To mark Art Dubai 2023, the Middle East’s leading art fair, Jackie Johns, managing partner of Christie’s International Real Estate Dubai, shares her insights on Dubai’s booming residential real estate market
From March 3-5, the art world converges in Dubai for the 16th iteration of Art Dubai, the largest art fair in the Middle East and a showcase of modern, contemporary, and digital art from across the Global South.
More than 100 galleries and 400 artists from 40 countries are participating in this year’s fair at Madinat Jumeirah, in an art market soaring like the city-state’s skyline.
Indeed, it’s not just the art market that’s on fire. The Dubai luxury property market, which allows foreign investors, is enjoying a post-lockdown boom with more buyers than sellers—for the moment.
“Golden Visa reforms and a tax-free* lifestyle have enticed significant new investment from places like Eastern Europe, India, the U.K., and Canada,” said Jackie Johns, managing partner of Christie’s International Real Estate Dubai.
“This sustained demand is outstripping supply, but developers are introducing scores of luxury off-plan projects. Beachfront homes and golf villas are always in vogue, but a post-pandemic trend has been spacious, private areas.”
The market continues to offer high rental yields, suggesting a price jump in elite apartments and villas. “Inflation should not greatly impact Dubai,” Johns said, “and so mid-tier pricing should stabilize soon.”
Thus Christie’s International Real Estate Dubai proffers its portfolio of distinguished properties, highlighting contemporary works of architecture worthy of the connoisseur and the collector.
This 7,000-square-foot beachfront villa offers contemporary turnkey living on the Palm Jumeirah.
The residence occupies nearly a third of an acre along a stretch of golden-sand beachfront overlooking Dubai’s iconic sail-like skyscraper hotel, the Burj Al Arab.
Fully furnished, the home’s imposing foyer leads to spaces with arched doorways, parquet flooring, and a palette of white on cream walls with pale wood trims and accents.
There is an expansive majlis, or drawing room, to receive guests and a massage room to relieve stress. The dining room offers a beach-shack ambience, with a long table that seats 14, and a playful, contemporary lighting scheme. Separate family and breakfast rooms add to an utterly laid-back lifestyle.
An extraordinarily bespoke bridge connects one of the five bedrooms to the foyer. Four balconies blur the line between indoors and out, where the palm-shaded pool terrace adjoins the beach, and sunken seating area provides for barbecue alfresco.
A driver’s room and housekeeper’s quarters complete the amenities.
Designed for art collectors, this magnificent penthouse atop Dubai’s exclusive Volante Tower is itself a work of art, offering a balcony with a showstopping view of the Dubai Water Canal and Burj Khalifa—the world’s tallest building.
Newly remodeled, the 5,043-square-foot, open-concept floor plan features vast gallery walls, museum-grade lighting, and integrated, functional art furniture. Natural wood floors and a neutral color palette impart a contemporary Scandinavian aesthetic that continues into both bedrooms and the serene, spa-like bathrooms.
There are two kitchens, including a hidden prep kitchen which connects to the private staff quarters. Residents may also choose organically sourced, chef-prepared meals from The Club.
Unrivaled in Dubai, this multizone facility occupying Volante’s fourth floor includes a lounge, coffee bar, cinema, day spa, Technogym fitness center, hair salon, conference room, and landscaped garden with a sunken fire pit, sun terrace, and 25-meter infinity pool.
This lavish lakefront property is in Dubai’s premier luxury villa community: Emirates Hills, home of the Montgomerie Golf Club.
Extending to 12,000 square feet, the opulent interiors are appointed with marble floors and alluring light fixtures. The double-height great hall has a sweeping marble staircase and a monumental crystal chandelier resembling icicles.
The dining space and sleek modern kitchen both feature beautiful bespoke light fixtures. Farther along is the recreation wing with a study and gym.
The bedrooms, accessed via staircase or elevator, exude understated elegance. The highlight is the principal suite, with a fashionable seating lounge and deluxe bathroom (one of eight in the home).
The lush, landscaped outdoor spaces are equally alluring and include an infinity pool and pergola facing the lake. The fairways of the Colin Montgomerie-designed links course are steps away.
The Palace Beach Residence offers a slice of Miami-style waterfront living in Emaar Beachfront, a luxury resort development overlooking Dubai Marina and the fronds of the Palm Jumeirah.
One of its finest units is this sky-high duplex penthouse encompassing 6,105-square feet of airy, open living space.
The floor plan includes four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a dining room, fully equipped kitchen, and two balconies to take in the bird’s-eye views of Burj Al Arab, the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and the Arabian Sea.
Emaar Palace Beach Residence offers a sophisticated beachfront lifestyle against the backdrop of the dazzling skyline and Dubai Marina.
A range of five-star amenities include 24-hour security, concierge, maintenance, intuitive valet parking, and a health club with spa services and a swimming pool.
This contemporary villa has a prime beachfront location on a coveted frond of the Palm Jumeirah.
The 5,500-square-foot custom-built residence exudes barefoot luxury with its brilliant blue infinity pool, sunken seating area, and wooden deck facing the sand.
The interiors feature spacious reception areas with white walls and wood flooring framed by strips of white marble. An up-to-the-minute, contemporary show kitchen with wooden finishes and gleaming countertops supplements the discreet back-of-house kitchen.
There are five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, beautifully lit with artistic light fixtures and an oversized window to capture the views of Dubai Marina and the Ain Dubai observation wheel. Staff quarters and four private parking spaces are further highlights.
*Christie’s International Real Estate does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This article is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
