This Country Is Planning To Build World’s First ‘Gold Street’, Here's What We Know

Last Updated:January 29, 2026, 17:38 IST

Dubai unveils Gold Street in the Dubai Gold District, uniting over 1,000 retailers and global gold trade partners, redefining luxury, commerce and tourism in the emirate.

Jewelry is displayed at Emirates Diamonds Jewellery, in Dubai's Gold Souq, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

Dubai has unveiled plans to build what it calls the world’s first “Gold Street", featuring gold elements, including a street lined with gold, within the newly launched Dubai Gold District a move set to redefine the emirate’s luxury retail and global gold trade landscape.

The project was announced by Ithra Dubai, which described the Gold Street as a centrepiece of a purpose-built destination designed to unite the entire gold and jewellery value chain. From retail and bullion trading to wholesale markets and investment services, the district aims to bring all aspects of gold commerce under one roof. Details of the Gold Street’s design and construction will be revealed in phases.

Dubai’s association with gold is deeply entrenched. In 2024–25, the UAE exported approximately $53.41 billion worth of gold, making it the world’s second-largest physical gold trading destination. Switzerland, the United Kingdom, India, Hong Kong and Türkiye were among its key trading partners, underscoring the emirate’s central role in global gold flows.

More than a symbolic showcase

The Gold Street is not a marketing gimmick but a symbolic and commercial anchor of the wider Gold District. The district already hosts over 1,000 retailers across gold, jewellery, perfumery, cosmetics and lifestyle sectors. Established brands include Jawhara Jewellery, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Al Romaizan and Tanishq, while Joyalukkas has announced a 24,000-square-foot flagship store, set to be its largest in the Middle East.

Supporting infrastructure includes more than 1,000 hotel rooms across six hotels, improved transport access and tourism services, positioning the district as a destination for shoppers, traders, investors and tourists alike.

A unified ecosystem for trade and tourism

Issam Galadari, CEO of Ithra Dubai, told TOI, the district “brings together heritage, scale and opportunity," creating an ecosystem that serves global markets while celebrating Dubai’s historic ties to gold.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said gold is “deeply woven into the cultural and commercial fabric of Dubai," symbolising the emirate’s prosperity and enduring spirit of enterprise. The Gold District, he added, marks a defining moment in Dubai’s evolution as a global hub for commerce and tourism.

Looking ahead

While timelines remain under wraps, developers say the Gold Street will complement Dubai’s existing commercial and cultural fabric rather than function as a standalone attraction. As the UAE accelerates efforts to diversify its economy beyond hydrocarbons, the Dubai Gold District anchored by the upcoming Gold Street aims to blend luxury, culture and commerce, shaping how gold is experienced in the 21st century.

News world This Country Is Planning To Build World’s First ‘Gold Street’, Here's What We Know

Read More