Dubai’s Floating Seahorse villas prepare to come afloat – in pictures

The project was launched by developer The Kleindienst Group at the Dubai International Boat Show last March. Each villa, designed and manufactured on a dry dock in Dubai Maritime City, will have three levels — one underwater, one at sea level, and an upper deck — with a submerged master bedroom and bathroom. They are also equipped with a kitchen, dining area, and a glass-bottomed Jacuzzi. Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo

The Buri Khalifa is seen during a hazy weather in the background. A total of 42 villas are expected to be ready by the end of the year. Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo

A host of sealife can be seen through the 3.5-inch thick acrylic windows . Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo

An architectural model of the Floating Seahorse home at the Kleindienst Group office in Dubai. So far, Josef Kleindienst, the chairman of Kleindienst Group, which is building the Floating Seahorses and the Heart of Europe, said his organisation has sold Floating Seahorses to both people who will use them and others who will rent them out as part of the planned hotels at the site. Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo

Weighing 240 tons, the villa on the sea smells of the Myanmar teak adorning its walls. A wet bar on its top floor is both open-air and air conditioned, with a hot tub. Below, the glass walls of its living room and dining room open out on blue beach chairs and netting allowing a look at the water below. Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo

Below deck, automated curtains in the bedroom open out onto an under-the-sea view. Coral transplanted from the site of the Burj Al Arab, Dubai’s iconic sail-shaped luxury hotel, sits on the lip of the Seahorse under shade, drawing the sea life. Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo

Clients take photos while visiting a full-scale mock-up of the Floating Seahorse home. Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo

Kleindienst said they plan to open the heart-shaped St. Petersburg island by October, with dozens of Seahorses connected to water, electricity and other utilities on the island via gangplanks. Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo

The sitting area of a full-scale mock-up of the Floating Seahorse home. Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo

Part of the architectural model of the Floating Seahorses. Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo

Construction continues on the Heart of Europe development. Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo

The first Floating Seahorse home at The World islands has been readied for clients to visit. The latest models have a list price of Dh12 million.