What New Residential Developments Are Currently Under Construction in Dubai South and When Are They Expected to Hand Over

Dubai South is growing faster than almost any other master-planned zone in the UAE. The 145-square-kilometre city-within-a-city sits roughly 35 kilometres south of Downtown Dubai, straddling the Dubai World Central corridor. It was designed from the ground up to be a self-contained urban district, and that plan is now visibly taking shape across the skyline.

The Al Maktoum Airport Effect

The single biggest driver of residential demand in the zone is the ongoing expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport. Phase one of the expanded airport is expected to handle 150 million passengers annually once complete, making it one of the largest aviation hubs on the planet. Developers are betting that the tens of thousands of workers, logistics professionals, and aviation staff who will be employed there will need housing within a short commute. That logic is already pulling buyers into the market.

The Economic Zone and Free Zone Infrastructure

Dubai South hosts the Dubai South Free Zone, a logistics and aviation free zone that already has thousands of registered companies. The Residential District, the Golf District, and the Exhibition District are the three main sub-zones where housing is being built. Each sub-zone has its own streetscape, community retail, and park network already in various stages of completion. Roads connecting to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road are operational, cutting the drive to Dubai Marina to roughly 25 to 30 minutes in normal traffic.

How Dubai South Compares in Price Per Square Foot

As of September 2026, off-plan apartments in Dubai South are launching at roughly AED 900 to AED 1,400 per square foot depending on the project and the floor level. That is meaningfully lower than comparable new-build apartments in Dubai Marina or Business Bay, where launch prices regularly exceed AED 2,000 per square foot. For buyers focused on value relative to size, Dubai South continues to offer larger units at lower entry points than most established districts closer to the city centre.

2. New Residential Developments Currently Under Construction in Dubai South

Several major projects are actively under construction in Dubai South right now, with cranes visible across the Residential District and the Golf District. The projects below represent the most significant active construction sites as of September 2026, based on publicly available developer disclosures and RERA registrations. For a broader overview of active off-plan projects in the zone, this Dubai South project guide tracks current launches, prices, and payment plan structures in one place.

Emaar South: The Largest Master Community in the Zone

Emaar South is the flagship master community within Dubai South, developed by Emaar Properties in a joint venture with Dubai South Properties. The community is built around an 18-hole championship golf course and covers several million square feet of residential space. Active construction phases include Greenville, Fairway Villas 2, Golf Lane, and Expo Golf Villas Phase 6. Unit types range from one-bedroom apartments starting around AED 750,000 to four-bedroom villas priced above AED 4,000,000. The community has its own retail strip, a school plot, a mosque, and a network of cycling and jogging tracks that are already operational in earlier completed phases.

Azizi Venice: Lagoon Living in the Desert

Azizi Venice is one of the most ambitious projects currently under construction in Dubai South, developed by Azizi Developments. The project is built around a 700-metre crystal lagoon and a canal system stretching over 18 kilometres, with a 1.5-kilometre boardwalk running along the water's edge. The development spans multiple residential towers and townhouse clusters. Studios start from approximately AED 500,000, one-bedroom apartments from around AED 750,000, and two-bedroom units from roughly AED 1,100,000. The project is being delivered in phases, with some buildings already handed over and others still under active construction.

South Bay by Dubai South Properties

South Bay is a villa and townhouse community developed directly by Dubai South Properties, the master developer of the zone. The project sits adjacent to a crystal lagoon spanning 2.7 kilometres and offers three-bedroom townhouses, four-bedroom semi-detached villas, and five-bedroom standalone villas. Prices for three-bedroom townhouses started from approximately AED 2,200,000 at launch, with five-bedroom villas exceeding AED 5,000,000. Construction on multiple phases is active, with the community designed to include its own beach club, retail boulevard, and waterfront promenade.

Greenville by Emaar

Greenville is a townhouse sub-community within Emaar South, launched in 2024 and currently under active construction. It offers three-bedroom and four-bedroom townhouses with private gardens and covered parking. Prices at launch ranged from approximately AED 2,100,000 for a three-bedroom unit. The community is positioned along the golf course perimeter and will share access to Emaar South's central park, swimming pools, and community retail. Handover is expected in 2027.

Other Active Projects Worth Tracking

Beyond the headline projects, several smaller developers are also building in Dubai South right now. MAG Property Development has active phases of MAG City and MAG 5 Boulevard in the Residential District. Mag 5 Boulevard has seen earlier phases already handed over, with newer towers still under construction. Pulse Residence by Dubai South Properties is another active project targeting the affordable apartment segment, with one and two-bedroom units priced between AED 600,000 and AED 1,100,000. A detailed breakdown of off-plan projects worth considering in the zone is available in this off-plan development overview for Dubai South, which covers additional launches and developer details.

3. Expected Handover Dates: A Project-by-Project Timeline

Handover timelines in Dubai South vary widely depending on the developer, the construction stage, and the specific phase. The information below reflects publicly disclosed handover targets as of September 2026. Off-plan handover dates in Dubai can shift, and buyers should always verify the current projected completion date directly in the Sale and Purchase Agreement and through the Dubai Land Department's Oqood portal.

What Is Handing Over in Late 2026

Several projects in Dubai South are in their final construction stages and expect to issue handover notices before the end of 2026. Azizi Venice Phase 1 towers were among the first to hand over earlier in 2026, with additional buildings in Phase 2 targeting Q4 2026 completion. Certain buildings within MAG 5 Boulevard's later phases are also scheduled for late 2026 handover. Expo Golf Villas Phase 5 within Emaar South completed handover earlier this year, and Phase 6 is targeting Q4 2026 to Q1 2027.

