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 Garden Home villa on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah.
The key details
This three-bedroom villa is located on Palm Jumeirah's Frond M and has a built-up area of 6,000 square feet. It has undergone an extensive renovation and has been extended to the full plot capacity.
It has a gym, sunken fire pit in the garden, Marbella-style swimming pool, direct access to the beach and views of Atlantis, The Palm. The property is on the market for Dh35 million with LuxuryProperty.com.
What's the story?
Renovations can mean upheaval, disruption, dust and dirt. It's like taking a step backwards in order to take two steps forward.
There are tales around the world of home owners moving into caravans and living on the drive way for months while their pride and joy is turned back into the shell that it once was before gradually being restored beyond its former glory.
It can be a long road, but one that is so worth traversing, as proven by this instance of renovation success where the outcome is a sparkling home regarded as one of the finest of its type on the Palm.
It impresses both inside and out, from its clean interior with Italian marble and state-of-the-art kitchen to its feature furnishings such as the pool table and piano.
The open-plan living area leads straight on to an exemplary outdoor area via bi-folding doors offering the ideal Dubai lifestyle mix of entertaining, comfort and fun and games by the sea.
Also the red Ferrari parked in front is very much the cherry on top of the cake.
What the broker says ...
How do Garden Homes differ from the other villa types on Palm Jumeirah?
Garden Homes are the smaller of the villa types on Palm Jumeirah, ranging from three to five bedrooms, but make no mistake, they are still incredibly spacious. The built-up area for these homes is between 5,000 and 5,400 square feet, and the plots range from 6,000 to 7,000 square feet. These are highly desirable family homes, and tend to offer a homelier ambiance than what you might find with a Signature Villa.
How much do the renovations add to the price? How much did this one cost to upgrade?
Renovations add a multitude of value, specifically when done to a high standard, they can easily double or triple the value of a home. In today's market, most buyers are looking for fully upgraded turnkey homes where all they need to do is move in and start enjoying their new lives right away.
Is the Ferrari going with the seller – and the rest of the furniture?
The furniture is staying, as the house is sold fully furnished. All you need to bring is your suitcase! The Ferrari can also be thrown into the mix provided the buyer is willing to pay full price for it.
Where is the best value found – Palm Jumeirah or the newer villa communities such as MBR District One and Dubai Hills?
All fronds are now working in the same way. Some people prefer the newer custom fronds, however on the other hand some clients prefer a fully developed frond. The Palm will always hold more value and will be more desirable than any other area, due to the connotations of what owning a Palm Jumeriah villa means and the lifestyle that comes with it. The most expensive homes of this year were mostly on the Palm, with a small handful in other luxury areas such as Jumeirah Bay Island and Dubai Hills Estate.
What’s the single best feature of this house?
The phenomenal garden combined with the living space, where you can enjoy the most incredible sea views. This home provides a true beachfront family lifestyle on Palm Jumeirah. Really, all of the finishes of the home are phenomenal, which really becomes noticeable as you walk through it.
- Liam Ure, senior private client advisor, LuxuryProperty.com
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Tottenham's 10 biggest transfers (according to transfermarkt.com):
1). Moussa Sissokho - Newcastle United - £30 million (Dh143m): Flop
2). Roberto Soldado - Valencia - £25m: Flop
3). Erik Lamela - Roma - £25m: Jury still out
4). Son Heung-min - Bayer Leverkusen - £25m: Success
5). Darren Bent - Charlton Athletic - £21m: Flop
6). Vincent Janssen - AZ Alkmaar - £18m: Flop
7). David Bentley - Blackburn Rovers - £18m: Flop
8). Luka Modric - Dynamo Zagreb - £17m: Success
9). Paulinho - Corinthians - £16m: Flop
10). Mousa Dembele - Fulham - £16m: Success
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
Why the Tourist Club?
Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.
In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.
It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.
Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.
Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.
Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.
Engine: 80 kWh four-wheel-drive
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: From Dh280,000
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
