What is MBR City
Mohammed Bin Rashid City (MBR City) is a large freehold master development in central Dubai, built around lagoons and parkland beside Al Khail Road.
Its full name is Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced the city on 24 November 2012. The Dubai Protocol Department says the plan had four parts: family tourism, retail, arts, and entrepreneurship. It also included the earlier Mohammed Bin Rashid Gardens project.
The city is not one project. It is a group of districts with different master developers. Three of them matter most to buyers today.
The main districts and who builds them
- District One (Meydan, now part of Dubai Holding): The first and largest residential district. Meydan Group and Sobha Group launched it as a joint venture in May 2013. Later reports name Meydan alone as developer. It has villas, mansions and the D1 Residences apartments around a 7 km Crystal Lagoon. District One West is a newer villa phase on the same lagoon.
- Meydan Avenue (Meydan): A mixed-use strip of apartment buildings and offices next to The Meydan Hotel and Meydan Racecourse. Gulf News says Meydan rebranded it from Diamond Business Park and placed the Meydan headquarters at its end.
- Sobha Hartland (Sobha Realty): An 8 million sq ft freehold community of villas, townhouses and towers beside Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Khaleej Times reported that Sobha launched it in 2014. Sobha Hartland II, also 8 million sq ft, was announced in November 2022 next to it.
- District 11 (Dubai Holding): The south-east corner of the city, where Dubai-Al Ain Road meets Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. Meydan first planned it in 2014 as District Eleven, a village for Emirates pilots. Opal Gardens, a 435-home lagoon community, is being built there. Meydan now operates as a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate, so Dubai Holding covers this district.
How big is it?
Sources disagree on the area. Gulf News quoted Meydan's Saeed Al Tayer saying the city spans more than 54 million sq ft of freehold land. Arabian Business put District One at 45 million sq ft. Khaleej Times gave 4 million sq m, about 43 million sq ft. We could not confirm one official total.
Emaar says Dubai Hills Estate also sits within Mohammed Bin Rashid City. Most people in Dubai now treat it as a separate community. This guide covers the central MBR City districts only.
Sources: Dubai Protocol Department, Mohammed bin Rashid announces Mohammed bin Rashid City, 24 November 2012; Khaleej Times, MBR City: Dh21 billion iconic district unveiled, 3 May 2013; Gulf News (WAM), District One gets Dubai Ruler's approval, page dated 2018; Arabian Business, Dubai's $10bn MBR City District One project launches new phase; Khaleej Times, Sobha unveils tower project at Dh16b Hartland, 19 May 2021; Nakheel, Meydan appoints contractor for Opal Gardens, District 11, 31 October 2023; Emaar, Dubai Hills Estate guide
Where you can live in Mohammed Bin Rashid City: the residential projects
Homes in Mohammed Bin Rashid City are in 4 residential areas: Sobha Hartland, District 11, Other buildings, District One.
Map of the Mohammed Bin Rashid City projects
Sobha Hartland
43 residential buildings: 37 apartments, 6 villas and townhouses. 36 completed, 6 off-plan. 1,072 sales in 12 months. Main developers: Sobha, Ellington Properties Development, Bolton Real Estate Development - Fz.
| Project or building | Buildings | Status | Homes | Sales, 12 months | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Crest | 6 | Completed | apartments | 222 | AED 2,228 |
| Crest Grande | 1 | Completed | apartments | 190 | AED 1,953 |
| Sobha Creek Vista Heights | 3 | Off-plan | apartments | 108 | AED 2,076 |
| Sobha Creek Vistas | 2 | Completed | apartments | 108 | AED 1,937 |
| Sobha Hartland Greens | 7 | Completed | apartments | 67 | AED 1,803 |
| Sobha Hartland Waves | 1 | Completed | apartments | 59 | AED 2,191 |
| Sobha Creek Vistas Reserve | 3 | Completed | apartments | 50 | AED 2,102 |
| Wilton Terraces | 2 | Completed | apartments | 45 | AED 1,883 |
| Sobha Creek Vistas Grande | 1 | Completed | apartments | 38 | AED 2,109 |
| The Highbury | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 38 | AED 2,205 |
| Sobha Hartland Waves Opulence | 1 | Completed | apartments | 35 | AED 1,971 |
| One Park Avenue | 1 | Completed | apartments | 31 | AED 2,008 |
| Gemini Splendor | 1 | Completed | apartments | 25 | AED 1,579 |
| Waves Grande | 1 | Completed | apartments | 22 | AED 2,096 |
And 8 more projects or buildings: see the map.
