Dubai Design District (d3) — Creative Business Hub Guide 2026
Dubai Design District (d3) is Dubai’s dedicated creative economy free zone, hosting fashion designers, architects, interior designers, and creative businesses. d3 has become one of the most vibrant creative hubs in MENA. This guide covers d3 for creative businesses in 2026.
In this guide:
d3 Overview
- Location: Al Quoz, next to Business Bay and Creek; 10 minutes from DIFC; 15 minutes from Dubai Marina
- Developer: Dubai Holding (government); part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation initiative
- Scale: three phases; Phase 1 and 2 built; Phase 3 under development; 22 million+ sqft planned total; waterfront along Dubai Creek
- Community: 700+ companies including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co design studios; international and local fashion houses; architecture firms; interior design studios
d3 Business Setup
- d3 is a UAE free zone: 100% foreign ownership; 0% income tax; standard UAE free zone benefits
- Activities: fashion design; architecture; interior design; product design; graphic design; digital creative; media; luxury retail showrooms
- Licence cost: AED 15,000-25,000/year; competitive for a Dubai free zone with high-quality creative ecosystem
- Space: showroom space AED 200-500/sqft/year; studio space AED 100-250/sqft/year; premium waterfront units higher
d3 Events and Community
- Dubai Design Week (November): UAE’s major design and fashion event; held in d3; attracts 80,000+ visitors; global brands and designers exhibit; significant media coverage
- Dubai Fashion Week: held in d3; regional and international fashion brands showcase; buyers from GCC, MENA, and Europe attend
- d3 Common Ground: communal outdoor spaces; pop-up shops; art installations; regular community events; vibrant atmosphere that attracts consumers to the district
d3 for International Fashion and Luxury Brands
- MENA regional office: d3 is where international luxury and fashion brands establish their MENA regional design offices; proximity to key Dubai retail locations (Dubai Mall 10 minutes) and GCC distribution
- Showroom: d3 showrooms allow B2B client meetings for wholesale buyers and retailers; less formal than a retail store; suitable for presenting seasonal collections to GCC buyers
- Talent: d3’s creative community attracts fashion design graduates from ESMOD Dubai and other UAE fashion schools; talent availability for design-led businesses