Yansoon 2

TL;DR: Yansoon 2 is a premium low-rise residential building by Emaar Properties in Old Town, Downtown Dubai, completed in 2006. It offers freehold 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments (732–2,949 sqft) with traditional Arabian architecture, starting from approximately AED 1.97M. Located within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, and Souk Al Bahar, it delivers rental yields of 5.44–5.88% with consistent year-on-year price appreciation of approximately 7%.

Introduction to Yansoon 2 — Old Town, Downtown Dubai

Yansoon 2 is an elegant, low-rise residential building nestled within the historic Old Town quarter of Downtown Dubai, one of the most iconic and sought-after addresses in the United Arab Emirates. Developed by Emaar Properties — the visionary force behind the Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall, and the entire Downtown Dubai master plan — Yansoon 2 was completed in Q1 2006 as part of the nine-building Yansoon Quarter, described by Emaar as "the first of three Arabian-inspired projects in the Old Town." Rising seven residential floors above two basement parking levels, this intimate freehold building offers approximately 43 meticulously designed apartments configured as 1, 2, and 3-bedroom residences, each reflecting a deliberate fusion of traditional Arabian architectural heritage with contemporary luxury living standards.

What distinguishes Yansoon 2 from the glass-and-steel towers that define much of Downtown Dubai's skyline is its commitment to human-scale architecture. In a district dominated by supertall residential towers, Yansoon 2's low-rise form creates an atmosphere of privacy, tranquility, and community intimacy that is increasingly rare and valuable in this global city center. The building sits directly on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard — the celebrated 3.5-kilometer promenade lined with restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and art installations — placing residents at the literal heart of Dubai's cultural and commercial epicenter.

Location, Walkability, and Transport Connectivity

Old Town, Downtown Dubai is widely recognized as one of the most walkable residential communities in the entire emirate. Master-planned by Emaar as a pedestrian-priority, low-rise neighborhood within the broader 2-square-kilometer Downtown Dubai precinct, Old Town offers residents the rare luxury of reaching world-class destinations entirely on foot.

From Yansoon 2, the Dubai Mall — the world's largest shopping mall by total area — is approximately 5 to 10 minutes away on foot via covered pedestrian walkways and the iconic bridge spanning the Dubai Fountain lake. Souk Al Bahar, the traditional-style marketplace with over 100 retail outlets and waterfront dining, is connected via shaded promenades and pedestrian bridges. The Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building at 828 meters, stands approximately 1.4 kilometers walking distance away and is visible from upper-floor apartments. The Dubai Fountain — the world's largest choreographed fountain system — performs nightly shows visible from the Souk Al Bahar waterfront, approximately 850 meters from the Yansoon complex.

Immediate proximity data confirms the depth of neighborhood amenities within just 100 meters of Yansoon 2: Mezza House Restaurant and Cafe Lounge at 60 meters, Sargon Restaurant at 67 meters, Tribes Dubai Mall at 72 meters, Old Town Minimart at 60 meters, and Elite Style Polyclinic at just 32 meters. The Palace Downtown Hotel is immediately adjacent to the Old Town community, and The Address Downtown is a short walk along the Boulevard promenade.

For vehicular transport, Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) — Dubai's primary intercity highway — is accessible within 5 minutes by car, as is Al Khail Road (E44). The Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station on the Red Line is 10 to 15 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by taxi, providing direct connections to Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and Dubai International Airport. Multiple RTA bus routes serve the Downtown area, and taxis, Careem, and Uber are available around the clock with pickup points throughout Old Town.

Architecture, Design, and Interior Specifications

Yansoon 2 embodies Emaar's vision to "revive old Arabic history" within a contemporary luxury framework. The architectural language of the Yansoon Quarter is intentionally traditional, drawing on centuries of Arabian design heritage to create a living environment that contrasts dramatically with the modernist towers of the surrounding skyline.

Exterior facades are characterized by intricate geometric patterns, graceful arches, and domed architectural elements rendered in gypsum and coral-inspired motifs. Natural materials — wood, stone, and warm-toned masonry — dominate the building's visual character, creating a sense of timeless solidity and craftsmanship. The low-rise massing (seven floors) deliberately replicates the scale and spatial character of historic Arabian settlements, employing the traditional Middle Eastern "hara" (neighborhood quarter) planning principles of shaded walkways, colonnaded promenades, and internal courtyard layouts.

Palm-tree-lined landscaped promenades connect all nine Yansoon buildings, punctuated by water features and ornamental fountains that echo the region's historic emphasis on water as a symbol of prosperity and hospitality. The communal spaces feature manicured lawns, mature plantings, and shaded seating areas, creating one of the most extensively landscaped low-rise communities in Downtown Dubai.

Interior finishes juxtapose traditional decorative elements with modern specifications. Apartments feature cream and brown color palettes accented with oriental decorative motifs, floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic glazing that flood interiors with natural light, high-quality porcelain tile flooring, built-in wardrobes and cabinetry, and fully fitted kitchens with premium fixtures. Every unit includes a private balcony, and bathrooms feature high-quality fixtures and fittings throughout.

Unit Configurations, Sizes, and Pricing

Yansoon 2 offers three primary apartment configurations designed to accommodate a range of lifestyle requirements, from young professionals to established families.

1-Bedroom Apartments range from approximately 732 to 831 square feet (71.7 to 77.2 square meters) and feature an open-plan living and dining area, a fitted kitchen, a master bedroom, one or two bathrooms, and a private balcony. Current market pricing for 1-bedroom units in the Yansoon complex starts from approximately AED 1,975,000.

