Cityscape 2022: Dubai developer Inspire plans floating homes on The World Islands

Company aims to develop the Oman island off the Dubai coast, with the villas manufactured in South Korea and then shipped and plugged in at the project

Inspire Contracting's stand at Cityscape 2022. The developer is moving into the floating homes market as demand for waterfront properties soars. Antonie Robertson / The National

Dubai-based developer and contractor Inspire Home Contracting has revealed plans to develop the Oman island at The World Islands project in the emirate.

The company, which is also developing villas in Dubai South and a tower on Dubai Islands (formerly Deira Islands), is moving into the floating homes market as demand in Dubai for waterfront properties soars.

It is currently seeking preliminary approval from master developer Nakheel and is applying for a permit to start construction, Mohamad Chiah, the architect of the project, told The National at Cityscape in Dubai.

“Construction will take up to two years and it will have 167 villas, a massive swimming pool in the middle of the island, a clubhouse that will have a spa, five-star restaurant, cinema and ballroom,” he said.

The villas are all one-bedroom, with some of them floating, at the $20 million development. They are going to be manufactured in South Korea and then shipped and plugged in at The World Islands.

A scale model of a Danube Properties' project at the company's stand. Antonie Robertson / The National

A model of the Tunis development, in Dubai's Sports City, on display at Cityscape 2022. Antonie Robertson / The National

Danube Properties announced last year that it plans to launch two to three projects every year through to 2026. Antonie Robertson / The National

The Dubai developer said at Cityscape 2021 that it intends to bridge supply gaps in the emirate's cheaper housing segment. Antonie Robertson / The National

Visitors look at scale models of projects at the stand of Dubai developer Sobha Realty at Cityscape 2022. Antonie Robertson / The National

Cityscape, one of the largest property conventions in the region, has become a staple in Dubai for more than two decades. Antonie Robertson / The National

A scale model of a Sobha Realty development at the company's stand. Antonie Robertson / The National

Sobha Realty is bullish about the UAE property market and aims to hit $1.6 billion in sales this year as the country's economy continues to recover from the coronavirus-induced slowdown. Antonie Robertson / The National

A model of the Tunis development in Dubai's Sports City. Antonie Robertson / The National

A scale model of a building at the Danube stand. Antonie Robertson / The National

A scale model of the Jouri Hills development by Arada. Antonie Robertson / The National

Visitors arrive at Cityscape on the first day of the convention. Antonie Robertson / The National

As with most other annual conferences, Cityscape fell by the wayside in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Antonie Robertson / The National

A glut of properties and a downturn in the market due to widespread economic uncertainty forced estate agents to retreat as rental prices fell. Antonie Robertson / The National

They are now back in business and bullish about the future. Antonie Robertson / The National

A scale model of an Azizi Group project at the company's stand at Cityscape 2022. Antonie Robertson / The National

The Sobha stand and models. Antonie Robertson/The National

Visitors look at the impressive models on display. Antonie Robertson/ The National

The Sobha stand and models. Antonie Robertson / The National

Cityscape forum with Ahmed Al Khatib, chief development and delivery officer, Expo City Dubai. General image. Antonie Robertson/The National

The Dubai Investments stand and property models. Antonie Robertson / The National

The Dubai Investments stand and models. Antonie Robertson / The National

Inspire Contracting showed off its floating villa plans. Antonie Robertson / The National

Francis Alfred, managing director and CEO of Sobha Reality at Cityscape, Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The Azizi Group stand. Antonie Robertson / The National

While the manufacture of the villas is going on, Inspire plans to carry out the infrastructure works on the island.

“There will be three types of floating villas — one with its own pool on the terrace, one without terrace but with pool on the roof, and a duplex with a pool on the roof,” Mr Chiah said.

The villas will be guaranteed for 50 years and prices will start from Dh6 million ($1.63 million), “which is good value as others are selling for much higher”, he said.

Dubai's property market has picked up pace this year as the wider economy makes a strong recovery from coronavirus-driven headwinds.

The development on the World Islands has been ramping up too.

Anantara is expected to launch a hotel on the South American section before the end of the year while the Kleindienst Group's Heart of Europe project is also close to opening.

This project also features floating homes — the Floating Seahorse villas, the first of which were handed over in 2020.

Last year, Josef Kleindienst, chairman of the Kleindienst Group, The Heart of Europe, told The National how the floating villas had appreciated in price from their initial selling price of Dh5 million, to as high as Dh88 million.

The Floating Seahorse development sits 2.5 miles off the coast of Dubai in the middle of The World islands. Chris Whiteoak / The National

There are set to be 131 luxury floating villas by 2021. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Each abode boasts plunging underwater bedrooms. Chris Whiteoak / The National

These offer a glimpse under water through the windows. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Buyers of the extravagant vessels could become the first in the world to hold their very own section of the sea. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Villas span multiple levels. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Each villa will have a glass-bottomed private Jacuzzi, a fully furnished kitchen, private sundeck, manmade coral reef garden and space to dock a boat. Chris Whiteoak / The National

They are the first floating villas with an underwater experience in the Middle East. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The asking price is set at an eye-watering Dhs20 million. Chris Whiteoak / The National

It'll offer luxury living on the water. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Meanwhile, Inspire will ensure that sustainability is at the forefront of its development.

“All water will be filtrated and treated, and we will use solar panels. We will not drop any waste in the ocean,” said Mr Chiah.

The Oman Island was appealing due to its shape, “plus it has a big border, the view of Dubai is good and it is protected by the other islands around it”, he said.

“Floating and waterfront homes [are] the trend in Dubai. People want to come for one month to enjoy the water and clubhouse entertainment.

“We are trying to make it so that everything that is needed is here so you don't need to go out — barber, supermarket, etc. They won't feel that they need anything from outside.”