District 11
42 residential buildings: 21 villas and townhouses, 21 apartments. 28 completed, 12 off-plan. 523 sales in 12 months. Main developers: A & B Unicorn Real Estate Development, Samana Star Real Estate Development, Viva Real Estate Development.
| Project or building | Buildings | Status | Homes | Sales, 12 months | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Fields | 4 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 129 | – |
| Rome 3 by Samana | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 63 | AED 782 |
| Opal Gardens | 1 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 54 | – |
| Arthouse Private Residences | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 41 | AED 1,964 |
| The Sanctuary | 5 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 32 | – |
| Knightsbridge | 1 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 32 | – |
| Numa Reserve | 1 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 26 | – |
| Rome by Samana | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 21 | AED 1,699 |
| The Willows Residences | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 18 | AED 1,880 |
| High Best Tower | 1 | Completed | apartments | 17 | AED 1,562 |
| Knightsbridge 2 | 1 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 17 | – |
| Derby Heights | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 13 | AED 1,998 |
| Wellington Grand Villas | 1 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 12 | – |
| Karl Lagerfeld Villas | 1 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 9 | – |
And 18 more projects or buildings: see the map.
Other buildings
13 residential buildings: 10 apartments, 3 villas and townhouses. 10 completed, 3 off-plan. 302 sales in 12 months. Main developers: Mag Eye Real Estate Development - Fz, Amwaj Alkhaleej Real Estate Development.
| Project or building | Buildings | Status | Homes | Sales, 12 months | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eden Hills | 1 | Off-plan | villas, townhouses | 189 | – |
| MAG Eye | 1 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 30 | – |
| Keturah Reserve | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 11 | AED 2,663 |
| MAG 980 | 1 | Completed | apartments | 11 | AED 1,708 |
| MAG 890 | 1 | Completed | apartments | 10 | AED 1,865 |
| MAG 960 | 1 | Completed | apartments | 10 | AED 1,775 |
| Mag 910 | 1 | Completed | apartments | 8 | AED 1,653 |
| Selora Residences | 1 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 8 | – |
| MAG 920 | 1 | Completed | apartments | 7 | AED 1,756 |
| MAG 930 | 1 | Completed | apartments | 6 | AED 1,869 |
| Mag 970 | 1 | Completed | apartments | 6 | AED 1,532 |
| MAG 900 | 1 | Completed | apartments | 5 | AED 1,757 |
| The Cube Residences | 1 | Off-plan | apartments | 1 | – |
District One
39 residential buildings: 34 apartments, 5 villas and townhouses. 33 completed, 5 off-plan. 293 sales in 12 months. Main developers: District One - Fz.
| Project or building | Buildings | Status | Homes | Sales, 12 months | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Residences at District One | 31 | Completed, Not known | apartments | 137 | AED 1,925 |
| District One Villas | 2 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 61 | – |
| District One West | 1 | Off-plan | villas, townhouses | 53 | – |
| District One West Phase 2 | 1 | Off-plan | villas, townhouses | 23 | – |
| Naya at District One | 3 | Off-plan | apartments | 18 | AED 2,105 |
| District One Mansions | 1 | Completed | villas, townhouses | 1 | – |
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.
Mohammed Bin Rashid City property prices and sales
Apartments in Mohammed Bin Rashid City sold for a median of AED 1,979 per sq ft in the 12 months to 10 October 2026, across 1,654 apartment sales.
Where Mohammed Bin Rashid City ranks in Dubai
Rank among 66 Dubai communities with 300 or more sales in 12 months. See what the sales records say.
Mohammed Bin Rashid City apartment price per sq ft, by quarter
The median price of an apartment sold in Mohammed Bin Rashid City was AED 1,917 per sq ft in 2026 Q3. The highest quarter in the last three years was 2025 Q2, at AED 2,101. A median moves when the mix of homes sold changes.
What the sale records show now
- Sales fell. Mohammed Bin Rashid City had 809 sales in the last 6 months, against 1,308 in the same months a year before (-38%).
- New buildings keep launching. 10 buildings had their first sale in the last 12 months, with 306 sales between them.
- Most sales are of finished homes. 58% of sales in 12 months were of completed homes.
- Rental yield. Asking rents against sold prices give a gross yield of 6.0%.
- Homes due. Land Department projects in Mohammed Bin Rashid City due by June 2027 hold 470 homes.