2-Bedroom Apartments offer significantly more space at approximately 1,221 to 1,517 square feet (113.4 to 140.9 square meters). Layouts include an open-plan living and dining area, a fitted kitchen, a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a second bedroom, an additional bathroom (three bathrooms total), and a private balcony. Some units incorporate a maid's room or study configuration at approximately 1,352 square feet. Current sale prices for 2-bedroom units range from AED 3,900,000 to AED 5,500,000, with the DLD-recorded average transaction price at approximately AED 3,043,102.

3-Bedroom Apartments provide expansive family living across approximately 1,766 to 2,949 square feet (163.9 to 273.9 square meters), featuring four to five bathrooms and generous proportions ideal for families requiring additional space in a premium Downtown location.

The average transaction price per square foot in Yansoon 2 currently stands at AED 2,683 to AED 2,776 based on Dubai Land Department (DLD) records, reflecting the premium positioning of Old Town's low-rise freehold stock within the broader Downtown market where the prime average reaches AED 2,980 per square foot.

Rental Market and Investment Performance

Yansoon 2 delivers consistently strong rental demand and yields, underpinned by its irreplaceable location and the scarcity of comparable low-rise freehold Emaar product in Downtown Dubai. Annual rental rates for 1-bedroom apartments range from AED 110,000 to AED 175,000, while 2-bedroom units achieve AED 140,000 to AED 185,000 per year. The broader Yansoon complex records an average annual rental of approximately AED 177,122 based on DLD transactional data.

Gross rental yields for Yansoon 2 range from 5.44% to 5.88% — competitive within the prime Downtown Dubai market where yields typically span 5.2% to 6.3%. Short-term rental potential (Airbnb-style) can push annual yields to 10% to 12%, although 96.3% of Yansoon 2 rentals are structured as long-term tenancies with a tenant renewal rate of 47.17%.

Price appreciation has been notably strong. Property values in Old Town have increased 12% to 18% over the past three years, with Yansoon prices recording an 8% gain over the past six months alone. The broader sale price growth rate averages approximately 7% per year based on DLD data, and rental prices have risen approximately 5% over the past 12 months. The investment thesis rests on a fundamental supply constraint: no new comparable low-rise freehold Emaar development has been released in this submarket, creating sustained upward pressure on both sale prices and rental rates as demand for this rare product type continues to grow.

Building Amenities and Community Facilities

Residents of Yansoon 2 enjoy access to a comprehensive suite of shared amenities maintained across the nine-building Yansoon complex. Recreational facilities include a communal outdoor swimming pool for adults, a dedicated children's swimming pool, a modern fully equipped gymnasium and fitness center, sauna and steam room, jacuzzi, squash court, and aerobics room. Family-oriented amenities feature outdoor children's play areas, barbecue facilities, and landscaped courtyard gardens for relaxation and socializing.

Practical services include 24-hour concierge, round-the-clock security with CCTV monitoring, high-speed elevators, and central air conditioning supplied by Emaar's district cooling plant. Parking is provided across two dedicated basement levels, with a standard allocation of one covered space per unit. The building is confirmed as pet-friendly at the community level, allowing residents to keep pets subject to standard building management guidelines.

Within the Yansoon complex itself, Blossom Nursery — consistently rated among Dubai's top nurseries — operates from Yansoon 7, offering British Curriculum childcare for ages 4 months to 6 years. Community promenade-level retail includes coffee shops, cafes, and convenience retail, ensuring daily essentials are immediately accessible without leaving the complex.

Service Charges and Operational Costs

Service charges for Yansoon 2 fall under the Old Town Island zone designation with DLD-approved rates of AED 19.66 per square foot per year. This translates to approximate annual charges of AED 15,728 for a 1-bedroom apartment (800 square feet) and AED 25,558 to AED 29,824 for 2-bedroom units (1,300 to 1,517 square feet). District cooling charges are billed separately through Emaar's subsidiary cooling provider, with some units designated as chiller-free (cooling bundled into the service charge).

Nearby Schools, Healthcare, and Essential Services

Beyond the nursery within the Yansoon complex, nearby educational institutions include GEMS Our Own Indian School (CBSE curriculum, approximately 10 minutes by car), Dubai International School (American curriculum, Pre-KG to Grade 12, approximately 12 minutes), and Hartland International School (UK National Curriculum, approximately 16 minutes). Healthcare services include Mediclinic Dubai Mall — located within The Dubai Mall itself and accessible on foot — along with Emirates Hospital Clinics, Elite Style Polyclinic (just 32 meters from Yansoon 2), and the comprehensive hospital cluster at Dubai Healthcare City.

About Emaar Properties — Developer Profile

Emaar Properties, founded on June 16, 1997 by Mohamed Ali Alabbar, is the UAE's largest and most recognized real estate development company. Listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM: EMAAR) with a market capitalization exceeding USD 35 billion and net assets of AED 212.8 billion (USD 57.9 billion) as of 2024, Emaar has delivered over 108,000 residential units globally across operations spanning 12 countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, India, Morocco, Turkey, and the USA.

Emaar's iconic portfolio includes the Burj Khalifa (completed 2010, 828 meters), The Dubai Mall (opened 2008), the Dubai Fountain, Dubai Marina, Emirates Living (The Springs, The Meadows, The Lakes, Arabian Ranches), and the entirety of the Downtown Dubai master plan — a 2-square-kilometer district that has become the defining symbol of modern Dubai. Approximately 22% of all freehold residential units in Dubai are located within Emaar communities. The company has announced an investment commitment of AED 65 billion over the coming five years, with a land bank exceeding 405 million square feet, ensuring continued development activity and community stewardship across its existing and future projects.

Yansoon 2 stands as a testament to Emaar's early vision for Downtown Dubai — a building that prioritized cultural authenticity, human-scale design, and timeless Arabian elegance at the very genesis of what would become one of the world's most recognized urban districts.