Master plan for Dubai Design District unveiled

Dubai: The master plan for the Dubai Design District (d3), being developed by TECOM Investments, was unveiled at an industry exhibition this week.

Covering an area of over 21 million sq. feet, d3 will provide regional and global designers with an ideal base to harness their skills, interact with peers and access new markets.

d3 is the latest in a series of industry focused projects by TECOM Investments, and seeks to leverage Dubai’s potential as the hub for business opportunities across the GCC, South Asia and other regional markets. d3 was launched last year by the Ruler of Dubai, and aims to engage, inspire and enable the region's growing design, fashion, art and luxury sectors.

A 1.8 kilometre Waterfront is one of the star attractions in the District, which will feature design-led and boutique hotels, a variety of retail outlets, and other commercial and entertainment facilities. An area of 2.5 million square feet has been earmarked for retail-related activities, which will add another unique attraction to the multi-billion dollar retail market in Dubai.

Dr Amina Al Rustamani, CEO of d3’s master developer TECOM Investments, said: “d3 has evolved to be so much more than just a business district…it will enable creativity through providing a nurturing and inspiring environment where innovation across all the creative fields can thrive.” She added: “d3 will be alive both day and night, offering a vibrant atmosphere and credible, cutting edge creative events more often found in London, New York, Paris and Milan.”



Dr Amina has been the driving force behind many of TECOM Investments’ other successful creative clusters, including Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Studio City, as well as a number of other business parks. TECOM also operates Dubai Industrial City, a non-free zone business park dedicated to the manufacturing and logistics sector.

Dr Amina said that global and local talent had been involved in helping to finalise d3’s master plan, ensuring that the many commercial, operational, social and creative requirements of international brands and emerging regional designers within the design, fashion, art and luxury markets are fully addressed.

d3 has also been selected as the greenfield pilot development project for the Emirate of Dubai’s Smart City initiative; meaning it will feature a range of intelligent facilities and technologies that make the area an easy and happy place to live, work and play for the design community, visitors and tourists.

d3 will have abundant office and retail space, with 11 buildings at the core of the development already under construction, and due for completion in early 2015. Around 10,000 workers will find opportunities to work in the free zone and the District can house up to 4,000 designers, innovators and craftsmen within its creative community.

The District will feature top galleries, a pop-up show case, open-air installation spaces, workshops and studios. A hospitality component will include luxury, four-star and boutique hotels, as well as furnished apartments, which together will provide more than 4,000 rooms. Contemporary-themed low-rise apartment buildings will also offer easy access to the heart of the District.