Attareen

TL;DR: Attareen Residences is a 7-storey, 88-unit residential building on Old Town Island in Downtown Dubai, developed by Emaar Properties and completed in February 2007. Situated within the exclusive 405-apartment Old Town Island sub-community — home to The Palace Downtown Dubai hotel, Souk Al Bahar, and Al Saaha boutique offices — Attareen offers 1-bedroom apartments from 940 to 1,284 square feet, 2-bedroom units from 1,545 to 2,575 square feet, and 3-bedroom residences from 1,693 to 3,826 square feet. Current sale prices range from AED 1.9 million for a 1-bedroom to AED 18 million for premium 3-bedroom units, with the building providing 500 dedicated basement parking bays, 24-hour concierge, and direct pedestrian access to Souk Al Bahar, Dubai Mall, and the Burj Khalifa.

Introduction

Attareen Residences occupies a position of exceptional privilege within Downtown Dubai's hierarchy of residential addresses. While Downtown Dubai encompasses hundreds of towers and thousands of apartments, Old Town Island — the specific sub-community where Attareen sits — houses just 405 residences across four quarters: Attareen, Al Tajer, Al Bahar, and The Palace Downtown Dubai. This intimate scale, combined with direct waterfront frontage on Burj Khalifa Lake, traditional Arabian architecture, and seamless pedestrian connectivity to Souk Al Bahar and Dubai Mall, creates a residential experience that stands apart from the high-rise, high-density character of the broader Downtown district.

Completed in February 2007 and designed by DSA Architects International, Attareen was among the first residential components of what would become the most valuable real estate precinct in the Middle East. The building predates the Burj Khalifa (2010), Dubai Mall (2008), and Dubai Fountain — yet its residents were the first to witness these landmarks rise from construction sites to global icons, and today they enjoy the closest and most intimate relationship with these attractions that any residential address in Dubai can offer.

Old Town Island's community statistics underscore its exclusivity: 405 apartments, 161 hotel rooms, 83 hotel suites, 2,100 total parking bays, 4 community swimming pools, 15 restaurants and cafés, 89 boutique shops, and 130,000 square feet of retail — all serving a resident population of fewer than 500 households (Source: Emaar Community Management / ecm.ae).

Location & Connectivity

Attareen's Old Town Island location delivers perhaps the most culturally immersive and walkable living experience in Downtown Dubai:

• Souk Al Bahar is physically part of Old Town Island — effectively a 2-minute walk through the island's pedestrian courtyards. The souk houses 100+ shops, 22+ restaurants, and 89 boutique retail outlets across 130,000 square feet, with a scenic air-conditioned pedestrian bridge spanning Burj Khalifa Lake to connect directly to Dubai Mall
• Dubai Mall is approximately 5-7 minutes' walk via Souk Al Bahar and the pedestrian bridge — a route that crosses the lake with views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain rather than navigating traffic-heavy roads
• Burj Khalifa is approximately 5-10 minutes' walk via the lakeside promenade, with unobstructed views of the world's tallest structure from multiple vantage points within Old Town Island
• Dubai Fountain performances are visible and audible from the island's waterfront promenades, with Souk Al Bahar offering less crowded viewing positions than Dubai Mall's terraces
• Dubai Opera is approximately 5-10 minutes' walk, providing access to the 2,000-seat performing arts venue
• DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) is 2.3 kilometres / approximately 5-9 minutes by car
• Business Bay Metro Station is approximately 9 minutes by car
• Boulevard 9 Bus Stop is a 4-minute walk from Attareen
• Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station (Red Line) is accessible via a climate-controlled pedestrian route through Dubai Mall
• Dubai International Airport (DXB) is approximately 15-20 minutes by car

Architecture & Design

Attareen's architectural language represents a deliberate counterpoint to Downtown Dubai's surrounding glass-and-steel towers. Designed by DSA Architects International as "a deliberately human-scale interpretation of traditional Arabic town architecture," the building integrates authentic Arabian design elements with modern residential standards:

Traditional Arabian Elements:

• Intricate geometric patterns and arabesque motifs adorning facades and common areas
• Mashrabiya-inspired lattice screens filtering light and providing privacy
• Combination of glass, stone, and metal on the facade creating depth and visual richness
• Terraces, balconies, parapets, and pergolas drawing from early 20th-century Dubai building traditions
• Walls finished with textures referencing traditional plastering techniques
• Inner pedestrian courtyards with meandering walkways, water features, and landscaped gardens
• Low-rise massing (7 storeys maximum) maintaining human scale against the surrounding tower district

Modern Residential Features:

• Floor-to-ceiling windows maximising natural light and views
• Central air conditioning throughout
• Fully fitted modern kitchens
• High-speed elevators serving all residential floors
• Private balconies and terraces on most units
• Select ground-floor units feature private garden terraces

Recognition: Old Town (including Old Town Island) won the 2010 SAPOA Excellence Award for Best International Development and the 2011 World Travel Awards for Middle East's Leading City Resort — recognition that reflects the quality of the architectural vision and its execution.

