Meraas Unveils Expanded Residential Masterplan for Dubai Design District (d3)
Dubai Design District (d3) is entering a new chapter.
Master developer Meraas has unveiled an ambitious, expanded residential masterplan that will transform d3 into one of Dubai’s most compelling, creative-led waterfront neighbourhoods; a place where design, culture, living, and landscape converge along the Dubai Canal.
Spanning approximately 18 million square feet, the enhanced masterplan repositions d3 beyond its established role as a commercial and creative hub, introducing a fully integrated urban district defined by canal-front living, cultural infrastructure, green public realms and walkable streets. Strategically located between Downtown Dubai and Dubai Creek, the development aligns closely with Dubai’s long-term vision to attract global talent, investment and innovation under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
From Creative Quarter to Integrated Neighbourhood
Since its launch, Dubai Design District has built an international reputation as a centre for fashion, architecture, design and the creative industries. The newly unveiled residential masterplan marks a significant evolution, extending the district into a holistic, mixed-use neighbourhood where residents can live, work, create and connect within a design-forward environment.
Rather than introducing housing as an isolated addition, Meraas has embedded residential architecture into a broader urban framework that prioritises public life, cultural exchange and quality of experience. The result is a masterplan that blends contemporary residences, boutique hospitality, curated retail, cultural venues and landscape-led public spaces into a cohesive whole.
The Design Line: A Pedestrian-First Urban Spine
At the heart of the expanded masterplan is the Design Line: a fully shaded, pedestrian-first spine that runs the length of the district, connecting the five character zones.
More than a circulation route, the Design Line is conceived as an activated public realm. Landscaped corridors, public art installations, creative interventions and community spaces transform the spine into a social and cultural destination in its own right. Designed to encourage walking and spontaneous interaction, it reinforces d3’s ambition to remain a human-scaled, experience-led neighbourhood within an increasingly vertical city.
The Design Line also strengthens connectivity across the district, allowing residents and visitors to move seamlessly from canal-front promenades to cultural venues, wellness parks and creative workspaces.
Five Character Areas Shaping the District
The expanded Dubai Design District masterplan is structured around five distinct yet interconnected zones, each contributing a unique layer to the overall urban experience.
1. Canal-Front Living
Stretching along the Dubai Canal, the waterfront zone introduces contemporary residential buildings complemented by boutique hospitality and dining destinations. Carefully designed promenades activate the water’s edge, offering residents canal views, outdoor terraces and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
2. The Urban Core
At the centre of the district, the urban core combines residential architecture with curated retail and dining, extending d3’s established creative energy into a more lived-in, neighbourhood-scale environment. This zone supports everyday life while maintaining close ties to the district’s fashion, design and media industries.
3. Cultural Hub at the d3 Bowl
Designed as the cultural heart of the masterplan, this area introduces performance venues, event spaces and mid-rise residential buildings overlooking the d3 Bowl. The focus here is on culture as a daily experience, reinforcing d3’s role as a platform for exhibitions, performances and creative programming.
4. Wellness and Landscape Zone
A dedicated wellness-focused zone prioritises parks, sports facilities and open green spaces, with landscaping inspired by mangrove ecosystems. This area reflects Dubai’s growing emphasis on wellbeing, biodiversity and outdoor living, offering a calmer counterpoint to the urban intensity of the waterfront and cultural quarters.
5. Creative Living Quarter
The final zone is dedicated to galleries, studios and loft-style live-work spaces, designed specifically for artists, designers and creative professionals. By integrating production, exhibition and residential uses, this quarter preserves the district’s creative DNA while supporting new forms of urban living.
Sustainability and Environmental Integration
Sustainability underpins the expanded masterplan, with Meraas targeting LEED Silver community certification. The planning framework includes energy-efficient building strategies, sustainable mobility solutions and enhanced pedestrian connectivity, reducing reliance on vehicles and encouraging active lifestyles.
Visual and ecological connections to Dubai Creek and the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary have also been prioritised, ensuring the district remains connected to its wider environmental context. Landscaping, shading and public realm design work together to create comfortable outdoor spaces suited to Dubai’s climate.
Responding to Demand for Design-Led Waterfront Living
The expansion comes amid rising demand for design-focused, well-connected waterfront communities in Dubai. Recent launches within d3 have demonstrated strong market appetite, with Meraas highlighting the sell-out of Atelis, a 280-unit waterfront tower, and the launch of The Edit, a three-tower development offering 557 homes.
This momentum underscores d3’s transition from a primarily commercial district into a desirable residential address, particularly for buyers seeking architecture-led living within a culturally rich environment.
All images courtesy of Dubai Media Office
A Strategic Step for Dubai’s Urban Future
Commenting on the announcement, Khalid Al Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate, described the expansion as a pivotal move for the city:
“Expanding the Dubai Design District masterplan into a fully integrated creative neighbourhood is a significant step in advancing the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. This development strengthens Dubai Design District’s position as a global benchmark for design-focused urban living and reaffirms Dubai’s status as a destination of choice for long-term investment, talent and innovation.”
Redefining Creative-Led Urban Living
With its expanded residential masterplan, Dubai Design District is set to redefine creative-led urban living in the region. By placing design, culture and public life at the centre of its planning approach, d3 moves beyond conventional mixed-use development to offer a neighbourhood shaped by experience, collaboration and creativity.
As the district continues to evolve along the Dubai Canal, it positions itself not only as a place to work or visit, but as a long-term address for a global creative community; one where architecture, landscape and culture are inseparable from everyday life.
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