The story of Dubai Hills Estate began in June 2013, when the project was announced on a site of more than 11 million sq m. The plan included homes, a golf course, retail, schools, healthcare facilities and mosques. Here is the story of the place, from the project's announcement and the handover of the first villas in shell-and-core condition to the opening of the hospital, golf club and mall.
- What it is.
- A large residential community within Mohammed Bin Rashid City, created by a joint venture between Emaar and Meraas Holding.
- Location.
- At the junction of Umm Suqeim Road and Al Khail Road, around 10 minutes from Downtown Dubai.
- Timeline.
- Several major facilities opened later than originally planned.
Two names on the map and the birth of an idea in November 2012
The community has two names: Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid (in Arabic حدائق الشيخ محمد بن راشد), area code A-482, and DUBAI HILLS (in Arabic دبي هيلز), code C-35.
The Arabic name Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid means Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Gardens. On maps, the central suburb is labelled with both Arabic names.
On 24 November 2012, Dubai's Ruler announced the creation of Mohammed Bin Rashid City, or MBR City. It was set between three major roads: Emirates Road, Al Khail Road and Sheikh Zayed Road. The vision included several major elements:
- Family tourism. A park designed for 35 million visitors, developed with Universal.
- Retail. A major complex called Mall of the World.
- Culture and business. Art and entrepreneurship.
- Green space. The Mohammed bin Rashid Gardens project, including a park conceived as 30% larger than London's Hyde Park.
The November 2012 announcement made no mention of Dubai Hills. By June 2013, however, it had emerged that the residential community of Dubai Hills Estate formed part of the area announced by the Ruler in November 2012.
June 2013: Emaar and Meraas Holding agreement for 2,700 acres
On 8 June 2013, developers Emaar and Meraas Holding announced the formation of a joint venture. Its purpose was to build the first phase of MBR City: the residential community of Dubai Hills Estate. The project was legally structured in several steps over six months:
- 8 June 2013. Signing of the framework joint-venture agreement.
- 19 November 2013. Amendment of that agreement and formation of Dubai Hills Estate LLC, equally owned by the partners.
- 4 December 2013. An agreement with Emaar Dubai, a division of Emaar, for developer services.
The development site covered more than 11 million sq m. In other measures, that is 2,700 acres, or around 1,100 hectares. The land sits at the junction of Umm Suqeim Road and Al Khail Road, around 10 minutes from Downtown Dubai.
The original plan included an 18-hole championship golf course.
A gated villa community with homes built to each owner's specifications was planned around the course. The original plan also included a business centre, low-rise and mid-rise homes, hotels and serviced apartments. Retail space, schools, healthcare facilities and mosques were included from the outset for residents' everyday needs.
Schools in 2013 and registration for Mulberry apartments
Two schools opened their doors before the community's residential neighbourhoods had risen. GEMS Wellington Academy Al Khail and GEMS International School Al Khail opened in September 2013. There are 3 schools in the community.
From 26 February 2014, buyers could register for Mulberry, the first apartment development here. Mulberry 1 and Mulberry 2 later took shape as 4 buildings with 600 apartments.
Spring and summer 2016: the first 97 villas and the outlines of the master plan
On 9 March 2016, Emaar presented the community while it was under construction. In summer 2016, the first 97 villas in Street of Dreams began to be handed over to their owners. They were delivered in shell-and-core condition, in batches over 12 months.
Several areas were reported in spring 2016:
- The Maple 1 and Maple 2 townhouse neighbourhoods. More than 1,300 townhouses had already been launched here, and in July 2017 Maple 2 was launched separately with 666 townhouses.
- The Sidra villa community. The first phase included 170 villas, while the second added another 160 homes. Geographically, Sidra and Maple were located in the community's third zone.
- The Fairways and Parkways neighbourhoods. These locations had plots prepared for 300 villas.
- The Acacia 1 residential development. Construction of these buildings was about to begin in spring 2016.
The community's 2016 master plan counted more than 26,000 homes. Of these, 22,000 were apartments and 4,600 were villas, excluding the 300 plots mentioned above. In 2017, the plan included more than 4,400 villas and townhouses, and 22,000 apartments.