Amenities & Lifestyle

Attareen residents access amenities at both the building and the broader Old Town Island community level:

Building and Community Amenities:

• Swimming Pools: 4 community pools across Old Town Island, including a children's pool
• Gymnasium: Fully equipped fitness centre with cardiovascular and strength equipment
• Sauna: Wellness facility for relaxation and recovery
• Meeting Room: Dedicated meeting space for residents
• Children's Play Areas: Both indoor and outdoor play facilities with age-appropriate equipment
• BBQ Areas: Designated outdoor barbecue and dining spaces
• Landscaped Gardens: Extensive courtyard gardens threading through the island's pedestrian network
• 500 Basement Parking Bays: Dedicated underground parking for Attareen residents, with minimum one space per unit and additional allocations for larger apartments
• 24-Hour Concierge Service: Full-time concierge desk providing resident services
• 24/7 Security: Round-the-clock security with comprehensive video surveillance
• Professional Maintenance: On-site maintenance staff
• Pet-Friendly Policy: Pets are permitted, with parks and open spaces available for pet recreation

Souk Al Bahar Integration: The direct pedestrian connection to Souk Al Bahar effectively extends Attareen's amenity envelope to include 100+ boutique shops, 22+ restaurants and cafés, art galleries, and handicraft stores — all within a 2-minute walk through architecturally harmonious surroundings. Notable dining concepts within the souk offer views of the Dubai Fountain performances, providing residents with front-row access to one of the world's most spectacular public attractions.

Boutique Office Component: Attareen integrates approximately 8,000 square metres of boutique office space into its ground and lower levels, creating a mixed-use character that adds daytime commercial activity and convenience retail to the residential environment.

Unit Types & Current Pricing

Attareen's 88 apartments offer generous proportions reflecting Emaar's early Downtown design standards:

| Unit Type | Size (sq ft) | Sale Price (AED) | Annual Rent (AED) | Est. Gross Yield | |-----------|-------------|-----------------|-------------------|------------------| | 1 Bedroom | 940 - 1,284 | 1,900,000 - 3,650,000 | 110,000 - 165,000 | ~5.0-6.5% | | 2 Bedroom | 1,545 - 2,575 | 3,700,000 - 15,300,000 | 200,000 - 350,000 | ~3.5-5.5% | | 3 Bedroom | 1,693 - 3,826 | 9,500,000 - 18,000,000 | 339,000 - 650,000 | ~3.6-5.0% |

(Source: PropertyFinder, PropSearch DLD transactions, Provident Estate, 2024-2026 market data)

Recent DLD Transactions:

• November 2025: 1BR (956 sq ft) — AED 1,560,000 (AED 1,632/sq ft)
• November 2025: 1BR (1,048 sq ft) — AED 2,950,000 (AED 2,813/sq ft)
• September 2025: 2BR (1,743 sq ft) — AED 5,300,000 (AED 3,041/sq ft)
• October 2024: 3BR (4,345 sq ft) — AED 9,500,000
• January 2026: 2BR (3,062 sq ft) — AED 15,300,000 (AED 4,997/sq ft)

The wide price range within each bedroom category reflects view premiums (Burj Khalifa-facing vs courtyard-facing), floor level, unit size variation, and the presence of private garden terraces or study rooms.

Views:

• Burj Khalifa views: Available from select units depending on orientation and floor — these command significant premiums
• Dubai Fountain views: Accessible from select waterfront-facing apartments
• Lake/waterfront views: Old Town Island fronts Burj Khalifa Lake, with several units enjoying direct water views
• Island courtyard views: Inner-facing units overlook the landscaped pedestrian courtyards, gardens, and traditional walkways

Developer Profile

Emaar Properties is the master developer of Downtown Dubai — the 500-acre precinct that houses the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera, Dubai Fountain, and the Old Town community. Founded in 1997 by Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Emaar holds a market capitalisation of approximately AED 143 billion (~USD 39 billion) with annual revenues exceeding USD 12.2 billion and a land bank of approximately 1.7 billion square feet.

Old Town Island holds special significance within Emaar's portfolio as a demonstration of architectural and cultural ambition beyond commercial maximisation. Where a conventional developer might have built another cluster of high-rise towers on this waterfront site, Emaar created a human-scale, heritage-inspired island community that serves as the cultural and social heart of Downtown Dubai. The integration of The Palace Downtown Dubai hotel, Souk Al Bahar, boutique offices, and 405 residences into a cohesive, pedestrian-first island reflects a development philosophy that prioritises long-term community value over short-term density.

Investment Potential

Attareen Residences presents a distinctive investment profile defined by irreplaceable scarcity:

• Permanent Supply Constraint: Old Town Island's 405 apartments — and Attareen's 88 units specifically — represent a permanently fixed inventory. No new low-rise, heritage-style developments can be built in Downtown Dubai, making every unit inherently scarce
• Capital Appreciation: Downtown Dubai property prices appreciated approximately 41% from 2020 to 2024, with sought-after projects seeing up to 50% gains since 2022. Old Town Island's premium positioning drives capital growth above the Downtown average (Source: DXBinteract, Driven Properties)
• Rental Yields: 1-bedroom apartments generate gross yields of approximately 5-6.5%, competitive for a prime Downtown address. Short-term holiday rentals can generate significantly higher returns given the building's proximity to Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall
• Up to 7% ROI: Cited by market analysis platforms for Attareen specifically (Source: Dubai MLS)
• Emaar Community Management: ECM's professional management of common areas, landscaping, security, and facilities directly protects property values and tenant satisfaction
• Freehold + Pet-Friendly: Full freehold ownership open to all nationalities, combined with pet-friendly policies, maximises the buyer and tenant pool
• DIFC Proximity: The 5-9 minute drive to DIFC positions Attareen as a preferred address for financial sector professionals — a high-income, stable tenant demographic
• Tourism Synergy: Souk Al Bahar, the Dubai Fountain, and Burj Khalifa generate continuous foot traffic and global visibility for Old Town Island, maintaining the address's desirability among international buyers