This is the biggest house that has come on the market to date in the UAE. So says Knight Frank, the real estate agent marketing the property. There certainly aren’t many occasions you have the chance to buy a palace – after all, they don’t come on the market that often.
But this 10-bedroom, 13-bathroom villa on sale in Dubai’s Emirates Hills is palatial in every aspect, including the price. It is on the market for Dh110 million.
The property, which looks out on to the Montgomerie Golf Course, sits on a 40,804 square foot plot and has a built-up area of 41,703 sq ft designed and positioned to give the ultimate privacy to residents who probably don’t want others knowing what they get up to in their spare time.
From its imposing dual staircases and fountain in the reception to its wonderful master bedroom – complete with sumptuous en suite bathroom, walk-in changing rooms and sitting room all behind the bedroom door – leaves you in no doubt you are in a residence of unique appointment. There is undoubtedly an Arabian theme at play in this home – marble floors feature throughout and the gold hue runs from front to back and top to bottom. Chandeliers are a prerequisite, along with sweeping arches and ornate, mosaic-tiled ceilings. A grand central majilis, for instance, plays host to an extravagant hand-painted dome.
The property – completed only six months ago – has never been lived in. And painters and decorators are still working on site to perfect the decor.
The new build also has nine reception rooms, a lift, a balcony overlooking the golf course, a roof terrace, a garden terrace, staff accommodation, private parking for up to 11 cars, 24- hour security and an opulent swimming pool with Jacuzzi set in established manicured gardens.
The property sits in sector L of Emirates Hills, which has the biggest plot sizes in the estate. Sector S may be slightly more exclusive as it only has eight plots but they are not the same league size-wise as this mansion.
Q&A
Gregory Lewis, senior negotiator with the estate agent Knight Frank, details the finer features of this palatial property to Andrew Scott:
How long has this property on the market?
Two weeks.
I’ve heard there about the slowdown in the UAE property scene. So how is the market for palaces these days?
This property will sell to a VVIP: someone, probably from the Gulf, with a very specific taste and undoubtedly with property elsewhere. The way it has been appointed and decorated means it will not really be advertised globally.
Who do you think the lavish decor will appeal to?
Marble, gold and fountains, while being a part of many older houses, are not usually found in new builds elsewhere. This has been built for the Arabic market. While there has been a slowdown in the housing market here, that has not been felt by the super-prime sector and they are still selling as before. I am not expecting a queue for this house though.
Will it be difficult to attain the selling price?
The price is what the owner hopes to attain. At this level all buyers like to negotiate; the first offer is always lower. It is the biggest ever property sold in Dubai in the best area. It is beautiful, with everything that a person of this means would expect. The fact that this is a unique property with a particular design style means that there will not be an abundance of buyers, however, it is the perfect location, in the correct city in one of the areas of the world with a huge disposable income. There is a buyer for this property at this price, but when that buyer decides to buy is up to them.
ascott@thenational.ae
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