Summer 2012
Jumeirah Islands residents welcome new road improvements
clubhouse becomes a favourite meeting point
enterprising resident dodges district cooling
Villa owners seek property manager
With the new road network near Jumeirah Islands improving access to all of Dubai’s main arteries, the installation of speed bumps witin the community is a welcome safety measure.
Aside from the wide range of organised fitness classes Jumeirah Islands’ Clubhouse has become a buzzing spot for informal coffee mornings, when residents can get to know each other.
Clever resident Tony Caden has installed solar panels on his roof, slashing his Nakheel-imposed district cooling bill and cutting his carbon footprint. He hopes to sell energy to the grid in the future.
Villa owners have asked Nakheel to put out a tender for a company to manage the development, saying it will only improve the area and help to reduce service fee increases.
Jumeirah Islands in numbers
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number of different styles of villa: European, Mediterranean, Islamic and Oasis, with each of the clusters in Jumeirah Islands based on one of those themes. Within each of the themes, there is a choice of three different layouts: Entertainment Foyer, Garden Hall and Master View, with the latter being the largest and therefore most expensive
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per cent. Typical return on capital that the owner of a let villa can expect. This translates to 270,000 per annum upwards for a four-bedroom house and 350,000 upwards for a five-bedroom property
31
number of villas in the newly-completed Mansions section of Jumeirah Islands, which is located near the Clubhouse
46
number of residential clusters making up the neighbourhood, each of which comprises 16 homes
85
approximate percentage of home owners in Jumeirah Islands who have families with two or three children
A Land of Lakes and Islands A visionary development for the UAE’s desert setting, Jumeirah Islands was designed around two very large man-made lakes. The result is a peaceful neighbourhood with a real sense of community by Samantha Armstrong
Set in seemingly splendid isolation away from all of Dubai’s construction and surrounded by water, the 300-hectare Jumeirah Islands area is separated into 46 residential clusters. Manmade lakes and waterfalls dominate the scene, giving it a land-to-water ratio of around two to one. While on one hand residents enjoy the peaceful tranquility of living by the water, many admit that another main attraction is being situated so closely to the goings-on of Sheikh Zayed Road and the Marina. Unlike many of the more identikit villa communities, each cluster features one of four different external designs – European, Medi-
terranean, Islamic and Oasis – for its 16 generously proportioned homes; an effect that creates a noticeably varied aesthetic as you move around the development. Not just the property facades, but even the roundabout foliage differs according to that cluster’s specific theme, be it leafy green hedges or mature olive trees. Spending time in the great outdoors is an important part of daily life for the typical Jumeirah Islands resident. With people jogging, cycling or walking the dog, the green pathways are as well trodden as they are manicured. Others prefer a swim in the Clubhouse pool or taking tennis lessons with friends as their children wind down after school in one of the two parks and the atmosphere is always a friendly one. ‘’We really enjoy how much life there is going on outside the villa. I am sure some people would prefer to park their car in the evening and not see anyone outside their door until the next morning. But we love to meet people and the way the community is set up makes it very easy to socialise,’’ remarks one Swedish resident who emphasisie that it is a great envirnment for the whole family.
Depending how far afield you want to venture, you will find people meeting at the cluster roundabout for a stroll, gathering by the lakes or kicking back in the Clubhouse. The Clubhouse itself arranges events for residents on a regular basis, such as barbeque nights and the well-attended ladies coffee mornings. Further afield, The Walk at JBR is a popular destination at weekends for many families, some of whom make the journey by bike for an afternoon at the beach or lunch in one of the cafes. With a small retail centre situated within Jumeirah Islands, The Meadows Town Centre minutes away by car and either Ibn Battuta Mall or Duabi Marina Mall close by nothing feels out of reach. Each of the four- or five-bedroom properties has its own private swimming pool and the houses vary in size from 5,101 to 6,013 square feet. The newly handed-over Mansions area by the Clubhouse offers newcomers signature Jumeirah Islands living on an even larger scale. The development is fast becoming renowned for combining tranquility with accessibility, and as a prime destination for busy families who enjoy a sociable environment.
