Dubai Retail unveils The Yard as Palm Jebel Ali’s first lifestyle destination
The 70,000-square-foot project is designed around nearby communities
DUBAI – Palm Jebel Ali is set to get its first dedicated retail and lifestyle destination, with Dubai Retail announcing plans for The Yard, a new community-focused development scheduled to open in 2027.
The destination will span approximately 70,000 square feet of gross leasable area and bring together 26 concepts covering retail, dining, wellness and healthcare. It is expected to serve around 20,000 residents living in the surrounding communities as Palm Jebel Ali develops into a major new residential and waterfront district.
The project is being developed by Dubai Retail, one of the region’s major operators of malls and retail destinations and part of Dubai Holding Asset Management.
The Yard
Unlike Dubai’s large destination malls, The Yard is being positioned as a neighbourhood-oriented retail and lifestyle hub. Its mix of services is intended to provide residents with access to everyday shopping, food and beverage, wellness and healthcare facilities within their developing community.
The announcement comes as Palm Jebel Ali progresses from a major master-planned development into an increasingly established residential destination.
The wider project is being developed by Nakheel, part of Dubai Holding, with residential construction and infrastructure works progressing across the master development. Dubai Holding has announced several major development milestones for Palm Jebel Ali as it expands the project’s residential offering.
The arrival of a dedicated retail destination is expected to add another layer to the community's planned amenities as more residents move into the area.
Dubai Retail expansion
The Yard also forms part of Dubai Retail’s wider strategy to operate retail destinations across different parts of Dubai, ranging from major shopping centres to community-focused lifestyle locations.
Dubai Retail manages a broad portfolio of retail assets under Dubai Holding Asset Management, with destinations serving both residents and visitors across the emirate.
For Palm Jebel Ali, The Yard represents an early retail anchor for the emerging community. Its combination of 26 concepts across four key categories is intended to support residents as the island’s neighbourhoods and surrounding communities continue to take shape.
Dubai Retail has not yet publicly disclosed the individual brands that will occupy all 26 concepts, meaning specific restaurants, retailers, healthcare providers and wellness operators should not be assumed until they are formally announced.
With an opening planned for 2027, further details about the tenant mix, design and facilities are expected to emerge as development progresses.