Dubai Design District (d3) is a dedicated creative industries free zone in the Nad Al Sheba area of Dubai, between Business Bay and Al Quoz. Here is a complete guide to d3 for design and creative businesses.
d3 Overview
d3 was established in 2013 under TECOM Group and opened in 2015. It is UAE’s first district specifically designed for fashion, design, and creative industries. d3 is a physical campus with: distinctive industrial-chic architecture (repurposed warehouse aesthetic), galleries and showroom spaces, fashion studios and ateliers, design agency offices, retail concept stores, F&B and creative hospitality, and events (Dubai Fashion Week, Dubai Design Week, Art Week are held or co-hosted at d3). d3 is more of a “creative village” than a standard free zone — the physical campus and community are central to its value proposition.
d3 Permitted Activities
d3 is for: fashion design (apparel, accessories, footwear), interior design and architecture, industrial and product design, graphic design and branding, advertising and creative agencies, jewellery and luxury goods design, art galleries and studios, and photography, film, and video production. d3 is NOT for: standard IT/tech (use DIC), media content creation without design focus (use DMC), or general professional services (use IFZA or Shams).
d3 Costs 2025
Annual licence fee: AED 12,000–25,000 depending on activity and size. Studio/showroom space: AED 80–150/sqft/year (unique d3 industrial-aesthetic buildings). Flexi-desk: included in some packages. Retail space: AED 100–200/sqft/year (premium for the d3 brand association). Best for: established design brands, luxury fashion houses, and creative agencies that value the physical d3 campus and the brand association with Dubai Design Week.