It’s a relatively young player in the real estate market, but Metrical Developments has already grown into a household name – and an award-winning one.
The boutique developer, which launched in 2018, shot into the limelight after its Royal Park project in Jumeirah Park won a slew of local and international property awards, including five at the Arabian Property Awards 2020-2021.
At that ceremony, the high-end, luxury residential community was deemed the Best Residential Development Dubai, Best Residential Property Dubai, Best Architecture Single Residence Dubai, Best Residential Interior Show Home Dubai and Best Architecture Multiple Residence Dubai.
Furthermore, it went on to win international awards for Best Residential Interior Show Home Arabia and Best Architecture Multiple Residence Arabia.
A sneak peek at Royal Park makes its appeal amply clear: the gated and secure community is made up of three and four-bedroom town houses. The two-storey villas feature a kitchen fitted with Italian appliances, custom-created LED-lighting and a design that flows seamlessly from within, out on to the terrace.
The villas are also hooked up to a smart home integration system, which allows residents control of their environment – from the temperature of the AC and the water, to the curtains and security cameras – via a hybrid mobile app and across all smart devices. Metrical Developments uses Google Nest in all its properties, a technology that even sends a monthly energy savings report.
Thanks to these luxury fixtures, elegant layout and prime location, the Royal Park villas sold out in 2019, which is why Metrical Developments is looking to the future with two new projects: Haven Residences and the Royal Park South project, both in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC).
Haven Residences features one and two-bedroom apartments, where one can expect more of the same premium features and fittings. “It has already been nominated for several international property awards in 2022 and is close to being sold out off the market,” says sales director Darryl Davie. “The Haven apartments are a true hotel-standard living concept and will see rental prices 15 to 20 per cent above market value, very much like our previous projects.”
Meanwhile, Royal Park South has been created to satisfy the current demand and wait list, following the success of Royal Park. “Our ‘build your dream home’ concept is a huge hit, as it allowed property owners to customise their property as it is being built,” says Davie. The JVC project will live up to Metrical's reputation for delivering world-class facilities, and include a gym and pool, plus the developer’s signature award-winning finishes.
Designs that are straight from the heart
“Homes from the heart” is the slogan behind this boutique developer, which prides itself on its transparency, attention to detail and on-time handover rates. That latter assurance is a motto the company takes seriously, too: it promises clients a rental return for every week the property is handed over late.
“When we say we are building homes from the heart, we mean exactly that. We are building homes that we would like to live in ourselves,” says Davie. “The term most used by Metrical clients prior to purchasing is: ‘What’s the catch?’.
“We make bold promises, which are game-changing in the Dubai market and actually deliver on those – from international award-winning interior design and architecture, to guaranteed handover dates, five-year warranties and an overall five-star client experience. Check out our Google reviews; they speak volumes.”
Co-founder Gaber Nehma Kenger adds: “We do things a little different, we always complete projects on time and we give the best quality that the market deserves.
“The truth is that when you use high-quality materials and suppliers, you can give a long-term warranty. This, in turn, gives our clients peace of mind and costs less in the future. You know you won’t run into problems six months down the line.”
Another factor that has led to Metrical’s success is what Davie terms its “end-to-end process”. Everything is done in-house, starting from project selection, designing, implementation, choice of materials, sales and, finally, the handover.
This thoroughness and attention to detail is possible because the company does not appoint contractors; it is the contractor, which also explains the other motto the team stand by: “If you want a job done properly, do it yourself.”
With the onset of the pandemic, the UAE market has seen a massive shift in paradigm towards buying and renting luxury homes. In this time, Davie cites an example that demonstrates the developer’s commitment to putting its clients first. Over the last year, Metrical Developments came forward to assist families whose financial circumstances had changed due to the pandemic by waving penalties and helping them resell their properties in sold-out projects – at a profit.
“Like I said, when we say we build homes from the heart, we mean it,” concludes Davie.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Marital status: Single
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Community Shield info
Where, when and at what time Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday at 5pm (UAE time)
Arsenal line up (3-4-2-1) Petr Cech; Rob Holding, Per Mertesacker, Nacho Monreal; Hector Bellerin, Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck; Alexandre Lacazette
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Chelsea line up (3-4-2-1) Thibaut Courtois; Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Gary Cahill; Victor Moses, Cesc Fabregas, N'Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso; Willian, Pedro; Michy Batshuayi
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte
Referee Bobby Madley
RESULTS
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200
Winner: Miqyaas, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Untold Secret, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Shanty Star, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Alkaamel, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
8.50pm: Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Speedy Move, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm: Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Quartier Francois, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
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Super Saturday race card
4pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 | US$350,000 | (Dirt) | 1,200m
4.35pm: Al Bastakiya Listed | $300,000 | (D) | 1,900m
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 | $350,000 | (Turf) | 1,200m
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 | $350,000 | (D) | 1,600m
6.20pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 | $300,000 | (T) | 2,410m
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 | $600,000 | (D) | 2,000m
7.30pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 | $400,000 | (T) | 1,800m
Three-day coronation
Royal purification
The entire coronation ceremony extends over three days from May 4-6, but Saturday is the one to watch. At the time of 10:09am the royal purification ceremony begins. Wearing a white robe, the king will enter a pavilion at the Grand Palace, where he will be doused in sacred water from five rivers and four ponds in Thailand. In the distant past water was collected from specific rivers in India, reflecting the influential blend of Hindu and Buddhist cosmology on the coronation. Hindu Brahmins and the country's most senior Buddhist monks will be present. Coronation practices can be traced back thousands of years to ancient India.
The crown
Not long after royal purification rites, the king proceeds to the Baisal Daksin Throne Hall where he receives sacred water from eight directions. Symbolically that means he has received legitimacy from all directions of the kingdom. He ascends the Bhadrapitha Throne, where in regal robes he sits under a Nine-Tiered Umbrella of State. Brahmins will hand the monarch the royal regalia, including a wooden sceptre inlaid with gold, a precious stone-encrusted sword believed to have been found in a lake in northern Cambodia, slippers, and a whisk made from yak's hair.
The Great Crown of Victory is the centrepiece. Tiered, gold and weighing 7.3 kilograms, it has a diamond from India at the top. Vajiralongkorn will personally place the crown on his own head and then issues his first royal command.
The audience
On Saturday afternoon, the newly-crowned king is set to grant a "grand audience" to members of the royal family, the privy council, the cabinet and senior officials. Two hours later the king will visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred space in Thailand, which on normal days is thronged with tourists. He then symbolically moves into the Royal Residence.
The procession
The main element of Sunday's ceremonies, streets across Bangkok's historic heart have been blocked off in preparation for this moment. The king will sit on a royal palanquin carried by soldiers dressed in colourful traditional garb. A 21-gun salute will start the procession. Some 200,000 people are expected to line the seven-kilometre route around the city.
Meet the people
On the last day of the ceremony Rama X will appear on the balcony of Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall in the Grand Palace at 4:30pm "to receive the good wishes of the people". An hour later, diplomats will be given an audience at the Grand Palace. This is the only time during the ceremony that representatives of foreign governments will greet the king.
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
