Motor City community update: August and September 2026

August and September brought more activity than usual to Motor City, even as the community’s cafés, restaurants and events moved at a steadier pace. A multi-billion-dirham development pipeline was reaffirmed for Motor City, while a new paid parking system in Uptown Motor City prompted concerns among residents.  

Here’s what changed across Motor City Dubai over the past two months, brought to you by betterhomes’ area specialist for Motor City, Wisdom Mukosa. 

New openings: cafés, restaurants, gyms and amenities

Motor City’s café, restaurant and amenity scene remained largely unchanged through August and September, with no major new openings announced during either month.

Residents still have relatively recent additions to enjoy, including Air Maniax, the screen-free indoor adventure park that opened at First Avenue Mall earlier this year, alongside Motor City’s established mix of restaurants, cafés, shops and everyday services.

Community events and social gatherings

August was relatively quiet for community events, as you’d expect during Dubai’s summer months.

Activity picked up again in September at Dubai Autodrome, with Driving Experiences and Car Track Days running throughout the month. A Roll Racing event on 18 September also added to the calendar, bringing more activity back to one of the landmarks most closely associated with living in Motor City.

Construction, infrastructure and new facilities

The main facilities update was the introduction of automated paid visitor parking across Uptown Motor City.

Property manager Edacom, working with parking operator Parkonic, launched the system on 3 September 2026. Visitor and additional vehicles are charged AED 5 per hour after a 15-minute grace period, with the system operating around the clock.

Residents’ allocated parking spaces remain free, so the new charges apply only to additional and visitor vehicles.

Resident sentiment: complaints and celebrations

The parking changes became the main point of discussion among Uptown Motor City residents in September.

Homeowners raised concerns about the level of consultation before the rollout and the absence of shared cost-benefit information. Some also asked for paid parking to operate only between 8am and 10pm, with weekends exempt.

Edacom has said it will monitor the system and consider resident feedback. At the time of writing, however, no changes to the scheme had been announced.

Elsewhere, Union Properties’ renewed investment in the community following a strong first half of 2026 added a more positive note, with further development expected to bring new residential supply to the Motor City property market over the coming years.

New project launches and off-plan activity

Motor City’s off-plan pipeline remains closely tied to Union Properties. In its August 2026 half-year results, the developer confirmed AED 4 billion worth of projects currently under development in the community, alongside around 6.6 million sq ft of gross floor area still to be launched.

Takaya at Motor City is already sold out and remains on track for handover in the fourth quarter of 2027. Mirdad, the developer’s newer four-tower project comprising 1,087 apartments, is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2028.

Union Properties CEO Amer Khansaheb said the company’s strengthened balance sheet gives it “significant financial flexibility to support” further launches in its pipeline. With more projects still to come, off-plan activity in Motor City is likely to remain an important part of the area’s growth into 2027.

For a closer look at prices, rental demand and the wider investment case, read our Motor City property investment guide.

Biggest highlight of the month

Union Properties’ continued investment was the most significant Motor City property update across August and September.

With AED 4 billion of projects already under development and approximately 6.6 million sq ft still to be launched, the developer is setting out a substantial pipeline for the community rather than relying on a single new project.

If you’re considering buying in the area, explore the latest apartments for sale in Motor City offered by betterhomes to see what’s currently available.

Community Specialist

Wisdom Mukosa

+971 503012725

wisdom.mukosa@bhomes.com