Construction has started on the second stage of the AED 1bn ($272mn) Dubai Design District (d3) being developed by Tecom Group.
Phase One, which was completed in 2015, boasts 1.2 million sq ft of offices, studios, ateliers, showrooms, and over 200,000 sq ft of retail space.
In the second phase, a creative community which will house a range of design industry workshops, studios and showrooms will be completed next year.
Located close to Mohammed Bin Rashid City and adjacent to Dubai’s Business Bay, d3 will include a 1.8-km waterfront development which will be populated with food and beverage outlets, hotels, retail outlets and a multi-use outdoor space.
The third phase, due for completion in 2018, will focus on d3’s 2-km-long creekside promenade which will feature hotels, international and regional food and beverage offerings with a wide selection of hospitality and leisure facilities.
“We are happy to announce that we have started construction and foundation works for the second phase of the d3 project, which will include a specialised creative community designed and executed by Foster and Partners,” said Dr Amina Al Rustamani, the chief executive of Tecom Group.
Occupancy levels in the zone rose to 85 percent at the end of last month, with 40 percent of the companies originating from the UAE and 60 percent internationally. Over 160 design companies are currently operational in the zone including 4,500 creative individuals, a number expected to increase to 10,000 during the first stage of the project.
