Meraas has transformed Dubai's residential landscape with three distinctive destinations. City Walk offers urban energy and pedestrian-first living in the heart of the city. Bluewaters provides island serenity with waterfront views and controlled community access. Port de La Mer delivers Mediterranean charm with mature marina life and coastal walkability. By 2026, all three have matured into complete neighborhoods each suited to a different definition of the good life.

City Walk the Urban Heart Grows Upwards

City Walk has always been about being in the middle of everything—streets full of people, restaurants spilling onto pavements, art installations around every corner. 2026 marks a shift upward.

What's New This Year

The Central Park phase is finally complete. Multiple residential towers are handed over through early 2026, adding significant new homes to the district.

Each tower brings its own character and resident community. Amenities include:

• Swimming pools with city panoramas
• Fitness centres rivaling paid gyms
• Landscaped terraces for evening gatherings
• Children's play areas that actually get used

Some towers include retail at ground level, so residents step out directly into City Walk's energy.

Why City Walk Still Works

• Location: Between Jumeirah's villas and Sheikh Zayed Road's towers. Minutes from the beach, downtown, and the airport.
• Design: Streets are pedestrian-first. Buildings are human scale at ground level. Retail spills outward rather than hiding inside a mall. You can live here without needing a car for daily life—supermarkets, cafes, clinics, and gyms are all walking distance.

What Residents Actually Say

• People talk about two things constantly: convenience and energy. They love walking to dinner. They love multiple grocery options within five minutes. They love the constant sense of being somewhere alive.
• The trade-off: Density. City Walk is busy. Weekends bring crowds. If you want silence and seclusion, this is not your neighborhood.

Who Should Live Here

City Walk suits:

• Professionals working in Dubai's central districts
• Couples who want nightlife at their doorstep
• Empty nesters graduated from villa maintenance
• Anyone who believes a city is meant to be walked, not driven through
• The new Central Park towers appeal to buyers wanting contemporary design, high-end finishes, and the security of the Meraas brand.

Bluewaters Island Life Comes of Age

Bluewaters opened with a carnival atmosphere. The giant Ain Dubai wheel dominated conversations. The island felt like a destination, not a neighborhood.

2026 tells a different story. Bluewaters is becoming a real community.

What's New This Year

Residential towers are fully occupied. Walking through Bluewaters on a weekday evening reveals families, joggers, dog walkers. The island has settled into itself.

• New retail serves the growing population:
• Cafes open early for breakfast
• Supermarkets stock daily essentials
• Pharmacies and clinics operate regular hours

The island no longer requires a trip to the mainland for basic needs.

Why Bluewaters Works Now

• Connectivity: Proximity to JBR and The Beach gives instant access to one of Dubai's busiest waterfront strips. Yet the island itself feels separate—quieter, more controlled, more private.
• Waterfront living: Many apartments have direct sea views that will never be blocked. Balconies overlook the marina or the open Gulf.
• Security: Access is controlled. Residents know their neighbors. The community feels safe in ways open city streets sometimes don't.

What Residents Actually Say

• People mention the views first. Waking up to water on three sides changes your perception of the city. They also mention the quiet—how the island buffers noise from JBR and Sheikh Zayed Road.
• The main complaint: Limited everyday retail. While improved, residents still drive to Nakheel Mall or The Beach for serious shopping.

Who Should Live Here

Bluewaters suits:

• Families wanting beach access without villa maintenance
• Professionals working in Dubai Marina or JLT (five-minute commute)
• Anyone valuing sea views over square footage
• Investors targeting the holiday home market—short-term rentals command premium rates
• Those wanting Dubai's energy within reach but not at their doorstep

Port de La Mer the Mediterranean Dream Matures

Port de La Mer was always Meraas's most ambitious project. A new neighborhood built from scratch on the water, designed to feel like a Mediterranean fishing village translated into modern Dubai.

What's New This Year

• The marina is fully operational. Yachts fill the berths. Restaurants line the water's edge. The boardwalk connects residential buildings to retail and dining seamlessly.
• New residential phases have been completed, adding both apartments and townhouses to the mix. The townhouses offer ground-floor living with private gardens in a genuinely coastal location.
• The retail scene has matured. Established restaurants, busy cafes, and shops that know their customers. Weekends see the boardwalk crowded with strollers and coffee drinkers. Weekdays retain a quieter, residential pace.

Why Port de La Mer Works Now

• Design: Low-rise buildings. Narrow streets that open onto water views. Architecture that references Mediterranean ports without copying them. It feels different from anywhere else in Dubai.
• Completeness: Residents have everything they need within walking distance. Children walk to school along the waterfront. Parents have cafes for morning meetings. Evenings bring sunset walks that never get old.
• Location: La Mer beach is next door. City Walk is ten minutes away. Downtown is fifteen. You are on the water but not isolated from the city.

What Residents Actually Say

• People talk about quality of life. Morning walks around the marina. Dinner options without ever driving. The sense of being somewhere special, even on a regular Tuesday.
• The main drawback: Price. Port de La Mer commands a premium. Apartments and townhouses cost more than equivalent space in less finished neighborhoods. Residents accept this as the cost of the lifestyle.

Who Should Live Here

Port de La Mer suits:

• Families wanting coastal living without villa isolation
• Professionals working in Jumeirah or downtown (short, scenic commute)
• Anyone valuing walkability, design quality, and water views
• Buyers seeing themselves here long-term—a neighborhood to grow into, not a quick flip

The Meraas Difference What Connects These Projects

City Walk, Bluewaters, and Port de La Mer share something beyond the developer's name.