Aston Plaza & Residences

TL;DR: Aston Plaza & Residences is a twin-tower residential complex in Dubai Science Park (Al Barsha South 2) featuring two 33-storey towers with over 1,100 apartments across studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom configurations. The development gained international recognition in 2017 as one of the world's first major real estate projects to accept Bitcoin for property purchases, with studios launching from AED 390,000. Built on a 2.4-million-square-foot site with a 170,024-square-foot, three-storey commercial podium known as "The Plaza," and crowned by the Aston Club residents' lounge, the project is located in Dubai's specialised life sciences free zone housing over 500 companies and 6,500 professionals, according to TECOM Group data.

Introduction to Aston Plaza & Residences

Aston Plaza & Residences — also known as Aston Towers — is a landmark twin-tower residential development situated within Dubai Science Park, the UAE's first and only free zone exclusively dedicated to life sciences, healthcare, energy, and environmental research. Originally developed by Aston Developments (part of the Knox Group, a British investment and property conglomerate), the project occupies a substantial 2.4-million-square-foot site at 2/2 Umm Suqeim Street, Al Barsha South 2, within the 7.2-million-square-foot Dubai Science Park master community managed by TECOM Group PJSC.

The development comprises two towers, each rising from a shared three-storey commercial podium to 32 residential floors above (with a structural configuration of 4 basements + ground floor + 3 podium levels + 32 residential floors + rooftop). The project houses over 1,100 residential apartments across studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom configurations, with unit sizes ranging from 493 to 1,306 square feet. The building's freehold ownership structure is open to all nationalities, reflecting Dubai Science Park's position as a fully liberalised property market within the broader TECOM free zone ecosystem.

Aston Plaza achieved global media attention in September 2017 when it was launched as one of the world's first major real estate developments to be priced and purchasable in Bitcoin, a pioneering move in the intersection of cryptocurrency and real estate that was covered by CNBC, Fortune, CoinTelegraph, and dozens of international media outlets. The project accepted Bitcoin payments through BitPay — the same payment processor used by Microsoft and Virgin Galactic — with Bitcoin buyers receiving a 15-20% discount off fiat currency pricing.

Location and Connectivity

Dubai Science Park occupies a strategically positioned 7.2-million-square-foot site in the Al Barsha South 2 district, within the broader Hadaeq Mohammed Bin Rashid area. Established in 2005 as Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech) — the UAE's first science-focused business ecosystem — the community merged with the Energy and Environment Park (EnPark) in October 2015 to form the unified Dubai Science Park brand under TECOM Group management.

The community houses over 500 companies and employs more than 6,500 professionals across life sciences, healthcare, pharmaceutical, biotech, energy, and environmental sectors. This concentration of knowledge-economy businesses creates a substantial captive tenant base for residential developments within the park — a structural demand advantage that supports both occupancy rates and rental yields.

Aston Plaza's position within DSP provides access to three major arterial roads. Umm Suqeim Street (D63) runs directly past the development, providing connections to Jumeirah, the Burj Al Arab corridor, and Dubai Marina. Al Khail Road (E44) offers efficient routing to Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, and Dubai Silicon Oasis. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311) connects to Abu Dhabi, Dubai South, and the northern emirates.

Driving distances from Aston Plaza to key Dubai destinations underscore the location's centrality. Dubai Hills Mall is approximately 4-9 minutes. Dubai Miracle Garden and Dubai Butterfly Garden are 5-6 minutes. Mall of the Emirates is 15-20 minutes. The Burj Al Arab is approximately 14-15 minutes. Downtown Dubai and the Dubai Mall are 23-25 minutes. Dubai International Airport is approximately 28-30 minutes. RTA bus routes F30, F34, F35, F37, and F41 connect DSP to the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station on the Red Line, approximately 10 minutes by connecting transport.

Educational facilities near Aston Plaza include Bloom World Academy, Repton Al Barsha, Brighton College Dubai, GEMS Founders School, Foremarke School, and Dwight School Dubai. Healthcare services are available through Mediclinic, Aster Clinic, KML Medical Center, Genesis Healthcare Centre, and Precision Health Clinix, all within the DSP vicinity.

Architecture and Design

Aston Plaza's twin towers rise as a commanding architectural presence on the Dubai Science Park skyline, designed by John R Harris & Partners — one of the Middle East's most established architectural practices with a legacy that includes the original Dubai World Trade Centre and numerous landmark structures across the Gulf region. The towers employ a contemporary design language with extensive glazing, clean geometric forms, and a coordinated facade treatment that creates visual unity between the two structures while allowing them to maintain individual identities.

Each tower's structural configuration — 4 basements, ground floor, 3 podium levels, 32 residential floors, and rooftop — creates a clear functional hierarchy. The four basement levels provide extensive underground parking capacity, the ground floor houses retail and commercial entrances, the three podium levels accommodate The Plaza commercial centre and the Aston Club amenity deck, and the 32 residential floors deliver apartments with panoramic views across Dubai Science Park, the Al Barsha landscape, and distant views toward Dubai Marina, Arabian Ranches, and Mall of the Emirates.

Interior specifications reflect a premium residential standard. Units feature floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that maximise natural light and frame expansive views, open-plan living and dining areas designed for contemporary lifestyle flexibility, smart kitchens with integrated state-of-the-art appliances, designer bathrooms, high floor-to-ceiling heights, and private balconies. Concealed copper wiring and plumbing throughout all units ensure a clean aesthetic while meeting international electrical and building safety standards.