Mohammed Bin Rashid City price per sq ft by district
| District | Per sq ft, 12 months | Change on the year | Sales, 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sobha Hartland | AED 2,032 | -0.6% | 1,155 |
| District 11 | AED 1,827 | +12.4% | 597 |
| District One | AED 1,991 | -9.9% | 305 |
| Other | AED 1,764 | -9.4% | 302 |
The 10 Mohammed Bin Rashid City buildings with the most sales in 12 months
| Building | Status | District | Developer | Per sq ft | Sales, 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crest Grande | Completed | Sobha Hartland | SOBHA L.L.C | AED 1,953 | 190 |
| Eden Hills | Off-plan | – | – | – | 189 |
| The Crest Tower B | Completed | Sobha Hartland | SOBHA L.L.C | AED 2,271 | 82 |
| The Crest Tower C | Completed | Sobha Hartland | SOBHA L.L.C | AED 2,283 | 69 |
| Sobha Creek Vistas Tower A | Completed | Sobha Hartland | SOBHA L.L.C | AED 1,856 | 69 |
| Rome 3 by Samana | Off-plan | District 11 | SAMANA STAR REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT L.L.C | AED 782 | 63 |
| The Crest Tower A | Completed | Sobha Hartland | SOBHA L.L.C | AED 2,161 | 62 |
| District One Villas | Completed | District One | – | – | 61 |
| Sobha Hartland Waves | Completed | Sobha Hartland | SOBHA L.L.C | AED 2,191 | 59 |
| Sobha Creek Vista Heights Tower A | Off-plan | Sobha Hartland | SOBHA L.L.C | AED 2,076 | 57 |
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 MBR City in Dubai
MBR City sits in central Dubai, south-east of Downtown Dubai, between Al Khail Road and Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Dubai Protocol Department placed the city between Emirates Road, Al Khail Road and Sheikh Zayed Road when it was announced. The built districts today occupy the land between Al Khail Road, Ras Al Khor Road, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and Dubai-Al Ain Road.
Distance to key places
- Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai: Khaleej Times quoted the developers saying District One is "60 seconds' drive" from Burj Khalifa along Al Khail Road. Gulf News reported a distance of 4 km from Burj Khalifa. Dubai Holding says District One West is about 4 km from Downtown Dubai.
- Dubai International Airport: About 20 minutes by car, according to Dubai Holding.
- Meydan Racecourse: Next door. District One is "adjacent to Meydan City", Gulf News reported.
- Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary: Sobha Hartland II has views of the sanctuary, Khaleej Times reported. The sanctuary covers 620 hectares, according to Dubai Municipality.
The neighbours
- Meydan: The racecourse, The Meydan Hotel and Meydan Avenue sit on the north-west edge. Meydan One, a planned mall and tower district, is along the same edge.
- Nad Al Sheba: A mainly Emirati villa area to the south and east. Nad Al Sheba Mall opened there in April 2025.
- Downtown Dubai and Business Bay: Across Al Khail Road to the north-west.
- Al Quoz: Across Al Khail Road to the west.
- Dubai Creek Harbour and Ras Al Khor: Across the sanctuary to the north-east.
- Dubai Hills Estate: Further south-west, at Al Khail Road and Umm Suqeim Road.
Inside the city
District One wraps around the Crystal Lagoon in the north and centre. Sobha Hartland and Sobha Hartland II line the eastern edge along Ras Al Khor Road. Meydan Avenue and Meydan One face Al Meydan Road. District 11 is in the south-east corner, according to Nakheel. Meydan Horizon, a planned 180-hectare district, lies opposite the racecourse, according to its designer AE7.
Sources: Gulf News (WAM), District One gets Dubai Ruler's approval, page dated 2018; Dubai Holding, Meydan awards AED 1 billion District One West Phase Two contract, 20 January 2025; Khaleej Times, A haven for winged visitors, 8 January 2011; Nakheel, Meydan appoints contractor for Opal Gardens, District 11, 31 October 2023; AE7, Horizon mixed-use development
MBR City roads, traffic, parking and transport
MBR City is a car-first community with direct exits from Al Khail Road, Ras Al Khor Road and Al Meydan Road, but no metro station.
Roads and exits
- Al Khail Road (E44): Runs along the west side. It links north to Business Bay and Dubai Creek, and south to Dubai Hills and Jebel Ali.
- Ras Al Khor Road: Runs along the east side past Sobha Hartland and the sanctuary. It connects to Dubai Festival City and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.
- Al Meydan Road: Runs through the north of the city past the racecourse and Meydan Avenue. It joins Al Khail Road at the Meydan interchange.
- Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) and Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66): Meet at the south-east corner beside District 11, according to Nakheel.
The Al Khail Road upgrade
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) finished the Al Khail Road Development Project in October 2024. Gulf News reported on 21 October 2024 that the project added five bridges over 3,300 m and widened 6,820 m of road. At Meydan, RTA built a 610 m two-lane bridge between the Al Meydan Road and Ras Al Khor Road junctions. It carries 3,200 vehicles per hour. RTA also improved 1,550 m of surface roads linking to Ras Al Khor Street. A second 650 m bridge serves Al Quoz 1 between Al Meydan Road and Al Waha Street. RTA said the whole project cut travel time by 30 per cent and serves 1.5 million people.
Traffic
Al Khail Road is one of the busiest roads in Dubai, Gulf News reported. Traffic builds at the Meydan and Ras Al Khor junctions at peak times. The 2024 bridges were built to remove these queues.