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Current Prices Average listing prices in Jumeirah Islands, compared with other villa comunities Average Price (AED/ sq ft) Palm Jumeirah
2,132
The Meadows
1,172
The Lakes
1,158
Jumeirah Islands Arabian Ranches
1,127 997
Source: Luxhabitat analysis, June 2012
To READ MARKET UPDATES FROM OTHER NEIGHBouRHOODs
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Summer 2012
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Jumeirah Islands Style and Space in The Mansions With gardens and landscaping now a few years old, Jumeirah Islands has been looking well-established – except for one last corner, The Mansions. This eagerly awaited ‘final piece of the puzzle’ has been surrounded by construction hoardings since 2008 as Nakheel steered its way through the rough waters of the post-crash economic downturn. Now, though, with the hoardings down and keys being handed over, some owners are at last fulfilling their dream of living here. Today, in place of construction crews there are teams of garden designers and interior decorators. Some of the original purchasers, however, have decided to sell on, creating the rare opportunity for others to buy a home in this prestigious section of Jumeirah Islands. The general consensus is that it has been worth waiting for. The 31 villas that make up The Mansions are arranged over an undulating peninsula that juts into the main lake opposite the new Jumeirah Islands Clubhouse. This ensures that, as in the rest of the community, almost all of the villas enjoy direct lake frontage; of the few that don’t, most are in elevated positions. The style is modern Mediterranean with a twist, trimmed with natural ston, wood and terracotta tiles, setting The Mansions apart from the neighbours. Indoors, the villas are more spacious than other Jumeirah Islands properties – the Salon alone is almost 550 square feet, complemeted by a family living room of more than 300 square feet. Upstairs, the three ensuite family bedrooms all have walk-in closets, while the master suite is a vast 700-plus square feet in total, with double doors opening on to a large covered terrace that’s shared with a family sitting room. The heart of the house is flooded with natural light from French doors and floorto-ceiling windows in the main rooms, as well as a double-height glazed frontage to the open staircase. Materials and finishes are all of elevated quality, with fixtures and appliances all coming from leading international brands – not least a sophisticated home automation system.
Expert View Michaela Muller
Luxury Sales Specialist, Luxhabitat E: mm@luxhabitat.ae | T: +971 50 159 9766
Happy Families find a Haven
Representing a broad mixture of nationalities, 85 per cent of Jumeirah Islands are families with two or three children
Since its completion in 2006, Jumeirah Islands has proved to be an ideal community for families that enjoy active, outdoor living. I live here myself and, any time I look outside, I see people riding bikes, jogging and walking their dogs. The Jumeirah Islands Clubhouse, which opened last year, has really encouraged the people here to socialise. The restaurant is open throughout the day and evening, and there is a climate-controlled pool, sauna and a gym with group classes. For the pool and fitness facilities you need to be a member and there are discounted rates for residents, a large proportion of whom are now members. A lot of the Jumeirah Islands women who work are self-employed in lifestyle businesses such as interior design, art and fashion. The Clubhouse has introduced coffee mornings,
The Clubhouse, which opened last year, has really encouraged the people here to socialise
moved here, including some Emiratis. Where previously this group tended to focus on the Jumeirah Beach area but they now realise how well situated Jumeirah Islands is. In the early days the development was relatively isolated and the perception of it being far out did linger, but that has definitely changed. It is close to the Marina and Sheikh Zayed Road and access has improved considerably with the new road that runs through The Springs. Until recently, the largest Jumeirah Islands property was a five-bedroom, 6,000 sq.ft villa but now the 31-villa Mansions section, close to the Clubhouse, is being handed over. A 5-bedroom Mansions villa is 8,500 square feet. Only a few are currently on the market, priced from AED 13,000,000 to 19,000,000. In the rest of Jumeirah Islands there are 30 villas for sale, with asking prices from AED 5.5m to 11.5m. Even during the recession we saw no reduction in interest. There was a time when more people chose to rent rather than buy but there are rarely any villas empty. The rental market moves very quickly here and owners can expect around five per cent return (AED 270320,000 per annum for four bedrooms and AED 350-400,000 for five). Having dropped by 30–35 per cent since the peak, property prices are increasing steadily again, with a 15–20 per cent rise over the past year; a typical four-bed is AED 5–7 million and five-bed AED 7.5–9m. A big plus is the large amount of land given to each villa. Very few houses overlook each other and the wellestablished gardens add to the privacy. Each of the islands has its own style, right down to the communal planting, which adds variety.
where the ladies can introduce their businesses, so it’s a good networking environment. Eighty-five per cent of clients purchasing here are families with two or three children. There is a high percentage of Indian families and we also see many Western expats from Europe, Australia and South Africa. Over the past 12 months more Arab families have
Michaela Muller was talking to Samantha Armstrong
“Primarily we chose the property because the size is perfect; it is manageable – not too huge with space you don’t need but not so small that you feel you can’t move. The same goes for the garden and we pretty much live outside when the weather is good,’’ she says. Ghada and her husband didn’t think to look at the area when they started their property search. ‘’We were concentrating on The Meadows and the agent suggested Jumeirah Islands. When you see the villas from the road they look huge and, honestly, we had assumed it was out of our budget. But the more we looked around we felt like it was excellent value for its size, sense of privacy and security.’’ The community as a whole suits their needs: ‘’It feels safe and friendly. You always see kids playing together on bikes or skateboards in the two parks and our children have a lot of friends here who go to the same schools.’’ As in any development, she says, there have been a few issues, some of which related to the original design of their property (which Ghada, a trained architect, has modified and upgraded). “If you don’t get the feedback you want it can be frustrating – but otherwise we enjoy everything else about living here so much.’’
