sotheby's in residence feb-mar'15

EXCLUSIVE HOMES FOR SALE

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JEFF KOONS | KARIM RASHIDNADA DEBS | NINA CAMPBELL

Fendi – Ligne Roset – Minotti – Ralph Lauren & more

Dubai - Za’abeel Road +971 4 337 7825 | Abu Dhabi - Shining Towers +971 2 681 4727Find us on Facebook/Aati | www.aati.ae

MAKE A statementWITHOUT

saying A WORD

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WELCOME

dubaisir.com

Welcome Letter

Managing Director Victoria Thatcher | Editorial Director John Thatcher | Group Business Development Director David Wade | Commercial Director Rawan Chehab | Contributing Editor Eleanor Joslin | Contributing Deputy Editor Richard Jenkins | Contributing Features Editor Lara Brunt | Senior Designer Andy Knappett| Designer Emi Dixon | Production Manager Chalitha Fernando |

To contact any of the below people, email [email protected]

Cover: California, USA

A warm welcome to the issue. Inside you’ll find our market-leading selection of exclusive homes both in the UAE and further afield. (Look left for my own suggestions of the must-see properties).

Elsewhere, we look at the controversial work of artist Jeff Koons ahead of his retrospective in Paris, speak to the always-in-demand designer Nina Campbell, and reveal how London-based Gemfields are setting the standard for the responsible mining of coloured stones. Closer to home we also hear from Nada Debs as she celebrates her brand’s tenth anniversary, and look at Karim Rashid’s stunning new glassware from Murano.

I hope you enjoy the issue and perusing our beautiful homes. Please contact us once you’ve found that perfect place...

Jackie JohnsManaging PartnerDubai Sotheby’s International Realty

JACKIE’S EXTRAORDINARY PROPERTIES IN THIS ISSUE

1. Toro Canyon Park Road, California, US$10,900,000.Page 79.

2. Knightsbridge, London, £32,000,000.Page 74.

3. The 118, Dubai,price on request.Page 57.

4. Redefined Urban Living, Downtown Dubai, AED3,800,000.Page 65.

5. Tranquil Family Home, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai AED11,500,000.Page 68.

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CONTENTS

14|ReceptionMarking your card for this year’s Design Days Dubai

19|Style HunterDesigner of the moment Tom Dixon’s latest offering and other must-haves to grace your home

24|A Perefct 10What next for Nada Debs as she celebrates a decade of design?

30|No Slowing DownNina Campbell has long been one of the world’s most coveted interior designers. How has she remained at the top of her game?

36|Crazy for ColourWhy the allure of gemstones is making waves at auction houses

40|Revival of the FittestThe return of the finest car brand you’ve never heard of

50|Road ThrillHas Porsche achieved perfection with the latest 911?

THE GALLERY

57|UAE PropertyListingsFrom a presidential penthouse in Le Rêve to a luxury villa in Emirates Hills, we have an exclusive collection of homes for sale in the UAE

71|InternationalProperty ListingsRipe-for-investment properties throughout the world include magical homes in St. Barths and a Paris apartment that comes with stunning views of the Eiffel Tower as standard

44|Jeff KoonsLove him or loathe him, the world’s most expensive artist doesn’t care for criticism

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RECEPTION

DesignDaysDubai

One of the region’s most exciting design events

is upon us, bringing together a diverse array of designers, studios and galleries from around the world. Design Days Dubai is back for the fourth time – and with a number of firsts to show off.

Symbolic of its success to date, half of the show’s participants are returning exhibitors at The Venue, which will host the event in Downtown Dubai between March 16 and 20. Furthermore, there will be 11 new exhibitors

2015keen to showcase their collectible, cotemporary wares for the first time in the city.

“We are a fair of discoveries,” says director Cyril Zammit. “We have the benchmark of great international brands but you will also discover new names on the market.” This year, Design Days Dubai welcomes a number of newcomers representing the Emirates: first-time exhibitor 1971 will open in Sharjah during the show; from Dubai, 19th Century Antiques will participate for the first time and Aljoud Lootah will launch her eponymous design studio; while Ajman’s Arty by AMN will enjoy its first public display.

“The arrival of big names like Gallery FUMI and David Gill Galleries from London is a good sign for Dubai because it confirms that they understand how strong the market is here,” adds Zammit. “Galleries now trust the market enough to come back, and it’s significant that one of the leading galleries in the world, Carpenters Workshop Gallery, has played a huge role in the event since its inception in 2012.

