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Al Seef 2 has a well-equipped fitness centre and health club with a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. It also features dedicated parking, central air conditioning, a children’s play area and 24-hour security with CC TV surveillance. Image Credit: Kishore Kumar/ANM

As its name suggests, Jumeirah Lakes Towers is built around four man-made lakes. This mixed-use community by Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) currently boasts 58 completed towers in 26 clusters, spread over 200 hectares of land. Conveniently located along Shaikh Zayed Road, JLT is serviced by two Metro stations - Dubai Marina and JLT. Though often tagged ‘the poor cousin of Dubai Marina', for resident Sheetal M, the community in the heart of New Dubai offers essential elements for live, work and play. "JLT has everything I need, above all it offers affordability without compromising on living standards."

Positives

  • Affordable rents with apartments offering large spaces and good value for money
  • Convenient location along Shaikh Zayed Road and easy access to two Metro stations — JLT and Marina
  • Modern lifestyle with Dubai Marina across the road

Negatives


Traffic during peak hours can be a problem as most roads are one-way
The stagnant green water in the lakes is an eyesore
Poor quality of finishing in some towers

How to get there: From Dubai drive along Shaikh Zayed Road towards Abu Dhabi, when you reach Dubai Marina Mall, take Exit 29. Follow signs to JLT leading towards a service road parallel to Shaikh Zayed Road in Dubai direction, turn right to enter JLT.

Rental prices (per annum)

Studio: Dh30,000 – Dh45,000
One-bed: Dh40,000 – Dh95,000
Two-bed: Dh50,000 – Dh115,000
Three-bed: Dh90,000 – Dh220,000

1 - 2 % increase in rentals in October 2011,

Source: Estate agencies

Sales prices

Studio: Dh300,000 – Dh500,000
One-bed: Dh500,000 – Dh850,000
Two-bed: Dh750,000 – Dh1.5m
Three-bed: Dh1.1m – Dh2.2m

5% increase in sales from July to Aug 2011

Source Halcon Real Estate

Major landmarks

  • Almas Tower
  • Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers
  • JLT Metro Station

Look out for

  • McGettigan’s Irish Pub at the Bonnington JLT is popular with residents for its brunches, quiz nights and special beverage offers.
  • Carrefour Market outlets are located at The Palladium (above), Armada and Red Diamond towers.
  • Kids World Creative Learning Centre at Gold Crest Tower offers a range of programmes for different age groups.
  • JLT lakes, the four man-made lakes, stretch over 179,000 square metres and are around three metres deep.

You say:

Resident I enjoy the well-maintained areas around the lakes to jog, exercise and stroll. It is beautiful at night with lights reflecting from the towers.
Ryan Navarro, tenant

Sales and leasing expert
Rentals in JLT vary as the towers differ in quality. Investors can expect a ROI (return on investment )of around 6 to 8 per cent for homes here.
Ghassan Ghellal, Halcon Real Estate

AL SEEF 2

What  Located close to Lake D in the U cluster, Al Seef 2 comprises two- and three-bedroom apartments that come with a maid’s room.

What you get The tower houses a well-equipped fitness centre and health club with a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. It also features dedicated parking, central air conditioning, a children’s play area and 24-hour security with CC TV surveillance.

Rentals

2-bedroom Dh85,000 – Dh95,000
3-bedroom Dh110,000 – Dh130,000

Source: Asteco Property Management

Sales

2-bedroom Dh1.1m – Dh1.4m
3-bedroom Dh2.2m – Dh2.3m
Service fee Dh15 per square foot approx

Source: Halcon Real Estate

We say Overlooking the lake, the tower will appeal to families as it features spacious interiors,light-filled rooms and high-standard finishes. Residents also benefit from a laundry room, while the closed-concept kitchens have their own balcony. If you like spending leisure time indoors, the tower’s 39th floor has facilities such as a pool, a gym and play area. Residents also have a convenience store next door in

Al Seef 3 that offers free home delivery. JLT’s landscape is still taking shape and many residents complain that the water in the lake close by is stagnant and has turned green. As a result it is not always pleasant to sit in the cafés that overlook the lake.

