With this announcement, the new $27.23 billion (AED 100 billion) project opens the DIFC Zabeel District, part of Dubai's ambitious ambitions and international financial hub of choice.
A New Urban Financial Capital
The Zabeel District is expanding alongside DIFC Gate District and is also the largest demand‑driven expansion of a financial centre recently announced in the MEASA region. Constructed across an area of on-site from approximately 7.1 million sq ft with 17.7 million sq ft gross floor area in total, the area is designed to create a live work play integrated space, where business, residential, retail, culture, education and cutting-edge technology spaces can flow at the same time.
Multilateral Development & Economic Goals
The DIFC Zabeel District is anticipated to more than double DIFC’s existing capacity and host over 42,000 institutions and over 125,000 professionals. It will also feature:
- Tower of commercial offices for financial services companies and multinational corporations.
- Premium homes and hospitality services.
- Retail & dining facilities and public spaces in a central boulevard.
- Art and culture sites, including an art pavilion and the sites of major installations.
- Innovation hubs: With the DIFC Academy reaching out 10X to support up to 50,000 students per year, with over 1 million sq ft allocated for Future technologies and AI facilities including the world’s first purpose-built AI campus.
Connectivity & Futuristic Transport
An innovation and key feature of the project is its connection to Dubai’s next‑generation infrastructure. The district will connect to major urban mobility systems — which include the Dubai Loop high‑speed transport network, autonomous vehicles and future flying taxi services — improving connectivity inside the city and across flagship business and lifestyle hubs.
Timeline & Phasing
The masterplan combines six development stages with the first phase to be completed by 2030 and open to early tenants. The whole Zabeel District is due to be full built‑out by 2040, setting the foundation for long‑term growth and urban reinvention.
Strategic Importance
Dubai's leadership places the Zabeel District at the centre of longer‑term strategic plans — like that of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which seeks to increase economic diversification and to promote Dubai as one of the leading four financial centres in the world by 2033.
