Clayton Residency is a residential tower in Dubai’s Business Bay district, developed by Deyaar and completed in 2011, with one- and two-bedroom apartments. If you are weighing it as a home or an investment, the short answer is that it is an established, mid-priced building in a well-connected location. At roughly 15 years old, though, it rewards unit-level checks more than brochure-level enthusiasm.
This guide covers the building’s basic facts, amenities, current asking prices and rents, the residency-visa angle, and what UAE- and US-based readers should verify before committing. Figures come from listing portals and secondary sources, so treat them as a starting point rather than a valuation.
Clayton Residency at a Glance
| Item | What public sources show |
| Developer | Deyaar |
| Location | Marasi Drive, just off Ras Al Khor Road, Business Bay |
| Completed | 2011 |
| Units | 164 one- and two-bedroom apartments |
| Ownership | Freehold |
| Building area | 149,498 sq ft |
Floor counts differ between sources. Some describe 19 floors, while another counts 23 levels, including a ground floor, three podium levels and 19 typical floors. The difference is most likely how podium levels are counted. It rarely matters for living there, but it shows why you should confirm details against the title deed and the developer’s documentation rather than a single listing.
Location and Getting Around
Business Bay is a mixed-use district of residential and commercial towers along the Dubai Canal. Clayton Residency sits on Marasi Drive, so the canal is close by. One rental listing states direct canal access, roughly 12 minutes to Downtown and Dubai Mall, and about 20 minutes to Palm Jumeirah.
Listings also mention that the Business Bay Metro Station is within easy reach. “Easy reach” is a marketing phrase. Walk the route yourself, ideally in the afternoon heat, before assuming metro commuting will be comfortable. Drive times in Business Bay also change a lot between peak hours and midday, so test your actual commute.
Amenities and Building Facilities
Amenity lists vary by listing, so cross-check them. The recurring items are:
- A shared gym on the podium deck, separate pools for adults and children, a staffed lobby and 24-hour concierge
- Steam and sauna rooms for men and women, and a Jacuzzi
- A kids’ play area, a barbecue area, covered parking and electricity backup
Ask building management for current opening hours, what is actually in service, and any planned refurbishment. In a 15-year-old building, the gap between the amenity list and the amenity condition is where buyers are most often surprised.
Apartment Layouts and Sizes
Clayton Residency offers only one- and two-bedroom units, which suits singles, couples, small families and investors targeting tenants in those groups. Recent listings suggest typical sizes of:
- One-bedroom: about 781 to 808 sq ft
- Two-bedroom: about 1,066 to 1,098 sq ft
Many units have balconies of around 66 to 73 sq ft. Views are a major price driver. One high-floor two-bedroom is advertised with side views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Canal, while another one-bedroom lists Meydan views. View quality depends on floor, orientation and neighbouring towers, so visit in person or request a recent video walkthrough.
What Clayton Residency Costs: Sale Prices and Rents
The table below uses individual listings updated between June and August 2026. These are asking prices, not completed transactions, and they will have moved by the time you read this.
| Unit | Size | Type | Asking price (AED) |
| 1-bed, unfurnished | 803 sq ft | Sale | 1,200,000 |
| 2-bed, upgraded | 1,098 sq ft | Sale | 1,950,000 |
| 1-bed, unfurnished | 808 sq ft | Rent | 70,000/year |
| 1-bed, furnished | 781 sq ft | Rent | 85,000/year |
| 2-bed, unfurnished | 1,066 sq ft | Rent | 95,000/year |
| 2-bed, furnished | 1,098 sq ft | Rent | 110,000/year |
One portal’s building page shows a sale price range of roughly AED 1.2 million to 2.2 million. For actual sold prices, ask a RERA-registered agent for recent comparable transactions rather than relying on asking prices alone.
Buying costs beyond the price
The purchase price is not your total outlay. For a AED 2 million property, one Gulf News breakdown lists a 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee (AED 80,000), agent commission of about AED 42,000 including VAT, and roughly AED 8,200 in registration and title deed costs. Mortgage fees are extra. One broker guide suggests planning for roughly 7 to 8% all-in on a resale, which is a sensible rule of thumb to confirm with your own adviser.
You should also budget for the annual service charge. One listing shows AED 15.92 per sq ft. Confirm the current figure against the official RERA-approved schedule and ask the seller for the service charge statement.
An illustrative yield calculation
Take the AED 1.2 million one-bedroom (803 sq ft) and the AED 70,000 unfurnished one-bedroom rent above. This blends two different units, so it is a rough sketch, not a forecast:
- Gross yield: 70,000 ÷ 1,200,000 ≈ 5.8%
- Service charge: 803 sq ft × AED 15.92 ≈ AED 12,800
- Net of service charge: (70,000 − 12,800) ÷ 1,200,000 ≈ 4.8%
That is before vacancy, maintenance, agent fees, financing costs and the upfront purchase fees. A broker site quotes rental returns of up to about 5.08% per year, which is in a similar range, though it is a commercial source. Real returns depend on the unit, furnishing, floor and how long it sits vacant.
