The title card for Selling Dubai, which airs on HGTV in the US. Photo: Instagram
The title card for Selling Dubai, which airs on HGTV in the US. Photo: Instagram
The title card for Selling Dubai, which airs on HGTV in the US. Photo: Instagram
The title card for Selling Dubai, which airs on HGTV in the US. Photo: Instagram

Selling Dubai is the newest reality show to take place in the emirate


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

There’s a new reality show putting Dubai in the spotlight, however, this time it focuses on the property market.

Selling Dubai started on Thursday night on HGTV in the US. The show follows realtor Maria Morris on her journey of setting up her own business in the emirate.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be able share that our special episode of Selling Dubai will be aired next week in the US! Last year we had the privilege of filming our journey of setting up my new business Maria Morris Real Estate, whilst showcasing some amazing properties in Dubai, against the backdrop of this beautiful city that I am proud to call home,” she wrote on Instagram.

However, it’s unclear if the show will be a series or merely a one-off episode. On the HGTV channel line-up, the 60-minute programme will be repeated next Saturday at noon.

Who is Maria Morris?

The Selling Dubai star launched Maria Morris Real Estate in 2021. Before that, she was the head of residential at Knight Frank. Her LinkedIn account shows a long history of working in the property sector.

A look at her company’s Instagram also shows apartments and villas valued in the millions that have been sold, including a two and a four-bedroom villa in Al Barari, Dubai.

Her website states: "Tailored specifically to meet the needs of our high net worth clientele, our business uses over 20 years of experience, utilising cutting edge creative and innovative approaches to property marketing.

"With expertise that covers the UAE, UK and Europe, and the USA, we offer truly global real estate expertise at all levels."

What are people saying?

So far there has only been one episode (and that might be it). Although the show appears to currently only be available to those in the US, some who have watched it have taken to social media to share their reactions.

One user praised the production quality of it and said it was a “job well done”.

Meanwhile, another user tweeted how it was their “new favourite show”. Finally, another user responded to the show by uploading a gif of actress Anne Hathaway with the caption "[chuckles in rich]" likely referencing the expensive homes being showcased.

The biog

Name: Marie Byrne

Nationality: Irish

Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption

Book: Seagull by Jonathan Livingston

Life lesson: A person is not old until regret takes the place of their dreams

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Specs
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

Updated: April 21, 2023, 2:12 PM`