Damac Properties has revealed a branded development along the Dubai Canal as luxury launches continue in the emirate amid a booming market.
Cavalli Couture is a 14-storey building featuring 70 units comprising three, four and five-bedroom duplex sky villas and duplex penthouses.
The interiors, inspired by the Amazon jungle, will be branded by Italian fashion house Cavalli.
Each unit will have its own infinity pool and terrace garden overlooking Dubai Canal, with views of the Dubai skyline and Burj Khalifa on one side while units on the other side will offer views of Safa Park and Burj Al Arab.
“There is a booming market for branded residences and Damac is at the forefront of this charge,” said Niall McLoughlin, senior vice president of Damac.
“As a respected property developer active in the formation of Dubai’s skyline since 2002, we have earned a reputation for delivering unique and quality luxury products, but also experiences.”
Dubai has been ranked as the world leader for branded residences, according to a recent study by property adviser Savills.
It has more than 40 completed branded residences, with a pipeline set to take that number beyond 70.
Damac said the Cavalli Couture penthouses will have access to private sky gardens and a party terrace with infinity pools.
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Podium-level amenities include a lagoon drop-off area, a gym and spa, a cigar lounge, club rooms, a floating juice bar and cabanas, and lush tropical gardens.
Elsewhere, LIV Developers has this week launched LIV LUX, a 47-storey ultra-luxury tower in Dubai Marina.
The developer said the tower will house the first “SuperLux” Dh75 million duplex penthouse that will anchor the building at the top two levels.
The penthouse will have two floors totalling 15,270 square feet, plus a nine-metre infinity swimming pool on its terrace, six-metre double height ceilings, a private art gallery to hold owners’ private art collections, a cinema, library and piano lounge.
Liv Developers has projects worth Dh1.6 billion under construction, which further supports the company’s expansion plans in the region it, said.
“LIV Developers will also pursue aggressive regional expansion plans to increase its land bank portfolio in ultra-prime locations of Dubai, with values in excess of Dh2 billion.”
Meanwhile, construction of the luxurious Mr C Residences Jumeirah is in “full swing”, with handover scheduled for next year, according to Alta Real-Estate Developments.
The project is “nearly sold out” and has only 27 units for sale.
“Every detail has a luxury yacht feel, bringing together features of the natural landscape of the desert with a sophisticated Italian touch,” it said.
Prices have been rising this year across all sectors in Dubai amid the wider economic recovery following the pandemic.
In the prime sector, prices are expected to end the year about 50 per cent higher than in 2021, Knight Frank said, while they are projected to grow by a further 13.5 per cent next year.
Knight Frank said it recently completed the sale of the most expensive mansion in the Tilal Al Ghaf project developed by Majid Al Futtaim in Dubai.
The Lanai Islands mansion was bought for Dh90 million by British buyers.
“The buyers took the opportunity to customise the mansion, creating a huge master suite that is over 2,000 sq ft and opting for the exterior guest house to be converted into an executive office,” said Andrew Cummings, partner and head of prime residential at Knight Frank Middle East.
“It is also another reminder that the prime market in Dubai is now expanding beyond the traditional areas such as Emirates Hills and Palm Jumeirah, with Tilal Al Ghaf set to be one of the most desirable communities in Dubai on completion.”
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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