A rendering of MAG's Sky Mansions in Dubai. Photo: MAG
A rendering of MAG's Sky Mansions in Dubai. Photo: MAG
A rendering of MAG's Sky Mansions in Dubai. Photo: MAG
A rendering of MAG's Sky Mansions in Dubai. Photo: MAG

Dubai developer cashes in on luxury property demand with $54m Creekside mansions


Ian Oxborrow
  • English
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Dubai developer MAG has announced the release of four more ultra-luxurious mansions at its Ritz-Carlton Residences project as it seeks to cash in on the strong demand for prime property in the city.

The Sky Mansions, part of the Keturah Resort, are each priced at Dh200 million ($54.45 million) and follow the earlier release of eight mansions in the same development, taking the total to 12.

Each unit comprises of four floors with eight bedrooms, a majlis, media room, lounges, spa, gym and cinema. It also has a private mooring for up to 120-foot yachts.

“The unveiling of the Sky mansions further heightens our overall enthusiasm, as we are thrilled with the response to our launches of the Earth and Water mansions," said Talal Al Gaddah, senior executive vice chairman of MAG.

"The project has been designed in response to strong demand and project sales."

Dubai's property market boomed last year amid a wider economic recovery in the UAE following the coronavirus-induced slowdown.

Record high transaction levels were reached in 2022 while records were broken for the most expensive sale and rental in the city.

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Dubai villa prices — where they rose and fell, December 2022

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Sales transaction volumes in 2022 were up 61 per cent annually, compared with 2021, while off-plan sales volumes rose 81 per cent a year, Dubai Land Department data shows.

Changes to visa rules have made it easier for foreigners to settle in the UAE while ultra-high-net-worth individuals flocked to Dubai on the back of the country's positive handling of the coronavirus.

There has been significant investor interest recently in the prime market, in particular, with prices having risen by as much as 50 per cent in 2022, according to Knight Frank.

The property consultant forecasts the emirate will have the highest prime price growth in the world in 2023, ahead of cities such as Miami and Paris.

The positive outlook has been echoed across the market, with Allsopp and Allsopp also expecting property values to gain 10 per cent to 15 per cent this year.

"Premium/luxury residential locations will continue to enjoy more significant gains until we reach a supply/demand equilibrium point," said chief executive Lewis Allsopp.

"Given that this is unlikely to occur anytime soon, cash-rich investors eyeing value will continue to propel the market forward.

"As the world faces a very uncertain 2023, Dubai is seen as a safer alternative to many home countries. This positive sentiment will see a continuation of heavy inward foreign investment coming into the city across many industry segments."

MAG said its mansions offer investors a unique experience by reflecting the natural elements of the sky.

"The use of glass-framed courtyards, changeable architectural screens and covered terraces allow continuous journeys for the residents to engage with the interiors and gardens," it said.

The overall Keturah Resort, which also contains a Ritz-Carlton hotel, offers homeowners access to the beach and will have a private members-only club, a women’s club, a kids club, Michelin-star restaurants and a retail promenade.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Credit Score explained

What is a credit score?

In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.

Why is it important?

Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.

How is it calculated?

The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.

How can I improve my score?

By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.

How do I know if my score is low or high?

By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.

How much does it cost?

A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs

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Power: 905hp

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U19 World Cup in South Africa

Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka

Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies

Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe

Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE

UAE fixtures

Saturday, January 18, v Canada

Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan

Saturday, January 25, v South Africa

UAE squad

Aryan Lakra (captain), Vriitya Aravind, Deshan Chethyia, Mohammed Farazuddin, Jonathan Figy, Osama Hassan, Karthik Meiyappan, Rishabh Mukherjee, Ali Naseer, Wasi Shah, Alishan Sharafu, Sanchit Sharma, Kai Smith, Akasha Tahir, Ansh Tandon

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
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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THE SPECS

Engine: 4.4-litre V8

Transmission: Automatic

Power: 530bhp 

Torque: 750Nm 

Price: Dh535,000

On sale: Now

WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

Uefa Champions League play-off

First leg: Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Ajax v Dynamo Kiev

Second leg: Tuesday, August 28, 11pm (UAE)
Dynamo Kiev v Ajax

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Updated: January 12, 2023, 11:49 AM`