Za'abeel 2 and Dubai Design District Market Report: Q3 2026
In Q3 2026, the median apartment price in Za'abeel 2 and Dubai Design District was AED 3,165 per sq ft, across 87 residential sales transactions worth AED 390 million, according to Richmond Properties' analysis of Dubai Land Department data.
Key statistics
Q3 2026, compared with Q2 2026
- 87
- Residential sales transactions −74.6%
- AED390 million
- Sales value −74.2%
- AED3,165
- Apartments, median price per sq ft −1.6%
- 64%
- Off-plan share of sales 56 off-plan sales
- 222
- New lease registrations (Ejari) +69.5%
- AED130
- Apartment rent per sq ft, a year −5.8%
- 4.8%
- Gross rental yield, apartments −0.7 pts
Apartments, median price per sq ft
Lighter bars: fewer than 30 sales
Apartment rent, median per sq ft a year
Lighter bars: fewer than 30 leases
Apartment sales
Off-planReadyTotal sales
Apartment lease registrations
NewRenewedTotal lease registrations
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FAQ
How many residential sales transactions were recorded in Za'abeel 2 in Q3 2026?
Residential sales transactions in Za'abeel 2 totalled 87 in Q3 2026, worth AED 390 million. Sales declined 74.6% quarter-on-quarter. Off-plan sales accounted for 64% of the total and owner resales 29%.
What is the price per sq ft in Za'abeel 2?
The median apartment price in Za'abeel 2 was AED 3,165 per sq ft in Q3 2026, across 86 sales; it declined 1.6% quarter-on-quarter, and was 87% above the Dubai median.
Are property prices in Za'abeel 2 going up or down?
The median apartment price in Za'abeel 2 rose 2.2% between Q1 2026 and Q3 2026, from AED 3,096 to AED 3,165 per sq ft.
| Quarter | Sales | Value | Apartments, per sq ft | Villas, median | New lease registrations | Apartment rent, per sq ft | Gross yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | 232 | AED 924 million | AED 3,096 | – | 110 | AED 161 | 5.8% |
| Q2 2026 | 343 | AED 1.51 billion | AED 3,216 | – | 131 | AED 138 | 5.6% |
| Q3 2026 | 87 | AED 390 million | AED 3,165 | – | 222 | AED 130 | 4.8% |
How much does a home in Za'abeel 2 cost by number of bedrooms?
In Za'abeel 2 in Q3 2026, median prices were AED 3.1 million for a 2-bedroom apartment (40 sales); AED 6.2 million for a 3-bedroom apartment (23 sales).
| Bedrooms | Sales | Median price | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⚠1-bed | 21 | AED 2.3 million | AED 2,983 |
| 2-bed | 40 | AED 3.1 million | AED 3,162 |
| ⚠3-bed | 23 | AED 6.2 million | AED 3,284 |
| ⚠4-bed | 3 | AED 11.2 million | AED 3,996 |
What is the average rent in Za'abeel 2?
The median rental rate on new apartment lease registrations (Ejari) in Za'abeel 2 was AED 130 per sq ft a year in Q3 2026, across 222 registrations. 222 new leases and 141 renewals were registered with Ejari.
What is the rental yield in Za'abeel 2?
The gross rental yield on ready apartments in Za'abeel 2 was 4.8% in Q3 2026, comparing median new rents with median ready sale prices per sq ft.
How much does property in Za'abeel 2 cost in US dollars?
The UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar at AED 3.6725. At that rate, in Za'abeel 2 in Q3 2026, the median apartment price of AED 3,165 per sq ft is approximately $862 per sq ft; the median new apartment rental rate of AED 130 per sq ft a year is approximately $35.
How many prime sales were recorded in Za'abeel 2?
5 prime sales (AED 10 million and above) were recorded in Za'abeel 2 in Q3 2026, worth AED 61.2 million and accounting for 5.7% of sales. Villas and townhouses accounted for 0 of them and off-plan sales for 5.
How does Za'abeel 2 compare with Dubai?
