Deira Islands: 6 Beachfront Towers Designed for Affordable Urban Living in 2025

REAL ESTATE1 month ago

Dubai Islands, previously Deira Islands, is a 17 sq.km. mixed-use waterfront development by Nakheel Properties, located off Deira’s coast in the Arabian Gulf. Spanning five islands—Marina Island, The Central Island, Golf Island, Shore Island, and Elite Island—it adds 40km of coastline, including 21km of beaches, and features nine marinas with 1,300 berths. With a 12-lane bridge, road, and sea connectivity (Al Shindagha Corridor, $1.4B, reducing travel time from 104 to 16 minutes), it’s 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport and 20 minutes from Downtown Dubai.

In 2024, property prices rose 15% YoY (AED 1,800–2,500/sq.ft.), with 7–9% rental yields, driven by 3.92M residents, 20M tourists, and 80,000 projected jobs.

Six beachfront towers—Flow Residences, Imtiaz Sunset Bay, Flora Isle, Bay Grove 2, Ellington Cove Residences, and Fakhruddin Treppan Living—offer affordable urban living with smart technology, sustainable designs, and payment plans (e.g., 65/35 post-handover), catering to mid-income professionals and investors. This guide details their features, investment potential, and alignment with Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan.

1. Flow Residences

Location: Deira Islands, A-Island, Dubai Islands, near the beachfront and Dubai Islands Mall.
Developer: Main Realty.
Features: A 6-story boutique tower with 50 signature apartments (1–3 bedrooms, 97–213 sq.m.) and townhouses. Includes smart home systems (German appliances, automated lighting), high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and select duplexes with private plunge pools. Offers pools, gyms, retail, and beach access. Views of the Arabian Gulf and marina.
Price Range: AED 1.9M–3.5M (AED 1,800–2,200/sq.ft.).
Investment Potential: 7–9% rental yields, 10–12% appreciation. Golden Visa eligible (AED 2M+). High demand from young professionals and tourists due to proximity to retail promenades and Dubai Creek Harbour (10-minute drive). Offers a 65/35 payment plan (35% post-handover over 3 years). Short-term rentals fetch AED 700–1,500/night.
Why Affordable Urban Living: Miami-inspired design and competitive pricing provide luxury at mid-income levels, ideal for urban professionals.
Status: Under construction, completion expected in Q4 2027.

2. Imtiaz Sunset Bay

Location: Central Dubai Islands, steps from the beach and marina.
Developer: Imtiaz Developments.
Features: An 8-story residential tower with studios, 1–2-bedroom apartments (450–1,500 sq.ft.). Features smart home automation, eco-friendly lighting (10% energy savings), and modern interiors. Includes a rooftop pool, fitness center, and retail spaces. Views of the Gulf and Dubai skyline.
Price Range: AED 2.3M–3.2M (AED 1,900–2,300/sq.ft.).
Investment Potential: 7–9% yields, 10–12% appreciation. Golden Visa eligible. Appeals to mid-income investors and tourists due to proximity to Dubai Islands Mall (761,840 sq.m., completion 2026) and flexible 60/40 payment plan. Rentals yield AED 50K–100K/year long-term, AED 800–1,800/night short-term.
Why Affordable Urban Living: Affordable entry prices and state-of-the-art amenities cater to young professionals and small families seeking urban-beachfront balance.
Status: Under construction, completion expected in Q3 2026.

3. Flora Isle

Location: Dubai Islands, beachfront near Dubai Islands Mall.
Developer: Octa Properties.
Features: A 3-building ecosystem with 1–3-bedroom apartments (600–1,800 sq.ft.). Equipped with smart security, sustainable HVAC (12% energy savings), and resort-style amenities (pools, spa, kids’ play areas). Offers beach access and marina proximity. Views of the Gulf and international golf course.
Price Range: AED 2.3M–3.5M (AED 1,900–2,500/sq.ft.).
Investment Potential: 7–9% yields, 10–15% appreciation. Golden Visa eligible. High rental demand from tourists and expatriates due to beachfront location and 1% monthly payment plan (6 years). Rentals yield AED 60K–120K/year long-term, AED 900–2,000/night short-term.
Why Affordable Urban Living: Resort-like design and green features attract mid-income buyers seeking sustainable, urban-coastal living.
Status: Under construction, completion expected in Q1 2027.

4. Bay Grove 2

Location: Dubai Islands, on a green podium near the marina.
Developer: Nakheel Properties.
Features: Four interconnected buildings with 1–4-bedroom apartments, duplexes, and penthouses (700–3,000 sq.ft.). Includes smart home systems, eco-friendly materials (10% utility savings), and amenities like pools, gyms, and retail. Offers beach and marina access. Views of the Gulf and skyline.
Price Range: AED 2M–4M (AED 2,000–2,500/sq.ft.).
Investment Potential: 7–8% yields, 10–12% appreciation. Golden Visa eligible. High demand from families and professionals due to Nakheel’s reputation and proximity to leisure hubs (e.g., Centara Mirage Beach Resort, 600 rooms). Offers a 65/35 payment plan. Rentals yield AED 60K–150K/year long-term.
Why Affordable Urban Living: Nakheel’s trusted brand and mid-range pricing provide accessible luxury for urban residents near commercial and cultural hubs.
Status: Under construction, completion expected in Q4 2026.

