Nature can be in short supply amid the desert surrounding Dubai. But for those with some serious cash to splash, that sumptuous greenery can be found.
The perfect example of this is at Al Barari, located on the edge of Dubailand, where a property in its Dahlia, The Residences villas has come on the market at Dh15 million.
This is where luxury architecture meets butterflies, and birds gathering along the lake and waterways, while sand gazelles, desert foxes and hares roam free.
Adjacent to a natural reserve and the region’s largest privately-owned plant nursery (it produces 700 varieties), the majority of the 217 villas in Phase I of The Residences and The Reserve have been handed over, so only a limited number are available to purchase.
This villa in particular was completed in mid-2008 and handed over in 2009. It has been on the market since December.
For your Dh15m you get a lake and park view, a smart home system to help optimise energy use and water consumption, private swimming pool and ample parking.
The living arrangement provides six bedrooms, a maid’s room, study, sun room, vaulted ceilings and marble flooring. Birdspotters can take to the roof terrace and immerse themselves in the surrounding bliss.
A thoroughly modern kitchen is ready and waiting for master chef or chief toast maker.
At more than 12,500 square feet, there is space enough for a sizeable family, and where better for those with kids who wish to be away from the bustle of the city but close enough to not spend all day in the car?
For those who like to stay close to home, the estate has the Heart & Soul spa, The Farm, which contains a restaurant and bakery, and Body Language, a health club which also has a juice bar.
Q&A
Dereck Hoogenkamp, sales and marketing director at Al Barari, reveals more about the development.
What else can a property mogul get his or her hands on?
While all of The Residences are fully occupied, The Reserve comprises freehold plots and 28 high-end bespoke freehold villas with four or more bedrooms built across four leaves (seven villas per leaf) to service the ever-growing trend of home customisation. Four villas have already been handed over to buyers, 10 “shell and core” freehold villas have been completed and a further 14 freehold villas are in development.
They sound pricey.
While prices for The Residences start at Dh15m, The Reserve starts from Dh30m, apartments at Ashjar, which will be completed by December 2016, are from Dh3.4m and Seventh Heaven, scheduled for completion in 2016, from Dh3m.
So it sounds ideal for families.What is there for the children to do?
There are many playgrounds and family areas in addition to the six themed gardens for children to play in and explore. There are connected pathways throughout the estate for them to bike on. They can take swimming or tennis lessons as well as exercise classes (mini movers) which combine elements of dance, aerobics, and body weight exercise. The Heart & Soul spa has a Little Prince and Little Princess salon where children can get haircuts, and organic manicure and pedicures using 100 per cent natural and non-toxic products.
ioxborrow@thenational.ae
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