Metro and bus
There is no Dubai Metro station inside MBR City. The nearest Red Line stations are Business Bay and Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, across Al Khail Road. The Blue Line, due in 2029, will have stations at Ras Al Khor and Dubai Creek Harbour, Gulf News reported on 12 November 2025. Neither is inside MBR City. AE7, the designer of Meydan Horizon, says a future metro line is projected to pass through that district. We could not confirm this with RTA.
We could not confirm which RTA bus routes serve District One or Sobha Hartland in 2026. Residents mostly use cars, taxis and ride-hailing.
Cycling and walking
An 8.4 km cycling and running track runs around District One beside The Meydan Hotel. What's On reported that it opened on 9 December 2015, cost Dh81 million and took eight months to build. It is free, open to the public and lit at night by solar lights. Gulf News says District One also has a 14 km boardwalk around the lagoon. Dubai Holding says District One West has more than 8 km of cycling and running tracks and 14 km of shoreline. Sobha Hartland has a 1.8 km waterfront boardwalk, according to Sobha Realty.
Parking
Villas have private garages or driveways. Gulf News reported that District One plans included "hundreds of underground parking spaces". Towers in Sobha Hartland and D1 Residences have basement parking. We could not confirm any RTA paid-parking zones inside MBR City.
Sources: Gulf News, No more traffic jams on Al Khail Road, 21 October 2024; Gulf News, Where are the 14 Blue Line stations?, 12 November 2025; What's On, A new 8.4km cycle track has just opened near Meydan, 10 December 2015; Gulf News, MBR City District One launches its tallest tower, 13 December 2018; Dubai Holding, Meydan awards AED 1 billion District One West Phase Two contract, 20 January 2025; Sobha Realty, Waves projects completed at Sobha Hartland
Living in MBR City
Daily life in MBR City centres on the lagoons, parks and tracks, while most shops and clinics are a short drive away in Nad Al Sheba.
Parks, water and open space
District One was planned with about 65 per cent of its land as parks and waterways, Khaleej Times reported in 2013. Gulf News reported in 2018 that the district has 26 million sq ft of green open space. The 7 km Crystal Lagoon has man-made beaches. Residents can swim, paddle-board and use non-motorised craft. Crystal Lagoons, the Chilean company, signed the contract in October 2013 to build a 40-hectare lagoon there, MEED reported. Dubai Holding says about 60 per cent of District One West is parks and gardens.
Sobha Hartland II has 90 acres of greens and open space, Khaleej Times reported. Sobha says it also has a crystal lagoon with waterfront shops. Opal Gardens in District 11 has a lagoon with sandy beaches at its centre, Nakheel says.
Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary borders the city. Dubai Municipality announced a Dh650 million upgrade on 30 June 2025. Khaleej Times reported that phase one would enlarge the water bodies to 74 hectares and finish by the end of 2026. The sanctuary has more than 450 species of flora and fauna and is home to greater flamingos.
Shops and malls
- Sobha Hartland Mall: Under construction. Gulf News reported on 2 July 2024 that it will cost Dh210 million and have 35 outlets. Sobha expected to open it in the second half of 2026. We could not confirm that it has opened.
- Nad Al Sheba Mall: A 500,000 sq ft mall with more than 100 shops, opened by Dubai Holding Asset Management in April 2025. It has a Spinneys supermarket and a Union Coop, according to the Dubai Media Office.
- The Grand, Nad Al Sheba Gardens: Opened on 19 August 2026 with a Waitrose supermarket, Gulf News reported. An American Hospital clinic there is due in early 2027.
- Meydan One Mall: Planned beside District One with more than 300,000 sq m of leasable area and a 1 km indoor ski slope. Gulf News reported in 2018 that it was due in 2020. We could not confirm its current status or opening date.
- The Dubai Mall: Across Al Khail Road in Downtown Dubai, about ten minutes by car.
Clinics and hospitals
American Hospital Dubai runs a clinic at Avenue Mall in Nad Al Sheba. Its website lists primary care, paediatrics, dentistry, dermatology, orthopaedics and physiotherapy. Nad Al Sheba Mall includes healthcare tenants, the Dubai Media Office says. The main American Hospital campus is in Oud Metha, a short drive north. We could not confirm a hospital inside MBR City itself.
Mosques
We could not confirm the number of mosques open inside MBR City in 2026. Nad Al Sheba, next door, has many neighbourhood mosques.
Sport and leisure
Meydan Racecourse opened in 2010 next to District One. The Emirates Racing Authority says its grandstand is 1.6 km long and holds more than 60,000 people. The Dubai World Cup is run there each March. The 8.4 km District One track is used by cyclists and runners from across Dubai.
