The site of Expo 2020 Dubai is now being transformed, following the end of the world's fair on March 31. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
The site of Expo 2020 Dubai is now being transformed, following the end of the world's fair on March 31. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Former accommodation for world's fair staff is being converted into the Expo Village residential complex.
Former accommodation for world's fair staff is being converted into the Expo Village residential complex.
Located in Dubai South, Expo Village is just a few minutes’ walk from the entrance gates of the Expo legacy site – which will soon evolve into District 2020
Located in Dubai South, Expo Village is just a few minutes’ walk from the entrance gates of the Expo legacy site – which will soon evolve into District 2020
Expo Village is made up of 15 mid-rise buildings divided into four clusters. Each cluster has its own swimming pool.
Expo Village is made up of 15 mid-rise buildings divided into four clusters. Each cluster has its own swimming pool.
The four clusters of Expo Village contain a total of 2,273 dwellings. These range from studio to three-bedroom apartments to 30 three-bedroom townhouses,
The four clusters of Expo Village contain a total of 2,273 dwellings. These range from studio to three-bedroom apartments to 30 three-bedroom townhouses,
Parks and playgrounds throughout the complex make it appealing to families, say developers.
Parks and playgrounds throughout the complex make it appealing to families, say developers.
While occupancy by Expo staff was 97 per cent during the event, soon this will be down to less than 5 per cent, and apartments will be available to rent.
While occupancy by Expo staff was 97 per cent during the event, soon this will be down to less than 5 per cent, and apartments will be available to rent.
Expo Village has its own dedicated park spanning 38,000 square metres, a running track and a cycle path circling its perimeter.
Expo Village has its own dedicated park spanning 38,000 square metres, a running track and a cycle path circling its perimeter.
Keeping fit indoors is covered too, with a residents' gym in each cluster.
Keeping fit indoors is covered too, with a residents' gym in each cluster.
Dubai World Trade Centre, which manages Expo Village, says the focus on parkland, gardens and the running and cycling tracks encourages health and wellness among residents.
Dubai World Trade Centre, which manages Expo Village, says the focus on parkland, gardens and the running and cycling tracks encourages health and wellness among residents.
Tree-shaded walkways at Expo Village. Developers describe it as 'a village within a village'.
Tree-shaded walkways at Expo Village. Developers describe it as 'a village within a village'.
The entrance to the Expo 2020 Dubai metro line is located just a minute's walk from each cluster and the area is connected to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road.
The entrance to the Expo 2020 Dubai metro line is located just a minute's walk from each cluster and the area is connected to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road.
A rooftop leisure area at Expo Village.
A rooftop leisure area at Expo Village.
Green spaces are a vital part of Expo Village, say property managers.
Green spaces are a vital part of Expo Village, say property managers.
The development includes a supermarket, a pharmacy, cafes and restaurants, a healthcare clinic, salons and Covid-19 testing clinic.
The development includes a supermarket, a pharmacy, cafes and restaurants, a healthcare clinic, salons and Covid-19 testing clinic.
With Expo 2020 Dubai over, apartments are now being made ready for new tenants expected over the next few months.
With Expo 2020 Dubai over, apartments are now being made ready for new tenants expected over the next few months.
The living room of a two-bedroom apartment. Most properties will be let fully furnished.
The living room of a two-bedroom apartment. Most properties will be let fully furnished.
The kitchen and dining area of a three-bedroom townhouse.
The kitchen and dining area of a three-bedroom townhouse.
A twin bedroom in a three-bedroom townhouse.
A twin bedroom in a three-bedroom townhouse.
Property managers are seeking to create a co-working space within some of the Expo Village retail and home rental units.
Property managers are seeking to create a co-working space within some of the Expo Village retail and home rental units.
An overview of Expo Village.
An overview of Expo Village.
The nearby Expo 2020 Dubai metro line.
The nearby Expo 2020 Dubai metro line.
With properties ranging from 40 square metres up to 130 square metres, management company Dubai World Trade Centre says Expo Village rents will be 'very competitive'.
With properties ranging from 40 square metres up to 130 square metres, management company Dubai World Trade Centre says Expo Village rents will be 'very competitive'.

UAE

Expo 2020

Welcome to Expo Village: the new residential community in Dubai

Thousands of flats, cycling paths and scores of shops and cafes are set to transform the worker accommodation units

Kelly Clarke
Kelly Clarke

April 09, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Against the backdrop of the Expo 2020 Dubai legacy site, there is a community that is preparing to welcome residents now the world's fair is over.

