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 custom-built Parisian-style home in Dubai.
The key details
A very unusual find – a totally renovated three-bedroom property, decorated in 19th-century Parisian style. The villa is set across 388 square metres, on a plot of almost 929 square metres, located in the Green Community West, in the outskirts of the city in Dubai Investments Park.
What's the story?
To say this is a charming property is an understatement. Prospective buyers will be transported to 19th-century Paris, with backdrops befitting the Renaissance at every turn.
New to the market, this striking Green Community villa is unlike any you'll find elsewhere in the UAE. For anyone who was recently swept away by the charm of Netflix series Bridgerton, this could well be the property for you.
Prospective lords and ladies of the manor will be delighted to read that the faux-chateau has been decorated with artwork, fabrics and wallpaper sourced directly from Europe, predominantly France.
From floors to ceilings, the entire property has been renovated, with period features as authentic as you can expect to find in the desert. Gold, marble, wood and limestone have been used throughout, with furnishings befitting a bygone era – think imposing and ornate wardrobes, large wooden tables and clawfoot bathtubs.
The master bedroom (never has the term felt more apt) comes complete with a grand dressing room and shoe racks concealed inside slide-out wall panels. The bedroom itself includes a specially curated 20th-century art collection.
Anyone hoping to get lost in a garden maze can recreate the magic along the property's boundary walls, which have been draped in artificial greenery to evoke the look of a traditional European garden.
What the brokers say ...
What makes this property stand out?
You are unlikely to find a property like this anywhere else in Dubai. There are villas in some high-end neighbourhoods that tend to favour a classically inspired aesthetic, but nothing that recreates a historic era with such an authentic attention to detail, from the stone and metal work down to the type of wallpaper used.
Who designed the interiors?
The work on the home was done by Elenora Interior Design Works, a boutique design studio that also deals in luxury furniture and antiques. They provide complete design solutions for any home, including art pieces, such as the impressive collection curated especially for this villa.
And what was their inspiration?
The inspiration for the design was taken from mansions and chateaux of Paris in the mid-19th century.
Do you think this is the most you can get for a Dh4 million price tag?
At this price point, this might just be one of the very best villas that you can get. I am hard-pressed to find any home in a similar range that has had this level of work put into it.
What about the Green Community appeals to buyers and investors?
Green Community is a family-orientated neighbourhood with a focus on parks and green spaces. The area has cobblestone roads, which gives it a unique charm. Prices are relatively low compared to other established communities in terms of the quality you get, which makes it a great option for end users. There is high rental demand here and, because of the low pricing, investors benefit from high rental yields. The mix of properties, apartments, villas and townhouses attracts a diverse client base, which adds to its investment potential.
How long has this property been on the market?
This property has been on the market for three weeks.
Andrew Cummings, managing director and co-founder of LuxuryProperty.com