Sources: Khaleej Times, MBR City: Dh21 billion iconic district unveiled, 3 May 2013; Khaleej Times, Dh650-million project to develop Ras Al Khor sanctuary, 30 June 2025; Gulf News, New Dh210 million mall at Sobha Hartland, 2 July 2024; Dubai Media Office, Nad Al Sheba Mall, 24 April 2025; Gulf News, The Grand to open in August, 29 July 2026; Gulf News, Meydan One brings in the elements, 11 December 2018; American Hospital Dubai, Nad Al Sheba Clinic; Emirates Racing Authority, Meydan Racecourse
Schools in and near MBR City
MBR City has two KHDA-rated Very Good schools inside Sobha Hartland, and several Outstanding schools a short drive away in Nad Al Sheba.
Schools inside MBR City
- Hartland International School (Sobha Hartland): Opened in 2015. It follows the National Curriculum for England and offers GCSE, A-Level and BTEC. KHDA rated it Very Good in its 2023-24 inspection, according to the report summary on Edcare and the Arabian Business list. Fees were listed at Dh49,000 to Dh93,000 a year.
- North London Collegiate School Dubai (Sobha Hartland): Opened in September 2017. It is an International Baccalaureate school run directly by the London school. The National reported opening fees of Dh83,000 for pre-kindergarten to Dh130,000 for Grades 11 and 12. KHDA lists it as Very Good, according to Arabian Business.
- Kent College Dubai (District 11): Gulf News reported that Meydan planned the school in District Eleven with the UK's Kent College Canterbury. We could not confirm its latest KHDA rating.
Schools near MBR City
- GEMS Modern Academy (Nad Al Sheba): Rated Outstanding by KHDA in 2023-24, Gulf News reported on 9 August 2025. It is an Indian-curriculum school.
- Repton School Dubai (Nad Al Sheba): Rated Outstanding by KHDA in 2023-24, according to the same Gulf News list.
- Kings' School Nad Al Sheba: Rated Very Good, according to Arabian Business.
KHDA inspected 209 private schools in 2023-24 and rated 23 of them Outstanding, Gulf News reported. Ratings change each year. Check the KHDA website before you choose a school.
Nurseries
The Grand in Nad Al Sheba Gardens includes a Maple Bear Nursery, Gulf News reported in July 2026. We could not confirm the full list of nurseries inside MBR City.
Sources: Edcare, Hartland International School KHDA inspection report, 2023-24; Arabian Business, KHDA school ratings: every Very Good school in Dubai; The National, New Dubai school with fees of Dh130,000, 19 June 2017; Gulf News, Dubai's 23 outstanding private schools rated by KHDA, 9 August 2025; Gulf News, Meydan looks to score again in MBR City, page dated 2018
Who lives in MBR City
MBR City is home to wealthy families in large villas and to professionals in the Sobha Hartland towers who want green space near Downtown Dubai.
The Dubai Statistics Centre publishes a dataset of population by community. We could not find a published figure for MBR City or its districts in that dataset. The figures below come from developers and news reports.
What the developers planned
- District One: 1,500 villas of four to eight bedrooms, delivered in four phases of 375 villas, according to Meydan and Sobha in 2013. Sobha's PNC Menon called it "one of the lowest-density residential environments in any major international city".
- District One West: 467 homes in phase one, including villas and mansions of four to seven bedrooms, World Construction Network reported. Phase two adds 229 villas due in the first quarter of 2028, Dubai Holding says.
- Sobha Hartland: Villas, townhouses and twelve planned towers in the Waterfront District. The Waves tower alone has 592 apartments and 12 shops, Khaleej Times reported.
- District 11: First planned in 2014 as 1,500 four-bedroom villas for Emirates airline pilots, The National reported. Opal Gardens now adds 435 villas and townhouses, Nakheel says.
Who buys and rents
District One villas were priced from Dh9 million at launch, Khaleej Times reported. Buyers are mainly wealthy families from many countries. We could not confirm a breakdown by nationality. Mansion plots on the lagoon attract high-net-worth owners. Sobha Hartland apartments draw professionals who work in Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and DIFC. Families with children at the two Hartland schools often rent nearby. The population is a mix of owner-occupiers and tenants.
Community feel
District One is gated and quiet. Sobha Hartland is busier, with towers, a boardwalk and school traffic at drop-off time. Both are low-rise compared with Downtown Dubai.
Sources: Dubai Statistics Centre via Dubai Pulse, Population by community, updated 2022; Khaleej Times, MBR City: Dh21 billion iconic district unveiled, 3 May 2013; World Construction Network, Nakheel awards construction contracts for District One West, 27 February 2024; Dubai Holding, Meydan awards AED 1 billion District One West Phase Two contract, 20 January 2025; Khaleej Times, Sobha unveils tower project at Dh16b Hartland, 19 May 2021; The National, Meydan to build Emirates airline pilots village, 21 September 2014
MBR City service charges and running costs
Service charges in MBR City are set per square foot for each project and published in the Dubai Land Department's Service Charge Index.