For Ghada, a business owner, location and convenience play a large part in enabling her to balance her work and family life. “The situation is very good with its proximity to Sheikh Zayed Road, especially since the new roads have opened. But, despite being so close to everything, you still feel far enough away from the traffic and high rise towers to enjoy the peace and quiet. My work is in JBR and my husband is based in JLT so we are both close to the office.’’ Ghada established her antiques gallery, Vindemia, and contemporary art gallery, Vindemia.Art, at The Walk in JBR three years ago. More recently she launched Fann-A-Porter, to make art more accessible to a mainstream audience. The community bears testament to her artistic eye: ‘’When they opened The Clubhouse last year I told them that I didn’t think the empty walls did the space justice. I suggested using art from Vinedmia. Art and they agreed. The management is very friendly and supports the residents’ ideas.’’ For a community that has always been about interaction, the opening of the Clubhouse has livened up the social scene even more. “It is very, very sociable in Jumeirah
interview
A Special Place to Put Down Roots Having already lived in Dubai for many years, Ghada Kunash and her husband found the perfect family home in Jumeirah Islands by Samantha Armstrong
Buying a villa in Jumeirah Islands five years ago – after 14 years in the UAE – finally gave Ghada Kunash and her family a place to call home: “This is where we want to be long-term; we have invested in it financially and emotionally, and we are very happy here.’’ Ghada shares the view of many residents that Jumeirah Islands offers just the right amount of space for comfortable family living.
Summer 2012
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the journal
star property
A Family Villa with a Sense of Style and an Eye for Detail and secluded location, your home is within easy reach of the bright lights and big city. Carefully upgraded, the property boasts impressive attention to detail, with several unique and sympathetic features. Clever touches include wooden door frames featuring carved patterns and panelling, as well as arch-shaped feature windows that lend a unique charm to the property. With four bedrooms, all of which are ensuite, and an additional study room, storage room, maid’s quarters, office and games room, space is certainly no issue here: large, built-in wardrobes mean that this villa can accommodate a lifetime’s precious possessions with ease, allowing the owner to carefully showcase the most eyecatching or important pieces and store items that are not used daily. The kitchen is warm and inviting, with white wooden cabinets reminiscent of rural luxe – with the latest in culinary convenience. It demands to be filled with tantalising aromas, bubbling pots and the convivial sound of conversation. For the owner who enjoys entertaining, an outdoor barbecue area complements the kitchen space – with plenty of seating and standing room, the garden really lends itself to alfresco living. The swimming pool overlooks the lake beyond, and for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits, tennis courts offer the opportunity for more active pursuits.
Set in one of Jumeirah Islands’ most desirable positions, this 4-bedroom villa has been given a very stylish makeover
Jumeirah Islands has become a byword for the best in luxurious community living. Groups of 46 ‘clusters’ – the little islands give the neighbourhood its unusual name – feature 16 detached villas each. It means that, while privacy and seclusion are some of the key lifestyle features in this exclusive area, there is a real sense of community among residents. An additional four islands featuring communal areas, shops and amenities ensure conve-
FASCINATING FACTS... Nakheel launched its plans for Jumeirah Islands in 2004, making it one of Dubai’s first freehold communities. It is spread over some 300 hectares, with approximately 50 per cent of that area devoted to the man-made lakes. Up to two metres deep at the deepest point, the lakes were designed to become havens for migratory birds and other wildlife.
