A development on the Dubai Canal between Downtown and Al Quoz, launched in 2003 with the intention of becoming Dubai's central business district. The office towers arrived; when DIFC absorbed most of the premium finance market, Business Bay shifted toward residential. It is now predominantly apartments — dense, mid-to-high-range, popular with young professionals wanting Downtown proximity at slightly lower cost.

The Dubai Canal gives some towers genuine waterfront access. The canal promenade is a good winter walk and a heat weapon in summer. Restaurants cluster at ground level. Downtown connects to the north; Jumeirah to the south.