The Lakes area guide
A small, leafy Emirates Living community of detached 3- to 5-bedroom villas around lakes and parks, next to Emirates Hills.
Community Guide
The Lakes
Launched
2003 (Emaar)
Sub-communities
5
Homes
3–5 bedroom detached villas
Tenure
Freehold
Location
Emirates Living
Living in The Lakes
The Lakes is one of the quietest parts of Emirates Living. Emaar launched it in 2003, and it now has roughly 600 to 1,000 detached villas across five sub-communities: Deema, Forat, Ghadeer, Maeen and Zulal. Each one is built around its own lakes, parks and walkways.
Villas have 3 to 5 bedrooms on generous plots, across about a dozen original floor plans. Many face a lake or park, and as in The Meadows, a large share have been upgraded or extended over the years. Neighbouring Hattan, which Emaar lists separately, adds larger villas with 4 to 7 bedrooms.
The Lakes Club is the social hub, with a Choithrams supermarket, gym, pools and tennis courts. Dubai International Academy and Regent International School are both about a kilometre away, and Dubai Marina, JLT and the metro are a short drive.
Deema, Forat, Ghadeer, Maeen and Zulal
The Lakes has five sub-communities, some split into phases such as Ghadeer 1–2 and Zulal 1–3. Each is its own gated pocket with lakes and green space. Single-row and lake-facing villas sell at a premium in all of them. Hattan, next door, is often grouped with The Lakes on the portals, but Emaar lists it as a separate community of 162 larger villas.
Villa types and sizes
The Lakes has only detached villas, usually with 3 to 5 bedrooms. Built-up areas start at about 2,400 sq ft, and the larger Hattan villas go past 7,000 sq ft. We always confirm the villa type and plot size from the title deed and the Emaar floor plan before you offer.
Market Snapshot
The Lakes property prices and yields
Bayut's August 2026 index put villas in The Lakes at about AED 2,650 per sq ft, down about 7% year on year after a strong run. Rents average about AED 107 per sq ft, which gives a gross yield of about 4%. Supply is very thin, so a few sales can move these averages noticeably.
Schools in and near The Lakes
Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills (IB, Outstanding) and Regent International School (British, Very Good) are each about a kilometre away. Dubai British School Emirates Hills (Outstanding) and Emirates International School Meadows (IB) are close by.
Amenities and lifestyle
The Lakes Club
Choithrams, gym, pools and tennis courts
Lakes, parks and walking paths in every sub-community
Montgomerie and Emirates golf clubs nearby
Springs Souk and Meadows Village a few minutes away
Emirates Living dog parks
Location & Commute Times
Dubai Marina about 10 min
Downtown Dubai 15–25 min
DXB 25–35 min
Dubai Hills Mall 10–15 min
Nearest metro: DMCC and Sobha Realty (Red Line)
Is The Lakes right for you?
Best For
buyers who want a detached villa in Emirates Living but prefer a smaller, quieter community than The Meadows; families using DIA or Regent.
Worth Knowing
supply is very limited and good homes often sell off-market, and some older villas need modernising.
The Lakes FAQs
Essential questions and answers about living and buying property in The Lakes.
Buying or selling in The Lakes?
Supply is scarce, and good villas often sell before they reach the portals. Register your search with us, or book a free valuation if you're thinking of selling.