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
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Baby Driver
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Lily James
Three and a half stars
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
