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 best homes on offer in its Property of the Week. This week, we take a look at a palatial mansion located in The Grove, Dubai Hills.
The key details
The nine-bedroom property is located in the newly developed Dubai Hills. It is spread across three floors and 24,000 square feet. If it sells for the Dh78 million asking price, it will be the most expensive villa sold in the emirate this year, as per the Dubai Land Department.
What's the story?
This modern Mediterranean-style mansion is perhaps best described as an estate, rather than a home. Easy to mistake as a boutique hotel rather than a private residence, the new owner will be able to make the most of the generous outdoor space and vast indoor living area.
The 24,000-square-foot home is set within a 33,000-square-foot plot, offering views of the Dubai Hills Golf Club from over its generous multilevel pool.
The double-height entrance opens out to a courtyard. This property is made for outdoor living; pool aside, it has manicured gardens; an air-conditioned pool house cabana, with changing rooms and a Jacuzzi; and an outdoor dining area with a bar, kitchen and plenty of seating.
On the ground floor, you'll find formal and informal living rooms, a family room, dining room and kitchen, as well as three of the guest bedrooms and staff quarters.
The property is built over three storeys, all of which are connected with a lift. When it comes to entertaining, the basement stands out, offering as it does a private cinema, games room, cigar lounge and bar. It also has a spa, gym, powder room and library, as well as underground parking for six cars.
The first floor houses the family accommodation. The master bedroom comes with terrace access, and his and hers walk-in-closets. This level also has four more bedrooms and a family room.
What the brokers say ...
What about Dubai Hills appeals to a high-end buyer?
Dubai Hills is one of the most prestigious communities for an ultra high-net-worth individual to purchase a property. As a new neighbourhood, it has a very modern feel. It is a very peaceful, private, family-friendly community, with plenty of green spaces, a world-class golf course and club, and you have homes of this nature that match a truly opulent lifestyle.
What about this home, and its price point, makes it stand out?
So far, the most expensive villa sold this year was a Dubai Hills mansion for Dh75m. There are other villas at a more expensive price point. However, this Dubai Hills mansion with its high-end finishing and attention to detail is considered well priced for a turn-key villa.
How long has this property been on the market?
The property was on the market earlier this year, but was removed during the initial outbreak of the pandemic. We have only gone back to market last month.
This villa feels almost like a boutique resort. Is that something that appeals to buyers?
With the ongoing pandemic, we have observed that many potential home buyers are looking for larger spaces to cater to their needs, with families requiring bigger home offices, a gym, cinema and entertainment rooms. Many high-end buyers have realised that they need a turn-key home that offers them the best of luxury and space. This home fits the bill, it has plenty of different areas, for work, relaxation and entertainment.
Which of the home's modern features stand out to buyers the most?
Each potential buyer has their own requirements. There's a lot of kudos to be given to the owner and designer to have thought through and designed it so meticulously. It's versatile enough in style to appeal to almost any high-end buyer. The ideal buyer would be someone with a love for Mediterranean architecture, the finer things in life and an appreciation for work-life balance. It's a very well-rounded villa.
Leigh Borg, Managing Director at Luxhabitat Sotheby's International Realty
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.