Zabeel 2, Bur Dubai

Zabeel is one of the newer areas on the southern end of Bur Dubai. It shares a border with Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), World Trade Centre and Downtown Dubai. Towards the northern side, Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) runs through the area while Al Ain – Dubai Road is adjacent to the eastern side. The community of Za’abeel featuring villas and townhouses comprises Al Kifaf, Zabeel 1 and Zabeel 2.

Zabeel 2 is a sub-community of Zabeel. It is bounded to the west by Business Bay and to the east by Za’abeel 1. The area is home to the Za’abeel Palace, Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, Equine Hospital and Rove Downtown Hotel, some of the city’s most popular landmarks.

• Located in Bur Dubai
• A part of the Za’abeel community
• Mixed-use development
• Home to popular landmarks
• Close to Sheikh Zayed Road

Za’abeel 2 Bur Dubai is home to various ready and off-plan residential and mixed-use properties.

Popular points of interest in Zabeel 2 Bur Dubai are:

• Home to Za’abeel Palace and Nad Al Sheba Racecourse
• Well connected to the renowned areas of Dubai
• Easy access to key amenities

Zabeel Palace was the former home of the ruler of Dubai H.H Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum till the 1990s. The palace design is the idea of Otto Bulart, an architect from Austria. Today, the venue is surrounded by numerous residential buildings that make up Dubai’s skyline. The palace is viewable from its palm-fringed gardens inhabited by peacocks.

The presence of Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, Equine Hospital and Rove Downtown Hotel makes this sub-community vibrant. Residents have easy access to Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) and it serves as a gateway to New Dubai from old Dubai.

Za’abeel offers a diverse range of residential and commercial properties, including villas, townhouses, offices and retail spaces.

Residents can find several residential properties for sale in Bur Dubai, like villas, penthouses, hotel apartments and residential plots. The prices are suitable for every income range.

Apartments in older buildings are affordable. However, prices are a bit higher for brand-new properties. The area is also a popular place to invest in commercial properties such as retail shops, commercial buildings and mixed-use lands.

Za’abeel 2 Dubai is a popular sub-district as well as a tourist spot. There are a few hotels within the sub-community, including:

• Rove Downtown Hotel
• Lumbini Garden Guest House

Rove Downtown Hotel, one of the Rove Hotels in Dubai, is known for its signature décor and affordable accommodation. It features contemporary rooms, bathrooms, mini-fridges, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities. Upgraded rooms provide pull-out sofas and splendid views of the Burj Khalifa. There is an international restaurant offering open-air dining on a terrace.

Guests at Rove Downtown can benefit from a cosy 46-seater Reel Boutique theatre by Reel Cinemas. Other hotel amenities include complimentary parking, an outdoor swimming pool, a 24-hour gymnasium, sundeck, a lobby lounge and 24-hour guest laundry facilities. This hotel is located at 312 Al Mustaqbal Street, Zabeel 2, a few minutes away from Dubai Mall/ Burj Khalifa Metro Station.

Lumbini Garden Guest House is another accommodation offering Deluxe Double King Room, Standard Double King Room and Super Deluxe Room. Amenities ensure guests have a comfortable stay. These include air-conditioned rooms, well-equipped bathrooms, 32-inch flat-screen TV, satellite channels, mini bar, free bottled water, free newspapers and a safe. The hotel amenities also include free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, a restaurant, lockers, a front desk safe, daily housekeeping, a dry cleaning service, laundry facilities, luggage storage, multilingual staff and tour/ticket assistance.

Residents can find dedicated parking spaces in Zabeel 2 Bur Dubai. Most villas and townhouses have private garages. Street parking outside buildings and villas is available for visitors and guests.

One of the significant advantages of living in Bur Dubai is the easy access to public transportation. Both Red and Green line stations of the Dubai Metro are available in Za’abeel 2, Bur Dubai.

