District One Community Guide
Nestled within the master-planned Mohammed Bin Rashid City is a glistening, gated residential gem: District One. Characterised by a private, expansive lagoon with kilometres of sandy shores, this beautiful community offers tranquil waterfront living in the heart of the city. Uniquely positioned, District One is the only villa complex in such proximity to Downtown Dubai, finding favour with families and business professionals who seek a serene yet accessible lifestyle.
This exclusive community boasts 1,100 acres of verdant parkland and 26 million square feet of open space – one of the most extensive in any Dubai residential area – promising a life of calm, leisure, and wellness.
Community Overview
Compared to its neighbour Downtown Dubai, the demographic of District One is highly family-oriented, attracting high-net-worth families, working professionals, and retirees from around the world. With leafy parks, exceptional amenities, and spacious homes with large gardens, the community offers a serene indoor-outdoor living environment suitable for all generations. An active, health-focused lifestyle characterises life in District One—residents can swim, kayak, and paddleboard on the expansive Crystal Lagoon, or spend the afternoon exploring the extensive cycle and jogging trails.
Where is District One?
District One is in a prime central location in the master-planned Mohammed Bin Rashid City, between Al Khail Road (E44) and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311). It is adjacent to Downtown Dubai, offering exceptional access areas such as DIFC (10 minutes), Business Bay (8 minutes), and Dubai Hills Estate (20 minutes).
The easiest way to reach District One is by car. Public transportation does not run directly through this gated community, but the closest metro stations are Business Bay and Al Safa on the red line. RTA buses are accessible in nearby communities such as Business Bay and Downtown Dubai, in addition to ride-hailing services like Careem and Uber.
Things to do and see in District One
Time moves slower in District One, with its expansive green spaces, low-density layout, and kilometres of boardwalk. The central location means there is plenty to do nearby, too, in Meydan and Downtown Dubai.
The Crystal Lagoon
The most unique feature of District One is the dazzling Crystal Lagoon, which is the largest man-made lagoon in the world. Aqua aerobics, paddle boarding, and kayaking are just a few of the water-based activities residents can enjoy on the lagoon, creating an active beachfront lifestyle in the privacy of a gated residence. For a more tranquil experience, residents can walk along the winding shores or simply meditate while listening to the gentle lapping of waves – perfect after a long day at work.
Meydan
Meaning ‘public square’ in Arabic, Meydan is a prestigious project within Mohammed Bin Rashid City, boasting exceptional sports, leisure, and business facilities. It is home to the world-famous Meydan Racecourse, which hosts the Dubai World Cup and features an impressive grandstand that can accommodate 60,000 spectators. A stone’s throw from District One, Meydan is also home to the five-star Meydan Hotel, offering a range of exquisite fine-dining options and spa treatments. Much of Meydan is still under construction, such as the Meydan One Mall, which will have the world’s longest ski slope and a retractable roof for the winter months.
Downtown Dubai
District One is on the doorstep of Downtown Dubai, which is home to many superlative attractions including the Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Fountain, and Dubai Mall. The ever-expanding Dubai Mall boasts the UAE’s largest bookshop, an aquarium, an ice rink, and more than 1000 retail outlets, all very easily accessible to District One residents. The area is also home to some of the best bars and restaurants in the city, including the sky-high fine-dining eatery At.Mosphere in the Burj Khalifa, and the concept of artistic dining experience, Krasota.
Where to eat and drink in District One
The Hamptons Cafe & Restaurant is a lovely dining spot in District One. This elegant New York-inspired restaurant delivers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in addition to a lovely high tea with homemade scones, breads, and pastries.
Some of the best eateries within reach of District One can be found in Meydan. An international a la carte menu with racecourse views can be enjoyed at the family-friendly Farriers restaurant in The Meydan Hotel, alongside the Asian eatery, Shiba.
Just ten minutes from District One, Dubai Mall has more than 200 restaurants and cafés, catering to every occasion and taste. Din Tai Fung, Logma, and Al Hallab are just a few of the diverse dining options in this cavernous mall, all of which offer stunning fountain and Burj Khalifa views.
