My Own Home: Family build Dh65m Dubai Hills villa from scratch


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My Own Home takes you inside a reader-owned property to ask how much they paid, why they decided to buy and what they have done with it since moving in

Vish Patel, the owner of a project management company, lives with his wife, two children and mother in a five-bedroom villa in Dubai Hills, not far from the sprawling golf course.

He built the property from scratch, buying the land for more than Dh5 million ($1.3 million), before spending at least Dh20 million – although he says it’s probably more, as there were plenty of additions and upgrades he didn’t account for – creating his dream home.

Now, he’s listed it for Dh65 million as he looks to build an even better project elsewhere in Dubai. The National takes a look around.

Please tell us about your home

It’s a five-bedroom house, with a basement, ground floor and roof terrace. It’s on a 12,000-square-foot plot. With it being my own house and me being a perfectionist, I wouldn’t say it’s finished even now. But it’s been two years since we moved in.

Why did you decide to build your home?

I'd wanted to build a house here for a while. We have an old house in the UK, it’s a listed building that we’ve renovated. Here we wanted something modern, opposite to what I have over there. And a family home – something practical that we can use for my kids, who are teenagers, and my mum, who is staying with us now, too.

The living room at Vish Patel's Dubai Hills home. Ahmed Ramzan for The National
The living room at Vish Patel's Dubai Hills home. Ahmed Ramzan for The National

We wanted somewhere that we could use all of the areas, entertain in the house. It’s not just a show home, it’s something that suits all of our needs.

I knew in my mind how that would work, I sketched it out then called an architect. I chose the materials, equipment, everything. It was an exciting time.

Of course, Covid caused some changes in direction due to the availability of materials and so on.

Why have you decided to sell?

I’m not selling because the market is great and now is the time to sell. I put my heart and soul into this house.

I’d never sell my house in England no matter what offer someone made. But, emotionally, here I can sell the house and I know I could do something similar again. I wanted to liquidate some funds from the value of the house to do it again.

The needs of the family have changed and I might not build something as big again.

Why did you choose Dubai Hills?

I love Dubai Hills. The million dollar question we used to get asked since we’ve been in the UAE 20 years was, 'Where’s the centre of Dubai?' It was the Marina, then Downtown. Now I really feel Dubai Hills is the right place to be.

It’s so central, you can get out to everywhere, it’s a practical location.

Mr Patel's home is in Parkways in Dubai Hills Estate. Ahmed Ramzan for The National
Mr Patel's home is in Parkways in Dubai Hills Estate. Ahmed Ramzan for The National

When we move on, I’d like to stay here. Having a villa is absolutely amazing as it’s a private space but it comes with responsibility, maintenance.

Now we’re toying with the idea of moving into a penthouse and having a change, where we can go down and use the pool, instead of worrying about the pool cleaner coming. Short-term, we’re potentially looking at a flat or something similar, but in Dubai Hills.

What facilities do you have access to?

The master plan has community pools, but I also have a pool at the house and a Jacuzzi outside. The basement has a gym and a steam room, and we have a home cinema as well.

It’s a small cinema, with only four seats, but it’s for our use, not to invite people round.

The entertainment space is in our basement. Our whole plot was excavated and the basement is our biggest floor.

Vish Patel bought the land in Dubai Hills and excavated the entire basement. Photo: Vish Patel
Vish Patel bought the land in Dubai Hills and excavated the entire basement. Photo: Vish Patel

Growing up, watching movies, basements were always dark, scary places, so I’ve excavated the plot and it has three-metre-high ceilings and windows with natural light coming in.

We’ve got a sunken terrace, a green living wall on one side, a barbecue pizza oven, kitchen and so on that we use – that’s all on the lower basement level as well.

How would you describe your interior style?

It’s pretty neutral. When you enter you notice a skylight at the top that goes up to the roof.

The whole house is built on this spine wall. Outside, it’s clad in basalt, a lava stone. With heat and dust, there are very few dark colours you can use, but basalt doesn’t heat up the house.

It’s black outside and we boldly use it in the master bedroom, too. Inside is the white marble, which serves a purpose as it stays cool.

The interior is in neutral colours and uses natural materials. Ahmed Ramzan for The National
The interior is in neutral colours and uses natural materials. Ahmed Ramzan for The National

The flooring is porcelain tile that’s made to look like white marble slabs.