The community itself does not have bus stops; however, its neighbouring areas have many options for boarding the Dubai Bus. Those who depend on public transportation near Zabeel 2 Dubai can catch buses 27, 29 and X22 from Zabeel, Damac Park Tower and DIFC, Gate Village bus stops located within a 7 to 10-minute drive by car.

Creek Metro Station on the Green Line in Al Jaddaf is the nearest option for those travelling by Dubai Metro. This station is just a 9-minute drive by car.

There are a few grocery stores and supermarkets near Zabeel 2 Bur Dubai such as:

• W Mart Supermarket
• Plus Point Supermarket DIFC
• Towers Grocery
• Al Maya Supermarket
• Prime Towers Supermarket LLC

These are some of the nearest supermarkets located in the Trade Centre. Some top supermarkets in Dubai such as ZOOM, Carrefour Market and Choithrams – DIFC are great for larger grocery hauls.

There are many mosques in Zabeel 2 Bur Dubai such as Ahel Al Sunnah Mosque, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Mosque and Al Shaikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum Mosque.

Churches near Zabeel 2 Dubai are about 12 minutes away. These include Holy Trinity Church, St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Thomas Orthodox Church.

Holy Trinity Church is an Anglican church while St. Mary’s Catholic Church is one of the most-visited Catholic churches. St. Mary’s Catholic Church is one of the most frequented churches in Dubai and the largest Roman Catholic Parish in the world.

Temples in Bur Dubai are a 22-minute drive away. These include Sindhi Gurdarbar, ShrinathJi Temple, Shiridi Sai Baba Mandir, Krishna Temple and Shiva Temple.

Mahamevnawa Buddhist Temple in Jumeirah 1 is located at a 17-minute driving distance.

There are many schools and nurseries in the area, including:

• British Orchard Nursery
• Best Kidz Nursery DIFC
• Hummingbird Nursery

A branch of British Orchard Nurseries in Dubai is located at Central Park Towers Residences, Sheikh Zayed Road. This pre-school follows the British Early Years Foundation Stages (EYFS) curriculum that incorporates a holistic approach towards child development. Best Kidz Nursery is located in DIFC DAMAC Park Towers. Hummingbird Nursery is located in Limestone House, Trade Centre, DIFC.

Some of the best schools near Zabeel 2 Bur Dubai are concentrated in Oud Metha and Umm Hurair 2 and can be reached within 10 minutes.

• Pakistan Education Academy
• Dubai English Speaking School
• The Indian High School (IHS)

Pakistan Education Academy follows the National Curriculum of Pakistan and offers classes for students aged from 3 to 18 years. It is a private school established in 1968 to cater to the needs of Pakistani expatriates.

Dubai English Speaking School (DESS) is another school that follows the British curriculum and is one of the oldest schools in the city. The school is amongst Dubai’s top British curriculum schools and currently has more than 800 students.

Indian High School Oud Metha (IHS) affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) New Delhi, India has two more campuses in the city and offers quality affordable education. Classes offered at the Oud Metha branch include Grade 5 to Grade 12.

 Some of the renowned hospitals near Zabeel 2 are:

• Latifa Hospital
• Emirates Hospital
• American Hospital
• Mediclinic City Hospital

Latifa Hospital provides all kinds of neonatal and maternal services and is amongst the largest maternity and children’s hospitals in the UAE. Emirates Hospital, Mediclinic City Hospital and American Hospital are amongst Dubai’s best hospitals.

Za’abeel 2 is surrounded by various sub-communities. These include:

• Dubai World Trade Centre
• Dubai International Financial Centre
• Za’abeel 1
• Downtown Dubai
• Business Bay

DIFC is a leading financial hub for the markets in South Asia, the Middle East and even Africa. Besides being a commercial hub, the community has residential properties and hotels.

Dubai World Trade Centre is one of the busiest areas in the city that hosts multiple exhibitions and global conventions throughout the year.