For a more hedonist dining and drinking experience, upscale nightclubs Iris and Soho Garden DXB are within close proximity to District One in Meydan, offering live entertainment, tasteful dinner menus, and free flowing drinks.
Essential living facilities
District One is a private, gated community, but it is within close reach of excellent schools, hospitals, and other essential living facilities, creating an effortless living experience for all.
Schools in District One
One of the closest schools to District One is North London Collegiate School, a high-performing International Baccalaureate (IB) school, which is 10 minutes by car. American curriculum school Clarion is also just 10 minutes from District One, alongside Safa British School, which delivers a British curriculum.
Other schools and colleges in the vicinity of District One include:
- International Horizons College (American-style undergraduate education) - Hartland International School (British curriculum) - JSS Private School (CBSE curriculum) - Dubai International School (American curriculum)
The Odyssey Nursery Meydan is directly within District One for younger children.
Supermarkets
Neighbouring Downtown Dubai, District One residents have access to a huge range of supermarkets including Waitrose (Dubai Mall), Spinneys (Business Bay), and Carrefour (Downtown). A range of smaller stores including Géant Express, allday, and West Zone are also within close proximity to District One for household essentials and general convenience. Boutique, gourmet grocers such as Jones the Grocer and Eataly can be found ten minutes away in Dubai Mall.
Hospitals
Medcare Clinic is located directly in District One, providing residents with quick and reliable access to a range of healthcare services including family medicine, dermatology, paediatrics, and more. Mediclinic is also nearby in Dubai Mall, boasting the largest ambulatory care centre in Dubai with state-of-the-art facilities. For robust mental health services and upscale ‘concierge care’, Valiant Clinic & Hospital is just 15 minutes away in City Walk.
The full-service Saudi German Hospital is 20 minutes by car, and Al Zahra Hospital is 25 minutes away.
Places of Worship
The sandstone Nayef Mohamed Ahmad Alshanqiti mosque is the closest mosque to District One, followed by Makhtoom Bin Khalifa Bin Saeed Al Maktoom mosque. The striking Ottoman-inspired Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab mosque is around 20 minutes from District One, paying homage to Istanbul’s historic Blue Mosque.
- Mahamevnawa Buddhist Temple Dubai (15 minutes) - The Anglican Holy Trinity Church (15 minutes) - St. Mary’s Catholic Church (20 minutes) - Hindu Temple Dubai (25 minutes) - Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Temple (25 minutes)
Properties in District One
Residential offerings in District One consist predominantly of luxurious villas and grand mansions, all beautifully positioned around the stunning Crystal Lagoon. Soaring double-height ceilings, exquisite interior finishes, and large private pools characterise properties here, which are substantially larger than average (up to 23,000 sq. ft). Every home is both smart and sustainable, featuring energy-efficient systems and smart home integration to optimise security and comfort.
Architectural styles vary in District One, reflecting the tastes of an international demographic. Some properties are contemporary and sleek with white-washed exteriors, clean lines, and floor-to-ceiling windows, while others showcase modern Arabic design with elegant mashrabiya screens and leafy courtyards.
In addition to villas and mansions, District One offers luxury apartments. The sophisticated Waterfront Residences provide low-density apartment living with beautiful lagoon views, offering units with up to three bedrooms.
Final Thoughts
Few residential communities in Dubai blend business convenience with holistic family living as well as District One. Unique features such as the Crystal Lagoon create a peaceful yet active living environment while retaining the privacy and seclusion craved by many high-net-worth families. Located in the visionary Mohammed Bin Rashid City, the area is still just a fraction of what it will be in the coming years as new developments emerge, presenting prime freehold real estate opportunities for investors. The addition of the Meydan One Mall, new parks, and luxury residential projects will hugely enhance this fantastic city-within-a-city, which is in many ways the future of Dubai prime real estate.