The March 2016 master plan also included non-residential elements. More than 2.2 million sq m was set aside for green space. In 2017, green areas exceeded 23 million sq ft. A total of 210,778 sq m was allocated to the community's retail provision, of which the future mall itself was then planned at 143,377 sq m. The business district included 197,000 sq m of offices, while 45 km of cycling and running tracks were designed for recreation and sport. By March 2016, 4 of the 18 holes had been laid out on the 1.29 million sq m golf course, with the course and first villas expected to be ready by the end of 2016.
2018: Dubai Hills Golf Club's 18-hole course opens
The course at Dubai Hills Golf Club opened in 2018. European Golf Design designed the par-72 course. Its fairways cover 1.2 million sq m. In March 2016, the course's total area was estimated at 1.29 million sq m.
The club is owned by Emaar Leisure Group, while Emaar Hospitality Group took on day-to-day management. On 30 October 2018, two restaurants were announced in the clubhouse at the already operational course: The Duck Hook and Hillhouse Brasserie.
Healthcare and parks: the hospital in 2019 and the park's activity areas in 2021
King's College Hospital London Dubai opened in 2019. The 100-bed King's College Hospital had initially been expected to open in late 2018. The medical centre, under its full name of King's College Hospital London Dubai, officially opened on 25 March 2019.
The community's central park is called Dubai Hills Park. When the mall project was launched in August 2017, the central park was estimated at around 1.9 million sq ft. It now covers 180,000 sq m, out of the community's total 1,450,000 sq m of parkland. On 16 February 2021, Emaar Entertainment opened 3 activity areas in Dubai Hills Park: a splash park, skate park and ice rink.
The story of Dubai Hills Mall: from its 2017 launch to its opening in February 2022
The story of Dubai Hills Mall includes the project's launch in 2017 and its opening in 2022. In March 2016, it was planned at 143,377 sq m. Sales for the project and the official launch of Dubai Hills Mall took place in August 2017. At the time, its leasable area was given as 187,500 sq m, more than 2 million sq ft, with more than 750 shops planned inside and an opening set for late 2019.
In August 2021, the mall's opening was pushed back to the first quarter of 2022, with 600 shops expected at the time. Dubai Hills Mall opened to visitors on 17 February 2022, offering around 2 million sq ft of space and roughly 700 shops.
Today, the mall has a total area of 282,000 sq m, including 2 million sq ft of retail space. It has more than 650 shops. There are around 7,000 parking spaces, while the Roxy cinema and the indoor Storm Coaster provide the entertainment.
| Stage in the mall's history | Area at this stage | Number of shops |
|---|---|---|
| March 2016 plan | 143,377 sq m | Not stated |
| Project launch in August 2017 | 187,500 sq m of leasable space (more than 2 million sq ft) | More than 750 shops |
| Schedule change in August 2021 | Not stated | 600 shops |
| Opening day, 17 February 2022 | Around 2 million sq ft | Around 700 shops |
| Today | 282,000 sq m (2 million sq ft) | More than 650 |
The community in 2022 and its scale today
When the mall opened on 17 February 2022, the community had around 6,900 completed apartments and homes. At the same time, more than 3,000 residential properties were under construction. Park Field, Lime Garden, Hills Park, Park Horizon and Address Hillcrest, all apartment and villa projects, launched that year.
In 2023, more than 12,000 apartments and houses were completed across several areas, including Dubai Hills Estate. There are currently 5 of this community's 43 projects for sale. Its 11 million square metres include 1,450,000 square metres of parks, 3 schools and 54 km of cycle paths.
Key dates and figures
- Delays to planned completion dates. Major infrastructure arrived later than initially expected: the golf course opened in 2018 rather than by the end of 2016, King's College Hospital London Dubai began operating on 25 March 2019 rather than by the end of 2018, and Dubai Hills Mall opened on 17 February 2022, following an original target of late 2019 and a postponement in August 2021.
- Handover of the first villas. From summer 2016, the first 97 villas in Street of Dreams were handed over in batches over 12 months, in shell-and-core condition. By 17 February 2022, the area had around 6,900 completed apartments and homes, while more than 3,000 properties were under construction.
