Dubai Design District (d3) celebrates milestone anniversary of nurturing creativity and innovation

• TECOM Group’s global creative ecosystem marks more than a decade of success in supporting Dubai’s rise as a hub for design-led creativity and innovation
• d3 is today home to more than 1,100 businesses and 20,000 creative professionals
• The region’s leading creative hub launches the d3 Design Award to celebrate its legacy of empowering creative talent

Dubai Design District (d3), the global creative ecosystem that is part of TECOM Group PJSC, held a celebratory event to mark more than a decade of enabling design excellence.

d3 hosted global industry leaders during ‘Beyond a Decade of Design’, a special event reflecting on its role in cementing Dubai’s position as a global hub for creativity and design since opening its doors in 2015. During the event, d3 highlighted its upcoming expansion project, comprising more than 500,000 sq.ft. of new premium spaces, to serve growing customer demand including from top-tier global companies. Also marking the occasion, the district launched the d3 Design Award, a prestigious new award platform to celebrate industry talent in the region.

“Dubai Design District (d3) was founded with a vision to transform regional design prowess into globally impactful results, and over the past decade, has enriched Dubai’s knowledge economy by championing creativity and innovation,” said Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3) part of TECOM Group.

“d3’s pivotal expansion project will uphold our community’s legacy of welcoming, nurturing, and amplifying design excellence, cementing Dubai’s position as a global destination for design, creativity, and innovation, in line with Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’, Dubai Creative Economy Strategy, and Design Sector Strategy 2033.”

Nurturing design excellence
d3, one of TECOM Group’s most sought-after specialised districts, was launched with the vision of empowering regional talent to play a defining role in strengthening Dubai’s knowledge economy. In the decade since it opened for business, the district’s community has grown to include more than 1,100 businesses and 20,000 creative professionals.  

d3’s upcoming expansion will play a vital role in serving demand from global customers in the design, fashion, and creative industries. The project, which includes the development of six Grade-A office buildings, will add more than 500,000 sq.ft. of gross leasable area (GLA) to the district, cementing d3 appeal as the destination of choice for creative minds from around the world.

Representing an investment of AED 825 million, the new development, which was announced by TECOM Group in August 2024, will feature office spaces built in line with LEED certification standards, offering stunning views of the Dubai skyline including the iconic Burj Khalifa, and is set for completion by H1 2028. The project will also include sports facilities, community spaces, ample parking, fine dining options, and an extended promenade, complementing the surrounding residential developments.

Nurturing future talent
Reaffirming its commitment to nurturing creative and innovative designers, the district announced the launch of the d3 Design Award to recognise exceptional design talent each year. Designers who live in the region will be eligible to enter the new awards, with the inaugural winner to be announced during Dubai Design Week in November.

Also as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, d3 will publish a specially curated commemorative illustrated book this year to showcase the city’s most talented and inspiring design minds.  A memento that celebrates regional creativity, the book will be distributed at global design events to highlight the work and ideas of talented Emirati designers.

d3 is today home to three academic institutions and hosts more than 100 events each year, including globally impactful platforms such as Dubai Fashion Week and Dubai Design Week. Home to in5 Design, the sector-focused vertical of TECOM Group’s in5 incubator, the district has also supported more than 120 start-ups in the design sector since its inception.

Dubai Design District (d3) is part of TECOM Group’s portfolio of business districts, which also includes Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Industrial City, and Dubai Science Park.