Unit Types and Configurations

Aston Plaza's residential inventory spans three apartment types distributed strategically across the towers' 32 residential floors:

Studio Apartments (493-575 sq ft): Located primarily on the lower residential floors (levels 1-3), studios offer an efficient open-plan layout combining living, sleeping, and kitchen areas in a single flowing space. Large panoramic windows, a fully fitted kitchen with integrated appliances, a modern bathroom, and built-in storage create a functional yet comfortable environment for singles and young professionals. Studios launched at AED 390,000, representing one of the most accessible entry points into freehold property ownership within the TECOM free zone network.

One-Bedroom Apartments (757-821 sq ft): The most prevalent unit type, distributed across levels 1-24, one-bedroom apartments feature a separate bedroom with en-suite bathroom and built-in wardrobes, an open-plan living and dining area, a fitted kitchen with integrated appliances, a guest washroom, and a private balcony. The generous size range provides living space comparable to many competitors' two-bedroom configurations. One-bedroom units were launched at approximately AED 864,000.

Two-Bedroom Apartments (1,306 sq ft): Located on the premium upper floors (levels 23-31) to maximise views and natural light, two-bedroom apartments offer the most spacious layouts in the development. Configurations include a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a second bedroom with built-in wardrobe, an additional bathroom, a generous living and dining area, a fitted kitchen, and a private balcony with elevated views across the city. The upper-floor positioning ensures that two-bedroom residents enjoy the building's best vantage points.

The Plaza — Commercial Podium

The Plaza is a 170,024-square-foot, three-storey commercial podium that forms the architectural and functional base connecting Aston Plaza's twin towers. Conceived as a self-contained community hub, The Plaza houses a diverse mix of retail, dining, and service outlets designed to serve residents' daily needs without requiring travel beyond the development:

• A shopping mall featuring boutiques, specialist retailers, and everyday convenience outlets
• A supermarket for daily grocery shopping
• Restaurants and cafés providing diverse dining options
• Service establishments catering to professional and personal requirements

The Plaza's design creates an animated ground-level experience that transitions from the public street to the private residential towers above, with the Aston Club occupying the podium's uppermost level as a residents-only amenity sanctuary.

Amenities and Lifestyle — The Aston Club

The Aston Club, positioned at Podium Level 3, serves as the interactive social and recreational hub of the Aston Plaza community. Accessible exclusively to residents and their guests via key card access, the club delivers a comprehensive amenity package:

• Swimming Pool: A large outdoor temperature-controlled pool with designated family areas and surrounding sun terraces
• Children's Jet Pool: A separate interactive water feature designed for younger residents
• Fitness Centre: A fully equipped gymnasium with cardiovascular and strength training equipment
• Outdoor Sports Courts: Multi-purpose courts for various racquet and team sports, including tennis
• Children's Play Area: Dedicated indoor and outdoor play facilities for families
• Outdoor Cinema: An alfresco screening area for community film nights and events
• Zen Pavilion: A tranquil meditation and relaxation space within the landscaped grounds
• Running/Walking Track: A dedicated track for jogging and walking within the podium landscape
• Barbecue Area: Outdoor grilling and entertaining facilities for resident gatherings
• Landscaped Gardens: Extensive greenery, outdoor lounges, and sunken seating areas creating multiple recreational micro-environments

Building-wide services include 24-hour security with CCTV surveillance, valet parking, prayer room, covered parking across four underground levels, central air conditioning, and on-site maintenance staff.

Developer Profile: Knox Group / Aston Developments

The Knox Group is an independent, privately held British investment and property conglomerate founded in 2008 by Doug Barrowman. The group reports an annual turnover of £500 million, assets under management and administration exceeding £1.5 billion, and approximately 350 employees across offices in Dubai, the United Kingdom, and continental Europe.

Aston Developments operates as the Knox Group's UAE real estate development arm, bringing British construction standards and global material sourcing to the Dubai market. The company assembled a senior team with experience in identifying and delivering high-performance real estate across multiple international markets. Aston Plaza & Residences in Dubai Science Park represented the company's flagship UAE project.

The Knox Group's broader portfolio of companies includes Knox Private Office (wealth management and family office services), Aston Property Ventures (UK real estate operations), and Aston Ventures (technology venture capital fund). The group's venture capital expertise in digital assets directly informed the decision to accept Bitcoin for Aston Plaza purchases — a strategic innovation that positioned the development at the intersection of two rapidly growing global markets.

Investment Potential and Market Performance

Aston Plaza's investment fundamentals are anchored in Dubai Science Park's structural demand characteristics and the broader market dynamics of the Al Barsha South corridor:

Dubai Science Park Market Data (2024-2025):

• Average price per square foot: AED 1,624-1,735 (DXB Analytics)
• Total recorded transactions: 9,761 deals totalling AED 13.87 billion
• Capital appreciation: 12-15% annually, with cumulative multi-year growth of 52.8%
• Community occupancy rate: 91% (among the highest in Dubai)

Current Rental Rates (DSP Area):

• Studios: AED 38,000-72,000 per year (average approximately AED 55,765)
• One-bedroom: AED 64,000-180,000 per year (average approximately AED 81,000)
• Two-bedroom: AED 78,000-230,000 per year

Rental Yields:

• DSP area average gross yields: 6.0-8.0%
• Studio yields: 6.5-8.5% (driven by strong demand from DSP's professional workforce)
• Recent rental growth: studio rents increased approximately 10% over the past six months; one-bedroom rents increased approximately 5% (Bayut data)

Key Investment Drivers:

• Captive professional tenant base of 6,500+ employees working within DSP's 500+ companies
• 100% foreign freehold ownership with no resale restrictions
• Strategic alignment with Dubai's Vision 2031 focus on knowledge economy, healthcare, and life sciences sectors
• Significantly more affordable entry pricing compared to Downtown Dubai, DIFC, and Dubai Marina
• Multi-modal road connectivity via three major highways (D63, E44, E311)
• Proximity to Dubai Hills Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and the established Al Barsha lifestyle corridor