Luxury is found in the details of this record-breaking Jumeirah Bay Island villa
Dubai is home to many superlative super-prime properties, from custom-built villas on the fronds of Palm Jumeirah to the branded penthouses of Downtown Dubai . The most exclusive address in the emirate though isn’t Palm Jumeirah, it is across the water on a seahorse-shaped island called Jumeirah Bay Island . This seafront enclave boasts the highest density of billionaires in the UAE – exceeding Emirates Hills and Palm Jumeirah – earning it the nickname Billionaire’s Island.
Last week, Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty set the standards even higher on Jumeirah Bay Island with the record-breaking sale of a stunning bespoke beachfront villa.
Sold at AED 240.5 million (USD $65.5 million), the sale marks the most expensive villa on Jumeirah Bay Island, and the most expensive property sold in Dubai this year, at the time of writing (July 2024). With six bedrooms, this Jumeirah Bay Island villa is an island paradise with all the conveniences of cosmopolitan city living. Let’s take a closer look inside the property.
Inside the Most Expensive Jumeirah Bay Island Villa
Opulence isn’t always a thing that sparkles. Often, the subtle art of luxury is making less mean more, as this Jumeirah Bay Island villa expertly demonstrates. Minimalist magnolia interiors exude beachfront calm, cast in skylight sunbeams year-round. Excellence is found in the details: here, exquisite high-end finishes from brands like Gessi and Brodware complement bespoke joinery and artwork in a display of considered craftsmanship.
This 18,800 sq. ft. home is defined by its exceptional amenities. It has a cinema room with an integrated theatre system, an excellent gym, a wine cellar, and a garage museum with a German car lift system – a true island escape in the Arabian Gulf. Ease of living will be found in the intuitive Loxone home automation system, adding convenience to a digitally-enabled lifestyle.
This Jumeirah Bay Island villa integrates effortlessly with the island landscape, creating a sublime indoor-outdoor environment that can be enjoyed year-round. A private infinity pool overlooks the sea and beach, while a jacuzzi brings the comforts of a spa to the private residence.
The Jumeirah Bay Island lifestyle – it’s more than property
Connected to the mainland by a 300m bridge, Jumeirah Bay Island offers a unique living location that is utterly private and isolated yet close to key business and leisure hubs such as Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina. Unlike Palm Jumeirah, which boasts thousands of plots, Jumeirah Bay Island has just 128 villa plots, alongside a limited number of low-density Bulgari apartments. This exclusivity fosters a lucrative and competitive real estate market, driven by a finely balanced interplay of supply and demand.
This Dubai island is home to the world’s first Bulgari Marina & Yacht Club, which is the social heart of the island. Inside, residents enjoy a private members’ club, stunning outdoor pool, a library, and fantastic dining options including the two-Michelin starred Il Ristorante – Niko Romito. This ultra-exclusive environment is precisely what attracts many investors to Jumeirah Bay Island: for some, it’s the appeal of high-calibre social interactions and the freedom to connect with a niche, like-minded community.
A Deal with Saudi Arabia Sotheby’s International Realty
This record-breaking villa was sold in collaboration with Saudi Arabia Sotheby’s International Realty. The property was unlisted and had little to no marketing, reflecting the extensive reach of the Dubai and Saudi Arabia Sotheby’s International Realty networks. This transaction follows another significant sale facilitated by Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty earlier this year: a palatial 19-bedroom villa in Emirates Hills , marking one of the most expensive properties ever sold in the area.
This transaction is not just a testament to the prowess of the Sotheby’s International Realty brand, but to the Dubai real estate market. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, there were 105 super-prime properties sold in the emirate, pointing to a robust, buoyant market. Dubai is preferred by international investors for a range of reasons, including its strategic location, safety of living, and favourable tax laws.
Among Dubai’s most affluent neighbourhoods, Jumeirah Bay Island remains one of the most lucrative. In 2023, the three-level penthouse in Bulgari Lighthouse sold for AED 410 million, and a stunning six-bedroom beachfront residence remains on the market for AED 240 million.
The identity of the buyer remains undisclosed.
