expo 2020 site.
- Layout: Khaleej Times says it has more than 25 clusters in five towns.
- Homes: Mainly villas and townhouses, according to Khaleej Times.
- Drive times: Khaleej Times gave 30 to 40 minutes to Downtown Dubai, depending on traffic. Emaar gives 25 to 30 minutes from Emaar South. These are not independent tests.
Dubai South vs Arjan
- Location: Khaleej Times says Arjan is in Dubailand, where Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road meets Umm Suqeim Road. It is much closer to the city centre than Dubai South.
- Homes: Arjan is mainly apartment buildings, according to Khaleej Times. Dubai South has a wider mix of apartments, townhouses, villas and mansions.
- Landmarks: Arjan is next to Dubai Miracle Garden and has Park View Mediclinic Hospital nearby, according to Khaleej Times.
- Drive times: Khaleej Times gave about 17 minutes to Mall of the Emirates and about 22 minutes to The Dubai Mall from Arjan.
Sources: Gulf News, Expo City masterplan, 4 Oct 2024; Dubai Media Office, Expo Valley Views, 12 Nov 2025; Wikipedia, Dubai Investments Park; Dubai Media Office, Route 2020 stations, 22 May 2021; Khaleej Times, Freehold areas, 21 Jul 2024; Gulf News, Dubai South residents urge ATM access, 19 Aug 2025; Khaleej Times, Damac Hills 2, 10 Sep 2021; Emaar, Emaar South; Khaleej Times, Affordable Arjan, Jan 2022
Common questions about Dubai South
These are short answers to the questions buyers and tenants ask most often about Dubai South.
Is Dubai South the same as Dubai World Central?
Yes. Dubai World Central (DWC) was the first name of the project. A law renamed it Dubai South in August 2015, according to Khaleej Times. The airport code DWC is still in use for Al Maktoum International.
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai South?
Yes. Gulf News reported in November 2018 that Dubai South homes are freehold. Buyers should still check the status of each plot with the Dubai Land Department before they pay.
How many people live in Dubai South?
Dubai South Properties says more than 25,000 people live in its Residential District. Gulf News gave about 25,000 for all of Dubai South in July 2023. We could not find an official Dubai Statistics Centre figure for the area.
Is there a metro station in Dubai South?
No station serves the Residential District today. The nearest station is Expo 2020 on Route 2020, which opened on 1 June 2021. Bus DS1 links Dubai South to that station about every 90 minutes.
Will the Blue Line reach Dubai South?
No. Gulf News reported that the Blue Line links Al Jaddaf, International City and Al Rashidiya, and is due in 2029. The RTA is studying a separate metro link between DXB and Al Maktoum International.
When will the new Al Maktoum International terminal open?
Sources disagree. The Dubai Media Office said in April 2024 that the first phase would be ready within 10 years. The National reported in August 2026 that the first phase is due in 2032.
Is there a school in Dubai South?
Yes. GEMS Founders School – Dubai South opened in the Residential District for the 2024-25 school year. It follows the British curriculum. It has no KHDA rating yet.
Is there a hospital in Dubai South?
We could not confirm that a hospital has opened inside Dubai South. Gulf News reported in 2018 that Dubai South was in talks with hospital operators.
What is Azizi Venice?
Azizi Venice is a large lagoon project by Azizi Developments in Dubai South. Middle East Construction News reported in May 2026 that it plans more than 36,000 homes and an opera house. The first 14 buildings were 39% complete at that time.
Where can I check service charges for a Dubai South project?
Use the Dubai Land Department Service Charge Index on the DLD website or the Dubai REST app. You need the title deed number, the property type and the year.
Is Dubai South noisy because of the airport?
We could not find a published noise map for the homes in Dubai South. The airport plan adds five parallel runways. Ask the developer about flight paths near the plot you want.
Sources: Khaleej Times, DWC rebranded as Dubai South, 20 Aug 2015; Gulf News, Dubai's new city set to welcome residents, Nov 2018; Dubai Media Office, South Bay sells out, 13 Jun 2024; Dubai Media Office, Bus route DS1, 25 Apr 2022; Gulf News, Blue Line guide, Jun 2025; The National, Dh55bn Al Maktoum contracts, 26 Aug 2026; Dubai Media Office, GEMS agreement, 30 May 2024; ME Construction News, Azizi Venice 39% complete, 7 May 2026; Gulf News, Service charges in Dubai, 13 Feb 2026