Blue Line redraws a ‘quiet’ district’s fate

THE DUBAI METRO LINK PROPELS DLRC FROM A SUBURBAN FRINGE TO A RISING RESIDENTIAL HUB

- BY JUSTIN VARGHESE

Dubai’s property map keeps redrawing itself, and one of the clearest examples right now is Dubai Land Residence Complex (DLRC).

For years, this stretch of the city sat just beyond the core, known more for its access roads and space than headline projects. That is starting to change.

DLRC, a freehold pocket within the wider Dubailand area, has moved from under-the-radar to increasingly watched, especially among mid-market buyers who want freehold, decent ticket sizes and room to grow.

Long anchored by Emirates Road (E611) and Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66), it is now stepping into a different league as the Dubai Metro Blue Line brings it into the city’s rail network.

Dubai has seen this movie before. When the Red and Green Lines opened, districts such as Dubai Marina, JLT, Business Bay, Bur Dubai, and Al Rigga all saw sharper, more durable demand once they were on the Metro map. DLRC is lining up for a similar shift.

New connectivity premium

The Blue Line, planned with 14 stations, is expected to connect DLRC to Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City, Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour, Business Bay and Dubai International Airport. For an area once written off as “car-reliant”, being integrated into the wider network could redefine how buyers and tenants view it.