The median apartment price in Za'abeel 2 was 87% above the Dubai median in Q3 2026, at AED 3,165 per sq ft compared with AED 1,692.
| Measure | Za'abeel 2 | Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Apartments, median per sq ft | AED 3,165 | AED 1,692 |
| New apartment rent, per sq ft a year | AED 130 | AED 94 |
| Gross yield, apartments | 4.8% | 6.8% |
| Off-plan share of sales | 64% | 69% |
Which buildings in Za'abeel 2 recorded the most sales?
Downtown Views II by Emaar recorded the most sales of any building in Za'abeel 2 in Q3 2026, with 21 sales worth AED 65.9 million.
| Building or sub-community | Developer | Sales | Value | Off-plan | Apartments, per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⚠Downtown Views IIZaabeel Second | Emaar | 21 | AED 65.9 million | 0% | AED 2,686 |
| ⚠Artistry Two ResidencesZaabeel Second | Select Global | 18 | AED 54.3 million | 100% | AED 3,156 |
| ⚠THE EDIT at d3Zaabeel Second | Dhre 2 Bts | 15 | AED 107 million | 100% | AED 3,624 |
| ⚠Artistry One ResidencesZaabeel Second | Select Global | 12 | AED 49.2 million | 100% | AED 3,129 |
| ⚠Akala Hotels and ResidencesZaabeel Second | Arada | 10 | AED 71.0 million | 100% | AED 3,689 |
| ⚠Downtown ViewsZaabeel Second | Emaar | 10 | AED 39.5 million | 0% | AED 2,758 |
| ⚠Atelis at d3Zaabeel Second | – | 1 | AED 2.5 million | 100% | AED 2,637 |
Which developers recorded the most off-plan sales in Za'abeel 2?
Select Global recorded the most off-plan sales in Za'abeel 2 in Q3 2026, with 30 sales worth AED 103 million, accounting for 54% of off-plan sales. It was followed by Dhre 2 Bts (15), Arada (10).
| Developer | Off-plan sales | Value | Share of off-plan sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Select Global | 30 | AED 103 million | 54% |
| Dhre 2 Bts | 15 | AED 107 million | 27% |
| Arada | 10 | AED 71.0 million | 18% |
What do the figures mean?
- Median price
- The middle sale price once all sales are ranked: half of sales were above it and half below. Used instead of the average so a few very large sales don't distort the figure.
- Price per sq ft
- Sale price divided by the registered area in square feet, then the median across sales. Reported for apartments; villa records often carry the plot size, so villas are reported per home.
- Off-plan and ready
- Off-plan sales are homes sold before completion; ready sales are completed homes, including owner resales and developers' completed stock.
- Sub-community and building
- Where DLD records a home: a sub-community for villas and townhouses (for example Raya in Arabian Ranches 3), a building for apartments, or the project name for off-plan homes.
- Ejari
- Dubai's official lease registration system. Rents here are new Ejari leases registered in the period; renewals are counted separately.
- Gross rental yield
- Median new annual rent divided by the median ready sale price, before costs. Shown only between 3% and 12%; outside that range the pairing reflects data errors rather than a yield.
- DLD area and community
- The Dubai Land Department records sales and leases by official area, which can differ from the name people use. Each report names the DLD areas it covers.
- ⚠ Small sample
- A figure based on fewer than 30 sales or leases. It is shown, but can move a lot from period to period.
How should this report be cited?
Richmond Properties (2026). Za'abeel 2 and Dubai Design District Market Report: Q3 2026. Data: Dubai Land Department. Published 2 November 2026. https://richmondproperties.ae/insights/market-reports/zaabeel-2-dubai-design-district/2026-q3. Licensed CC BY 4.0.
In copy: “according to Richmond Properties’ analysis of Dubai Land Department data”.
Figures are Dubai Land Department open data for Q3 2026 (July to September), compared with Q2 2026. Sales are counted by transaction date and cover homes only: apartments, hotel apartments, villas and townhouses (including villa plots). Offices, shops, hotel rooms, development land and labour accommodation are excluded. Rents are new Ejari leases; leases are assigned to a community through their building or sub-community where DLD files them under a different district. 2 transactions identified as recording errors are excluded. Figures and text are generated from Dubai Land Department data by Richmond Properties’ reporting system. Data as of 2 November 2026. This report is for general information and is not financial or investment advice.