Dubai has unveiled ambitious plans to construct the world's first street made entirely of real gold, a landmark project set to become the centrepiece of the newly launched Dubai Gold District in Deira. This initiative aims to solidify the city's long-standing global reputation as the 'City of Gold,' building upon the legacy of the famous Dubai Gold Souk. The Gold Street is designed to serve as a major attraction, drawing tourists, shoppers, and industry professionals from around the world.
A New Hub for Luxury and Commerce
The Dubai Gold District, developed by Ithra Dubai, will be a comprehensive luxury destination featuring more than 1,000 retailers. These will span various sectors including gold, jewellery, perfumery, cosmetics, and lifestyle. Confirmed brands set to establish a presence include Jawhara Jewellery, Malabar Gold and Diamonds, Al Romaizan, and Tanishq Jewellery. In a significant move, the global premium jewellery brand Joyalukkas plans to open a 24,000 square foot flagship store within the district, marking its largest outlet in the Middle East. The brand has an established presence with stores across the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, and Southall in west London.
Infrastructure and Vision
To accommodate the expected influx of international visitors and trade partners, the district will also be home to six hotels, offering a combined total of 1,000 hotel rooms. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), which operates under the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), emphasised the project's significance. He stated that it celebrates Dubai's deep cultural and commercial connection to gold while reimagining it for a modern, sustainable future.
As reported by Time Out Dubai, Al Khaja elaborated: 'Gold is deeply woven into the cultural and commercial fabric of Dubai, symbolising our heritage, prosperity, and enduring spirit of enterprise. Through this landmark destination, we not only celebrate that legacy but also reimagine it for a new era shaped by creativity and sustainability. This achievement reflects the strength of collaboration between our public and private sectors and underscores the collective ambition of our partners and stakeholders in positioning Dubai at the forefront of global innovation and excellence.'
Specific details regarding the layout, design, and exact composition of the Gold Street will be revealed in stages as the project progresses.
Dubai's Pursuit of Transport Innovation
In a separate but equally pioneering development, Dubai is set to add to its list of global milestones by becoming the first city in the world to launch a commercial flying taxi service. The gleaming metropolis, renowned for its supercar culture and jet-set lifestyle, attracts millions of annual visitors and is home to over a million residents. Despite boasting an extensive road network, including several six-lane highways, the city regularly contends with traffic congestion, with average rush-hour commutes stretching to 45 minutes for distances up to 15 kilometres.
The Future of Urban Mobility
These journey times could be significantly reduced with the introduction of the Joby S4 air taxi. This electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, designed by California-based pioneer Joby Aviation, is capable of transporting passengers through the skies at a top speed of 320 kilometres per hour. Dubai will officially become the global birthplace of commercial air taxis when full operations commence on 31 March 2026.
The initial electronic air taxi network will comprise four vertiports—specialised areas designed for the landing, takeoff, and servicing of VTOL aircraft. Key sites include the iconic Atlantis, The Royal hotel centrally located on Palm Jumeirah, and the Dubai Mall, the world's busiest shopping centre which attracted nearly 111 million visitors in 2024. This innovative transport solution represents another stride in Dubai's ongoing commitment to technological advancement and urban efficiency.
