• The Elite Residence six-bedroom penthouse with an indoor pool in the living room. All photos: Luxhabitat Sotheby's International Realty
    The Elite Residence six-bedroom penthouse with an indoor pool in the living room. All photos: Luxhabitat Sotheby's International Realty
  • A modern open-plan kitchen with integrated appliances
    A modern open-plan kitchen with integrated appliances
  • One of the two spacious living areas
    One of the two spacious living areas
  • The penthouse apartment has six en-suite bedrooms
    The penthouse apartment has six en-suite bedrooms
  • Palm Jumeirah views from the bar area of the Elite Residence penthouse
    Palm Jumeirah views from the bar area of the Elite Residence penthouse
  • A home office area in the penthouse
    A home office area in the penthouse
  • The private indoor pool spans a portion of the living room
    The private indoor pool spans a portion of the living room
  • A cosy spot to relax
    A cosy spot to relax
  • The dining room
    The dining room
  • Ample space for entertaining
    Ample space for entertaining
  • The property has a bright and spacious open-plan set-up
    The property has a bright and spacious open-plan set-up
  • There is a modern lighting feature throughout the penthouse
    There is a modern lighting feature throughout the penthouse
  • The property has ample sea views
    The property has ample sea views
  • A private indoor swimming pool in an apartment is a rarity even in Dubai
    A private indoor swimming pool in an apartment is a rarity even in Dubai
  • One of eight spacious bathrooms in the property
    One of eight spacious bathrooms in the property

Property of the week: Dubai Marina penthouse with a swimming pool in the living room


Farah Andrews
  • English
  • Arabic

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 the Elite Residence penthouse in Dubai Marina.

The key details

This six-bedroom, eight-bathroom penthouse property is a new addition to the Dubai property market. The full-floor penthouse in Elite Residence in Dubai Marina is spread across 12,469 square feet.

The elephant in the room, in the case of this particular property, is of course the indoor swimming pool, which takes up a large portion of the living room.

The property is on the market for between Dh33 million ($8.9m) and Dh35m.

Elite Residence penthouse boasts a swimming pool in the middle of the living room. Photo: Luxhabitat Sotheby's International Realty
Elite Residence penthouse boasts a swimming pool in the middle of the living room. Photo: Luxhabitat Sotheby's International Realty

What's the story?

Properties that come with their own swimming pool are no rarity in the UAE – apartments with pools on their balcony are even starting to pop up more frequently. However, apartments with a swimming pool inside the living room are not common.

The Elite Residence penthouse is new to the market, and the large private indoor pool is a standout feature.

Far from its only selling point, the six-bedroom apartment boasts 360° views that take in Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf, Dubai Marina skyline, Emirates Golf Cluband the Burj Al Arab from different parts of the property.

Palm Jumeirah views from the bar area of the Elite Residence penthouse. Photo: Luxhabitat Sotheby's International Realty
Palm Jumeirah views from the bar area of the Elite Residence penthouse. Photo: Luxhabitat Sotheby's International Realty

There are two large, open-plan living rooms and a dining area, along with a spacious open-plan kitchen with built-in appliances.

The six bedrooms each feature en-suite facilities, and there is also an en-suite maid's room. With eye-catching decor and furniture, the property is being sold fully furnished. It has not been upgraded since it was fully renovated throughout.

It comes with six car parking spaces.

What the broker says ...

Do apartments with pools inside the living room come on to the market often?

No, it’s indeed very rare to have a pool within an apartment, which makes this a unique offering.

Is the pool the property's main selling point?

It is one of the main selling points. Other selling points with equal value are that this is a full-floor penthouse on the top floor of Elite Residence with a 360° skyline view of Dubai. There are fantastic panoramic views that include the Palm Jumeirah, the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, Dubai Marina skyline, Emirates Golf Club and the Burj Al Arab hotel.

How much value does a private pool add to a property?

While having a private pool is a nice perk, it is the overall factors of the upgrades, location, views and size of the home that give it its value. Having a private pool is rarely a deciding factor, but can create a point of difference. The private pool can be used all year round, no matter the weather. It also adds to the novelty of owning such a home.

A modern open-plan kitchen. Photo: Luxhabitat Sotheby's International Realty
A modern open-plan kitchen. Photo: Luxhabitat Sotheby's International Realty

How long has this property been on the market?

This property just came to the market four weeks ago.

Why is Dubai Marina such a popular neighbourhood?

The Dubai Marina is a well-developed and complete community with an amazing location, with access to all the amenities one may desire. Some of the properties also have spectacular views of Palm Jumeirah and the sea. Another perk is access to public transportation, with the metro, tram, bus and monorail.

What inspired the decor inside the home?

The initial owner had a passion for designing interiors and so designed the home to fit his personal living specifications.

Stephan Hirzel, senior global property consultant at Luxhabitat Sotheby's International Realty, www.luxhabitat.ae

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

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

Updated: October 13, 2021, 5:34 AM