Dubai South property investment guide

Key numbers

Avg asking price*

AED 1,563/sqft

Price tier

Mid-market

Ownership

Freehold

Maturity

Planned

Handover

Ready · ongoing

Metro served

No

Commute to downtown

35 min

Projects tracked

127

New & off-plan projects

Amenities & access

Beach

35 min drive

Metro

Expo 2020 stn nearby

Schools

Several schools

Also nearby

Expo City, DWC airport

Infrastructure that moves values

• Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)operational · 2010

  Dubai's second airport, undergoing a major expansion to become the world's largest passenger hub.

• Expo City Dubai Metro Station (Route 2020 / Red Line)operational · 2021

  The Route 2020 extension of the Red Line terminates at Expo City, opened in 2021, giving the district direct rail access to the wider Dubai Metro network and DXB.

• Al Wasl Plaza & Surreal Water Featureoperational · 2021

  Expo 2020's central domed plaza with 360-degree projection surface plus the Surreal waterfall, retained as the free-entry civic heart and events venue of Expo City.

• Terra – The Sustainability Pavilionoperational · 2021

  LEED Platinum, net-zero energy/water pavilion (1,055 solar panels) now a permanent climate-science museum and visitor attraction.

• Alif – The Mobility Pavilionoperational · 2021

  Foster + Partners landmark pavilion exhibiting the future of transport and mobility; remains open to visitors as part of the Expo legacy site.

• Vision Pavilionoperational · 2021

  Immersive storytelling pavilion on Dubai's evolution, one of the operational legacy attractions alongside Terra and Alif.

• Emaar South 18-Hole Championship Golf Courseoperational · 2021

  Operational 18-hole championship course with clubhouse anchoring the neighbouring Emaar South community in Dubai South.

• Highway Access – E77 / E311 / E11 / E611operational · 2021

  Direct connections via Expo Road (E77), Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) and Emirates Road (E611).

• Expo City Dubaioperational · 2022

  The Expo 2020 legacy site, now a mixed-use 15-minute-city district within Dubai South.

• GEMS Founders School Dubai Southoperational · 2023

  British-curriculum school serving Dubai South families, one of the nearest operational schools to Expo City.

• Dubai Exhibition Centre Expansion (AED 9.9bn)under construction · 2026

  AED 9.9bn (~$2.7bn) expansion making it the region's largest indoor events venue (140,000 sqm phase 1, up to 20 simultaneous events); first events from January 2026, hosting GITEX and Gulfood.

• Mangrove Residencesunder construction · 2026

  First residential cluster (~450 homes, 1–4BR apartments/townhouses/lofts); construction contracts awarded, handover from Q1 2026.

• Sky Residences (Expo Fields)under construction · 2026

  1–3BR apartments overlooking Al Wasl Plaza and Surreal; main contractor appointed, handover beginning Q4 2026, near the planned school and concert venue.

• Sidr Residencesunder construction · 2028

  Residential cluster from AED 1.88M (Sidr Residences 2 also launched); handover scheduled Q4 2028.

• Terra Heights (Emaar)under construction · 2029

  Emaar residential project adjacent to Expo City, from AED 1.4M, handover Q1 2029.

• Al Maktoum International Airport Mega-Expansionunder construction · 2032

  AED 128bn (~$35bn) expansion approved 2024; new passenger terminal, 5 runways and 400 gates targeting 150M passengers in the first decade-phase, ultimately 260M – the world's largest airport.

• Dubai South Residential Districtunder construction

  Planned residential communities (incl. South Bay, The Pulse) around the airport and business districts.

• Dubai Metro Blue/2020 corridor & Etihad Railunder construction

  Served by the Route 2020 metro extension to Expo and the future Etihad Rail passenger network.

• Expo City Dubai Master Plan – 5 Districtsapproved · 2031

  Master plan approved Oct 2024 to house ~35,000 residents and 40,000 professionals across five districts: Expo Business, Expo Hills, Expo Fields, Expo Downtown and Expo Valley.

• Expo City Shopping Mallannounced

  A shopping mall is planned within Expo City, designed for direct access from the Dubai Metro station as part of the 15-minute-city retail offer.

• Expo City International Schoolannounced

  A school is planned within the Expo Fields district beside Sky Residences, alongside sports facilities and an open-air concert venue.

• Expo Hills Parkapproved

  Master-plan park featuring a wadi-like open space and landscaped gardens with views of Al Wasl and the new Expo Downtown skyline.

• Red Line Extension to Al Maktoum Airportannounced

  Planned southward extension of Route 2020/Red Line with additional stations terminating at Al Maktoum International Airport, serving Dubai South/Emaar South.

Frequently asked questions

How much does property cost in Dubai South?

Property in Dubai South averages AED 1,563 per sqft, based on recorded transactions across its sub-communities — a mid-market price tier for Dubai. Buying costs add roughly 7–10% on top, and net rental yield after service charges typically lands 2–3 percentage points below the gross figure.

Can foreigners buy property in Dubai South?

Yes — Dubai South is a freehold zone, so foreign buyers get full ownership with no residency requirement.

How far is Dubai South from downtown Dubai?

Dubai South is roughly 35 minutes from downtown by car. Upcoming infrastructure: Dubai Exhibition Centre Expansion (AED 9.9bn), Mangrove Residences, Sky Residences (Expo Fields), Sidr Residences, Terra Heights (Emaar), Al Maktoum International Airport Mega-Expansion, Dubai South Residential District, Dubai Metro Blue/2020 corridor & Etihad Rail, Expo City Dubai Master Plan – 5 Districts, Expo City Shopping Mall, Expo City International School, Expo Hills Park, Red Line Extension to Al Maktoum Airport.