How service charges work
Owners pay service charges each year to maintain shared areas. Gulf News explained on 13 February 2026 that the fees cover cleaning, security, landscaping, waste, repairs, management and shared utilities. They are charged per square foot. Payments go through the Mollak system into bank accounts approved by the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), part of DLD, launched the Service Charge Index in October 2014. It lists fees by project and year for apartments, villas, offices and shops. Data comes from RERA audits and is updated through Mollak. You can search it on the DLD website or the Dubai REST app with a title deed number.
What to expect
Gulf News says Dubai service charges range from about Dh3 to Dh30 or more per square foot. Villas usually cost more than apartments because of gardens and larger plots. Communities with lagoons, beaches, private security and large parks sit at the upper end. District One and District One West fit that description. We could not confirm the exact 2026 rate for any MBR City project. Check the DLD index for the project you are buying into.
Cooling
Most towers in MBR City use district cooling. Empower supplies Sobha Hartland with 17,000 refrigeration tons from its Meydan plant, Khaleej Times reported in March 2023. Empower also took over Meydan's cooling network for Meydan One, Meydan Avenue and District One in 2021, Gulf News reported. Cooling bills come separately from DEWA bills. They include a fixed capacity charge and a consumption charge.
Other running costs
- DEWA: Electricity and water, billed monthly. Villas with pools and large gardens use more water.
- Housing fee: Dubai Municipality charges a housing fee through the DEWA bill.
- Lagoon access: We could not confirm any separate membership fee in District One.
Sources: Gulf News, What are service charges in Dubai?, 13 February 2026; Dubai Land Department, RERA launches Service Charge Index at GITEX, 15 October 2014; Khaleej Times, Empower signs agreement with Sobha Realty, 19 March 2023; Gulf News, Empower lands district cooling deal for Meydan district, 30 August 2021
New projects and what is coming to MBR City
MBR City is still being built, with new lagoon villas, Sobha Hartland II, a Sobha mall, District 11 villas and Meydan Horizon under way or planned.
District One West
Nakheel awarded construction contracts for District One West in February 2024, World Construction Network reported. Phase one has 467 homes built by Fibrex Contracting and Ginco General Contracting. On 20 January 2025 Meydan, now part of Dubai Holding Real Estate, awarded Ginco a contract worth more than Dh1 billion for phase two. Phase two has 229 villas of four to six bedrooms on the Crystal Lagoon. Dubai Holding says completion is due in the first quarter of 2028.
Sobha Hartland II
Sobha Realty announced Sobha Hartland II on 22 November 2022. Khaleej Times reported that it covers 8 million sq ft with 90 acres of open space and a crystal lagoon. It has five- and six-bedroom villas and one- to four-bedroom apartments. Sobha said villa handovers would start in the second quarter of 2025 and apartments in the fourth quarter of 2025. We could not confirm how many homes were handed over by October 2026.
Sobha Hartland Mall
Gulf News reported on 2 July 2024 that Sobha is building a Dh210 million mall in Sobha Hartland. It has 339,000 sq ft of built-up area and about 115,000 sq ft of leasable space for 35 outlets. Sobha expected to open it in the second half of 2026. Ravi Menon, Sobha Group co-chairman, called it "a pivotal hub for community engagement".
District 11 and Opal Gardens
Meydan appointed Parkway International Contracting to build Opal Gardens on 31 October 2023, Nakheel announced. The project has 435 villas and townhouses of four to six bedrooms around a lagoon with beaches. Construction was due to take 24 months. We could not confirm the handover date. Dubai Holding now covers District 11 after Meydan joined the group in 2024.
Meydan Horizon
Meydan Horizon is a 180-hectare district opposite the racecourse. AE7, its designer, says the plan has 19.3 million sq ft of floor space and 27,000 homes. It also has 500 hotel rooms, a 2 km canal and 4 km of boardwalk. Several third-party developers launched towers there in 2025. We could not confirm a completion date for the district.
Meydan One
Meydan One was announced with a 3 million sq ft mall, a 1 km indoor ski slope and a tall residential tower. Gulf News reported in December 2018 that the mall was due in early 2020. We could not confirm its current status or a new opening date.
Public works nearby
Dubai Municipality's Dh650 million Ras Al Khor sanctuary upgrade aims to lift visitors to 250,000 to 300,000 a year. Phase one is due by the end of 2026. The Metro Blue Line is due in 2029 with a station at Ras Al Khor.
Sources: World Construction Network, Nakheel awards construction contracts for District One West, 27 February 2024; Dubai Holding, Meydan awards AED 1 billion District One West Phase Two contract, 20 January 2025; Khaleej Times, Sobha Realty unveils Sobha Hartland II project, 22 November 2022; Gulf News, New Dh210 million mall at Sobha Hartland, 2 July 2024; Nakheel, Meydan appoints contractor for Opal Gardens, District 11, 31 October 2023; Dubai Media Office, Mohammed bin Rashid mandates incorporation of Nakheel and Meydan, 16 March 2024
MBR City history
MBR City grew out of the shelved 2008 Mohammed Bin Rashid Gardens plan, was relaunched in November 2012 and has been built district by district since.
