The Great Gatsby of Emirates Hills: Inside his bachelor fantasy Dubai mansion with giant tree, swings, and 12 party centrals

Dubai: He is famously dubbed as 'The Great Gatsby of Dubai' by friends—and Mahesh Tourani makes an entrance to match the title.

When he opens the gigantic metallic doors of his 50,000-square-foot mansion in Emirates Hills, he’s wearing a black and red shirt, unapologetically unbuttoned to reveal a generous expanse of chest. He then plonks on his giant swing suspended from a towering artificial banyan tree in the centre of his home. When it comes to making an entrance, nobody does it quite like Tourani.

"This isn't king-size mansion, it's emperor-size," he declares with a knowing smile.

And this house, a sprawling, one-man palace worth over Dh200 million, is all about big statements and personal storytelling.

“This house is just me—judge, jury, executioner,” he says, grinning. “I entertain in three nightclubs. In total, I have 12 entertainment areas.”

“Armani colours meets Super Potato meets Banyan Tree,” Tourani explains. “If I go to Tuscany, I come back and build Tuscany here. If I go to Bali, I do the same. Each space in this house tells a story.”

That giant banyan tree? Designed by Naturescape in the US and installed by Tourani’s Irish designer friend Rebecca Gurns, the tree has real leaves and an artificial trunk so lifelike it fools nearly everyone.

“People call it ‘the tree house’ now,” he says. “It’s our wow factor—why buy a chandelier for millions when you can do this?”

A Swing, a Buddha, and Medusa

Tourani lives alone—no children (he lives in Jumeirah Pearl) , no roommates—just his houseboys, two chefs, and head of staff Felix who manage his domestic universe.

“I love swings,” he says, pointing out whimsical touches across the home. “There’s a giant Buddha at the entrance. There’s Medusa too. Everyone thinks it’s Versace, but I remind them: Medusa existed long before him.”

Each corner of the house is an homage to something he’s encountered and admired. A smoky, rose-toned bar was inspired by his visit to London’s notoriously exclusive club 5 Hertford Street.

For those who are yet to enter the billionaire league, 5 Hertford Street is one of London's most exclusive private members' clubs, located in the upscale Mayfair district. Known for its secrecy, luxury, and celebrity clientele—including royals, fashion icons, and politicians—it's where deals are made over vintage beverages and discreet dinners. With opulent interiors and a notoriously hard-to-get membership, it's often referred to as the British answer to Soho House—but far more elite and enigmatic.

“I was sitting there at 7 p.m., had my eureka moment, and called Rebecca to fly in from Dublin the next morning. We recreated the whole vibe here.”

There’s a yin and yang theme running throughout the home—fire on one side, water features on the other.

Natural stone textures inspired by Zuma restaurants, lush greenery, waterfalls, ferns growing out of moss, and soft, neutral tones dominate the palette. It’s a resort-meets-mancave fantasy, a retreat for one that could host 500.

Why Emirates Hills still reigns supreme

Tourani’s unapologetically lavish home sits in a community recently in the news thanks to Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal’s Dh367 million villa purchase. That headline served as a reminder: Emirates Hills remains the most coveted address in the UAE.

“Even if you’re ready to cough up millions, you may not find anything available,” says Dubai-based real estate expert Aditi Garg. “It’s not just expensive—it’s exclusive. That’s the real luxury here.”

Developed by Emaar and often called the Beverly Hills of Dubai, Emirates Hills is comprised solely of freestanding villas on enormous plots ranging from 12,000 to 58,000 square feet. “It was one of the first communities in Dubai where you could buy land and design your dream villa,” says Garg. “No townhouses, no apartment blocks—only unique, custom homes.”

Strict zoning and land use, preserving its integrity.

“It’s an address,” she adds. “If anyone says they live in Emirates Hills, the other person immediately knows what kind of financial bracket we’re talking about.”

Tourani agrees. “It’s very central now. And it’s only going to get more central with Palm Jebel Ali and Dubai South taking off.”

He recalls once laughing off the location as too remote. “My partner, one of the earliest brokers here, wanted to buy. I told him he was mad. Years later, egg on my face—I moved in myself.”

Numbers—and a scarcity mentality

According to Tourani, a top-spec home in Emirates Hills costs between Dh 2,000–2,500 per sq ft to build, but the real value lies in the land.

“This is probably the best plot here,” he says. “Today it would go for around Dh4,500 per sq ft—if it were available, which it’s not.”

He bought his land for Dh17 million at Dh500 per sq ft. It has now increased exponentially, think ten times, in value, but he won’t sell.

“Not at any price will I ever sell my dream home,” he says. “You can’t replace this.”

He also doesn’t believe in the beachside lifestyle. “We’re not beach people,” he says. “We want trees, greenery, and lakes. That’s why so many Indians choose this area. It’s not about sea views. It’s about serenity.”

A House that’s also a stage

Every detail in the mansion seems primed for a cinematic reveal. Soaring conservatory ceilings, a waterfall wall, art that balances eastern mysticism with ancient mythology. The house is a stage—and Tourani its star performer.

And while his home could be compared to a luxury hotel or a global resort, the owner disagrees. “Those are impersonal. This? This is me,” he says.

“People call me The Great Gatsby. Or Hugh Hefner. Or Dan Bilzerian,” he laughs. “But I’m none of them. I’m just someone who decided if I’m going to live alone, I’m going to make sure I enjoy every corner of my life.”

And if that means putting a swing beneath a banyan tree in the middle of a Dh200 million man-cave, so be it. This is Emirates Hills. Subtlety is optional. Character is mandatory.