Its former namesake, Nakheel Harbour and Tower, was a planned large-scale development of around 270 hectares (1 sq mi) that would have comprised Nakheel Tower, which would have been the tallest skyscraper in the world, as well as the world's largest inner-city marina.

[3] At the time, it acted as the western terminus of the Red Line; an extension westward to the Ibn Battuta Mall opened on 30 April 2010, making Nakheel Harbour and Tower a through station.

The extension was partially opened on 1 January 2021, with trains running a shuttle service between Jabal Ali and Al Furjan.

As with many stations on the Red Line, Jabal Ali lies on a viaduct paralleling the eastern side of Sheikh Zayed Road.

It is a type 1 elevated station with two side platforms and two tracks on the Red Line.