Dubai Launches $27.2bn DIFC Zabeel District Expansion

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, shared an exciting announcement today. In detail, Dubai just launched DIFC Zabeel District, a landmark Dubai International Financial Centre expansion, set to consolidate its status as the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

This expansion will also reinforce Dubai’s stature as the region’s preferred business and lifestyle destination. To highlight, the DIFC Zabeel District expansion will solidify DIFC Zabeel District as the largest demand-led expansion of a financial centre in the region. With its massive site area of 7.1 million sq. ft and total gross floor area of 17.7million sq. ft, its estimated gross development value exceeds AED 100 billion.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum states, “Dubai continues to enhance its status as a leading global business and finance hub by launching landmark, futuristic projects that provide a comprehensive ecosystem integrating business requirements with high quality of life. This has made Dubai the preferred destination for businesses and talent worldwide.”

In addition, he mentions “Dubai is a story of ambition that knows no bounds, writing its chapters with future-forward achievements and a determination stemming from the belief that building the future is a time-sensitive responsibility. In Dubai, we do not wait for change, we make it. We transform dreams into a reality that speaks the language of leadership.”

Finally, he also talks about how DIFC Zabeel District is a key step towards advancing the financial sector in Dubai and worldwide. He expects the new district to bring a surge in DIFC by scaling to accommodate over 42,000 companies, a workforce exceeding 125,000, and over 1 million sq. ft. of space dedicated to future technologies and AI.

The new expansion will also offer state-of-the-art spaces for business, education, innovation, and residential living. All in all, His Highness refers to DIFC as the pulsing heart of Dubai’s economy and the bridge connecting the East and the West. “It is the nexus of investment and innovation,” he affirms.

Welcome Ceremony Opens the Site to New Possibilities

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum praised the transformation of the financial services industry in Dubai since DIFC opened in 2004, and commended DIFC’s leadership for their commitment to driving a new era for global finance, thereby positioning Dubai as a world-leading financial and investment destination.

The launch of the DIFC Zabeel District development project was marked by a ceremony held on site in Zabeel, adjacent to the existing DIFC Gate District, as part of Dubai’s wider Dubai financial hub expansion The ceremony was attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai;.

Also joining the ceremony were H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and President of DIFC and H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

Completing the prestigious ensemble were H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group and and H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, along with several senior officials, as the DIFC expansion project drew high-level attention

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was welcomed at the site by Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC; Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority; members of the Higher Board of Directors of DIFC; and senior officials of the DIFC Authority, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and DIFC Courts.

H.H. Sheikh Maktoum adds,

“DIFC Zabeel District is a new, strategic step in DIFC’s journey, and a launchpad for a new era of innovation and progress in global finance. This development is key to accommodating the rapid growth of global financial and tech firms, and affirming our commitment to ensure an agile business environment that sets new benchmarks of financial excellence and drives economic growth in Dubai and the UAE.”

The Legacy of DIFC Transcends Over 20 Years

For over 20 years, DIFC has built its impressive legacy of success in facilitating trade and investment flows into Dubai. The ceremony reflected upon this fruitful journey highlighted by the theme ‘Tomorrow Begins Here’. This theme has outlined the journey of DIFC since its 2004 launch to its remarkable progress as a global finance hub.

The ceremony offered a complete visualisation of the future of DIFC Zabeel District, shining a light on the district’s superior infrastructure and government, which is set to double DIFC’s capacity to more than 42,000 businesses and a workforce of over 125,000. Indeed, exciting times lie ahead from this expansion, especially as DIFC strengthens its position within the Dubai global finance centre

What to Expect From the DIFC Zabeel Expansion

Starting a bold new chapter for future technologies, the DIFC Zabeel District expansion will cover over 1 million sq. ft., allocated specifically to building the world’s largest innovation hub, including the world's first purpose-built AI Campus. Tripling in scale, the Innovation Hub will anchor Dubai’s digital economy ambitions, along with a pioneering AI Campus as part of the wider DIFC innovation and AI campus push.

To highlight, its facilities will be custom designed to meet the future needs of over 6,000 businesses and 30,000 tech specialists, enabling breakthroughs in AI development and commercial innovation. Additionally, the District will also include a Gaming & Immersive Technologies Hub to establish Dubai as a powerhouse for digital content creation and next generation gaming and simulation.

Aligning with Dubai’s ambitious Education 33 (E33) strategy, DIFC will be positioned as the UAE’s leading hub for further education. It will also take on the title of becoming a leading global destination for higher education by attracting world class universities ranked among the top 25 in the QS World University Rankings.

This would mean that the DIFC Academy will grow ten-fold to 370,000 sq.ft., creating a capacity for 50,000 learners annually. Finally, the expansion will feature a first-of-its-kind art pavilion deepening DIFC’s standing as Dubai’s home to art and culture, resulting in specific sites being designed for landmark pieces of art and architecture, reinforcing long-term DIFC real estate development momentum

Properties to Look Out for in the DIFC Zabeel Expansion

The expanded sites of the DIFC Zabeel District are expected to offer a mix of commercial and residential spaces. In addition to this, the community will benefit from a central boulevard, a conference centre, several hotels, upscale retail offerings, and cutting-edge technology infrastructure, supported by wider Dubai infrastructure investment across key growth corridors

Inspired by a design philosophy of fostering connectivity and easily accessible integrated living, the community will also feature multiple uniquely curated open spaces, filled with an abundance of levels of greenery and thriving biodiversity, boosting a healthier lifestyle district for balancing work, life, and social connections.

A signature bridge will connect the existing DIFC Gate District, allowing the new expansion to form a seamless continuation of DIFC’s institutional and urban fabric. Furthermore, the expansion will be defined by 6 phases and will only begin to welcome the public in 2030, with the masterplan expected to hit completion in 2040.

The first phase has already begun, giving future residents a great deal to look forward to. The district’s prime location strikes as ideal balance with its superior connectivity to key landmarks and infrastructure, whilst an integrated, continuous loop promotes wellness. The expansion will also offer access to futuristic transport options.

The fact that DIFC is currently the region’s only financial centre operating at scale across all business sectors, shows how much care will be put into this new expansion. Thus, future residents will see the extent of the expansion's meticulous urban layout with easy access to the rest of the city, while iconic architectural design and a deep commitment to sustainability defines DIFC Zabeel District.

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