Yansoon 5

TL;DR: Yansoon 5 is a completed 10-storey residential building in the Yansoon sub-district of Old Town, Downtown Dubai, developed by Emaar Properties and delivered in 2006. Part of the 9-building Yansoon cluster, it offers 1 to 4-bedroom apartments (750–2,949 sqft) with traditional Arabian architecture and Burj Khalifa views. Average price per sqft is AED 2,024, with annual rentals from AED 70,000 (1BR) to AED 200,000 (2BR). Service charges are AED 21/sqft per year, with ROI of 5.4–6.1%.

Introduction to Yansoon 5

Yansoon 5 is a distinguished low-rise residential building nestled within the Yansoon sub-district of Old Town, Downtown Dubai — the second most popular residential cluster within this historic Arabian-inspired community. Developed by Emaar Properties and completed in 2006, Yansoon 5 rises 10 storeys above ground with 2 basement levels, making it one of the taller structures within the Yansoon cluster. The building is part of the 9-building Yansoon sub-district (Yansoon 1 through 9), which itself forms the largest sub-district by building count within Old Town's 35-building community spread across six distinct neighbourhoods: Yansoon (9 buildings), Reehan (8 buildings), Zaafaran (5 buildings), Miska (5 buildings), Zanzabeel (4 buildings), and Kamoon (4 buildings).

All Yansoon buildings are united by Arabic-style, low-rise to mid-rise architecture, connected by landscaped promenades, palm tree-lined walkways, and communal facilities. Old Town as a whole contains 1,549 total apartments spanning 225 floors — a remarkably intimate residential community given its position at the absolute epicentre of Downtown Dubai, steps from the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountain, and Dubai Mall. Yansoon 5 is freehold, open to all nationalities, and 50 DLD sale transactions have been recorded for the building, demonstrating an active and liquid secondary market.

Location and Connectivity

Yansoon 5 occupies a prime position off Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard within Old Town, placing residents within extraordinary walking distance of some of the world's most iconic landmarks. Souk Al Bahar — the traditional Arabian-style souk housing 100+ retail shops and 22+ restaurants and cafes — is a 5–10 minute walk and 3-minute drive, with many dining venues positioned on the waterfront offering direct views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain's nightly performances. The Burj Khalifa itself (828 metres, 160 floors, the world's tallest building) is approximately 1.0–1.4 kilometres on foot. The Dubai Mall — one of the world's largest retail and entertainment destinations — is approximately 7–10 minutes' walk via the pedestrian bridge from Old Town.

The Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station (Red Line) is accessible within approximately 15–20 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by car, connected to Dubai Mall by a covered 800-metre pedestrian walkway completed in 2012. The Business Bay Metro Station is approximately 10 minutes by car. DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) is roughly 15 minutes' drive, while Dubai International Airport is reachable in 15–20 minutes under normal traffic conditions.

Old Town's hospitality infrastructure includes the Palace Downtown Hotel (5-star lakefront, within the community), The Address Downtown Hotel (immediately adjacent), Al Manzil Downtown Hotel (within Old Town), and Vida Downtown Hotel (walking distance). Healthcare is served by Mediclinic Dubai Mall (inside Dubai Mall, approximately 10 minutes' walk) and Excellency Centers physiotherapy clinic on Old Town Island (walking distance). Traditional abra (wooden boat) rides across the Burj Lake and daily Dubai Fountain viewing from the Souk Al Bahar waterfront terrace provide uniquely Emirati leisure experiences available only to Old Town residents.

Unit Types, Sizes, and Specifications

Yansoon 5 offers four bedroom configurations spanning a wide size range. One-bedroom apartments measure 750–850 square feet with 2 bathrooms, a living area, and a private balcony. Two-bedroom apartments range from 1,209 to 1,481 square feet (with some 2-bed plus study configurations at approximately 1,400 sqft), featuring 3 bathrooms, a living area, and balcony. Three-bedroom apartments — notably spacious at 2,920–2,949 square feet — include 3–5 bathrooms, suggesting penthouse or duplex configurations at the upper floors. Four-bedroom units are available as upgraded residences with 6 bathrooms, maid's room, 2 kitchens, and 2 balconies.

All units feature traditional Arabic design elements consistent with Old Town's architectural identity: Mashrabiya-style lattice balconies, arched walkways, and warm earthy stone facades. Interior specifications include marble flooring, built-in wardrobes, and modern fitted kitchens. Select units offer direct views of the Burj Khalifa — a premium that is specifically marketed across multiple Yansoon 5 listings. The building maintains a pet-friendly policy, district cooling (rather than individual AC units), high-speed elevators, and 24-hour concierge services.

