Mohammed Bin Rashid City (MBR City) Area Guide

HIGHLIGHTS

ABOUT MBR CITY

Mohammed Bin Rashid City, popularly known as MBR City, is one of the biggest mixed-use developments in the emirate of Dubai. Announced in the latter half of 2012 by the ruler of the emirate His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the estimated cost of the project is AED 30 billion. The development comprises of state-of-the-art tourist attractions, a hub of leisure activities, the biggest shopping centre in the world, a large-scale park, the world's largest man-made lagoon and 45 million sq. ft. of freehold property. The project was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid himself in May 2015.

IN A NUTSHELL

Offers luxurious apartments, villas and mansions with futuristic designs
Extensive green spaces in residential areas, providing scenic views
Soon to be home to one of the biggest malls in Dubai called Meydan One Mall
Close access to Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Design District and Al Quoz
Home to the world’s largest man-made lagoon

NEIGHBORHOOD

COMMUNITY OVERVIEW

Although MBR City is expected to reach its full completion by 2020, the community offers high-rise and mid-rise apartments, luxurious villas and townhouses. Located amidst Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) and Al Khail Road (E44) the community is well-connected in terms of road networks. Those with school going children will find that the area features two international educational institutions; Hartland International School and North London Collegiate School.

Made famous thanks to the presence of the Meydan Hotel in the vicinity, MBR City will also be an interesting community for animal lovers, with both an equestrian and falcon centre in the area. With various eateries, entertainment centres, retail shops and many more futuristic developments coming up, MBR City creates a community with a bustling environment in an ultra-modern setting.

While MBR City is a sprawling community, some of the popular projects within the area include Sobha Hartland, District One, Mag Eye at Meydan (formerly known as District 7), District 11 and Dubai Hills Estate.

PROPERTIES IN MBR CITY

Offering luxurious residences and a premium lifestyle, the residential units in the community are built with green building standards in order to conserve energy, create a natural environment and maintain efficient environmental procedures.

Constructed on 8 million sq. ft, the waterfront community of Sobha Hartland in MBR City features luxurious villas and apartments. The freehold community comes with extensive green spaces, giving the area a suburban feel. There are six mid-rise and two high-rise apartment buildings in Sobha Hartland. Offering studios and 1 to 3-bedroom apartments for sale, the residential units provide world-class amenities to the residents. With picturesque views of Dubai Creek and Burj Khalifa, the apartments in the communities offer a luxurious lifestyle with facilities such as 24-hour security, parking spaces and a multi-purpose lounge.

The first phase of Sobha Hartland has already been handed over, which has resulted in a few units being available for rent in the area. In terms of renting in Sobha Hartland, the popular option are the 1-bedroom apartments, these rent from upwards of AED 69k annually. There are also 2-bed flats and spacious 3-bed apartments, these are priced from AED 110k and AED 150k per annum on average.

For those looking to invest in apartments will find that the prices are quite reasonable especially when considering the amenities offered. A studio for sale in Sobha Hartland will range from AED 730k to AED 1M. 1-bed and 2-bed apartments are priced at AED 1.2M and AED 1.7M, respectively. A 3-bedroom apartment for sale in Sobha Hartland costs an average of AED 2.5M.

The villas in Mohammed Bin Rashid City are the manifestation of luxury homes. Thanks to the geographical location of the community, the villas in MBR City are surrounded by many facilities and feature picturesque views. The scale of the developments planned ahead for MBR City prove that investing in a villa is a wise choice.

Larger families normally opt for the 4-bedroom villas in MBR City, the sale price averages at AED 3.2M for the regular homes. The larger more deluxe properties start from AED 7M and can go up to AED 14M. A 5-bedroom villa for sale in the area would cost an average investment of AED 12M.

A gated community of MBR City, District One, offers residential properties ranging from apartments to villas and mansions. The apartments for sale in District One range from 1 to 3-bedrooms constructed in low and mid-rise buildings. The residential towers are built with futuristic designs offering stunning views of the city whilst providing a plethora of amenities. Having ultra-modern aesthetics, villas in the district are built with modern Arabic, Mediterranean and contemporary influences. The villas for rent in District One can be leased for an average of AED 300k, while those looking to invest can expect to spend AED 10M for a 5-bedroom villa in District One.

One of the most highly anticipated communities in MBR City is Dubai Hills Estate. The neighbourhood is a joint venture between Emaar Propeties and Meraas Holding. It is one of the largest communities in MBR City occupying 11 million square metres of the city. Dubai Hills Estate will feature its own 18-hole golf course, three schools, three hotels, two hospitals, two metro lines and its own mall call Dubai Hills Mall (set to rival Dubai Mall). The large district is a mixed-use community boastings thousands of luxury apartments and 2,000 villas, townhouses and custom houses as well.

