Definition
Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) is a large-scale beachfront residential community situated along a 1.7-kilometre stretch of Dubai’s Persian Gulf coastline, adjacent to the Dubai Marina district. Developed by Dubai Properties Group (a subsidiary of Dubai Holding), JBR comprises 40 residential and hotel towers arranged in six clusters, containing approximately 6,900 apartments and 10 hotel and hotel apartment buildings. Completed in phases between 2007 and 2010, JBR was the single-phase largest residential construction project in the world at its time of development. The community is anchored by two major public-facing destinations: The Walk at JBR, a 1.7-kilometre outdoor retail, dining, and entertainment promenade at ground level, and The Beach at JBR, an open-air lifestyle complex featuring retail, cinemas, restaurants, and direct beach access.
UAE Context
JBR occupies a unique position in Dubai’s urban fabric as the city’s most prominent walk-to-beach residential community with integrated public life at street level. In a city dominated by car-dependent suburban compounds and enclosed shopping malls, JBR’s pedestrian-oriented design created a rare open-air social space that attracts both residents and visitors year-round. The Walk has become one of Dubai’s most popular evening destinations, with outdoor cafes, street performers, and pop-up markets creating the kind of street-level vitality more commonly associated with Mediterranean or European waterfronts. The Beach at JBR, developed by Meraas, added a contemporary retail and leisure complex directly on the sand, featuring international restaurant brands, a multiplex cinema, and water sports facilities. JBR’s beachfront location directly faces Bluewaters Island and Ain Dubai, creating a waterfront panorama that has become one of the most photographed views in the city.
Key Data
- Developer: Dubai Properties Group (Dubai Holding)
- Completed: 2007–2010 (phased)
- Towers: 40 residential and hotel buildings in six clusters
- Apartments: Approximately 6,900 units
- Beach frontage: 1.7 kilometres of public beach
- Key attractions: The Walk at JBR, The Beach at JBR, Ain Dubai (Bluewaters Island)
- Property type: Freehold, open to foreign ownership
- Transport links: Dubai Tram (multiple stations along the community), Dubai Metro Red Line nearby
- Estimated population: Over 15,000 residents
Significance for Vision 2031
JBR contributes to Vision 2031 objectives across multiple sectors. As a tourism asset, The Walk and The Beach generate significant footfall revenue from dining, retail, and entertainment — supporting the D33 Agenda’s target of positioning Dubai among the world’s top three most-visited cities. As a residential community, JBR demonstrates the viability of high-density beachfront living that attracts international buyers and long-term residents under Golden Visa and retirement visa programmes. The district’s integration with the Dubai Tram system showcases the kind of transit-oriented, walkable urban design that Dubai aims to replicate in future master communities. JBR’s ongoing maturation as a lifestyle destination — with regular community events, beach fitness infrastructure, and cultural programming — supports the broader quality-of-life improvements that make Dubai competitive for global talent attraction.
Related Terms
- Dubai Marina — The adjacent waterfront community sharing transport and lifestyle infrastructure
- Dubai Tram — Light rail system serving JBR’s full length
- Emaar Properties — Developer of adjacent Dubai Marina and Emaar Beachfront
- Palm Jumeirah — Nearby iconic waterfront island connected via monorail