We have wooden floors for bedrooms, which are solid oak. Every two to three years you need to oil the floor, but otherwise it’s low maintenance and, because it breathes, it allows for shrinking and expanding with the humidity.

It was a considerable expense, but we also have floor-to-height windows in every room – and most of them are motorised. People forget how heavy they are, so the motorised option really helps. For many months of the year we have our windows open in our bedrooms, so it’s nice to have those sliding doors.

The glass is clear and transparent, but it limits heat protection without the tint. It’s one of the best investments I made. You can put your hand on it and not feel the heat even during the summer.

We wanted light to come in and didn’t want to have to close the curtains during the day because it’s hot.

What other features have you installed?

Storage was really important and everything can be hidden away. All the cabinet and joinery has been made bespoke.

There’s a lot of automation – the way the music works, the locks on the doors, the cameras. We can programme it how we want and control it all even when we’re not here.

Double-height wardrobes in the master bedroom. Ahmed Ramzan for The National
Double-height wardrobes in the master bedroom. Ahmed Ramzan for The National

There’s also a double-height wardrobe in our master bedroom. You can never have too much wardrobe space, and there’s a lift in there that takes you up to the same wardrobe floor above it.

Another element that’s been practical for us is that the master bedroom has two separate bathrooms – his and hers – so no more arguments in the morning.

What will you miss about this house?

I’ve been dreaming of building this house for a long, long time. In my head, I’ve been bookmarking pages, saying, ‘When I do my house, I want to do that or this.’

And I have to say this is the best community I’ve stayed in – we know the neighbours, my son plays basketball and this is the first time he’s met kids that aren’t in his school.

We go walking the dog as a family and get to meet loads of people.

On this street, most people have built their houses from scratch and they are mostly here to stay forever. It’s not just houses getting flipped and sold all the time. That gives more stability as well.

Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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match info

Southampton 2 (Ings 32' & pen 89') Tottenham Hotspur 5 (Son 45', 47', 64', & 73', Kane 82')

Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

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RESULTS
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GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

The Kites

Romain Gary

Penguin Modern Classics

Coming 2 America

Directed by: Craig Brewer

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones

3/5 stars

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)

Simran

Director Hansal Mehta

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey

Three stars

'The worst thing you can eat'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Company profile

Date started: December 24, 2018

Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer

Based: Dubai Media City

Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)

Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech

Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year

Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Company%20profile
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Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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What is an FTO Designation?

FTO designations impose immigration restrictions on members of the organisation simply by virtue of their membership and triggers a criminal prohibition on knowingly providing material support or resources to the designated organisation as well as asset freezes. 

It is a crime for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to or receive military-type training from or on behalf of a designated FTO.

Representatives and members of a designated FTO, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to and, in certain circumstances removable from, the United States.

Except as authorised by the Secretary of the Treasury, any US financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which an FTO or its agent has an interest must retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Treasury Department.

Source: US Department of State

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
  • Parasite – 4
  • 1917– 3
  • Ford v Ferrari – 2
  • Joker – 2
  • Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
  • American Factory – 1
  • Bombshell – 1
  • Hair Love – 1
  • Jojo Rabbit – 1
  • Judy – 1
  • Little Women – 1
  • Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
  • Marriage Story – 1
  • Rocketman – 1
  • The Neighbors' Window – 1
  • Toy Story 4 – 1
Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback

Price, base: Dh315,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm

Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km

Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.

Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Airev
Started: September 2023
Founder: Muhammad Khalid
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Generative AI
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
 
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo 

 Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua

 Based: Dubai, UAE

 Number of employees: 28

 Sector: Financial services

 Investment: $9.5m

 Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. 

 
Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

Elvis
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Another way to earn air miles

In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.

An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.

“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.

Business Insights
  • Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
  • The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
  • US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Studying addiction

This month, Dubai Medical College launched the Middle East’s first master's programme in addiction science.

Together with the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation, the college offers a two-year master’s course as well as a one-year diploma in the same subject.

The move was announced earlier this year and is part of a new drive to combat drug abuse and increase the region’s capacity for treating drug addiction.

Updated: September 12, 2024, 10:55 AM`