DIFC Zabeel District

DIFC Zabeel District is the planned extension of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), often referred to in development documents as DIFC 2.0. Announced from 2019 with a formal masterplan published in January 2026, the scheme expands DIFC – s jurisdiction and introduces a mixed-use district that links directly to Dubai – s public transport network and the wider city.

What it is and where it is located

DIFC Zabeel District sits within the greater DIFC area in central Dubai and is promoted as an addition to the Centre – s integrated ecosystem. The development was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and is planned to open in phases, with first public spaces due in 2030 and full completion expected by 2040. The scheme has been described in public materials as an expansion totaling up to 13 million sq ft of space for the DIFC ecosystem.

The masterplan published in public sources sets out a large-scale mixed-use composition including substantial office floorspace, residential plots, retail, education, hospitality and public realm. The district is intended to host innovation and financial services uses alongside cultural and recreational assets.

Transport and distances

The district is integrated with Dubai – s transport network. The nearest Dubai Metro station on the Red Line is coded R23 and is located approximately 1,056 metres from the site; the location entry classifies this distance as walkable.

Key distances from the district to major Dubai points (as reported):

• Burj Khalifa / Downtown Dubai: 2.6 km
• The Dubai Mall: 2.3 km
• Dubai International Airport (DXB): 8.7 km
• Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC): 37.8 km
• Palm Jumeirah: 19.1 km
• Dubai Marina: 21.3 km
• JBR Beach: 22.0 km
• Mall of the Emirates: 14.1 km
• Business Bay: 4.2 km
• Expo City Dubai: 31.7 km
• Global Village: 16.3 km
• Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC): 0.9 km

Masterplan, buildings and public realm

Publicly released elements of the masterplan describe a comprehensive mixed-use district with large allocations of office, residential, retail, hospitality and education space. Summarised components reported in development materials include:

• Approximately 6.8 million sq ft (reported) of office space in the overall masterplan.
• 21 residential plots with a combined gross floor area reported at about 6.2 million sq ft.
• Four hotel plots with up to around 1,000 keys in total across the district.
• About 1 million sq ft of retail space, of which roughly 366,000 sq ft faces the boulevard.
• Around 370,000 sq ft of education space, including a K – 12 school designed for approximately 1,000 students.
• Dedicated campuses and institutional buildings including a DIFC Academy, an AI Campus and two university buildings associated with LBS, Georgetown and Marangoni as named in project materials.
• A conference centre with a main hall for up to 2,500 people and two smaller halls for up to 600 people each.
• A five-storey art pavilion with rotating galleries, a roof-terrace food and beverage area and multi-use spaces; and a 23,000 sq ft F&B area with a retractable roof designed in reference to a former horse-stable on the site.
• Approximately 20% of the site reserved for parks, sikkas, buffer zones and open space, and a landscaped recreational Inner Loop running through the district for 2 km, up to 74 m wide at its widest point, accommodating sports, pop-up retail and art.

The DIFC Authority has publicly announced the expansion as adding up to 13 million sq ft to the Centre – s integrated ecosystem, and alternative public breakdowns of that total list figures such as c.6.4 million sq ft of offices, 2.6 million sq ft of creative space, 1.5 million sq ft of residences, 1.3 million sq ft of retail and 700,000 sq ft for leisure and entertainment. These different figures appear in official and trade materials describing the scale and composition of the expansion.

Phase A and delivery status (reported)

Phase A of the development has been described in the masterplan documents and public materials. Phase A was launched in 2026 and its components are reported to include the entrance plaza, the stable building, the art pavilion, the AI campus, a cluster of class A office buildings and a residential component branded as Residences by DIFC.

• Phase A comprises 16 buildings across five plots, with a site area cited at 1.1 million sq ft and an overall gross floor area of about 3.7 million sq ft.
• Phase A was reported to include 463 residential units, 200 boutique hotel keys and a members club; the Residences within Phase One were reported as sold out following their official sale launch.
• Phase A was launched with a delivery horizon stated as 2030; the first phase of the wider development is reported as due for completion in 2029 – 30 and estimated to cost about AED 20 billion, with funding expected mainly from internal resources and future cash flow and the potential for bank financing or sukuk if required.

Across the wider development the gross development value reported in public materials is stated to exceed AED 100 billion. Preparations for initial works and public realm are under way according to those materials, and the district is planned to open in stages through to full completion by 2040.

Who the district is suitable for

DIFC Zabeel District is described as an extension of the financial centre – s jurisdiction with a strong focus on office space, fintech and innovation clusters, education and cultural amenities. The combination of large office floorspace, dedicated education campuses, conference facilities and retail and hospitality plots indicates suitability for:

• Financial and professional services firms seeking proximity to DIFC and central Dubai.
• Fintech, innovation and corporate R&D operations attracted to the planned AI Campus and related facilities.
• Education providers and university-affiliated activity given the allocated education space and named institutional partners in the masterplan materials.
• Residents and hospitality operators benefiting from mixed-use amenities, public realm and direct connections to central Dubai.

FAQ

Q: What is DIFC Zabeel District?
A: A planned mixed-use expansion of the Dubai International Financial Centre, promoted as DIFC 2.0 and formally masterplanned in January 2026. It combines offices, residences, retail, education, hospitality and public spaces.

Q: When will the district open?
A: The development is to open in phases: Phase A was launched in 2026 with delivery dates described toward 2030 for its components; the first phase of the wider project is reported as due in 2029 – 30, with full completion expected by 2040 and staged public openings starting around 2030.

Q: How accessible is the site by public transport?
A: The nearest Dubai Metro Red Line station (code R23) is reported at approximately 1,056 metres from the site and classified as walkable in the location entry. The district is located within central Dubai, under a kilometre from existing DIFC core and a short distance from Downtown and The Dubai Mall.

Q: What notable facilities are included in the masterplan?
A: Reported masterplan features include a DIFC Academy, an AI Campus, university buildings associated with LBS, Georgetown and Marangoni, a conference centre with a 2,500-seat main hall, a five-storey art pavilion, a 2 km Inner Loop recreational route and significant allocations for offices, retail and education space.

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