Grand Central Hotel

TL;DR: Grand Central Hotel (officially Grand Heights Hotel Apartments) by The First Group is a completed 19-storey hotel apartment tower in Barsha Heights (TECOM). Handed over in July 2012, it offers 184 fully furnished freehold units — 112 studios and 72 one-bedroom apartments — with current prices from AED 370,000. Operated as hotel apartments with 24/7 concierge, rooftop pool, and walking distance to Dubai Internet City Metro Station, the building delivers area-wide yields of 8.7% gross.

Introduction

Grand Central Hotel — officially registered as Grand Heights Hotel Apartments and formerly branded as Grand Midwest Reve Hotel Apartments until its October 2020 rebrand — is a fully completed 19-storey hotel apartment tower developed by The First Group, one of Dubai's specialist hospitality real estate developers. Located in Barsha Heights (formerly TECOM), the tower was constructed between November 2007 and July 2012 and houses 184 fully furnished apartments registered with the Dubai Land Department at a project value of AED 226.27 million (approximately USD 61.6 million).

The building operates within the TECOM Group master-developed district, a mixed-use urban community comprising 95 zoned buildings (76 completed) with a projected population of 50,000 residents. Grand Heights functions as a hotel apartment property where units are individually owned on a freehold basis, with professional hotel-grade management services provided through The First Group's hospitality division. This structure provides investors with the rental income advantages of hotel operations — including short-term and corporate letting at premium nightly rates — while retaining the flexibility and capital appreciation potential of freehold property ownership.

The property is listed on major booking platforms including KAYAK, Travelocity, Hotels.com, and MakeMyTrip, with nightly rates ranging from approximately USD 44 to USD 161 depending on season and room type.

Location & Connectivity

Grand Heights Hotel Apartments occupies a prime position within Barsha Heights, situated at the intersection of Dubai's technology, media, and knowledge free zones. The district is bordered by Sheikh Zayed Road to the east, Al Khail Road to the west, Dubai Internet City to the south, Dubai Media City to the north, and The Greens to the east — creating a concentrated commercial and residential hub that generates extraordinary demand for accommodation.

The building's most significant connectivity advantage is its walking-distance proximity to the Dubai Internet City Metro Station on the Red Line, approximately 478–684 metres from various points within Barsha Heights (7–15 minutes on foot). This direct metro access provides car-free connectivity to the entire Dubai rail network, reaching Dubai Marina in approximately 10 minutes, Mall of the Emirates in approximately 15 minutes, and Downtown Dubai in approximately 20 minutes. RTA feeder bus routes F31, F34, and F35 supplement metro connectivity.

Key driving distances include approximately 4 minutes to The Greens, 7 minutes to Dubai Internet City and Al Sufouh Beach, 8 minutes to Dubai Marina Mall and Al Barsha Mall, 9–14 minutes to Palm Jumeirah, 10–11 minutes to Mall of the Emirates, 11 minutes to JBR and The Walk, 13 minutes to Dubai Marina and Ibn Battuta Mall, 16–21 minutes to Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, 20–25 minutes to Dubai International Airport, and 29 minutes to Al Maktoum International Airport.

The Emirates Golf Club (36 holes with golf academy) is located 1.7 kilometres from the building. Schools nearby include GEMS Dubai American Academy and Dubai Heights Academy, while Ski Dubai is accessible within 10–15 minutes.

Architecture & Design

Grand Heights Hotel Apartments presents a contemporary tower facade typical of Barsha Heights' commercial and hospitality architectural language — clean lines, modern cladding, and generous glazing that provides natural light to all residential floors. The 19-storey form factor provides sufficient elevation for pleasant urban views across the TECOM district and towards the surrounding communities.

The building was purpose-designed as hotel apartments, and this operational DNA is evident in the interior specification. All 184 units are delivered fully furnished and equipped to hotel standards, including complete kitchens with refrigerators, washing machines, and built-in appliances, as well as satellite television, high-speed WiFi, and contemporary bathroom fittings. The elegant entrance lobby and reception area are staffed 24 hours, providing a hospitality-grade arrival experience.

The rooftop level houses the building's primary recreational facilities, including a swimming pool with sundeck designed to maximise views and natural light. On-site retail and F&B outlets include Risen Cafe & Artisanal Bakery, which has received a "Best Coffee in the UAE" award — an amenity detail that adds lifestyle value to the building.

Unit Types & Payment Plans

Grand Heights Hotel Apartments offers two residential configurations across its 184 units.

The 112 Executive Studio Suites measure approximately 36 square metres (388 square feet), providing efficient hotel-apartment living spaces with full kitchenette, bathroom, built-in wardrobe, and contemporary furnishings. Current secondary market prices range widely from AED 370,000 to AED 1,000,000, with recent DLD-recorded transactions showing studios at 382–488 square feet selling for AED 1,000,000 in February 2026. Asking prices on PropertyFinder range from AED 370,000 to AED 925,000 depending on floor, condition, and marketing strategy.

