The Rise of ‘Third Places’ in Dubai

Have you ever found yourself driving home from a long day at work, witnessing the skyline adorned with a beautiful sunset, and felt the need to be outside and unwind? The ‘third place’ is where this unwinding happens.

It nurtures a hobby, allows socialising and unwinding. It’s a space where productivity and chores are left at the door, and where the human experience and connection comes to life.

In short, it’s usually a familiar, inexpensive public spot where connection sparks between strangers over a shared interest or hobby. The term ‘third place’ was founded by American Sociologist named Ray Oldenburg in the 1990’s; at a time when work hours were increasing and communities were beginning to operate more independently.

Furthermore, it was also around this time that convenience was on the rise. From newspaper deliveries to groceries, global communities began to witness a shift in the convenience to consume items and information.

The 2020 pandemic wiped out almost everyone’s sense of the third place. As online shopping, calling, texting went rampant, so did people’s need to get out of their homes. As technology eases and facilitates access to information and services, people are left to operate between their homes and offices, in the name of convenience.

Ray Oldenburg suggested that a place outside of home and work are necessary for public wellbeing, to have a place ‘just around the corner’, that is an alternate to television and an easy escape from the restraints of routine. It should allow people to gather easily, inexpensively, regularly, and pleasurably.

Dubai is truly an ever-evolving city, one that never sleeps. The communities in Dubai are encouraging third places, by allowing integration at the hands of mixed-use developments. These newer developments are strategically master planned to include amenities that allow seamless community engagement.

In Dubai, mixed use developments are considered the standard of many predominantly residential areas; the city does not have many stand-alone commercial spaces as they are usually integrated in shopping malls or residential buildings. Some of Dubai’s coveted mixed-use developments are:

• Dubai Hills

Home to our exclusive project, Hyde Residences, Dubai Hills has very quickly become a local hotspot for friends to gather, family to catch up, and new bonds to be formed. Hosting the business park, which is decorated with community cafés, restaurants, salons, and of course, Dubai Hills Mall itself; the community is quickly rising as a resident favorite.

Suggested 3^rd places: Dubai Hills Park and Roxy Cinemas in Dubai Hills Mall.

• Jumeirah Lake Towers

A truly classic all-rounder, Jumeirah Lakes Towers has added value to Dubai’s skyline since the early 2000’s; solidifying its role as one of the first mixed use developments in Dubai. Currently, JLT houses residential towers that are inclusive of board game cafes, restaurants, bars, salons, gaming cafes. Furthermore, during the winter season, JLT hosts an outdoor cinema that does weekly showings of different movies; further encouraging interaction, connection and leisure.

Suggested 3^rd places: Sovereign Art Gallery and Rails Gaming Café.

• Downtown Dubai

Downtown is Dubai’s most coveted neighborhood, housing the world-renowned Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. It’s also home to our exclusive project, 25hours Heimat. While Downtown is known for its ultra-luxurious charm; it also allows for seamless community interaction.

The famous Downtown Boulevard holds multiple art galleries, board game cafés, restaurants, bookstores, and other cafés, allowing residents to choose from an array of activities and settings to unwind.

Suggested 3^rd places: The Six Board Game Café and Mondoir Art Gallery.

• Jumeirah Village Circle

This community is Dubai’s emerging hotspot, featuring co-working spaces, cafés, bars, and corner eateries – JVC is the heart of Dubai’s community-building initiatives. The cafés in JVC regularly host open mic nights that encourage stand-up comedy, poetry, and musical talent. The community events in JVC not only build connections but also foster local talent through cozy cafes and engaging audiences.

Leveraging its raw social culture, JVC is home to 4 EV exclusive projects; Lume Residences, Rise Residences, Sapphire32, and Roma Residences.

Suggested 3^rd places: Soul Street and Circle Community Park.

• Focus on Wellness & Mental Health

Dubai has launched the Mental Wealth Initiative, which includes a self-help AI-powered app to ensure that residents have access to proper resources to keep their mental health in check, the city has also gone as far as to train General Physicians to spot any mental health red flags when patients visit. While these solutions are immensely beneficial to use, the city has also resorted to addressing the situation at the roots.

By encouraging and accommodating third spaces, the city addresses how the growing global population needs social integration spaces. Dubai’s expat population grows every year, people from all cultures and nationalities have made Dubai their home; the third spaces also ensure their work-life balance, keeping them healthy and away from burnout.

• Reduction in commute times & car dependence

In February of 2025, Dubai’s prominent newspaper reported that the city has announced a ‘Super Block’ initiative, which aims to establish car-free zones. By creating mixed use developments, allowing people to have simplified access to sanctuaries where they can unwind, the initiative becomes much easier to implement.

Furthermore, a shorter commute allows people to use their hours to socialise, unwind, and invest time in relaxing and detoxing from the rest of the day. A city as fast-paced Dubai highly benefits from third spaces.

• Supports local businesses & entrepreneurs

In a city with a population as diverse as Dubai, businesses of all scales take their shape. To classify as a genuine cozy third place, the space must be dedicated to a niche and on the quieter side, one where it’s not a hassle to engage in conversation.

It's usually the smaller, lesser-known cafes that tend to fit these criteria. The third-place theory places an emphasis on young entrepreneurs and emerging businesses, allowing them to flourish at a comfortable pace.

As Dubai grows and becomes home to people from all over the world, the most binding experience the city can give its new residents is the feeling of belonging to a community, of finding somewhere to thrive and recharge effortlessly.

And truly, as a city that accommodates everyone and thinks of everything, the third-place theory was successfully put into practice by Dubai’s talented engineers, architects, and designers through mixed use developments.