Community amenities shared across the Yansoon cluster include multiple temperature-controlled swimming pools, state-of-the-art fitness centres and gymnasiums, steam and sauna rooms, squash and tennis courts, beautifully landscaped gardens, dedicated children's play areas, and secure basement parking. The building operates 24-hour CCTV security with controlled-access entry.

Sale Prices and Market Performance

Yansoon 5's average sale price per square foot stands at AED 2,024, with recent DLD transactions ranging from AED 1,915 to AED 2,769 per square foot. A 2-bedroom apartment sold at AED 2,683 per square foot in January 2026, indicating continued premium pricing for well-positioned units. The Old Town area-wide median stands at approximately AED 2,940 per square foot.

By unit type, current asking prices are: 1-bedroom apartments AED 1,750,000–2,500,000; 2-bedroom apartments AED 2,700,000–4,000,000 (including a specific listing at AED 2,700,000 for a 1,400-sqft 2-bed plus study with Burj Khalifa views on a low floor); and 3-bedroom apartments AED 3,250,000–4,000,000+. The broader Yansoon sub-district pricing range spans AED 800,000 to AED 40.9 million across all 9 buildings.

Sales prices across the Yansoon community showed approximately 7% growth over the past year, while the year-on-year change for Yansoon 5 specifically reflects relatively stable pricing at -2.7% per the average price per square foot metric — suggesting that the building's pricing has reached a mature equilibrium after the post-pandemic appreciation cycle.

Rental Performance and Investment Returns

Yansoon 5 delivers solid rental income across its configurations. One-bedroom apartments rent for AED 70,000–115,000 per year (with one active listing confirmed at AED 115,000). Two-bedroom apartments command AED 140,000–200,000 annually (with a specific Yansoon 5 listing confirmed at AED 200,000). Three-bedroom apartments across the Yansoon community achieve AED 150,000–170,000 per year. The Yansoon community average rent across all unit types stands at AED 177,122 per year.

Return on investment for the Yansoon community reaches up to 5.44%. The broader Old Town yields by bedroom type are: 1-bedroom at 6.1%, 2-bedroom at 5.8%, and 3-bedroom at 5.2%, with an overall Old Town/Downtown Dubai average of approximately 5.25%. For short-term rental investors, comparable Yansoon buildings (such as Yansoon 6) achieve Airbnb yields of 10–12% annually — a premium achievable through professional holiday home management given Old Town's exceptional proximity to the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain.

Service charges for Yansoon 5 are confirmed at AED 21 per square foot per annum, consistent with the AED 15–25 range typical for Downtown Dubai low-rise communities with shared facilities under Emaar's community management. At AED 21 per square foot, annual service charge estimates are approximately AED 16,800 for a 1-bedroom (800 sqft), AED 29,400 for a 2-bedroom (1,400 sqft), and AED 61,530 for a 3-bedroom (2,930 sqft).

Yansoon 5 Within Old Town's Heritage

Yansoon 5 stands among the taller buildings within Old Town's deliberately low-rise environment — where building heights are restricted to 4–10 storeys to preserve the district's intimate, village-like Arabian character. This height advantage translates directly to superior views from upper-floor units, with confirmed Burj Khalifa sightlines that command premium pricing. Unlike some Yansoon buildings (Yansoon 6 offers studios), Yansoon 5 focuses exclusively on larger configurations from 1 to 4 bedrooms, positioning it as a more family-oriented option within the sub-district.

Old Town's pedestrian-friendly internal environment — featuring traffic-free sinuous walkways through arched passages, Arabian lantern-lit courtyards, and landscaped communal gardens — creates a resort-like residential atmosphere. The deliberate contrast between Old Town's traditional Arab vernacular design and the contemporary glass towers of greater Downtown Dubai makes it one of the most architecturally distinctive residential addresses in the UAE.

Developer Profile: Emaar Properties

Emaar Properties, founded in 1997 by Mohamed Ali Alabbar, is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM: EMAAR) with a market capitalization of approximately AED 143 billion (USD 39.95 billion) as of early 2026. The developer reported 2024 revenue of AED 35.50 billion (up 32.73% year-on-year) and net earnings of AED 13.51 billion (up 16.21%). Emaar's landmark portfolio includes the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, the Downtown Dubai masterplan, Dubai Marina, Arabian Ranches, Emaar Beachfront, and the Address Hotels + Resorts hospitality brand — establishing it as one of the world's most recognized and valuable real estate companies.