Cityscape Global 2021: After villas, the rich turn their attention to Dubai’s luxury penthouses

Dh75m and Dh50m units pick up owners – and there are more mega-deals coming

Published: November 11, 2021 09:20 Last updated: November 11, 2021 12:38 Manoj Nair, Business Editor and Nivetha Dayanand, Web Editor

1 of 15

Dubai’s villas have been enjoying the limelight for a good 12 months now, picking up record deals as owners put their down payments on bigger living - and outdoor – spaces. There was a point in time earlier this year when out of 10 property deals struck in a week, six or even seven would have been for villas and townhouses. Image Credit: Supplied

2 of 15

Of late, apartments – luxury ones, to be precise – are joining in the fun. Recent penthouse sales have hit some serious numbers and more could be on the way. Image Credit: Supplied

3 of 15

At the Dorchester by Omniyat, a 17,000 square feet plus ‘triplex’ penthouse had a buyer interested for Dh75 million. And the deal was sealed. Image Credit: Supplied

4 of 15

Just recently, the 118 tower at the Downtown sold a penthouse for Dh50 million all told. The developer is not short of confidence that he will soon be repeating the same with the second penthouses at the super-luxury high-rise. Image Credit: Supplied

5 of 15

“Villas alone would not have kept meeting the demand for luxury homes in Dubai,” said an estate agent. “Much of the available stock of villas have already changed hands in these 12 months. This is why you see some of the more recent super-premium deals happening for penthouses.” Image Credit: Supplied

6 of 15

For Omniyat Properties, picking up eye-watering deals on penthouses is nothing new. There were the records set by it One Palm project, where a unit sold for Dh102 million in 2017, and has been the benchmark ever since. Image Credit: Supplied

7 of 15

So, the Dh75 million deal on the Dorchester is just about keeping in practice. George Azar, Chairman of Luxhabitat Sotheby’s, which brokered the deal, says bespoke is what luxury homeowners want quite a bit of. Image Credit: Supplied

8 of 15

“Given the high price tags of the higher end luxury properties, investors and buyers want to get the most value for their money,” said Azar. “What makes a luxury property even more impressive? When it is like nobody else’s.” Image Credit: Supplied

9 of 15

There are more coming, for sure. The most expensive penthouse listed in Dubai right now is for Dh180 million, for a whopping 25,000 square feet unit at the Atlantis The Royal resort & Residences on the Palm. Image Credit: Courtesy: The Royal Atlantis Residences

10 of 15

For those willing to wait a bit longer to take delivery, ‘The S’ high-rise from Sobha Realty on Shaikh Zayed Road could have one or two that ticks – or even exceeds – the needs of the discerning buyer. Image Credit: Supplied

11 of 15

According to market sources, given the demand that’s been generated, some existing super-luxury penthouses could be placed in the secondary market. “We had seen villa owners do that in recent months, because they were getting some never before heard offers,” said an estate agent. “The same will happen for penthouses too.” Image Credit: Supplied

12 of 15

One new developer is testing the waters for the kind of demand penthouses can generate. The Mr. C Residences on the Dubai Water Canal is listing its unit for Dh86 million. Clearly, developers in Dubai, whether established players or brand new entrants, are confident that the right degree of luxury delivered is one easy way to sign on a buyer. Image Credit: Supplied

13 of 15

As developers ramp up offplan launches, expect more villas and penthouses to vie for attention. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

14 of 15

For prospective buyers, a word of advice – Prices are on the up… and getting higher. Penthouse values in Dubai are reaching for the skies. Image Credit: Supplied

15 of 15

As and when that Dh180m unit sells, that will be the new marker. Image Credit: Supplied

Photos Business

Cityscape Global 2021: After villas, the rich turn their attention to Dubai’s luxury penthouses

More From Photos

Colm McLoughlin: Life and times in pictures

Ratan Tata: Indian mogul who built a global powerhouse

GULFNEWS SECTIONS

Trending

Cityscape Global 2021: After villas, the rich turn their attention to Dubai’s luxury penthouses

More From Photos

Colm McLoughlin: Life and times in pictures

Ratan Tata: Indian mogul who built a global powerhouse

GULFNEWS SECTIONS