The Zaal family last week unveiled its newest luxury villas at the Al Barari estate in Dubai.
The 28 properties in The Reserve are even more exclusive than the 189 that the company built on the site previously.
"People have been asking for bigger plots," Mohammed Zaal, Al Barari's chief executive, said. The plots in which the villas sit range from 30,000 square feet to 75,000 sq ft. Each villa has the floor area for six spacious bedrooms - all with en suites and walk-in wardrobes - a study, formal and family living areas, two fully equipped kitchens, basement, roof terraces, garage space for four cars and separate self-contained living quarters for staff. Prices start at Dh20 million.
The villas are available in four styles - 14 are complete, 14 others are still being developed.
"The idea is to give people the opportunity to build their dream home without the complication of using an architect, a project manager they may not have used before," Mr Zaal said. "We manage all the contacts with teams that have been tried and tested." Sustainable Builders designed and constructed the villas and interior design options are available from Etcetera Living, run by Lesley Zaal, Mr Zaal's mother.
Al Barari, which means "wilderness", is designed to offer residents a retreat from the "garish glitz of the city" and is considered to be the lowest density urban area in the UAE. Themed gardens - including Mediterranean, Balinese and woodland varieties - are supplied by the estate's plant nursery in which 800 species are cultivated. The gardens connect via common parkland and waterways. The Farm restaurant offers food made from locally grown and organic ingredients.
The properties appeal to professionals from Europe, the Far East, and even America, according to Mr Zaal, who noted that people are becoming more inclined to make the UAE their long-term base.
"People are less worried about situating themselves here," he said. "There is more certainty about stability in the area. They've seen what the worst is in a recession."
lgutcher@thenational.ae
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
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- David Bowie
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- Albert Einstein
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- Barack Obama
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Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
