The Lagoons

The Lagoons is a large planned waterfront district along the banks of Dubai Creek at Ras Al Khor, conceived as part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid City (MBR City) master plan. Launched in the mid-2000s, the scheme has passed through multiple phases, ownership changes and redesigns. Its scale and position between Dubai Festival City and Ras Al Khor make it one of the more prominent strategic land allocations for waterfront mixed-use development in eastern Dubai.

What this place is and where it sits

The Lagoons was originally announced as a major land reclamation and urban development project on the Dubai Creek shoreline. The original developer, Sama Dubai, a division of Dubai Holding, launched the project in April 2006 with an ambitious masterplan combining residential neighbourhoods, lagoons, boulevards and public amenities. The site is located at Ras Al Khor, between Dubai Festival City to the north and the Ras Al Khor area to the south, directly adjoining Dubai Creek.

Over time, the project’s stewardship changed: Sama Dubai was merged into Dubai Properties Group, part of Dubai Holding, and the original delivery schedule was interrupted after the 2008 global financial crisis. In 2013, Dubai Holding reached an agreement with Emaar to relaunch a redesigned first phase of the broader Lagoons masterplan. Marketed as Dubai Creek Harbour, this 6.5 million square metre urban district was planned to include the Dubai Twin Towers, Dubai Creek Residences, and a mix of cultural, commercial and civic facilities.

Transport and distances

Public transport access to The Lagoons is principally by road. A Green Line metro station, G30, is approximately 3.4 km from central points of The Lagoons, making it generally too far for routine walking. The district sits close to major arterial routes connecting the eastern creek corridor with central and northern Dubai, while journey times vary with traffic and route choice.

Nearby education options include Deira International School, about 2.4 km away, and The City School International, about 2.9 km from the development area. The Lagoons sits immediately beside Dubai Creek, with Dubai Festival City on one side and the Ras Al Khor wetlands and surrounding districts nearby.

Development, masterplan and project history

The Lagoons was launched in April 2006 and initial groundwork began that year. Phase I land plots sold out by May 2006, followed by Phase II plots in October 2007. Residential towers in the Al Sedaifa district, including Al Abeer, Al Khayal and Al Laylak, also sold out soon after their October 2007 launch.

The 2008 global financial crisis had a material impact on the project, suspending construction and delivery across many parts of the masterplan. Ownership and management changes followed as Sama Dubai merged into Dubai Properties Group.

In 2013, Dubai Holding confirmed the relaunch of a redesigned scheme following its agreement with Emaar. The first phase, marketed as Dubai Creek Harbour, was planned as a 6.5 million square metre urban district with a central business district, residential precincts around lagoons and green boulevards, and cultural, commercial, educational, healthcare and leisure facilities, including the proposed Dubai Twin Towers and Dubai Creek Residences.

Who the area may suit

• Buyers or occupiers seeking waterfront-themed urban living close to Dubai Creek’s eastern corridor and Dubai Festival City.
• Households and residents prioritising proximity to schools and established eastern Dubai neighbourhoods, with international schools within a few kilometres of the site.
• Developers and institutions interested in large-scale mixed-use redevelopment opportunities aligned with major masterplans such as MBR City and Dubai Creek Harbour.

FAQ

What is The Lagoons?
The Lagoons is a large planned waterfront development at Ras Al Khor on Dubai Creek, originally launched in 2006 as part of the MBR City framework and later reworked following market events and ownership changes.

Who has developed or redeveloped the site?
Sama Dubai, a Dubai Holding division, initiated the original project before merging into Dubai Properties Group. In 2013, Dubai Holding and Emaar agreed to relaunch a redesigned first phase known as Dubai Creek Harbour.

Is there public transport access?
A Green Line metro station, G30, is roughly 3.4 km from the district core, which is generally too far for routine walking. The area is connected to nearby eastern Dubai destinations by road.

What facilities and uses were planned?
The relaunched district was planned to include residential neighbourhoods around lagoons and green boulevards, a central business district, and cultural, commercial, educational, healthcare and leisure amenities.

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