Downtown Dubai is one of the most well-known tourist destinations in Dubai. It is home to the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the Dancing Fountains. Offering a luxurious lifestyle, the area houses a number of upscale hotels too.

Business Bay is home to a number of commercial buildings, banks, shops and high-profile offices besides luxury hotels, restaurants and residential buildings.

Shopping destinations are dotted within the community. Recently, the Dubai Mall has witnessed an extension into Za’abeel, creating the new Dubai Mall Za’abeel.

A few of the other neighbouring malls near Zabeel 2 Bur Dubai are:

• Dubai Mall 
• Souk Al Bahar 
• WAFI Mall

Dubai Mall is one of the largest shopping centres in the world. It is adjoined to two 5-star hotels and is home to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. The mall also features restaurants, a VR Park, a haunted house and Dubai Ice Rink.

Souk Al Bahar has more than 100 shops along with 22 cafes, lounges and restaurants.

WAFI Mall boasts a unique Egyptian theme where you can shop from over 250 stores. The mall also has a traditional souk, namely Khan Murjan Souk that consists of 100 shops.

Restaurants near Zabeel 2 Dubai include:

• BOCA
• Roberto’s Ristorante
• Ravioli and Co
• The Artisan Dubai
• Vibe Restaurant and Bar (DIFC)
• Amazonico Dubai
• Al Mandaloun
• The Steak Bar
• Buffalo Wings & Rings – DIFC

All these eateries, including the top restaurants in DIFC, are about 7 to 9 minutes away.

Mercato Beach is the nearest option for those willing to spend a day at the beach. The beach has a walking & cycling promenade, library service and some food kiosks. You can reach this beach in 17 minutes.

Jumeirah Public Beach features a running track that spans 1.8km along with cycling and skating places. It also has changing rooms, public toilets and lifeguards.

Za’abeel 2 is in proximity to Zabeel Park, home to the Dubai Frame and Dubai Garden Glow. Standing 150 metres high, Dubai Frame is the world’s largest picture frame. Designed by Fernando Donis, the majestic venue consists of 2,900 sq. of laminated glass, 2,000 tons of steel and 9,900 cubic metres of reinforced concrete.

Other notable landmarks near Za’abeel 2 Dubai are:

• Burj Khalifa
• Al Fahidi Historical District
• Etihad Museum

Burj Khalifa not only is the tallest skyscraper with 163 floors but is a well known recreational spot. You will find luxury restaurants here along with a spa, restaurants, a theme park and observation decks on two floors namely At the Top, Burj Khalifa.

Etihad Museum is a modern museum that focuses on the events that took place between 1968 and 1974 through 10 exhibitions. These exhibitions take you through a journey of the unification of the emirates.

Al Fahidi Historical District provides insight into the history of Dubai before it was dominated by skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. You can explore the narrow alleyways here or visit the Dubai Museum.

Amongst the greatest attractions of the area is the Za’abeel Park. With the same covered area as 45 football fields, the park offers a wide range of activities. Besides lush green spaces and boardwalks, the park has a cricket ground too, making up for the numerous Zabeel Park activities for people of all ages.

For personal grooming, one will find salons such as:

• Al Namoos – 5/1, 23b Street, Za’abeel 1
• Ali Hairdressing – 18, Za’abeel Street, Za’abeel 1
• Dolls – Jumeirah Living World Trade Centre Residence

Al Namoos and Ali Hairdressing are gents’ salons while Dolls is a ladies’ beauty parlour.

Zabeel Park serves as the venue for various events from art shows to musicals throughout the year. Individuals can enjoy the Dubai Garden Glow event too which occurs in the year’s cooler months, starting from October.

Zabeel 2 is surrounded by numerous residential communities dotted with essential amenities. However, those looking for a peaceful and quiet place can check out other locations.

• 12-minute drive to Dubai International Airport
• 23 minutes away from Palm Jumeirah
• 20 minutes from Dubai Marina
• Burj Al Arab is reachable within a 19-minute drive