Townhouses for sale in Maple at Dubai Hills Estate range from 3 to 5-bedroom configurations and priced upwards of AED 1.6M. Rental prices in Maple start from as low as AED 100k for a 3-bed townhouse to AED 170k for a 5-bed home. Apartments for sale in Park Heights range from 1 to 4-bed units. Freehold prices for a 2-bedroom flat in Park Heights ranges from AED 990k to AED 2.6M. Renting a 2-bed apartment in Park Heights is priced at an average of AED 97k.

TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING SPACES IN MBR CITY

Being close to Business Bay, MBR City is about 10 minutes away from the Business Bay Metro Station and Noor Bank Metro Station. Residents will soon be able to access Etihad Rail within the neighbourhood upon the completion of Mohammed Bin Rashid City.

The residential units in the mixed-use community come with allotted parking spaces. In many houses, residents also have the facility of multiple car parking spaces. Since MBR City is still not fully developed, construction of parking spaces are expected with the development of leisure centres.

AMENITIES, SCHOOLS AND HEALTH CARE

SUPERMARKETS IN MBR CITY

As the area is in close proximity to Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and Al Quoz, there are a few supermarkets near MBR City. Located near Burj Khalifa, Carrefour is a 12-minute drive away from the city. Apart from this, LuLu Express in Al Quoz is 9 minutes away from the community. There is also a Spinneys outlet in the neighbouring Meydan City's Polo Residences.

CHURCHES, TEMPLES AND MOSQUES IN MBR CITY

As of now, MBR City has no places of worship in the community. However, several mosques are located a few minutes away in nearby areas. Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque, located in Al Safa, is about 11 minutes away while Ramadan Juma Mosque in Al Badaa is a 13-minute drive away.

For the Christian community members, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is 10 minutes away. Hindu residents can take a short 20-minute drive to the Shiva and Krishna temples in Bur Dubai. Those of the Sikh faith will find the Sikh Gurudwara and Sindhi Gurdarbar also located here.

SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES IN MBR CITY

There are two schools in Mohammed Bin Rashid City, both of which are well-known international educational institutes. North London Collegiate School Dubai was established in 2017 and follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum until Year 12. Established in September 2015, Hartland International School follows the UK/IB curriculum. Both of these schools are located in the community and are known for holding a 'good' rating by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

Following the Indian and IB curriculum, GEMS Modern Academy is a 20-minute drive away from MBR City. The school holds an 'outstanding' rating from the KHDA. There are also a number of other schools near Dubai Silicon Oasis and Nad Al Sheba.

For community members looking for higher education options, Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) which is home to many of Dubai’s leading universities is situated 20 minutes away from MBR City.

HOSPITALS AND CLINICS IN MBR CITY

MBR City is known for its central location, many basic facilities can be found in the nearby areas, if not within the boundaries of the community. Renowned hospitals such as Emirates Hospital Dubai and American Hospital Dubai are a 15-minute drive away from MBR City. Other hospitals near MBR City are Aster Hospital and Mediclinic Welcare Hospital.

TOP 5 COMMUNITIES IN MBR CITY

In MBR City, the most popular choice for apartments and villas is District One. Offering Arab and European inspired designs in a modernistic setting, the community delivers a lifestyle with utmost extravagance. District One boasts residential units for both rent and sale.

Following District One are the residential properties in District 7 (now known as Mag Eye at Meydan) and Sobha Hartland. Both the communities offer villas and apartments in a range of sizes, catering to all kinds of families and individuals. With some major residential developments coming up in the communities like AZIZI Victoria and MAG Eye, many expatriates and UAE Nationals are investing in both District 7 and Sobha Hartland.

The communities of Gemini Splendor and District 11 in MBR City offer a collection of residential units designed to provide an extravagant family lifestyle. With an extensive range of apartments, the communities boast residential homes for individuals and large families alike.

NEARBY AREAS

Mohammed Bin Rashid City is located in the central region of the emirate due to which residents enjoy easy access to many significant areas of Dubai. Business Bay, Dubai Downtown, Dubai Design District and Al Quoz are all bordering MBR City. Thus, reaching these major tourist destinations and commercial districts is quite easy. It is planned to have the community of MBR City linked with Downtown Dubai and Business Bay, which means it would take 60-seconds to reach Burj Khalifa.