The 72 One-Bedroom Apartments measure approximately 63 square metres (678 square feet), offering a separate bedroom, living area, kitchen, and bathroom. Current prices range from AED 600,000 to AED 1,100,000, with a recent DLD transaction showing a 712-square-foot 1-bedroom unit selling for AED 460,000 in August 2025.

Long-term rental rates are documented at approximately AED 3,999 per month for studios and AED 4,999 per month for 1-bedroom apartments, translating to annual rental income of AED 48,000–60,000 depending on unit type and letting strategy.

As a completed hotel apartment building, transactions are secondary market sales with full payment upon transfer.

Amenities & Lifestyle

Grand Heights Hotel Apartments provides a curated amenity suite befitting its hotel apartment classification, with professional hospitality management delivering service standards above those found in conventional residential buildings.

The 24/7 reception and concierge services provide round-the-clock professional hospitality including guest management, information services, and lifestyle assistance. Complimentary valet parking eliminates the stress of self-parking in the busy Barsha Heights district. High-speed WiFi is provided throughout the building, and satellite television delivers local and international channel packages. Comprehensive laundry and dry-cleaning services are available on-site.

The rooftop swimming pool and sundeck provide the building's primary recreational amenity, offering an elevated outdoor relaxation space with views across the TECOM skyline. A fully equipped gymnasium caters to fitness-conscious residents and guests with contemporary cardio and strength training equipment.

The building's ground-floor retail includes Risen Cafe & Artisanal Bakery ("Best Coffee in the UAE" award recipient), providing a curated F&B offering directly within the building. Security operates 24/7 with professional monitoring, CCTV surveillance, and on-site security staff.

The broader Barsha Heights district provides extensive dining, retail, and lifestyle options, with multiple restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and service outlets within walking distance. The proximity to Dubai Internet City, Media City, and Knowledge Village means that the neighbourhood maintains a vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere driven by the thousands of professionals working in these free zones.

Developer Profile

The First Group is a Dubai-based hospitality real estate developer and hotel operator founded in 2005, headquartered in Barsha Heights itself (22nd Floor, Tameem House). The company operates through four divisions: The First Group Hospitality, Global Solutions by The First Group, Dubai Lifestyle Experience, and TFG Asset Management.

The developer's completed and operating portfolio in Barsha Heights alone comprises four properties totalling over 1,500 rooms: Grand Heights Hotel Apartments (184 units, 2013), First Central Hotel Suites (524 units, 4-star, GreenKey certified, October 2011), Metro Central Hotel Apartments (210 units, 7 international awards, 90% occupancy October 2022–March 2023), and TRYP by Wyndham Dubai (675 units, 4-star, 2017). Beyond Barsha Heights, The First Collection portfolio includes properties in JVC (491 rooms, joined Marriott Tribute Portfolio 2024), Business Bay, Dubai Waterfront, and Dubai Marina.

The First Group's most ambitious development is Ciel Dubai Marina — projected to become the world's tallest hotel at 82 storeys and 365 metres with over 1,000 rooms, at a total project value of USD 544.3 million. The company has received multiple industry recognitions including "Best International Hotel Architecture" (International Property Awards 2019–2020), Dubai Land Department Appreciation Awards (2017, 2019), and multiple Arabian Property Awards.

Investment Potential

Grand Heights Hotel Apartments presents a distinctive investment proposition within the hotel apartment segment of Dubai's real estate market — combining the income-generation advantages of hotel operations with the capital ownership benefits of freehold property.

Barsha Heights delivers area-wide average investment returns of 8.7% gross annually (PropertyFinder data), with studios achieving 8.56% and 1-bedroom units 6.82% (Bayut data). Hotel apartments in Barsha Heights typically command yields at the higher end of these ranges due to the short-term letting premium — nightly rates of USD 44–161 significantly exceed long-term rental equivalents during high-occupancy periods. Dubai's hotel sector recorded average occupancy of 78.2% in 2024 (a national record), with 43 million occupied room nights and an average daily rate of AED 538.

The First Group's Metro Central Hotel in the same district reported 90% occupancy between October 2022 and March 2023, providing a direct benchmark for hotel apartment performance in Barsha Heights. Grand Heights benefits from the same demand drivers — proximity to Dubai Internet City, Media City, and Knowledge Village generating corporate accommodation demand, combined with tourist demand driven by the area's connectivity and proximity to Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah.

At entry prices from AED 370,000 for fully furnished hotel apartment studios with professional management, walking distance to the metro, and the income-generation infrastructure of a functioning hotel operation, Grand Heights represents compelling value in Dubai's hospitality investment segment. The freehold ownership structure enables 100% foreign ownership, and the UAE's zero-tax regime maximises net returns.