Emirates Hills Edition - THE JOURNAL - Autumn 2012

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Autumn 2012

EmiratesHills PARK LIFE

BUYER INTEREST INCREASES

GEARING UP FOR A CLASSIC

LET’S GO GREEN

The children’s park in J Sector, which was

Enquiries are up in Emirates Hills since the begin-

Emirates Golf Club is the annual home to the

Located in the nearby Greens, the popular

being developed over the summer, is now

ning of September and, with property stock limit-

Dubai Desert Classic, which starts at the end of

Organic Foods and Café also serves resi-

finished with swings, slides and plenty of

ed, buyers will need to be decisive. In September

January. Keen amateur golfers can improve their

dents of the ‘Hills, with a home delivery ser-

shade. It looks lovely and is just in time for

we have already seen the sale of a villa on a

game with classes at the Academy, run by fully

vice that brings fresh, organic produce

the better weather.

40,000 sq ft plot in L Sector.

qualified PGA professionals.

straight to the front door.

Emirates Hills in Numbers

24

The number of hours a day (and night!) that security and maintenance are on

call. This means an unparallled feeling of safety and the reassurance that any unexpected problems can swiftly be resolved by the dedicated team.

30 1,836

The time in minutes it takes to reach Emirates Hills from Dubai

International Airport.

Average price per square

foot (BUA) for properties sold to date in Emirates Hills

18

The number of holes in the Montgomerie Golf Course,

designed by renowned golfing champion Colin Montgomerie and architect Desmond Muirhead.

2

The number of prestigious golf courses around Emirates Hills. The Montgomerie is one, while the Emirates

Moving in for the Long Term For one satisfied family, Emirates Hills has been home for nearly five years already. They plan to make their time there a lot longer

by Anne Martin

TJ Poursfar cannot easily ignore the first home that he and his family lived in when they moved to Emirates Hills – it is right next door to their present house, clearly visible. These two houses tell a story of how Emirates Hills has evolved over the past five years – and how one prescient investor has reaped the benefits. TJ is not, however, one of those investors who buys up a string of properties with the express intention of re-selling them. “I always buy houses to live in rather than to trade,” he says. “And we bought this plot so that we could build a real home for ourselves, just the way we wanted it.”

And yet, the family is about to move again, having just sold the house. “We didn’t plan to sell,” TJ laughs. “I just invited the agent over because I was curious what value would be put on it. A number was suggested and I said that if I ever I was going to sell I would ask a number that was slightly higher. Within days the agent called back and said ‘I have someone who wants to look – and they know the price you are asking.’ The couple came, walked through the house, asked a few questions and said ‘OK, we’ll take it; the price is fine and we want to move in as soon as possible.’” While the demand for houses in an increasingly well-established Emirates Hills has something to do with it, this very fast sale at the asking price is mostly due to the quality of the house itself. Four years in the making, its architecture and spaces are very well thoughtthrough and tremendous care – not to mention great taste – has been exercised in the choice of materials and quality of finishing. “The best thing about living right next door

is that I could stay on top of the contractors and make sure everything got done properly,” says TJ. “And the worst thing was that it was in front of my eyes 24/7. There was no escape.” So where next for the family? “It has to be Emirates Hills,” says TJ’s wife, Dessy. “We love the seclusion, and the feeling of being in a settled neighbourhood and surrounded by like-minded people who also want to live peacefully and not be bothered by anything.” TJ had already found a house, months before that visit from the agent – and it’s only two streets away. “I’m always looking at houses when I’m out walking. This one has an amazing view across a lake and right down one of the fairways – and it’s just a shell, so we can make changes to get it the way we want it. We need to rent for a year, but it will be worth it.” “That’s TJ; he can’t help himself,” says Dessy. “He loves architecture and having a ‘project’”. “Yes, but this next house will be ‘the one’ – that’s it,” says TJ. “For sure – or at least until the next one,” laughs Dessy.

WWW.LUXHABITAT. AE

Golf Club is the other. Both offer golf memberships with myriad benefits, as well as non-member amenities such as restaurants, bar and spa.

12,000

This is the starting size in

square feet of plots in Emirates Hills. They go up to a very expansive 58,000 square feet, allowing for a large garden

12.3

The area of Emirates Hills

in square kilometres. The area was built up by one developer, Emaar, who was the first to sell plots of land by the square foot. The design masterplan has ensured the neighbhourhood maintains a cohesive sense of space and structure.

TO READ MARKET UPDATES FROM OTHER NEIGHBOURHOODS

www.thejournal.ae/neighbourhood

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