Dubai, famous for its ultra-luxurious lifestyle, is preparing to unveil a new wonder — mobile or floating villas that will navigate the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf. A marine construction company is repurposing 48 aquatic vessels to create these flexible floating villas, similar to houseboats. The villas will be entirely produced in the UAE. Prices start at Dh29 million for a two-bedroom, Dh32 million for a three-bedroom, and Dh46 million for a four-bedroom villa.
On Monday, Khaleej Times had the exclusive chance to visit the first completed villa, anchored at Dubai Palm Marina. Currently, eight of the 48 Neptune villas are nearing completion. Claudia Gomes, Commercial Director for El Bahrawy Group, explained that 'Neptune', the first floating and mobile villa, is part of the Kempinski Floating Palace resort project. This project includes a floating hotel surrounded by 48 luxury mobile villas, with an estimated market value of Dh1.6 billion upon completion. It is the first of its kind globally, as other floating villas, like those in the Maldives, are stationary.
Each villa features a two-story layout plus a rooftop, totaling 6,300 square feet or 2,100 square feet per level. Rental rates during off-peak seasons are set at Dh50,000 per night. Each villa is equipped with a crew of six, including a captain, three deckhands, and two stewards. Construction of each villa typically takes 12 months, with the four-bedroom villas requiring slightly longer.
The ground floor of the three-bedroom villa includes a living room, dining area, kitchen, guest restroom, crew chamber, service room, cockpit, outdoor seating, and a platform for jet skis. The upper level houses three bedrooms, walk-in closets, and two bathrooms. The rooftop boasts a private infinity pool, outdoor seating, a barbecue area, an external driving control station, and a display screen.
Owners have the option to let Kempinski manage and rent out their villa for rental income or use it personally. The cruising speed ranges from 6 to 8 knots, with a maximum of 12 knots per hour, using eco-friendly engines that can operate on electric power. The villas are designed and constructed in Ras Al Khaimah in collaboration with Kempinski, ensuring every detail is crafted for luxury. Advanced technological systems allow smart control of lighting and temperature, and access to entertainment screens via mobile devices.
These mobile villas offer investors an ROI of around 8 percent and are currently mainly sold to Russians and Indians. Mohamed El Bahrawy, Chairman of El Bahrawy Group, highlighted the project's success, attracting significant interest from investors across various Asian and Western nations, maintaining the exceptional standards of quality and luxury associated with Dubai and the UAE.