5. Ellington Cove Residences

Location: Dubai Islands, on a private beach near Dubai Islands Mall.
Developer: Ellington Properties.
Features: A beachfront tower with 1–3-bedroom apartments (600–1,800 sq.ft.). Features smart home technology, high-end finishes, and sustainable lighting (10% savings). Includes private beach access, pools, fitness centers, and retail. Views of the Gulf and marina.
Price Range: AED 2.2M–3.5M (AED 1,900–2,300/sq.ft.).
Investment Potential: 7–9% yields, 10–12% appreciation. Golden Visa eligible. Appeals to design-conscious buyers and investors due to Ellington’s boutique style and proximity to golf courses. Offers a 60/40 payment plan. Rentals yield AED 50K–100K/year long-term, AED 800–1,800/night short-term.
Why Affordable Urban Living: Boutique design and mid-income pricing offer a premium yet accessible lifestyle for urban professionals and small families.
Status: Under construction, completion expected in Q2 2027.

6. Fakhruddin Treppan Living

Location: Dubai Islands, waterfront near the beach.
Developer: Fakhruddin Properties.
Features: A luxury tower with 1–3-bedroom apartments (600–1,800 sq.ft.). Equipped with smart home automation, eco-friendly HVAC (12% energy savings), and modern amenities (rooftop lounge, pools, retail). Offers direct beach and marina access. Views of the Gulf and Dubai skyline.
Price Range: AED 2M–3.2M (AED 1,800–2,200/sq.ft.).
Investment Potential: 7–9% yields, 10–12% appreciation. Golden Visa eligible. High demand from mid-income expatriates and tourists due to waterfront location and flexible 65/35 payment plan (3 years post-handover). Rentals yield AED 50K–100K/year long-term, AED 800–1,800/night short-term.
Why Affordable Urban Living: Affordable luxury and sustainable features cater to urban professionals seeking a vibrant, waterfront lifestyle.
Status: Under construction, completion expected in Q1 2027.

Investment Potential

Rental Yields: 7–9% for long-term rentals (apartments AED 50K–150K/year), 8–10% for short-term rentals (Airbnb, 34,558 listings, +30% YoY). Flow Residences and Imtiaz Sunset Bay lead for short-term yields due to boutique appeal; Bay Grove 2 excels for family-oriented long-term rentals.
Price Appreciation: 10–15% annually, driven by Dubai Islands’ 15% YoY price growth (AED 2,500/sq.ft. in 2024), limited supply, and infrastructure (Dubai Islands Mall, 9 marinas). Off-plan properties gain 20–30% by completion.
Golden Visa: Properties above AED 2M qualify for 10-year residency, attracting 150,000+ investors and HNWIs (7,200 in 2024). All projects meet this threshold.
Financing and Incentives: Flexible payment plans (e.g., 1% monthly, 65/35, 60/40) and developer incentives (waived DLD fees, free furnishings for Imtiaz Sunset Bay) reduce entry costs. A AED 2M apartment requires ~AED 400K down payment and AED 9,600/month (20 years, 4%). Mortgages available at 2.99–4.99%.
Demand Drivers: Population growth (3.92M, +89,695 in Q1 2025), 20M tourists, and connectivity (12-lane bridge, Al Shindagha Corridor) fuel demand. Proximity to Deira’s souks, Dubai Creek Harbour (10 minutes), and leisure hubs (RIU Dubai, Centara Mirage) ensures 90%+ occupancy.

Sustainability and Market Resilience

Green Features: All towers incorporate solar panels, smart systems, and water-efficient fixtures (10–12% savings), aligning with Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050. Flora Isle and Bay Grove 2 aim for LEED Silver certification, appealing to eco-conscious buyers.
Market Stability: RERA regulations, escrow accounts, and 80% absorption since 2022 mitigate risks. A potential 15% price correction in H2 2025 is offset by 60% cash transactions and high demand.
Risks: Limited on-island healthcare (nearest hospitals: Dubai Hospital, 12-minute drive) and construction noise may affect early residents. Mitigated by planned clinics, infrastructure upgrades, and Nakheel’s track record (Palm Jumeirah).

Renting vs. Buying

Renting:
- Costs: Studios (AED 40K–60K/year), 1–2-bedroom apartments (AED 60K–100K/year), 3-bedroom units (AED 100K–150K/year).
- Advantages: Flexibility for short-term residents (1–3 years), no upfront green feature costs, three-year rent freeze (September 2024).
- Drawbacks: Misses 10–15% appreciation and Golden Visa benefits.
Buying:
- Advantages: 7–10% yields, 10–15% growth, utility savings (10–12%), Golden Visa eligibility. Beachfront location and smart amenities enhance marketability.
- Drawbacks: Higher initial costs, correction risk. Mitigated by payment plans and demand.
Strategy: Rent for flexibility; buy for long-term gains (5+ years).

Conclusion

Dubai Islands’ six beachfront towers—Flow Residences, Imtiaz Sunset Bay, Flora Isle, Bay Grove 2, Ellington Cove Residences, and Fakhruddin Treppan Living—offer affordable urban living in 2025 with 7–10% rental yields and 10–15% appreciation.

Priced from AED 1.9M–4M, these projects feature smart technology, sustainable designs, and proximity to 21km of beaches, Dubai Islands Mall, and nine marinas, appealing to mid-income professionals, families, and investors. Supported by Dubai’s 3.92M population, 20M tourists, and infrastructure (12-lane bridge, Al Shindagha Corridor), Dubai Islands ensures strong ROI despite a potential 15% price correction. Deira Islands