Facts checked on October 18, 2026
Where Downtown Dubai and Business Bay are
Downtown Dubai sits between Sheikh Zayed Road and Financial Centre Road in the centre of the city. It is home to Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain and Dubai Opera.
Business Bay borders Downtown to the south. It lies along the dredged extension of Dubai Creek, which runs through to Sheikh Zayed Road.
Who the developers are
Downtown Dubai was developed by Emaar, which still sells new towers there. Business Bay is part of the portfolio of Dubai Properties, within Dubai Holding Real Estate.
Other developers also build their own towers in Business Bay, including Emaar with Avarra by Palace. Quality and management can therefore vary a lot from building to building.
Character and type of homes
Both districts are compact and urban. You buy an apartment, penthouse or serviced residence in a tower here, not a house with a garden.
Downtown is about living, shopping and going out around its landmarks. Business Bay mixes office towers, residential towers and hotels, with the Marasi Business Bay promenade along the water.
- Downtown: apartments, penthouses and serviced residences, often with a Burj Khalifa view
- Business Bay: residential towers among offices and hotels, some on the water
- Branded residences, carrying a hotel name and often their own house rules
Freehold status: can foreigners buy here?
Yes. Downtown Dubai and Business Bay are among the designated areas where non-UAE nationals can own property. Check the title deed or Oqood registration for each unit.
On purchase you pay a 4% registration fee to the Dubai Land Department. For new builds, your payments go into the project's escrow account.
Getting around: metro and water
Both districts are on the Metro Red Line, with the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall and Business Bay stations. By car, Downtown is reached via Sheikh Zayed Road and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard.
On the water, RTA boats call at stops such as Marasi and Business Bay on the Dubai Water Canal route.
What to check before buying
With many buildings from different developers side by side, choosing the building matters most here. In my conversations I first ask who built the building and who manages it.
- Developer: earlier completed projects and their condition
- Service charges: look them up in the Dubai Land Department Service Charge Index
- View: what is still planned between you and Burj Khalifa or the water
- Noise and activity: offices, hotels and traffic close by
- Branded or serviced residences: rules on own use and letting
- Off-plan: Oqood registration and payment through the escrow account
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners buy an apartment in Downtown Dubai?
Yes. Downtown Dubai is a freehold area where non-UAE nationals can own an apartment outright. The sale is registered with the Dubai Land Department.
What is the difference between Downtown Dubai and Business Bay?
Downtown is Emaar's district around Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall. Business Bay sits right next to it along Dubai Creek and mixes offices, hotels and residential towers from several developers.
Is there a metro station in Business Bay?
Yes, Business Bay has its own station on the Metro Red Line. Downtown is served by Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station on the same line.
What should I check when buying off-plan in Business Bay?
Make sure the sale is entered in the Oqood register and pay only into the project's escrow account. Look at the developer's earlier projects as well.
