The Deira Enrichment Project (DEP) turns a massive section of underutilized seaside property into a dynamic extension of the historic neighborhood of Deira. With a design that retains the architectural themes, commercial activities, and traditional character of the district known for the Gold Souk (market), some sixty hectares (~150 acres) of property—previously used mostly for parking—will now be a vibrant area of the city, home to eight new hotels, hundreds of new shops, and dozens of new restaurants.

Every meter of the DEP is practical and alluring to suit the needs of those staying or conducting business in the area. With a combined fifteen hundred rooms across distinctive tiers of hotels, visitors have a variety of options for staying close to the Gold Souk—and the market’s new DEP extension. High-rise hotels provide stunning views of the water and city, while much of the street-level is reserved for shops and eateries linked by breezeways, bridges, and shaded walkways. The revamped Gold Souk metro station now shares a complex with a hotel—along with a mall, bus terminal, and office building. And the DEP’s numerous transportation options and garages also allow those guests of the neighborhood quick access to the rest of the city.