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 look at a penthouse in Dubai Marina.
The key details
This five-bedroom duplex is set within Al Anbar Tower – one of the lower-rise towers in the area – along the Marina Walk.
It is spread across 6,982 square feet and comes with formal and informal living rooms on the lower floor, a media room, and a family lounge on the upper floor. It is on the market for Dh16 million.
What's the story?
Dubai Marina is home to thousands of apartments within its numerous sky-reaching towers.
Within these blocks you expect to find conventional apartments with modern furnishings matching the relatively modern build date.
However, every so often the door opens and there lying in wait is a home far away from the trend of sleek and modern – and that's what we have here.
Roman-style pillars line the hallway and living area, while dramatic chandeliers and wall decor bring a palatial edge. It feels more 1930s in some respects than 2021.
Then there are the red rooms. The upstairs Arab-style family lounge has red lighting and furnishings creating a warm glow and atmosphere you are unlikely to find elsewhere in the Marina.
The red returns in an eye-opening guest bedroom that mixes dark wood book shelving and floors with walls that really bring the place to life. Windows out on to the lounge below provide a nice architectural touch.
Being Dubai Marina, the views are all important and they don't disappoint here, with the splendour of Cayan Tower dominating the skyline.
What the brokers say ...
Where does Al Anbar Tower rank among Dubai Marina’s plentiful options?
Al Anbar is part of Emaar Six, the original luxury towers in Dubai Marina. It is a well-established project that offers incredible access to the best that the Marina has to offer, including Marina Mall, Pier 7, Marina Walk and more.
In terms of design, it does not have the sheen of the newer projects that have come up, but it is still a very solid option with some great upgraded units that are easily on par with anything that has come to the market more recently.
What do buyers look for when seeking a home in Dubai Marina?
The main reason that buyers come to the Marina is because of the dynamic lifestyle that it offers. They are looking for a home that provides them with amazing views and ease of access to everything around them, whether it is the plethora of restaurants located around the district, nightlife attractions in some of the city's top hotels, plus The Beach at JBR and the stunning Bluewaters Island.
The ideal Marina home makes you feel like you're on a beach vacation all year round.
The decor goes from soft cremes to bright reds … is there scope to start again if the style doesn’t suit?
The beauty of homes such as this is that they do offer plenty of scope for upgrades and refurbishment. This penthouse is being sold as is and has a unique, striking aesthetic. New buyers can, of course, redesign any aspect of it as they please.
For Dh16m, where else could a penthouse-seeking buyer find the property of their dreams?
At this price point, buyers can find beautiful penthouse options in The 8 and Anantara Residences on Palm Jumeirah, Burj Vista in Downtown Dubai, Palazzo Versace and Silverene Tower in the Marina.
If they can stretch their budgets a bit further, there is Imperial Avenue in Downtown and W Residences on the Palm at just below Dh17m. There is quite a good spread of options available, divided among new builds and older towers.
Jason Hayes is founder and chief executive of LuxuryProperty.com
