Dubai has a population of around 2.2 million and a massive land mass (the largest in the world, actually). It’s famous for its skyscrapers and luxurious lifestyle — and thanks to the property market there being one of the most active in the world, there’s lots of opportunity to invest in real estate.
It’s not just high rises though. There is a real mix of buildings in Dubai, from small family homes to office buildings. The following list is a selection of the more interesting and innovative residential and commercial buildings that have been unveiled in the city in recent years. Follow the links to see more details and to get inspired.
Luminous Lanes is a joint venture between the property developer Hines and the fashion designer Jimmy Choo. The project brings with it the unique opportunity to live in a pair of designer shoes (the other half of the development houses a similar offering in the form of a Bentley).
The main entrance of the building leads to a marble-clad lobby, punctuated with oversized designer lamps, tropical plants and a stone fire place. Further on is a gallery, housing a selection of luxury goods, and a restaurant called ‘Soleil’. Walking through to the next floor, guests are transported into the ‘Cloud Nine’ residential quarter, a “gilded oasis”, as Hines describe it, lined with floor-to-ceiling windows, tropical plants and rain showers. It’s an ode to the charm of a classic, elegant glass ceiling with a tropical twist.
Dubai is well-known for its luxury real estate developments and extravagant lifestyle, so it should come as no surprise that some of the modern architecture there is pretty luxurious too. The Nest, an 11,000sqft residence that was unveiled in February 2014, combines nature and technology, as its creators say. The building is a winding, organic-looking tree house that provides a home for a modern family.
The structure is made up of several interconnecting white domes set against a backdrop of lush green landscaping. At night, the building is illuminated by an inner-tract light sculpture, while the exterior is floodlit making it visible for miles around. As the family’s children get older, they’ll have the opportunity to roam free in a beautifully designed outdoor space, accessed via an internal elevator. There is also a small gym and an indoor-outdoor pool, with tropical plants and a fireplace for the winter season. For more information, visit thenest.com.
Aston Villa is a football club based in Birmingham, England, and has been operating since 1874. One of the most famous football clubs in the world, Aston Villa became famous for its ‘hooliganism’, or aggressive support, which has led to several infamous incidents (one of which was documented in the 2006 film, King of the Rovers).
The perfect marriage of football and architecture comes to fruition in Aston Villa. The club’s owner, Randy Lerner, put it simply: “I wanted to build the perfect English garden villa.” The resulting 9,200 square feet of living space features a fully equipped gym and a pool with a waterfall, alongside a game room with pool table and a gallery.
Aston Villa is the largest residential construction project in Europe. It embodies everything the club is about: English hospitality, sporting elegance and high quality furnishings. The villa’s interiors were designed by the award-winning James Butler, whose company, Tresserra, previously worked onprojects such as Burj Khalifa (formerly the tallest building in the world) and the Liverpool Ice Rink (formerly the Grand Tour).
In 2014, Stefano Boeri and his team at the Italian practice studio ARCHITECTURA developed a new neighborhood in Dubai that integrates a variety of sustainable design features. Located in the Al Ghubaiba region of Dubai, Argyll And Sotterlet features a pair of sleek, white villas named after the Scottish explorer, James Cook. The designer-turned-developer invested $15 million in the project and bought two adjoining lots. The first villa to be completed was Argyll, which was first presented to the public in 2017.The property’s design is a marriage of form and function, drawing inspiration from both the building and plant life. The structure is clad in stucco and features a white-painted wood and concrete frame, with a black roof. The interiors are an ode to the architectural style of the British Regency era with wood flooring, cream-colored walls and sofas.
Sotterlet, the other villa, features a similar frame and roof color scheme, however, it is made entirely from stone. The walls of this villa are faced with smooth, tan stones, while the floors are made from marble. There is a common pool, in the center of the property, which leads to an ornamental garden surrounded by a white picket fence. The interior is finished with walnut veneers, creamy paint and dark wood floors. During the day, the villa’s stone walls and floors absorb the sun’s heat, keeping the interiors of Argyll And Sotterlet at a comfortable temperature.
The two new homes feature an emphasis on practical and sustainable living, with several green and sustainable innovations.
Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the owner of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, unveiled a stunning newly built suite in Dubai. The new 12,000 sqft guest suite features a glass-fronted entrance with marble sheathed walls, an outdoor pool and a grand piano, in addition to spacious bedrooms, luxurious bathrooms and a private indoor pool. The hotel’s design team, led by British architect, Stephen Gales, drew inspiration for the suite from the nearby Corniche, where guests can enjoy cocktails and canapés, as well as a panoramic view of the beach.
One of the most unique and luxurious elements of the new Hilton suite is the furniture. Designed by Italian hotel group, Salvatori, and the Dutch firm, Droste, the furniture was completely integrated into the build, so it doesn’t look like a traditional hotel suite. The furniture, including the Beds, Sofa, Ottoman and Lamp, is a fusion of form and function. The Bed showcases the signature Hilton Hotels & Resorts embroidery, while the sofa features an array of textures, made from camel hair and synthetic fur. A full-length mirror, integrated into the frame of the Bed, adds a sense of space and lightness to the bedroom.
The indoor pool at the Hilton Suites is inspired by the “contraptions of science fiction” and features a waterfall that pumps non-chlorinated seasonal water from an indoor pool into an outdoor pool. During the day, the indoor pool provides a lovely view of the lush garden and outdoor pool through floor-to-ceiling windows, while in the evening, it is flooded with soft lighting for a glowing effect.
Continuing our theme of luxurious real estate, we arrive at an ode to lavender, from Dr. Joanna Lumley, founder of the Aesthetician brand. The lavender scent, often used in aromatherapy, is used in the construction of this ultra-luxurious home. The property is located in the Al Ghubaiba region of Dubai and was designed by the Italian practice, Stefano Boeri Architectos. Boeri refers to the use of lavender in his firm’s design as an “energetic accent” that ties the interior’s botanical materials, including lemon trees, tropical plants and a large pool, to an uplifting mood.
The home’s design is an interpretation of the Roman villa, combined with oriental and nautical influences. The result is a spectacular ode to Lavender.
See also:
Burj Khalifa is a supertall residential building located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Its final height will be twice that of the previous tallest building in the world, The Burj Dubai. At 2,079.32m, it will be the third-tallest building in the world after the currently tallest twin buildings, currently under construction in Dubai – the taller of which will be 2,300m high.