Resort-themed "affordable luxury" housing in Arjan with neoclassical architecture
Danube Properties has doubled down on its commitment to affordable luxury with the completion of Resortz, a Dh300 million low-rise residential complex in Arjan inspired by 18th-century European neoclassical architecture. All 444 units have been sold, taking Danube's total sales value to more than Dh2 billion.
Affordable Luxury in the Year of Expo
Affordable luxury will remain a safe bet, says Rizwan Sajan, founder and chairman of Danube Group, who expects more owners to enter the holiday home market as tourists arrive this year. "In the year of the Expo 2020, we believe the demand for homes will soar," said Sajan. "Many homes will be offered to tourists as holiday homes through different online channels and our investors and buyers stand to gain from the rising demand this year."
New regulations, including five-year tourist visas, have also strengthened the case for premium homes at affordable prices. "(In affordable housing), you can't go wrong at this price," said Sajan.
Atif Rahman, director and partner of Danube Properties, said the five-year visa and Dubai's extensive air connections will make the emirate a "weekend getaway", boosting housing demand. "I've spoken to a few of my friends from different parts of the world and I got the same response from all of them: Dubai is going to be our weekend getaway now," he said.
While more tourists will put a spotlight on luxury and premium homes, Rahman said affordable housing will remain the backbone of the industry. "It is the most important thing for any business, any industry," he said. "Everybody loves affordability."
Dh3 Million of Upgrades
Rahman said Resortz leads the way in the company's growing focus on affordable luxury. It was developed as "a five-star luxury resort", with a landscaped podium that becomes a green park for residents, an open swimming pool, water features, outdoor catering and a barbecue area.
"If you look at this project, it's not luxury, it's super luxury," said Sajan.
Danube spent more than Dh3 million on upgrades and add-ons, including a dedicated lift for people with special needs. "In this project we have done several upgrades," said Rahman. "We have added several new areas like the family deck, the kids' play, the party hall. A separate lift for people of determination is a rare phenomenon in this part of the world. However, we are one of the first developers to have installed it in Resortz."
Sajan admits the upgrades affected the bottom line, "but what's more important is the customer should be happy. If they are happy, they will come back for more".
The First Completion of 2020
True to form, Danube unveiled Resortz with a "Royal Magical" show, complete with fireworks and actors performing on the apartment balconies, an elaborate ceremony that Sajan says reflects the project's significance.
"This is the first project completion announcement in the new year, and we started 2020 with a very positive note," he said. "This is our third project to have completed in just seven months – a feat difficult to match."
Rahman said the architecture was challenging to achieve but in line with the company's aim to raise the bar with every project. "In the local ambience, there was nothing available that was similar to this concept," he said.
Neoclassical Details
A standout feature is the neoclassical-style dome, and the columns draw on historic references such as Florence's Piazza del Duomo. "Every corner of the project, you will find a consistency of theme," said Rahman. Inside, however, the homes have modern layouts. "We've wanted to create that sense of going back in time, but have maintained a modern-day look inside the apartments," he explained. "That's what the project is all about."
The property also features a health club, swimming pool, tennis court, car parking and retail outlets.
With Resortz, Danube has delivered seven of its 13 residential projects, with at least three more due this year, including Miraclz, another affordable luxury project in Arjan. "I'm planning to celebrate the completion of Miraclz later this year and I'm hoping it's going to be another record-breaking completion celebration," said Rahman.
Danube's 13 projects total 5,453 units worth more than Dh4.1 billion, and it has delivered 2,155 units, nearly half its development portfolio.
