There is no doubt that the UAE is home to some spectacular properties. From penthouse apartments to plush villas with sprawling gardens and incredible pools, it’s a real estate haven.
Each week, The National showcases some of the finest homes on offer in its Property of the Week. Here, we take a closer look at a Dubai Hills mansion.
The key details
This custom-built Dubai Hills property is new to the UAE market, boasting seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms, spread across a built-up area of 31,296 square feet on a 37,000-square-foot plot.
The property boasts a wine cellar, private swimming pool and sprawling basement.
What's the story?
The calming influence of nature is a key design theme throughout this Tree of Life-inspired Dubai Hills property.
With an almost boutique hotel feel, a double-height atrium features a wooden timber sculpture and grand staircase. According to the listing: "It is from this iconic structure that the stunning flow of sunlight can be properly appreciated as it shines out via the elegant metal lined portals with pivoting ribbed oak wall panels on to the adjoining spaces across the two floors."
Taking inspiration from the five elements – earth, water, wood, metal and fire – high-quality, natural materials are visible throughout the property. They include warm, natural woods, textural stone, contrasting anthracite metals, reflective glass, Italian porcelain and leather and linen upholstery. The property is being sold as-seen and fully furnished.
On the ground floor, the living areas are sophisticated and inviting, ideal for entertaining in style. They also connect seamlessly with the external spaces via tall, glazed bi-fold doors that open on to the manicured gardens, terrace and private swimming pool.
The top floor houses the private family living and bedroom areas, with ornate ensuite bedrooms and a warm, intimate atmosphere with tactile design features such as rich fabrics, luxurious stone surfaces and subtle lighting.
An expansive basement comes complete with a wine cellar, to be used as a prospective owner wishes, a sleek bar, snug movie area and casino-style table.
What the brokers say ...
What makes this property justify its Dh115 million price tag?
This property is probably one of the most exquisitely designed modern villas on the market. With a built-up area of 31,296 square feet and a plot size of 37,000 square feet, it is situated in the exclusive community of Dubai Hills, one of only 28 standalone villas.
Bought shell-and-core, it has been completely transformed into an exquisite seven-bedroom home with its own closets and ensuite facilities. Flawlessly executed by Infinite Architecture & Interior Design and BW Interiors, the owner’s vision was effortlessly transformed into a palace of form and functionality that is graceful, luxurious and equipped with every modern convenience.
What inspired its interior design?
The design inspiration for the Dubai Hills villa is the Tree of Life, a concept born from nature and translated into a sophisticated interior mood and style that flows seamlessly between the internal and external spaces.
This design language permeates the interior and changes texture, hue and intensity as dictated by the function and mood of each individual space. The atmosphere pervading the villa is tranquil and harmonious with a feeling of relaxation and luxury.
What is Dubai Hills such an exclusive neighbourhood?
Dubai Hills is proving to be a premium neighbourhood, especially in the gated communities and the fact it sits around Dubai's best golf courses. It is a newly gated community, lush with greenery and landscaping that proves very appealing for investors and end-users alike. It also has very easy access to the rest of the city.
What ultra-exclusive features does this property come with?
The villa's interiors in itself are very unique, with superior design and aesthetics not easily found in Dubai. Everything from the lighting to the high-vaulted ceilings and room spaces are very well thought out and integrated, enabling seamless living. Combining this, there is a fully renovated and extended basement, complete with a wine cellar and entertainment area. It also will house a gym, sauna and yoga area.
How common are Dh100 million-plus properties on the Dubai property market?
At the moment, Dh100m properties on the Dubai property market are becoming more common in order to respond to the demand that many ultra high-net-worth individuals have begun to move here and call it home. Having sold the first Dh100m-plus property in Emirates Hills a few years ago, we have been noticing a shift and surge in demand in properties of this nature.
Does the property come furnished?
Yes, the property arrives as is with its furnishing. There are some aspects of the home that the new owners can tweak to their tastes and requirements to finish off the furnishing package to create their own zen-like atmosphere.
– Leigh Williamson, managing director, Four Seasons Office at Luxhabitat Sotheby's International Realty, luxhabitat.ae
TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SE%20(second%20generation)
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Recipe: Spirulina Coconut Brothie
Ingredients
1 tbsp Spirulina powder
1 banana
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (full fat preferable)
1 tbsp fresh turmeric or turmeric powder
½ cup fresh spinach leaves
½ cup vegan broth
2 crushed ice cubes (optional)
Method
Blend all the ingredients together on high in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
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
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Company%20profile
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Uefa Nations League: How it works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now