RAW DISTRICT

OVERVIEW

Raw District by Imtiaz Developments is an off-plan mixed-use commercial development in Downtown Jebel Ali, on Sheikh Zayed Road, with completion targeted for Q1 2029. The project comprises four interconnected towers on a shared landscaped podium, with two towers connected by a dedicated pedestrian bridge directly into the adjacent Dubai Metro Red Line station — a distinctive infrastructure integration. Office units are modular and shell-and-core, available from approximately 700 square feet with flexible layouts. The development is the first location of the Raw brand globally, with subsequent launches planned in London, Miami, and Madrid. Pricing commences from AED 1,714 per square foot, with 50/50 or 60/40 post-handover payment plan options.

OFFICE STOCK AND TENANT PROFILE

Raw District provides modular office units designed for flexible adaptation as businesses grow, with a dedicated managed co-working floor — Raw Stations — offering private offices, open desks, meeting rooms, podcast studios, and collaborative lounges operated by Imtiaz. Additional commercial amenities include a design lab with 3D printing, Raw Pro Gym with cold plunges, yoga deck, nap pods, indoor and outdoor cinema, a reading room, and a gallery housing the Masih Imtiaz Art Collection. Ground-floor food and beverage — 6AM Coffee Club and Distrikt Table — serves office occupiers without leaving the district. The ecosystem is designed to support founders, consultants, SMEs, and businesses seeking a differentiated address in the emerging Jebel Ali corridor.

RENTAL MARKET

As an off-plan development, Raw District has no established rental market at the time of writing. Indicative projections based on a gross yield approach suggest a conservative gross return of approximately 8 percent on acquisition price — approximately AED 150 per square foot per annum — a practical scenario of 10 percent (approximately AED 175 per square foot per annum) and an optimistic scenario of 12 percent (approximately AED 225 per square foot per annum). Commercial yields in Dubai are structurally higher than residential, supported by shorter lease cycles and strong occupier demand in a supply-constrained market. Actual returns will depend on market conditions at handover and quality of occupier secured. Independent rental appraisal is strongly recommended prior to any acquisition commitment.

SALES MARKET

Raw District units are offered for sale off plan on a freehold basis, priced from AED 1,714 per square foot, with two payment plan options: a 50/50 structure or a 60/40 post-handover plan extending over three years. An additional 4 percent DLD fee and an administrative fee of AED 100,000 apply to office unit acquisitions. Units are individually strata-titled, supporting post-handover secondary market transactions. Purchasers should verify Imtiaz Developments' DLD project registration and escrow arrangements. As a new launch from a growing developer, delivery track record due diligence is advisable. Independent legal and commercial property advice is strongly recommended before acquiring at the current offering price.

LOCATION AND ACCESS

Raw District is located in Downtown Jebel Ali on Sheikh Zayed Road, with two of the four towers directly connected by pedestrian bridge to the Dubai Metro Red Line station. Expo City Dubai is approximately 10 minutes by road; Palm Jebel Ali is approximately 10 minutes; Dubai Marina is approximately 15 minutes; Palm Jumeirah is approximately 20 minutes; and Al Maktoum International Airport is approximately 25 minutes. Dubai International Airport is approximately 30 minutes. Sheikh Zayed Road provides uninterrupted road access north-east toward central Dubai and south-west toward Jebel Ali Port and Abu Dhabi. The direct metro integration significantly broadens the accessible employee and client catchment beyond road commuters alone.

RISKS AND WATCHPOINTS

Raw District is an off-plan development subject to construction and delivery risk; the Q1 2029 target is contingent on contractor performance and regulatory approvals. The four-tower configuration and integrated metro bridge represent significant construction complexity. Imtiaz Developments is an active but relatively recent developer; purchasers should verify track record and financial standing independently. As the first Raw brand location globally, the concept carries brand execution risk alongside delivery risk; the envisioned ecosystem quality at handover will influence occupier demand and post-handover rental outcomes. The AED 100,000 administrative fee is an additional acquisition cost to factor into total purchase cost calculations. Conservative yield assumptions are appropriate given the long delivery horizon.

STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVE

Raw District targets founders, consultants, and lifestyle-oriented businesses seeking a differentiated Sheikh Zayed Road address in Dubai's south-western growth corridor, underpinned by direct metro access that eliminates the car-dependency characterising most Jebel Ali office locations. The proximity to Expo City, Palm Jebel Ali, and the Al Maktoum Airport expansion positions the building in the path of Dubai's next major commercial migration. For investors, the AED 1,714 per square foot entry price, the globally branded concept, and the metro connectivity create a compelling risk-reward profile if the corridor develops as anticipated. The Q1 2029 delivery horizon and first-mover execution risk require a patient capital approach and conservative acquisition underwriting.