What new projects are selling in Dubai South?

Current launches include Mangrove Residences by Expo City (from AED 1,250,000), Nanma Lotus by Nanma Properties, The Pulse Beachfront 3 by Dubai South, Greenfield Living by Greenfield Real Estate Development, Aero 1 by Bithaus Development, Casa Aura Residence by AGN Skyline Real Estate Developments, Bling Avenue 1 by Bling Development, Azizi Venice 10 by Azizi (from AED 700,000), Enre Residence By Imtiaz by Imtiaz, Rr Grand by Red Rose Properties, Vivida Residences by Namo Development, Divine Elements by Takmeel Real Estate Development, Astra Residences by Dugasta, Legacy Heights by Legacy Homes, Azizi Venice 6 by Azizi (from AED 700,000), Views Vii By Golden Woods by Golden Wood, The Harmony by Almizan, Waada - Altura 1 by BT Holdings, Hayat 2 by Dubai South, South Bay 6 Premium by Dubai South, Ajwan Residences by ESK Investments, Vista Ridge by Emaar, Azizi Venice 3 by Azizi, Golf Lane by Emaar, Crown Palace by Amirah Developments, Azizi Venice 9 by Azizi (from AED 700,000), Golf Vale by Emaar, Azizi Venice 2 by Azizi, Al Ghaf Janoub by Jersey Properties, Marquis Horizon by Marquis Point, Timber Terrace by Vakson Group, Coventry 66 by GFS Developments, Greenville by Emaar, Discovery Dunes by Discovery Land Company, The Pulse Villas 2 by Dubai South, Greenridge by Emaar, Voi Residence By Hvm Living by HVM Living, Lincoln Star Residence by Lincoln Star Real Estate Development, Aristo by OKSA Developer, Azizi Venice 15 by Azizi (from AED 700,000), Waada - Cascada 2 by BT Holdings, Avion Residence by Sky View Development, Greenspoint 2 by Emaar, Cresswell Views by Arady Properties, Golf Verge by Emaar, Golf Acres by Emaar, Beachfront Gates 2 by Dubai South, Golf Edge by Emaar, South Bay 2 by Dubai South, Cresswell Residences by Abdulwahed Faqeeh Properties, Zura Residences by Alyakka Developers, Miorah By Zoya by Zoya Developments, Trafford Residence by Deviate for Real Estate Development, Golf Fields by Emaar, Azizi Venice 13 by Azizi (from AED 700,000), Fairway Villas 2 by Emaar, Orchid Residence 1 by Orchid Living, South Square by Dubai South, Lilian Residences by London Gate, Greenway by Emaar, Hayat 5 by Dubai South, Lincoln Star Residence Ii by Lincoln Star Real Estate Development, Livia Residence by BARCO, Greenway 2 by Emaar, Avenew888-Loom by Avenew, Azizi Venice 8 by Azizi (from AED 700,000), South Bay 3 Premium by Dubai South, Waada - Altura 2 by BT Holdings, The Pulse Beachfront 2 by Dubai South, Azizi Venice 16 by Azizi (from AED 700,000), Oasis Residences by Al Helal Al Zahaby Real Estate, Altair 52 by Acube Abode Realty, Golf Meadow by Emaar, Azizi Venice 14 by Azizi (from AED 630,000), Coventry 49 by GFS Developers, Zazen Acacia Residences by Zazen, Cresswell Plaza by Essa Bokhowa Properties, Golf Hills by Emaar, Waada - Cascada 1 by BT Holdings, Golden Woods Albab Views by Golden Woods Real Estate, Azizi Venice 12 by Azizi (from AED 700,000), Azizi Venice 11 by Azizi (from AED 700,000), Azizi Venice 1 by Azizi, Grove Ridge by Emaar, Manam Prime by Manam Real Estate Development, Courtyard One by Golden Light Developments, Waada - Rayhan 1 by BT Holdings, One By Preston by Preston, The Eighty Three by OKSA Developer, The Serene by Almizan, Westar Altair by Westar Properties, Fairway Villas 3 by Emaar, Avenew888 - Modo by Avenew, Stories By Mirfa by Mirfa IBC Developers, South Bay 4 Premium by Dubai South, Hayat 3 by Dubai South, Greenspoint by Emaar, Beachfront Gates 1 by Dubai South, South Bay 5 Premium by Dubai South, The Collective by Bold Developer, Bhuvi Residence by Bravima Development, Hayat 6 by Dubai South, Golf Hills 2 by Emaar, Golf Point by Emaar, South Bay 1 by Dubai South, Hayat 7 by Dubai South, Windsor House Ii by Ellington, Windsor House by Ellington, Hayat 4 by Dubai South, Greenview 3 by Emaar, Fairway Villas by Emaar, Golf Dale by Emaar, Greenville 2 by Emaar, Azizi Venice 7 by Azizi (from AED 700,000), The Pulse- Beachfront by Dubai South, Maak Residence by Maakdream Properties, Azizi Venice 5 by Azizi, Azizi Venice 4 by Azizi, Hayat 1 by Dubai South, Waada- Raiha by BT Holdings, Myra Residences by Sikanta Development, Sky Residences by Expo City (from AED 1,100,000).

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