If you drive down Al Mina Road with any regularity, you already know the building. It’s that massive, glass-fronted complex sitting right on the corner before Jumeirah 1 starts. While the sign on the front says Al Hudaiba Awards Building, almost everyone in Dubai still calls it the Sheikh Hamdan Awards Complex.
It isn’t just another boring corporate tower. Walk by on a Tuesday morning and you’ll see people in suits rushing to government meetings. Come back on a Friday night, and families are lined up outside waiting for dinner.
Because the place is so large, figuring out where you actually need to go can be a massive headache. Whether you’re trying to find a diabetes clinic or scouting for new office space, walking into the wrong block means a lot of unnecessary walking in the heat. Let’s break down exactly how this place works so you know what to expect before you arrive.
| Feature | The Details |
| Common Name | Sheikh Hamdan Awards Complex |
| Location | Intersection of Jumeirah St & Al Mina Road |
| Building Structure | 3 Interconnected Blocks (A, B, and C) |
| Height | Ground + 9 Floors |
| Best Known For | Dubai Diabetes Center, Government HQs, Bar.B.Q Tonight |
Understanding the Layout: Blocks A, B, and C
Don’t make the rookie mistake of thinking this is one giant building. The developers actually split the property into three entirely separate structures.
The Three Independent Towers
They sit side-by-side along the road: Block A, Block B, and Block C.
- Separate Entrances: Each of these nine-story buildings has its own distinct entrance from the street.
- Separate Elevators: Every block operates its own security desk and elevator bank.
- The Catch: If your appointment is on the 4th floor of Block C, walking into the Block A lobby won’t do you any good. You can’t just cross over internally on the lower floors; you’ll have to turn around and walk back outside.
The Famous 9th-Floor Sky Bridge
There is one really cool exception to the layout rule. Look up at the 9th floor from the street. There’s a glass sky bridge that connects all three blocks. It was built specifically so government workers and large corporate teams could move between departments without dealing with the midday Dubai humidity.
The Ground-Floor Experience
At the ground level, everything is tied together seamlessly.
- The Promenade: A wide, shaded walking path connects the storefronts of all three blocks.
- The Meeting Point: There is a distinct water fountain featuring a large ship statue. If you’re taking a taxi or meeting a colleague, tell them to meet you at the ship.
Getting There Without Getting Lost
Location-wise, this complex is sitting on a goldmine. It’s parked right at the intersection where Al Hudaiba, Al Mina, and Jumeirah 1 meet, directly across the street from the Union House flag at the Etihad Museum.
Driving Directions
Driving there is incredibly straightforward, especially if you are coming from the main highways:
- From Sheikh Zayed Road: Take the Trade Centre roundabout exit onto 2nd December Street. Keep driving straight toward the water, and you’ll run right into it at the end of the road.
- From DIFC: It’s roughly a 10-minute drive via Al Satwa Road if traffic behaves.
- From the Airport (DXB): It’s a quick 15-minute trip down Al Mina Road.
Public Transit Options (Metro & Bus)
Unfortunately, you can’t just step out of a metro station and be at the front door, but public transit is still very manageable.
- The Metro Route: Max Metro Station is the closest stop (about 3 kilometers away). You’ll need to grab a quick 6-minute taxi from the station to reach the building.
- The Bus Route: This is actually the easiest public option. The Al Hudaiba Bus Station is barely a three-minute walk away.
Quick Transit Reference Table
| Starting Point | Transport Method | Estimated Time |
| Max Metro Station | Taxi / Careem | 6 Minutes |
| Al Hudaiba Bus Station | Walking | 3 Minutes |
| Dubai World Trade Centre | Driving | 8 – 10 Minutes |
| Jumeirah 1 Beach | Driving | 5 Minutes |
Who is Actually in the Building? (Tenant Directory)
This isn’t a ghost town of empty offices. The complex is packed with places people actually need to visit daily.
Government & Maritime Offices
- Dubai Developments: The major real estate player runs its headquarters from here.
- Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation: This is the flagship tenant that gives the building its famous local nickname.
- Shipping & Logistics: Because Port Rashid and the drydocks are just down the road, you’ll find plenty of marine engineering companies operating out of Block C.
Healthcare & Clinics
- Dubai Diabetes Center: Located up on the 1st floor of Block C. It gets incredibly busy during the morning hours, so arrive early.
- Aster Pharmacy: Handily located right on the ground floor of Block A, so picking up a prescription after a clinic visit is painless.
Food and Daily Convenience
- Bar.B.Q Tonight: An absolute institution located in Block A. People travel from all over town for their evening Pakistani and Indian buffet.
- Quick Bites: If you just need lunch between meetings, there is a Subway and several local cafes scattered along the promenade.
- Everyday Errands: You’ll also find a Swissmart for snacks, ATMs, and typing centers for document clearing.
Renting Office Space Here
Why do businesses want to set up shop here? Mainly because you get a premium Jumeirah-area address without paying the crazy rental rates you’d find in DIFC or Downtown.
Key Leasing Perks:
- Mainland Licensing: The building offers commercial spaces that are fully eligible for mainland (DET) trade licenses.
- Flexible Sizing: Offices range from small 1,000-square-foot setups perfect for a small consultancy, all the way up to massive full-wing spaces.
- Fitted Options: A lot of the units come already fitted. Having the AC, ceilings, and raised floors already done saves companies a ton of cash on initial renovations.
- Great Views: Because the building faces the low-rise museum and residential villas, you actually get natural light instead of just staring into the side of another skyscraper.
The Reality of Parking (Read This Before You Go)
We need to talk about parking, because it can be brutal if you don’t plan ahead.
Tenant vs. Visitor Parking Rules
- The Basement is Off-Limits: Forget about the basement. Those two huge underground levels are entirely reserved for people who lease offices in the building. There are barrier gates, and security will absolutely not let you in if you’re just visiting for a meeting.
- Visitor Parking Locations: You have to find street parking. There is a small surface lot out front that sometimes has open spots, but your best bet is the RTA paid parking zones along Al Mina Road and the side streets directly behind the building.
Timing Your Visit
- Morning Rush (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM): This is when the clinic and government offices open. Finding a spot can be a nightmare.
- Evening Rush (7:30 PM Onward): It gets crazy again when the dinner rush hits the ground-floor restaurants.
- The Solution: If you have an appointment during these times, do yourself a favor and take a taxi. It’ll save your sanity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Metro station is closest to Al Hudaiba Awards Building?
Max Metro Station is the closest. It’s about a 6-minute taxi ride from the station to the building. You can also catch an RTA feeder bus from the station.
How is the building laid out?
It’s three separate buildings (Block A, Block B, and Block C) sitting next to each other. They each have their own lobby but are connected by an internal sky bridge on the 9th floor.
Why is it called the Sheikh Hamdan Awards Building?
The building is the headquarters for the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences. Locals adopted the name years ago and it just stuck.
Where exactly is the Dubai Diabetes Center?
It’s on the 1st Floor of Block C. Make sure you walk into the Block C lobby specifically, or you won’t be able to reach it easily from the other blocks.
Is there visitor parking available?
Yes, but not in the basement. Visitors have to use the RTA paid street parking around the perimeter of the building or the surface lot out front.
What RTA buses go there?
Bus Routes 8, 9, 12, C10, and X28 all stop very close by. Get off at the Al Hudaiba Bus Station, which is a three-minute walk away.
Where is Bar.B.Q Tonight located?
The restaurant is right on the ground floor of Block A, facing the main road.
Can I get a mainland office lease here?
Yes, the building offers commercial spaces that are fully eligible for mainland (DET/DED) trade licenses.
What is the exact location for my GPS?
It’s at the intersection of Jumeirah Street and Al Mina Road. If you need a Makani number for your map app, Block A is 25960 92822.
Who developed the property?
It was developed by Dubai International Real Estate and architecturally designed by Arkiteknik International.