With a park spanning 38,000 square metres, a running track and a cycling path circling its perimeter, Expo Village has been described as a village within a village.

Factor in restaurants, cafes, salons and supermarkets and the village could become another desirable residential area in Dubai.

Located in Dubai South a few minutes’ walk from the entrance to the Expo legacy site, which will soon evolve into District 2020, the residential complex is made up of 15 mid-rise buildings in four clusters.

Parks and playgrounds throughout the complex make it appealing to families, but we have the flexibility to cater towards the new demographic of people situated in District 2020
Mahmud Al Naib,
Dubai World Trade Centre

Mahmud Al Naib, senior project manager for Dubai World Trade Centre, who runs the flats, said the area is in transition.

“Expo Village was home to thousands of international participants who worked at the [world’s fair] throughout its six-month duration,” he said.

“We have 2,273 apartments located within the four clusters. During Expo, occupancy was at 97 per cent and, within the next few weeks, that will drop to five per cent as workers’ contracts come to an end.

“Over the next few months, we will reinstate the apartments to their original condition for new tenants.”

Made up of studio to three-bedroom flats and 30 three-bedroom town houses, rental prices have yet to be released, but Mr Al Naib said they would be “very competitive for the current Dubai market”.

In terms of size, they go from 40 to 130 square metres.

Al Wasl Dome view from your home

Designed with mixed-community living in mind, each cluster within Expo Village has a gym, swimming pool and children's playground.

Some flats offer a full view of the Al Wasl Dome at the heart of the Expo legacy site.

“We developed Expo Village with so many people in mind, from families, to couples, to young professionals working at start-ups in the nearby District 2020,” Mr Al Naib said.

“Parks and playgrounds throughout the complex make it appealing to families, but we have the flexibility to cater towards the new demographic of people situated in District 2020.

“We are looking at creating a co-working space within some of the retail and home rental units to make remote working more attractive.”

It is likely that the majority of units will be rented out as fully furnished although there are plans to rent some without furniture.

Expo Village apartment prices have not yet been revealed but are set to be 'competitive'. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Expo Village apartment prices have not yet been revealed but are set to be 'competitive'. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A well-connected community

The entrance to the Expo 2020 Dubai metro line is a minute's walk from each cluster and the area is connected to both Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road.

“This really is a village within a village, so it is aptly named,” Mr Al Naib said.

“We have a Covid-19 testing clinic, a healthcare clinic, salons, cafes, a supermarket and a pharmacy.

“There are 42 retail and food and beverage units within the site.

“There are lots of seating areas within the gardens and the running and cycling tracks make it an area that very much encourages health and wellness among its residents.”

Now that the six-month world's fair has come to an end, District 2020 will repurpose 80 per cent of the site’s buildings into a mixed-use community.

With many technology companies committed to setting up offices within the site, Expo Village hopes to become a popular option for families and professionals within Dubai.

