Dubai Property of the Week: loft-style living for Dh4.5m in JBR


Ian Oxborrow
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There is no doubt that the UAE is home to some spectacular properties. From penthouse apartments to plush villas with sprawling gardens and incredible pools, it’s a real estate haven.

Each week, The National showcases some of the finest homes on offer in its Property of the Week. Here, we take a closer look at a loft-style apartment in Dubai's Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR).

The key details

This two-bedroom, two-bathroom loft has been fully renovated and is on the market for Dh4.5 million with Luxhabitat Sotheby's International Realty.

It comes furnished and is spread across 1,749 square feet. It is located on a high floor in the Sadaf 6 development which is set in a vibrant area close to the beach and the shops and restaurants along The Walk.

What's the story?

Is there a style of living that Dubai doesn't cater to? Ok, maybe country farmhouses or barn conversions are in short supply, but basically this is the city that caters to everyone, and that includes fans of lofts.

Lofts came to the fore during the early to mid-1900s in cities such as New York, or even a century earlier in Paris, where former industrial buildings were turned into living/work spaces by artists where the open plan setting allowed creativity to blossom.

Over the decades that followed, lofts became increasingly trendy, and not just among bohemian folk. Modern loft conversions are now very much part of the luxury segment, and while in this instance JBR doesn't have an industrial heritage, it does provide one of Dubai's trendiest settings.

It would certainly suit a buyer with a hip and happening lifestyle as you can move straight in with all furnishing in place. The open-plan design is perfect for entertaining, with fantastic views out to sea to impress the guests and a pool table ready for some competitive fun.

The layout has been segmented, so it feels as though it has separate dining and lounge areas, while the stairs without a handrail provide a touch of extra character. The scale of the high ceiling is felt thanks to the fantastic shelving unit which stretches up from the floor.

You could just imagine Harvey Specter from TV show Suits, or another city slicker marching into this place after a hard day at the office.

Dh4.5m loft in Dubai's JBR
Dh4.5m loft in Dubai's JBR

What the broker says ...

What are the benefits of loft-style living?

Lofts offer living space with no interior walls, high ceilings and wide internal space which give much flexibility for both work, play and rest.

High ceilings give a lot of space for design options and artwork and the open floor space allows for endless creativity. Floor to ceiling glass windows provide plenty of natural light and lookout to magnificent views.

Most loft apartments are refurbished and renovated to give the property a unique personality.

Are there other areas of Dubai with decent loft-style homes?

Dubai Marina (Marina 23), Downtown Dubai (The Lofts) or Palm Jumeirah (One Palm) are among other areas where you can find loft apartments in Dubai.

The renovations are impressive – roughly how much does it cost to bring up to this standard?

It cost approximately Dh500,000 for the extensive upgrades and refurbishment in this loft apartment.

Has there been more interest in the JBR area since Ain Dubai opened? Has it affected prices for units with a view?

The Luxury apartment segment has in general seen a steady increase in prices this year. After a strong start to 2021 this trend has continued in the second half of the year.

Compared to the second quarter of 2021 the average price per square foot in JBR is up by around 6 per cent in the third quarter. Units with unobstructed views of Dubai icons such as Palm Jumeirah or Ain Dubai are in very high demand and are sold on premium.

Bassel Elmasri, senior global property consultant at Luxhabitat Sotheby's International Realty

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

List of officials:

Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.

Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.

The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Transmission: ten-speed

Power: 420bhp

Torque: 624Nm

Price: Dh325,125

On sale: Now

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The schedule

December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club

December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq

December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm

December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition

December 13: Falcon beauty competition

December 14 and 20: Saluki races

December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm

December 16 - 19: Falconry competition

December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am

December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am

December 22: The best herd of 30 camels

What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Updated: November 17, 2021, 4:11 AM`