Timeline
- 2008: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Gardens master plan covered 74 sq km and was valued at US$60 billion, The National reported. The global financial crisis stopped it.
- 24 November 2012: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announced Mohammed Bin Rashid City. The Dubai Protocol Department says the plan included the "Mall of the World" and a park 30 per cent bigger than London's Hyde Park. It also listed more than 100 hotels, an arts district and a Universal Studios entertainment centre.
- 2013: Emaar and Meraas formed a joint venture for Dubai Hills Estate, which Gulf News called the first phase of MBR City.
- 3 May 2013: Meydan Group and Sobha Group launched District One as a 50-50 joint venture, Meydan Sobha FZ LLC. Khaleej Times reported 1,500 villas on 4 million sq m with a Dh21 billion market value. Saeed Al Tayer of Meydan called it "the most important launch announcement since the creation of Meydan back in 2007".
- 2 October 2013: Crystal Lagoons signed a contract for a 40-hectare lagoon in District One, MEED reported.
- 2014: Sobha launched Sobha Hartland, Khaleej Times reported.
- 21 September 2014: Meydan unveiled District Eleven, a village of 1,500 villas for Emirates pilots beside Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, The National reported.
- 9 December 2015: The 8.4 km cycle track around District One opened to the public.
- 2016 to 2018: Meydan Sobha launched District One phase three. Arabian Business reported that phases one and two were sold out and that handovers would start in mid-2016. More than 9,000 workers were on site.
- September 2017: North London Collegiate School Dubai opened in Sobha Hartland.
- September 2018: Sheikh Mohammed inspected District One. Gulf News reported a Dh25 billion project with a 2022 completion target. He said: "The development and the progress in the UAE will never stop in spite of challenges being witnessed in our region."
- 22 November 2022: Sobha announced Sobha Hartland II.
- 16 March 2024: Sheikh Mohammed ordered Nakheel and Meydan to become part of Dubai Holding under Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The Dubai Media Office said the aim was "a more financially efficient entity".
- 21 October 2024: RTA completed the Al Khail Road upgrade, including the Meydan bridge.
- 20 January 2025: Meydan awarded the Dh1 billion District One West phase two contract.
What changed from the 2012 plan
The Mall of the World and the Universal Studios park were not built in MBR City. We could not confirm the current status of the mall. The residential districts, the lagoon and the schools are what was delivered.
The Meydan Sobha partnership
District One started as a joint venture. By 2018, news reports named Meydan Group alone as the developer. Sobha continued with its own Sobha Hartland land. We could not confirm the date the joint venture ended.
Sources: The National, Meydan to build Emirates airline pilots village, 21 September 2014; Dubai Protocol Department, Mohammed bin Rashid announces Mohammed bin Rashid City, 24 November 2012; Gulf News, Emaar and Meraas to form joint venture, page dated 2018; Khaleej Times, MBR City: Dh21 billion iconic district unveiled, 3 May 2013; Gulf News, First phase of MBR City due within three years, page dated 2018; MEED, Crystal Lagoons to build world's largest lagoon in Dubai, 2 October 2013; Gulf News, Mohammad Bin Rashid inspects District One, page dated 2018; Dubai Media Office, Mohammed bin Rashid mandates incorporation of Nakheel and Meydan, 16 March 2024
MBR City vs Meydan, Downtown Dubai, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai Hills Estate
MBR City offers lagoon villas closer to Downtown Dubai than Dubai Hills Estate, but with fewer shops than its neighbours and no metro.
MBR City vs Meydan
Meydan is the racecourse district on the north-west edge of MBR City. The racecourse opened in 2010 with a 1.6 km grandstand, according to the Emirates Racing Authority. Meydan Avenue has apartments and offices beside the hotel. Meydan One and Meydan Horizon are planned high-density districts. MBR City's residential core is lower density, with villas around the lagoon. Meydan Group, now part of Dubai Holding, is the master developer of both. Buyers who want a villa and a beach choose District One. Buyers who want an apartment near the racecourse choose Meydan Avenue or the Horizon towers.
MBR City vs Downtown Dubai
Downtown Dubai is a 500-acre Emaar district launched in 2004, Arabian Business reported. It has Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall and two metro stations. It is almost all apartments and hotels. MBR City is across Al Khail Road, about 4 km from Burj Khalifa. It has villas, lagoons and parks but no metro and no large open mall. Downtown has the shops and the nightlife. MBR City has space, gardens and schools. Many MBR City residents work in Downtown and Business Bay and drive there in under 15 minutes outside peak hours.
