In this weekly instalment over the past year I've featured the big, the beautiful and, to put it politely, the slightly bizarre in the wonderful world of UAE property. We've had a home with a car showroom in the garden, another with a stone tavern out back and one that looked as though it belonged in the 1800s.
Amid the countless interiors my eyes have had the task of perusing, so many of them left me thankful that I haven't set up camp there. It's not necessarily that they are badly done, more that they simply haven't been to my taste.
But now that 2019 is coming to an end, I have found one that I can confidently say has absolutely nailed it in pretty much every respect
The prize-winner (I'm the prize-giver) is, of course, this town house on Dubai's Bluewaters Island.
There are larger villa offerings with all of the trimmings elsewhere in Dubai, but if you can do without a nightclub in the basement and an Olympic-sized swimming pool located next to a championship golf course then there's a decent chance you will like this place – especially if you're keen on a squeaky clean, modern interior.
Bluewaters Island has only been open for a year, so there's an airy freshness to his place. Add in the sea views and light that pours in from the intriguing upstairs-downstairs design (a first-floor family room overlooks the main living room) and the feeling of an island-getaway sensation suddenly becomes very real.
The ground-floor living area is open plan, with a kitchen featuring Italian appliances by Elba. Scandinavian wooden floors add warmth amid the mass of white walls.
Of the four bedrooms, three are on the first floor and have a private balcony; the fourth is on the ground floor.
If a pool needs to be a part of your life, then that box is ticked. Although it is just a plunge pool, it does overlook the Arabian Gulf and is set on a decent sized front patio.
The naysayers would point to the lack of its own private plot and the public walkway that runs along the frontage in full view of the pool.
However, covering 6,581 square feet and costing Dh14 million, the Meraas property offers a tempting alternative to, say, penthouse living in other parts of Dubai. There's also the opportunity to stroll around the island and explore the restaurants and shops. You can also stroll along a wooden walkway to reach the nearby Jumeirah Beach Residence in 15 minutes.
Q&A: Sam Lange, private client adviser at LuxuryProperty.com
Bluewaters has now been open for a year. How is it progressing?
Bluewaters is progressing very well. Within a year of opening, all the residential buildings are ready to move into and a great number of the commercial units are open. The remaining commercial units will open in due course, and we can also look forward to the grand opening of Ain Dubai.
How many town houses are on the island?
There are a total of 17 town houses, making them among the most exclusive residences on the island. Of these, only a handful are still available on the market.
Is privacy an issue or are the pathways in front of the property for residents only?
I wouldn't say privacy is a major issue. While there is a 'public' pathway in front of the town houses, it is not heavily trafficked and is used primarily by residents. Due to the design of Bluewaters, the retail and dining hub is concentrated on one side of the island while the residences are spread along the other side. It is a clever bit of design that immediately creates a sense of privacy for the residences while still keeping everything open to the public.
How much would this property rent for?
Each of the properties that has sold so far has been purchased either as a primary residence or as a second or third home for the buyer. That being said, I would estimate a rent of roughly Dh450,000. That number would go up or down depending on which unit number it is.
Is there anything else comparable in Dubai in terms of modern island living?
In terms of lifestyle there really is nothing like Bluewaters. This island gives you everything that you need, with its own supermarket, several restaurants and cafes and several shops. Then there is Caesars Palace Bluewaters which has its own amenities, including a Hell's Kitchen restaurant from Gordon Ramsay and a private beach.