nience. The residents enjoy waterfront living surrounded by a huge lake; canals, waterfalls and landscaped communal areas have shaped this residential development into one of the city’s most prestigious and desirable areas. This outstanding villa enjoys a prime position on the main lake, with south-facing views across the water and beyond; you can see the futuristic Dubai skyline glimmering in the distance, a reminder that despite its serene
Price on Application. Property Ref. 896 Contact Michaela Muller: +971 50 159 9766; mm@luxhabitat.ae
Back on Track after Two Waves of Woes Despite a rollercoaster ride in 2009 and 2010, underlying values in Jumeirah Islands have always made it a sound proposition for buyers
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by Samantha Armstrong
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Islands. We are blessed with great neighbours who have become close friends and the community atmosphere is even friendlier now with the club. It is where we spend most of our Fridays and several nights a week. The kids practically live there and we all treat it like an extension of the garden,’’ she laughs. ‘’You become familiar with many of the faces and share in special occasions like New Year’s Eve.’’ When the Clubhouse opened some questioned the policy of allowing membership to non-residents – but so far, Ghada says, this has not made a difference to the closeknit atmosphere. When the family stays closer to home the garden comes into its own. “We entertain outside a lot and the garden is very important to us. It is one of the main reasons we chose the house and, for me, it is the best thing about it. We have wonderful views and a real feeling of privacy.”
to read more see www.thejournal.ae/neighbourhood
The price ride in Nakheel’s Jumeirah Islands development has been more of a rollercoaster than most. Since December 2007 the area has witnessed two low points, the first of which was felt across the board as the financial crisis hit. A second, smaller dip stilted progress around the start of 2010, after a particularly strong initial recovery met with the effects of problematic maintenance issues at the development (which, residents say, are being solved). According to data gathered by Luxhabitat, prices here rose quickly before the crash, especially at the top end of the market – from between AED 7,500,000 and AED 10,000,000 in December 2007 to a high of AED 8,000,000 to AED 15,000,000 just nine months later (September 2008). They then experienced a sharp drop, falling to between AED 5,000,000 and AED 8,000,000 by March 2009. After that point sales picked up considerably, driven in large measure by an undervalued price relative to other developments, and subsequent high demand. Values suffered their second blow in December 2010 when the cheapest property was around AED 4,700,000 before beginning to creep up again. As the higher end of the market had risen steeply, it saw the biggest drop, with the maximum price hitting just AED 5,500,000 in December 2010 – little more than a third
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When the market bottomed out at the end of 2010 the highest-priced villas suffered more than the lower end Source: Luxhabitat analysis, June 2012
of its value at the peak. At this point the margin between the highest and lowest end was a small one with a difference of less than one million dirhams; those who needed to sell had no possibility of doing so any higher. Since December 2010’s low, prices have risen steadily and we are now seeing the top end of the market reach a healthy AED 12,000,000, comfortably exceeding the late-2007 level. Jumeirah Islands offers three different floor plan layouts – Entertainment Foyer, Garden Hall and Master View, with the Master View being the largest and most expensive. The current price for a Master View ranges from AED 7,500,000 to AED
12,000,000. There are only two Master View villas standing at the top of each cluster and, as the name suggests, both have a premium view. There are four Garden Hall and 10 Entertainment Foyer types. The Entertainment Foyer plots stand at an angle and are smaller in size. Current prices for the Garden Hall type range from AED 6,300,000 to AED 7,500,000 and the Entertainment Foyer between AED 5,500,000 and AED 9,500,000. Prospective buyers in Jumeirah Islands can be confident that the steady price rise is set to continue and the development’s generous plot sizes and prime location make it a sound area in which to purchase.
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the journal
Summer 2012
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featured propertIES
Property Gallery
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This charming four-bedroom villa will make an ideal home for a family. The flexible, open-plan spaces on the ground floor include a fantastic, double-height open-plan family room and breakfast room, as well as a separate dining room and majlis/living room. Three ensuite bedrooms upstairs are supplemented by a guest suite on the ground floor, which could instead be used as a study. The garden, designed in simple and low-maintenance style, has been immaculately maintained. AED 6,200,000. Property Ref. 941
This Caribbean-style villa is ideal for formal entertaining and indoor-outdoor living, with a majlis and family room opening to a large dining terrace by the pool. Five ensuite bedrooms are arranged over 6,000 square feet. AED 7,999,500. Property Ref. 932
entertainment foyer
With a well-kept garden and a pool overlooking the lake, this villa offers four bedrooms, arranged over 5,250 square feet. AED 6,000,000. Property Ref. 953
Set in a prime location, this well-planned 4-bedroom family home has wide-open views that add to the sense of space. A pretty garden and shaded dining area by the pool encourage indoor-outdoor living. Price on Application. Property Ref. 969
fully furnished
Set in an elevated position with great views of the city skyline, this 4-bedroom villa offers 5,250 square feet of living space. AED 6,500,000. Property Ref. 892
entertainment foyer
Surrounded by mature trees on a large plot, this pretty villa offers four bedroom suites and great scope for personalisation. AED 5,500,000. Property Ref. 958