LIFESTYLE

SHOPPING, DINING AND NIGHTLIFE

MALLS IN MBR CITY

MBR City will feature one of the world’s biggest shopping malls, Meydan One Mall, another gigantic addition to this developing city. Expected to be completed by the year 2020. Meydan One Mall in MBR City will be home to over 600 retail shops, including many leading luxury brands, as well as over 100 food outlets. The mall will also offer many attractions including the world’s largest dancing fountain, indoor sports facilities with water sports and a 1 km indoor ski slope. With over 12,000 parking spaces, the mall is expected to welcome an estimated six million visitors each year. A leisure centre is also planned to be developed, connected to the mall in collaboration with Universal Studios.

Until Meydan One Mall reach its full completion, the community members in the residential area of MBR City can visit The Dubai Mall, Mercato Shopping Mall and Mall of the Emirates, lying about 14 to 17 minutes away from the area.

RESTAURANTS IN MBR CITY

There are many restaurants expected to be welcomed in MBR City by 2022, independently and in entertainment centres. However, residents still have various options with eateries and cafes located in the nearby areas.

Popular casual dining restaurants near MBR City include The Cheesecake Factory and P.F Changs in The Dubai Mall while At.mosphere in Burj Khalifa and Ewaan in The Palace Downtown Hotel are some of the fine-dining options available in Downtown Dubai. There are many other cafes and eateries dotted across Downtown Dubai including Amore Café, Al Hamidieh Downtown, Caribou Coffee etc.

BEACHES NEAR MBR CITY

One of the key features of MBR City is that it will be home to the world's largest lagoon, the 7-kilometre water body will also contain a man-made beach for residents to relax on.

Mohammed Bin Rashid City lies about 12 to 15 minutes away from the coastline of the emirate. When in a mood for a sunny day out or a relaxing breezy evening, the residents of MBR City can head to Sunset Beach and Jumeirah Beach which are about 12 minutes away. Another beach near MBR City is Kite Beach. It offers many water sports activities as well as a few food stalls.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND NOTABLE LANDMARKS

MBR City is surrounded by a number of notable Dubai landmarks. The tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, and The Dubai Mall are 15 minutes away from the city. Found at the end of Dubai Creek, the wetland preserve Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is 15 to 20 minutes away. Located in Al Safa, Safa Park is 8 to 10 minutes away from the area. Known as one of the best parks in Dubai, the park is a family leisure spot covering 64 hectares.

Since MBR City shares borders with Downtown Dubai, it consequently brings a number of hotels in close proximity. Canal Central Hotel, Address Downtown and The Oberoi Dubai are some of the hotels located about 10 to 12 minutes away from the city. Located on Al Meydan Road, Meydan Hotel is also a mere 10-minute drive away from MBR City.

Golf lovers can head to Meydan’s golf course, The Track, located about 14 minutes away. There are several other golf courses such as Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, Emirates Golf Club and Al Badia Golf within close proximity of MBR City. Meydan Racecourse is also a 13-minute drive away from the city.

The key highlight of District One, MBR City is the 7-kilometre man-made lagoon. This project by Crystal Lagoons, a company founded by Fernando Fischmann makes the lagoon in MBR City the world’s largest man-made lagoon according to Guinness World Records. Set at the heart of District One, the lagoon will offer residents a tropical feel similar to the Caribbean islands and offer activites such as swimming, paddle boarding, surfing and more.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, FITNESS AND BEAUTY

One of the many upcoming developments of MBR City includes the construction of a public park. The park is already being compared with the likes of London’s Hyde Park, as it is expected to be even bigger than that.

For cycling enthusiasts, District One Cycling and Running Track is located about 7 minutes from the centre point of MBR City on Muscat Street. Apart from these, there are several projects coming up in the next two years in MBR City which will considerably elevate the entertainment scene in the city.

Although there are no options for gym and beauty salons in the city as of now, the residents can find several options for gyms, salons and spas in the nearby areas. There are a number of fitness centres located in Al Quoz and Business Bay which require a commute of no longer than 10 to 15 minutes.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Since Mohammed Bin Rashid City is located amidst the major tourist attractions of Dubai, the residents of the community can visit various events scheduled throughout the year. With Meydan Racecourse and Meydan’s Golf Course around, the community members can also go there for some sporty action. The arena is also home to Dubai World Cup which is an event for fashion and equestrian enthusiasts. Since some of the major leisure developments in the city are still underway, the residents can expect many more eventful activities.

Those looking to stay connected with fellow community members can join the Facebook group called Meydan / MBR City / NAS Community.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Mohammed Bin Rashid City is one of the major mixed-use developments of the UAE introducing world-class entertainment spots and luxurious residences. MBR City is already in talks of becoming the new ‘downtown’ of the emirate. The project is highly anticipated as some developments can possibly break records. Although MBR City is not fully developed yet, phases one and two of the development have been completed while phase three is predicted to be completed by the end of 2020.

Are you looking to buy or rent property in MBR City?

Mohammed Bin Rashid City (MBR City)