Residency Visa Options for Property Owners
Rules changed several times in 2026, so verify everything below with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) or GDRFA before acting.
- 10-year Golden Visa: The property route requires property worth at least AED 2 million based on DLD valuation. Most Clayton Residency listings sit below that line, and the DLD valuation is what counts, not the asking price. Only the highest-priced units are even candidates.
- 2-year investor visa: In April 2026, the DLD removed the previous AED 750,000 minimum for sole owners. For joint ownership, each co-owner must hold a share worth at least AED 400,000, and the listed application fee is AED 10,212.50.
Secondary sources disagree on details such as how mortgaged property is treated. Also remember that completing a purchase does not automatically create a residency visa, because a separate application follows registration.
Notes for US-Based Buyers and Expats
The following are general points to raise with professionals, not legal or tax advice.
- US tax reporting: US citizens and green card holders generally remain taxable in the US on worldwide income, including foreign rental income. Foreign bank accounts above the FBAR threshold (currently $10,000 in aggregate; verify with FinCEN) must be reported. A cross-border CPA should review this before you buy.
- Currency: The dirham has long been pegged to the US dollar, which reduces exchange-rate swings. It does not remove transfer costs or the need to plan how funds move.
- Buying remotely: Check that the agent holds a valid RERA registration. Listings display a permit number and BRN, which you can cross-check through DLD channels. Be careful with any power-of-attorney arrangement.
- Estate planning: Owning property in two jurisdictions can complicate inheritance. A lawyer familiar with both systems should advise.
Advantages and Limitations
Advantages
- Central Business Bay location with canal proximity
- Freehold ownership, per portal data
- One- and two-bedroom layouts with balconies in many units
- A full amenity set, including pools, gym and concierge, according to listings
- Entry prices that appear lower than prime Downtown stock (compare current listings to confirm)
Limitations
- The building is about 15 years old, so expect maintenance and older fit-outs
- Service charges directly reduce net returns
- View and floor differences make pricing uneven between similar-looking units
- Business Bay is dense and busy, with traffic at peak hours
- Many nearby towers compete for the same tenants and buyers
A Due Diligence Checklist Before You Commit
- Confirm ownership details on the title deed and check that the seller’s name matches.
- Request the latest service charge statement and confirm nothing is outstanding.
- Inspect air conditioning, plumbing, appliances and balcony condition, and ask how cooling is billed.
- Visit at different times of day to check noise, light and view.
- Gather three to five recent comparable sales or rentals for the same bedroom count and similar floor.
- Verify the agent’s RERA registration and the advertisement permit number.
- Ask building management about planned works, special levies and the condition of lifts and amenities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating asking prices as market value. Listings are negotiable, and some are stale.
- Confusing the visa tracks. The 2026 change removed the minimum for the 2-year investor visa, not the Golden Visa threshold.
- Ignoring service charges and fees. A 4% transfer fee and annual service charges change the real return.
- Buying photos alone. Orientation and floor can matter more than the bedroom count.
- Skipping specialist advice. Cross-border tax and visa rules deserve professional review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed the Clayton Residency?
Deyaar Development PJSC developed it. Deyaar’s own material presents the project as part of its Business Bay offering.
Is Clayton Residency freehold?
Portal data lists it as freehold, but confirms the ownership type on the title deed or with the DLD before purchase.
Does buying here qualify me for a Golden Visa?
Only if the DLD-certified value of your property reaches AED 2 million. Most units are priced below that, so many buyers would look at the 2-year investor visa instead.
Can a US citizen buy at Clayton Residency?
Foreign nationals can generally buy freehold property in designated Dubai areas, and listings show this building as freehold. Confirm eligibility, financing and tax reporting with a licensed professional.
Is Clayton Residency a good investment?
It depends on the unit, the price you pay and your holding period. The illustrative calculation above suggests a net yield below 5% before other costs, so compare several buildings rather than relying on one.
Conclusion
Clayton Residency offers a workable mix of location, layout and amenities for renters and buyers who want a Business Bay address without a premium-tower price tag. Its age, service charges and the variability between units mean the details of your specific apartment matter more than the building’s name. Start with recent comparable transactions, confirm the visa and tax rules that apply to you, and inspect in person or through a trusted representative.
If you are shortlisting Business Bay properties, read our other Dubai property guides on Khaleej Edge and speak to a RERA-registered agent before making an offer.