- Figures over the years. In 2016, more than 2.2 million sq m was allocated to green space. Today, the parks cover 1,450,000 sq m and the mall has more than 650 shops.
Who it suits
A few examples:
| Who | Why the area works |
|---|---|
| Families with children | GEMS Wellington Academy Al Khail and GEMS International School Al Khail opened in September 2013. The area has 3 schools, while Dubai Hills Park has had a water play area, skate park and ice rink since February 2021. |
| Golfers and walkers | The 18-hole, par-72 Dubai Hills Golf Club course has been open since 2018. In October 2018, the club announced the opening of The Duck Hook and Hillhouse Brasserie. The area has 54 km of cycle paths and 1,450,000 sq m of parks. |
| Drivers working in the city centre | The area sits at the junction of Umm Suqeim Road and Al Khail Road, around 10 min from Downtown Dubai. The mall has around 7,000 parking spaces. |
| Buyers seeking different types of home | The master plan combines custom villa plots by the golf course, townhouses, and low and mid-rise apartment buildings. |
| Those who value healthcare and shopping | King's College Hospital London Dubai, with 100 beds, opened in March 2019, followed by Dubai Hills Mall in February 2022, with a Roxy Cinema and the Storm Coaster attraction. |
Easy mistakes to avoid
A few reference points make the names and figures easier to follow:
- Two names for the area. Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid (code A-482) and DUBAI HILLS (code C-35) both refer to this area.
- Assessing villa completion from the start of handovers. If a project's history lists the start of handovers for a neighbourhood, as it did for the Street of Dreams villas in summer 2016, bear in mind that homes were handed over in batches over 12 months and delivered as shells, without interior finishes.
- Different project timelines. The community has 43 projects, 5 of which are currently for sale. Eight years passed between the registration of Mulberry, the first apartment project, in February 2014 and the 2022 launch of Park Horizon and Lime Garden.
At a glance
Who is the developer of Dubai Hills Estate, and when did the project begin?
The project was launched on 8 June 2013 by Emaar and Meraas Holding through their equally owned joint venture, Dubai Hills Estate LLC. The community became the first phase of the wider Mohammed Bin Rashid City development, announced by Dubai's Ruler on 24 November 2012. On 4 December 2013, an agreement was signed with Emaar Dubai, a division of Emaar, for developer services.
How large is Dubai Hills, and how many parks does it have?
The site covers more than 11 million sq m, equal to 2,700 acres or around 1,100 hectares. Parks now account for 1,450,000 sq m of the community, including 180,000 sq m for the central Dubai Hills Park. The community has 54 km of cycle paths.
When did Dubai Hills Mall open, and what is there?
Sales for the project began in August 2017, with an opening planned for late 2019. In August 2021, the date was moved to the first quarter of 2022, and it eventually opened on 17 February 2022. The 282,000 sq m building has 2 million sq ft of retail space. It contains more than 650 shops, a Roxy cinema, the Storm Coaster attraction and parking for around 7,000 cars.
When did the schools and hospital open in Dubai Hills?
In September 2013, before development of the district itself began, two schools opened here: GEMS Wellington Academy Al Khail and GEMS International School Al Khail. There are 3 schools in the district. King's College Hospital London Dubai, with capacity for 100 beds, officially opened on 25 March 2019.
When were the first homes handed over, and how many homes are planned for the community?
Registration for Mulberry, the first apartment project, opened on 26 February 2014. From summer 2016, the first 97 villas in Street of Dreams were handed over to their owners in shell-and-core condition, in batches over 12 months. The master plan in March 2016 included more than 26,000 homes: 22,000 apartments, 4,600 villas and plots for 300 further villas. By 17 February 2022, the community had around 6,900 completed apartments and homes, with more than 3,000 further properties under construction.
What is Dubai Hills Golf Club like, and when did it open?
The 18-hole, par-72 championship course at Dubai Hills Golf Club opened for play in 2018. European Golf Design designed the course, whose fairways cover 1.2 million sq m. Emaar Leisure Group owns the club, and Emaar Hospitality Group manages it. On 30 October 2018, the club announced the opening of The Duck Hook and Hillhouse Brasserie.
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The area's history runs from the 2013 agreement to the launch of new developments in 2022.
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