Al Attar Escala, Bur Dubai: Units, Facilities and Facts

Al Attar Escala is a completed freehold apartment building in the Al Raffa district of Bur Dubai, with direct access to Sheikh Rashid Road, which connects to Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai International Airport and the northern emirates. It has studios and one- to three-bedroom apartments, so it suits professionals and families who want to live in an established part of the city.

Key takeaways

• Completed freehold building in the Al Raffa district of Bur Dubai.
• Studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom apartments.
• One-bedroom apartments are about 800 to 1,100 sq ft; two-bedroom apartments about 1,275 to 1,500 sq ft.
• A central green park, a children's play area and an indoor games room.
• Direct access to Sheikh Rashid Road.

Choosing between a studio and a three-bedroom at Al Attar Escala

The building has studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments. All units have built-in wardrobes and contemporary kitchens, and the flooring is of a good standard throughout.

One-bedroom apartments are about 800 to 1,100 sq ft. They have en-suite bedrooms, a guest bathroom and balconies. That is a generous range for a one-bedroom, and the gap between the smallest and the largest is big enough that two apartments of the same type can feel quite different.

Two-bedroom apartments are about 1,275 to 1,500 sq ft, with a master suite and secondary bedrooms. They are the natural fit for a small family, or for two adults who want a spare room for work.

Three-bedroom apartments have open-plan kitchens, separate dining areas and several balconies, which makes them the choice for larger households. Studios have compact layouts for people living on their own.

These sizes are approximate. Ask for the floor plan of the exact unit you are viewing before you compare it with another one, and do the same for a studio, since the exact size depends on the unit.

Studio and three-bedroom sizes depend on the specific unit, so ask for the floor plan of each one you view. For a three-bedroom, count the balconies and note which rooms open onto them, since a unit with several balconies lives differently from one with a single balcony.

Living in Bur Dubai

Bur Dubai is the historic and commercial heart of the city. The area has traditional souks, including Meena Bazaar, as well as retail centres and restaurants that range from street food to fine dining. It also has wide boulevards and a network of RTA buses.

The district is home to long-established hospitals and international schools, which is one reason it has kept a steady mix of families and working professionals.

Al Raffa is part of this older core, so expect a lived-in neighbourhood rather than a newly built master plan. If you like streets with shops, cafes and people on them, that is the appeal. If you want quiet, tree-lined suburbs, view the area before you decide.

Area pages on our site group buildings by district, and the methodology page explains how those area figures are counted.

Who Al Attar Escala suits

Professionals who want an established neighbourhood will find the Al Raffa location straightforward, with Sheikh Rashid Road at the building's entrance. Families can choose between the two- and three-bedroom apartments and use the green park and the children's play area. Individuals and couples can look at the studios and one-bedroom apartments.

If you are comparing the building with another one, put the size, the floor plan and the facilities side by side. The same apartment type can differ a lot in size from one unit to the next.

Asking prices are not sale prices. Before you negotiate, look at recent registered transactions to see what Dubai Land Department has actually recorded.

What the building offers its residents

The central green park is the main shared space, and it is the feature that sets the building apart from many apartment blocks in the district. There is also a children's play area, with spaces indoors and outdoors, and an indoor games room for residents.

The entrance lobby has 24-hour security and concierge services. The building also has high-speed elevators, CCTV, covered resident parking, and a maintenance team on site. Power and water backup systems are part of the building too.

For a resident, the backup systems and the maintenance team are the practical details that matter day to day. They are worth asking about at a viewing, because how well they work depends on how the building is managed.

Ask about the green park in particular. Find out whether it is open all day, who looks after it, and whether the rules limit ball games or gatherings. A shared park is one of the building's main features, so its upkeep tells you a lot about how the building is run. The same goes for the indoor games room and the children's play area: ask when they are open and whether children need an adult with them.

Covered parking is part of the building, but the number of spaces that come with each apartment is something to confirm with the landlord or seller. With CCTV and 24-hour security at the lobby, ask who watches the cameras and how visitors are registered at the entrance.

The building itself: facade, views and commercial spaces

The building has a facade with clean lines and large windows, and the apartments look onto the community. Some commercial spaces are part of the building too, so the lobby and entrance may be busier than in a purely residential block.

That mix is common in Bur Dubai, and it puts shops and services right at your door. It also means you should visit at different times of day to see how busy the entrance gets.

Ask which businesses operate in the building, what hours they keep, and where deliveries arrive. If you are renting a home, check that the apartment you are shown is not directly above or beside a commercial unit unless you are comfortable with the noise. If you are considering a unit for business use rather than as a home, confirm what use it is registered for before you sign anything.

Other buildings in Bur Dubai you can compare

Layouts, building age, facilities and service charges differ from one building to the next, even within one district. Looking at a few buildings in Bur Dubai side by side makes those differences clear before you commit to one. These buildings are also on our site:

• Al Hamriya Residence, under construction
• Al Safa Comm, completed
• Golden Gate, under construction
• MAG Hotel Apartments, completed, developed by MAG
• Sofitel - The Obelisk, completed, developed by Al Fara'ah Properties
• Rais Hassan Saadi Building, completed

A checklist before you rent or buy at Al Attar Escala

1. Ask for the exact size and floor plan. One-bedroom apartments run from about 800 to 1,100 sq ft, so the unit type alone tells you little. Get the size of the specific apartment in writing.
2. Check the proof of ownership. If you are buying, ask the seller for the title deed and confirm the name on it matches the person selling. If you are renting, ask the landlord for the same document.
3. Ask for the service charge budget. The owners' association sets a yearly budget for the building. Ask what it covers, for example maintenance, lifts, security and the shared park.
4. Confirm the parking. Ask whether a covered space comes with the unit, where it is, and whether a second space is possible.
5. Find out what the rent includes. Ask whether any building services or utilities are part of the rent, and who pays for repairs inside the apartment.
6. Register the tenancy in Ejari. If you rent, the contract should be registered in Ejari. Do not hand over a deposit before you have seen the contract.
7. View at different times of day. Go once in the morning and once in the evening. Listen for noise from the road, the lobby and the commercial spaces, and look at how much daylight the balcony gets.
8. Test the details. Open the wardrobes and kitchen cabinets, run the taps, check the balcony doors and look at the finish on the floors and walls.
9. Ask about the backup systems and maintenance. Find out how repairs are reported, how quickly the on-site team responds, and how the power and water backup works.
10. Read the building rules. Ask about rules for moving in, using the green park, the play area and the games room, and for any pets.

More photos and details are on the Al Attar Escala page. Want the latest asking prices or floor plans for Al Attar Escala? Message us on WhatsApp and we'll send them, or ask Sophia on aigentsrealty.com.

FAQ

Is Al Attar Escala freehold? Yes. The title type is freehold.

Is Al Attar Escala completed? Yes. The building is completed and in use.

What unit types does Al Attar Escala have? Studios, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom apartments.

How big are the one-bedroom apartments at Al Attar Escala? About 800 to 1,100 sq ft. Two-bedroom apartments are about 1,275 to 1,500 sq ft.

Where is Al Attar Escala? Al Attar Escala is in the Al Raffa district of Bur Dubai, with direct access to Sheikh Rashid Road.

What facilities does Al Attar Escala have? A central green park, a children's play area, an indoor games room, 24/7 security, concierge services, high-speed elevators, maintenance services and a power backup system.

Are there shops or offices in Al Attar Escala? Yes. Some commercial spaces are part of the building, alongside the apartments.