MBR City vs Nad Al Sheba
Nad Al Sheba is a long-established villa area south and east of MBR City. Arabian Business reported that Nakheel's Nad Al Sheba villas were offered to UAE and GCC nationals only. Nad Al Sheba Gardens is a newer gated community. Sources disagree on its owner: Arabian Business named Meraas, while Gulf News reported in July 2026 that Shamal owns it. Nad Al Sheba now has better shopping than MBR City. Nad Al Sheba Mall opened in April 2025 with more than 100 shops. The Grand opened in August 2026 with Waitrose. MBR City is freehold and open to all nationalities. Most of Nad Al Sheba is not.
MBR City vs Dubai Hills Estate
Dubai Hills Estate is a 2,700-acre Emaar community at Al Khail Road and Umm Suqeim Road. Emaar says it has an 18-hole golf course, a mall with more than 650 outlets, a 180,000 sq m park, five schools and King's College Hospital. Emaar also describes it as part of Mohammed Bin Rashid City. Gulf News said it is about 10 minutes' drive from Downtown Dubai, so it is further out than MBR City. Dubai Hills is more complete, with a hospital, a large mall and more schools. MBR City is closer to the centre and has the lagoon instead of a golf course. Dubai Hills has more apartments and townhouses, so it suits a wider range of budgets.
In short
- Metro access: Downtown Dubai only. MBR City, Nad Al Sheba and Dubai Hills have none.
- Big mall inside the community: Downtown, Dubai Hills and Nad Al Sheba have one. MBR City is waiting for Sobha Hartland Mall and Meydan One.
- Water: MBR City has the 7 km Crystal Lagoon. The others have none.
Sources: Emirates Racing Authority, Meydan Racecourse; Arabian Business, Emaar renames Downtown Dubai boulevard; Arabian Business, Nad Al Sheba Mall; Arabian Business, Meraas launches new phase of Nad Al Sheba Gardens; Dubai Media Office, Nad Al Sheba Mall, 24 April 2025; Emaar, Dubai Hills Estate guide
Common questions about MBR City
These are the questions buyers and tenants ask most often about MBR City, with short answers based on the sources used in this guide.
Is MBR City freehold?
Yes. Khaleej Times reported in 2013 that District One sits on freehold land. Sobha says Sobha Hartland is a freehold community. Foreign nationals can buy in these districts. Check the title deed for any specific plot.
Who is the master developer of MBR City?
There is no single one. Meydan, now part of Dubai Holding, developed District One and Meydan Avenue. Sobha Realty developed Sobha Hartland and Sobha Hartland II. District 11 is under Dubai Holding after Meydan joined the group in March 2024. Nakheel, also part of Dubai Holding, awarded the District One West contracts.
How far is MBR City from Downtown Dubai?
About 4 km. Gulf News reported that District One is 4 km from Burj Khalifa. Dubai Holding gives the same distance for District One West. The drive takes 10 to 15 minutes outside peak hours.
Is there a metro station in MBR City?
No. The nearest Red Line stations are Business Bay and Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. The Blue Line, due in 2029, will stop at Ras Al Khor and Dubai Creek Harbour. Those stations are across the sanctuary from Sobha Hartland.
Can residents swim in the Crystal Lagoon?
Yes, in District One. Gulf News reported that residents can swim, paddle-board and use non-motorised craft on the 7 km lagoon. Access is for residents and their guests. We could not confirm the rules for Sobha Hartland II's lagoon.
Which schools are inside MBR City?
Hartland International School and North London Collegiate School Dubai, both in Sobha Hartland. KHDA rated both Very Good in 2023-24. Kent College Dubai is in District 11. GEMS Modern Academy and Repton School, both rated Outstanding, are in neighbouring Nad Al Sheba.
Is Meydan One Mall open?
We could not confirm this. Gulf News reported in 2018 that the mall was due in early 2020. We found no reliable report of an opening date as of October 2026. Treat it as a future amenity, not a current one.
How much are service charges in MBR City?
They vary by project and are set per square foot. Gulf News says Dubai charges range from about Dh3 to Dh30 or more per sq ft. Lagoon villa communities are at the upper end. Look up the exact figure in the DLD Service Charge Index before you buy.
Is Dubai Hills Estate part of MBR City?
Emaar says yes. Gulf News called Dubai Hills "the first phase of Mohammad Bin Rashid City" in 2013. In practice, Dubai Hills Estate is marketed and managed as a separate Emaar community. This guide treats it as a neighbour.
Sources: Gulf News (WAM), District One gets Dubai Ruler's approval, page dated 2018; Gulf News, Where are the 14 Blue Line stations?, 12 November 2025; Gulf News, MBR City District One launches its tallest tower, 13 December 2018; Arabian Business, KHDA school ratings: every Very Good school in Dubai; Gulf News, Meydan One brings in the elements, 11 December 2018; Gulf News, What are service charges in Dubai?, 13 February 2026