Goodbye Expo 2020 Dubai — in pictures

Closing fireworks at Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
Closing fireworks at Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
Stunning fireworks display brought the curtain down on the world's fair on Thursday night. Ruel Pableo for The National
Stunning fireworks display brought the curtain down on the world's fair on Thursday night. Ruel Pableo for The National
Actress Mira Singh and dancers perform at the closing ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. EPA
Actress Mira Singh and dancers perform at the closing ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. EPA
Musician Yo-Yo Ma performs during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony. AP
Musician Yo-Yo Ma performs during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony. AP
Artists perform during the closing ceremony of Expo 2020. AFP
Artists perform during the closing ceremony of Expo 2020. AFP
Artists perform during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony. AP
Artists perform during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony. AP
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, arrives at the closing ceremony of Expo 2020. AFP
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, arrives at the closing ceremony of Expo 2020. AFP
Artists perform during the closing ceremony in Dubai. AP
Artists perform during the closing ceremony in Dubai. AP
A visitor take photos during the closing ceremony. EPA
A visitor take photos during the closing ceremony. EPA
Artists perform during the closing ceremony. Reuters
Artists perform during the closing ceremony. Reuters
Dancers perform during the official closing ceremony. EPA
Dancers perform during the official closing ceremony. EPA
Artists perform during the closing ceremony of Expo Dubai 2020. Reuters
Artists perform during the closing ceremony of Expo Dubai 2020. Reuters
Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
Norah Jones performs during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony on Thursday night. Getty Images
Norah Jones performs during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony on Thursday night. Getty Images
An artist performs in the spectacular Al Wasl Dome during the ceremony. Reuters
An artist performs in the spectacular Al Wasl Dome during the ceremony. Reuters
Christina Aguilera was among several international artists who performed on Thursday night. Getty Images
Christina Aguilera was among several international artists who performed on Thursday night. Getty Images
Christina Aguilera lights up Al Wasl Dome. Getty Images
Christina Aguilera lights up Al Wasl Dome. Getty Images
Artists perform during the ceremony. Reuters
Artists perform during the ceremony. Reuters
A spectacular show featuring hundreds of performers brought the curtain down on the world's fair. Reuters
A spectacular show featuring hundreds of performers brought the curtain down on the world's fair. Reuters
A full orchestra was among the performers in Al Wasl Dome. Reuters
A full orchestra was among the performers in Al Wasl Dome. Reuters
The stunning stage for the closing ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai is set. Antonie Robertson / The National
The stunning stage for the closing ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai is set. Antonie Robertson / The National
Thousands of visitors enjoyed Expo's farewell night. Antonie Robertson / The National
Thousands of visitors enjoyed Expo's farewell night. Antonie Robertson / The National
Organisers pulled out all the stops for a memorable finale. Antonie Robertson / The National
Organisers pulled out all the stops for a memorable finale. Antonie Robertson / The National
The show could be seen from around the Expo site. Antonie Robertson / The National
The show could be seen from around the Expo site. Antonie Robertson / The National
A big screen showed the spectacle to visitors around the site. Antonie Robertson / The National
A big screen showed the spectacle to visitors around the site. Antonie Robertson / The National
Musicians perform before the closing ceremony. Reuters
Musicians perform before the closing ceremony. Reuters
People visit the Saudi Arabia pavilion on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. AP
People visit the Saudi Arabia pavilion on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. AP
The interactive floor at the Saudi Arabia pavilion. AP
The interactive floor at the Saudi Arabia pavilion. AP
Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

'The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting up a Generation for Failure' ​​​​
Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, Penguin Randomhouse

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S23%20ULTRA
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.8%22%20edge%20quad-HD%2B%20dynamic%20Amoled%202X%2C%20Infinity-O%2C%203088%20x%201440%2C%20500ppi%2C%20HDR10%2B%2C%20120Hz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204nm%20Qualcomm%20Snapdragon%208%20Gen%202%2C%2064-bit%20octa-core%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F12GB%20RAM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20128%2F256%2F512GB%2F1TB%20(only%20128GB%20has%20an%208GB%20RAM%20option)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Android%2013%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20quad%2012MP%20ultra-wide%20f%2F2.2%20%2B%20200MP%20wide%20f%2F1.7%20%2B%2010MP%20telephoto%20f%2F4.9%20%2B%2010MP%20telephoto%202.4%3B%203x%2F10x%20optical%20zoom%2C%20Space%20Zoom%20up%20to%20100x%3B%20auto%20HDR%2C%20expert%20RAW%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208K%4024%2F30fps%2C%204K%4060fps%2C%20full-HD%4060fps%2C%20HD%4030fps%2C%20full-HD%20super%20slo-mo%40960fps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%20f%2F2.2%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205000mAh%2C%20fast%20wireless%20charging%202.0%2C%20Wireless%20PowerShare%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205G%2C%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.2%2C%20NFC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3B%20built-in%20Galaxy%20S%20Pen%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESIM%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20single%20nano%20%2F%20nano%20%2B%20eSIM%20%2F%20nano%20%2B%20nano%20%2B%20eSIM%20%2F%20nano%20%2B%20nano%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20cream%2C%20green%2C%20lavender%2C%20phantom%20black%3B%20online%20exclusives%3A%20graphite%2C%20lime%2C%20red%2C%20sky%20blue%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh4%2C949%20for%20256GB%2C%20Dh5%2C449%20for%20512GB%2C%20Dh6%2C449%20for%201TB%3B%20128GB%20unavailable%20in%20the%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENomad%20Homes%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHelen%20Chen%2C%20Damien%20Drap%2C%20and%20Dan%20Piehler%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20and%20Europe%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20PropTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2444m%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Acrew%20Capital%2C%2001%20Advisors%2C%20HighSage%20Ventures%2C%20Abstract%20Ventures%2C%20Partech%2C%20Precursor%20Ventures%2C%20Potluck%20Ventures%2C%20Knollwood%20and%20several%20undisclosed%20hedge%20funds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Updated: April 10, 2022, 3:42 PM
Expo 2020 DubaiDubaiPropertyUAE