What Is Scheduled for 2027 and 2028

The bulk of new residential developments currently under construction in Dubai South are targeting 2027 and 2028 handover dates. Greenville by Emaar is targeting Q2 to Q3 2027. Golf Lane townhouses within Emaar South are scheduled for 2027. South Bay Phase 2 villas are targeting 2027, while Phase 3 is expected to follow in 2028. Fairway Villas 2 within Emaar South has a disclosed handover of Q4 2027. Pulse Residence by Dubai South Properties is targeting mid-2027 for its primary tower.

Projects with 2029 and Beyond Timelines

Some of the more recently launched projects in Dubai South carry handover dates of 2029 or later, reflecting earlier construction stages. Azizi Venice later phases, which include additional residential towers and the hotel component, are targeting 2028 to 2029. South Bay's final villa phases are expected to complete by 2028 to 2029. Any project launched in 2025 or 2026 with a 40 to 60 month construction timeline will naturally land in the 2028 to 2030 window. Buyers choosing these longer-horizon projects should assess their financial position carefully and confirm that the payment plan aligns with their cash flow over the full construction period.

4. Prices, Unit Types, and Payment Plans Across Dubai South Projects

Pricing in Dubai South covers a wide range depending on the developer, unit type, and proximity to the lagoon or golf course. Here is a factual snapshot of what is available across the active construction pipeline as of September 2026.

Typical Price Ranges by Unit Type

• Studios: AED 450,000 to AED 700,000, primarily in Azizi Venice and MAG 5 Boulevard apartment towers.
• One-bedroom apartments: AED 700,000 to AED 1,200,000 across Emaar South apartment clusters, Azizi Venice, and Pulse Residence.
• Two-bedroom apartments: AED 1,100,000 to AED 1,800,000 depending on the project and floor level.
• Three-bedroom townhouses: AED 2,000,000 to AED 2,800,000 in South Bay and Greenville.
• Four-bedroom villas: AED 3,200,000 to AED 4,500,000 in South Bay and Fairway Villas 2.
• Five-bedroom standalone villas: AED 4,800,000 and above in South Bay's premium plots.

How Payment Plans Are Structured

Most active Dubai South projects follow a construction-linked payment plan with a post-handover component. A common structure is 10 percent on booking, 40 to 50 percent during construction in milestone-linked instalments, and 40 to 50 percent payable over one to three years after handover. Emaar's projects typically use a 90-day payment schedule tied to construction milestones. Azizi Venice offered a 50/50 plan on some units, meaning half paid during construction and half on handover. South Bay by Dubai South Properties has offered 70/30 and 60/40 structures depending on the phase. These plans can change between phases, so the figures you see in marketing materials should always be confirmed against the current SPA.

What to Watch for in the SPA

The Sale and Purchase Agreement is the document that governs everything, and it is worth reading carefully before signing. Key items to confirm include the handover date clause and any grace period the developer is permitted, the penalty structure if the developer misses the handover date, the service charge estimate per square foot, and the exact specifications for finishes and fittings. For a full walkthrough of the off-plan buying process in Dubai, including what costs you will pay upfront before you reach the SPA stage, the complete buyer's guide on this site covers the process step by step.

5. What to Check Before You Buy Into an Off-Plan Dubai South Project

Buying off-plan in Dubai South carries specific due diligence requirements that differ from buying a ready property. The steps below apply to any new residential development currently under construction in Dubai South, regardless of the developer.

RERA Registration and Escrow Accounts

Every legitimate off-plan project in Dubai must be registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) and hold buyer payments in a dedicated escrow account. You can verify a project's registration status on the Dubai REST app or the DLD's online Oqood portal. The escrow account number should appear on your SPA. Payments must be made to the escrow account, not directly to the developer's operating account. If a developer asks for payment outside of the escrow account, that is a serious red flag that warrants immediate legal review.

Developer Track Record in Dubai South

Not every developer building in Dubai South has the same delivery history. Emaar Properties has a long track record of completing projects across Dubai, including earlier phases of Emaar South. Dubai South Properties, as the master developer, has also completed and handed over earlier phases of Pulse Residence and South Bay. Azizi Developments has completed projects in other parts of Dubai, including Azizi Riviera in Meydan, which gives buyers a reference point for build quality and delivery. For newer or smaller developers, ask for a list of previously completed projects and visit them before committing.

Infrastructure Readiness Around the Plot

The community infrastructure surrounding a project matters as much as the building itself. In Dubai South, road access to most active construction sites is already in place via the internal road network connecting to Emirates Road (E611) and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). Utilities including electricity, water, and district cooling infrastructure are being rolled out in parallel with construction. However, retail, dining, and public transport options are still limited in some sub-zones. The Dubai Metro Route 2020 extension serves nearby Expo City Dubai, with the closest station at Expo City about five to eight kilometres from most Dubai South residential plots. Bus connections from that station into the Residential District exist but are infrequent as of September 2026.

Visiting the site before you sign is always worth the drive. Standing at the plot gives you a real sense of what the surrounding streetscape looks like today, what is under construction nearby, and how far the nearest operational amenities actually are. A 10-minute site visit can answer questions that no brochure will.