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 villa in Dubai's Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City - District One community.
The key details
This six-bedroom modern Arab-style villa has been fully upgraded and comes furnished and ready to move in.
It sits on a 12,890-square-foot plot with a 9,500sqft built-up area, and has its own gym, an elevator to reach the first floor, a stunning garden with swimming pool and feature waterfall. It's on the market for Dh38 million with LuxuryProperty.com.
What's the story?
Close your eyes and imagine you're looking for a family home in Dubai – one which you can simply move straight into and get on with life.
Chances are your vision (unless you're the type whose imagination runs wild) will look quite similar to this property.
It has the size, the location, a regular-looking facade and an interior that will save a lot of time and effort as it's all taken care of.
This is ultimately the chance to live the suburban dream, where the kids can grow up in comfort, and mum and dad can own a house to be proud of, as well as be ideal for actually living in and entertaining.
It lacks some of the wow factor that can be found in other Dubai properties in the Dh40 million price bracket, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. The most dramatic feature is the entrance hall with its grand staircase, dark marble and high atrium.
The rest of the property comes with lighter furnishings and a feeling of comfort rather than ostentatious luxury.
What the broker says ...
How does this compare to some of the other District One villas?
This villa really provides a twist on what is the standard style of villa in District One. The label would state that this is a "Modern Arabic" type, but the minute you enter this utterly impressive home you realise that actually this is arguably one of the most contemporary villas within the community due to the level and quality of upgrades. The abundance of space that the property provides and the incredible quality of finishes involved in upgrading it makes this property a real one off and one that can only be fully appreciated after a viewing.
Why spend almost Dh40m in District One rather than, say, Palm Jumeirah?
Location, location, location ... of course Palm Jumeirah is a highly popular and beautiful location which is known all around the world. But with District One you are getting a truly exclusive community that is set in one of the most convenient locations in Dubai.
With the likes of Downtown, Business Bay and DIFC only 15 minutes away thanks to the easy access to Al Khail Road and with Dubai International Airport less than 30 minutes away, it really is a prime location for those in the corporate world. The Dubai Mall is within easy reach, schools are very close by and with the world's largest Crystal Lagoon is practically at your doorstep providing a beach and waterfront promenade in the heart of the city – there is everything a family could need and want. District One is a gem in the crown of Dubai that provides a luxurious lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of some of the more tourist-centric locations such as Palm Jumeirah. The view of Burj Khalifa from pretty much any part of the community also adds to the attraction.
How much have the upgrades added to the value against the cost of doing them?
There is not one part of this villa that hasn't been upgraded. The owner has gone above and beyond to make this a truly special home. No expense has been spared, and the quality of the upgrades and the furniture (included in the sale) come together to make this a truly turnkey home. Of course, all of these factors that have been taken into account when pricing, but when you also consider its secluded position on the only currently occupied island in District One with direct views to the Crystal Lagoon, there is real value on offer here and the chance to own what is not just an upgraded property but a stunning home.
What is the house’s best feature?
There really are so many! The grand entrance immediately provides the "wow" factor as you walk in the door, while enticing you into wondering what is next. Another stand-out feature is the ultra contemporary and almost hotel-like style of the master suite with its large walk-in wardrobe accessed via the electric mirrored door. But perhaps more noticeable is the open-plan space that includes the bathtub, which acts as the centrepiece of the room.
However, the outside must be mentioned as the pool, pergola, BBQ area and garden have been beautifully finished to offer an ideal space for entertaining or relaxing during pleasant winter months.
- Lee Johnston, private client advisor, LuxuryProperty.com
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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RESULTS
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
RIDE%20ON
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
6026 - Dh200
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Release Date: April 10
Result
Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2
Man City: Jesus (39), David Silva (41)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
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The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
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.
Palestine and Israel - live updates
Neymar's bio
Total club appearances 411
Total goals scored 241
Appearances for Barca 186
Goals scored for Barca 105