GREEN LAKES TOWER

What Situated around the north end of JLT (S cluster), the three-tower complex offers serviced and residential apartments in one-, two- and three-bedroom formats

You get In one-, two- and three-bedroom formats. Located in Cluster D overlooking Almas Lake East, the tower features 572 apartments comprising studios, one-, two- and threebedroom apartments. The tower houses a well-equipped fitness centre and health club with a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. It also features dedicated parking, central air conditioning, a children’s play area and 24-hour security with CC TV surveillance. All towers feature state-of-the-art gyms, a well-maintained swimming pool, spa and sauna, parking, 24-hour security and card access for residents. The apartments come with a maid’s room, while the kitchens are fully equipped. Pets are allowed.

Rentals

1-bedroom Dh70,000 – Dh80,000
2-bedroom Dh90,000 – Dh105,000
3-bedroom Dh135,000 – Dh150,000

Source: Halcon Real Estate

Sales

1-bedroom Dh750,000 – Dh950,000
2-bedroom Dh1.2m – Dh1.4m
3-bedroom Dh1.8m – Dh2.2m
Service Fee Dh15 per square foot approx

Source: Halcon Real Estate

We say The towers are well-maintained and considered some of the best buildings in the area – but they are expensive. Residents love the spacious units and the high-standard finish including the wood floors and high ceilings. There is a supermarket, a restaurant and an ATM on the ground level. On the downside, residents feel the rooftop pool is small and gets crowded at the weekend. The greatest advantage is that the Dubai Marina Metro station is right outside the tower, making commuting quick and easy. The vibrant Dubai Marina on the other side of Shaikh Zayed Road is easily accessible by foot across the Metro station bridge.

LAKE TERRACE

What Located in Cluster D overlooking Almas Lake East, the tower features 572 apartments comprising studios, one-, two- and threebedroom apartments.

What you get Residents have full access to a well-equipped gym, two pools, including one for kids, a steam room, jacuzzi, sauna, security-card access
and parking. The tower, like all others in JLT, is serviced by du for internet, cable and land lines.

Rentals

Studio: Dh32,000 – Dh40,000
1-bedroom Dh45,000 – Dh55,000
2-bedroom Dh65,000 – Dh85,000
3-bedroom Dh90,000 – Dh105,000

Source: Better Homes

Sales

Studio: Dh350,000 – Dh400,000
1-bedroom Dh550,000 – Dh650,000
2-bedroom Dh800,000 – Dh1m
3-bedroom Dh1.15m – Dh1.3m
Service Fee Dh13 per square foot

Source: Halcon Real Estate

We say The apartments feature a balcony and offer views of either Shaikh Zayed Road (SZR) or the lake below. The kitchens, which feature an open-concept design, are ideal for entertaining and are equipped with a microwave, an electric stove, washing machine and a refrigerator. Residents also have several conveniences at their doorstep, including the Metro station, which is near by, retail outlets such as Red Rose supermarket and Al Furooj Fresh, which are in the tower. Plus, residents have a mail box. Though access to Shaikh Zayed Road when leaving the community is easy, reaching the tower is a challenge as road works leading to the building are still in progress.

TAMWEEL TOWER

What The 34-storey tower offers two- and threebedroom apartments (from the fifth to 33rd floor) as well as retail and office space with dedicated entrances and elevators.

What you get The tower offers a state-of-the-art health club, swimming pool, steam, sauna, jacuzzi, multi-purpose area, parking and a play area for children

Rentals

2-bedroom (small) Dh85,000 – Dh90,000
2-bedroom (large) Dh110,000 – Dh115,000
3-bedroom Dh150,000

Source: Ocean View Real Estate

Sales

2-bedroom (small) Dh1,140,750 – Dh1,267,500
2-bedroom (large) Dh1,242,000 – Dh1,380,000
3-bedroom Dh1,728,000 – Dh1,920,000
Service Fee Dh15 per square foot

Source: Ocean View Real Estate

We say Residents in the third tower in the U cluster benefit from spacious apartments that offer views of the lake or Shaikh Zayed Road.

Ideal for young families and couples, the apartments include a maid’s room, a study and a balcony. The kitchens are equipped with appliances, ample storage space and feature a closed-concept design. The tower is just minutes away from the Dubai Marina Metro station. Motorists may find the single narrow exit to Shaikh Zayed Road congested during peak hours. The one-way road could add to your problems as you need to drive around the entire community to reach the exit.