"I am also pleased to see the return of galleries from Belgium and Australia because they are very niche markets and they had great success when they came to Design Days Dubai previously.” designdaysdubai.ae

This now world-famous event is putting Dubai on the design map

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Clockwise from top: Ingrid Michel

and Frédéric Pain's Tripode shelf,

Binôme; Marc Baroud's floor

lamp, Art Factum Gallery; Studio

Markunpoika's Engineering

Temporality cabinet, Gallery FUMI

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RECEPTION

Let’s face it, kitchens are for looking cool, not for cooking in. Make

a statement with the new range of sculptural silverware from De Vecchi, such

as this surrealist Trebok jug with a trio of Alice-in-Wonderland spouts that make the water ‘jump’ before cascading into the tumbler. Coinciding with the silversmith’s 80-year anniversary, this latest collection is highly contemporary and flaunts style, quality and functionality, injecting everyday objects with a creative twist. Available at Vhernier Dubai, Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

TABLE TOPPERWhere would we be without the rich, colourful and emblematic influence of the Ottoman Empire? In his latest book, Ottoman Chic, Istanbul-born interior designer Serdar Gülgün narrates an insightful tour of his beautiful home, a historic mansion on the Asian side of the Bosporus. During the tour he reveals the authentic elements of his country’s culture, architecture and design, accompanied by 150 stunning photographs. Ottoman Chic, AED275, Assouline; assouline.com

A LOT TO CONSIDER The recent Icons of Art exhibition at DIFC’s Opera Gallery was wonderfully curated, with statement sculptures by Dali, arresting collages by Miró, serene oil scenes by Renoir, and some childish yet forward-thinking doodles by Picasso. If the exhibition left you reviewing your own art collection, look to one of Sotheby’s upcoming auctions: London will host the Contemporary Art Day Auction on February 11 and Important Ceramics by Pablo Picasso on March 18; New York looks East, with an Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art auction on March 17 and Fine Classical Chinese Paintings & Calligraphy two days later. sothebys.com

h,

t n

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While Murano glass glitters from many hotels in Dubai, from the towering tendrils

of glass waves in Atlantis to the ornate chandeliers in The Four Seasons, industry on the islands has been struggling.

“It’s no secret that Murano glass has had a hard time over the last 20 years,” says interior architect and designer Karim Rashid. “You do see a lot of Murano glass

here in Dubai but that’s the tricky

part; Murano became that kind of specialised place for creating huge pieces for installations and hotels but there is actually very

little product coming out of

the islands.”The Egypt-born

designer has joined forces with Andrea Dotto and Roberto Fracassetti to form Purho, with a colourful launch collection of objets d’art championing the skills of Murano glassblowers. While Purho launched in Italy in 2013, it’s taken over two years of research and design to release the first collection with TDesign.

“The idea of artists and glass is disappearing so Andrea wanted to start a company, using the opportunity to build factories to produce more work for Murano glassblowers,” says Rashid. “So I designed things that won’t price themselves out of the market and be too artisan, while being hand-produced by craftsmen in Murano. This was a chance for me to do something interesting, luxurious and original while trying to make them affordable.” Hence the penchant for round shapes and curves in his collection, because they employ easier and less time-consuming methods of glassblowing.

The designer is well versed in the intricacies of glass, having worked with this material for companies all over the world, such as Scavolini in Italy, Mikasa in America, and Rogaška in Slovenia. “Certain places in the world are capable of producing different types of glass and other places are not," he adds. "The one thing that Murano can do better than anywhere

B R I N G I N G M U R A N O G L A S S

B A C KKarim Rashid talks about his glassware for new brand Purho

else is colour, so this was something that I really wanted to exploit.”

The designer is famous for his love of colour (and for his all-white and all-pink outfits). At TDesign's showroom on Emaar Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, you’ll see Purho’s Kastle trinket dishes shine in rich amber; Strik candleholders look delicious in candy colours of red and yellow; Tweet salt-and-pepper shakers look fun in primary shades.

Customers – whether they’re interior designers, architects or homeowners – can also request to customise Rashid’s Purho pieces through TDesign. “Customisation is always possible,” adds the designer, who is based in New York. “I customise constantly because I think that’s the kind of world we are living in. If someone wanted my Purho chandelier in smoked glass or in black, I would actually think that would look very nice and do it. Customers in Dubai certainly have that element of freedom. I believe if you design something beautiful it can exist in any colour – the colour is not everything in the project, it’s more about the form and the function and how it is made.” purho.it

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Style hunterFEBRUARY / MARCH

In Residence hunts down the soon-to-be sought-after accessories for your abode

Duresta’s stately Hornblower Rolls-Royce sofa in tactile damask velvet,

available at Eldiar’s new showroom in Abu Dhabi; eldiar-uae.com

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> BAGNODESIGN, one of the finest homegrown bathroom specialists, is celebrating two decades in the business this year. Twenty years after establishing the company in Dubai, BAGNODESIGN now has a global reach spanning 30 countries with over 50 of the world’s leading brands. It’s recently launched two own-brand ranges, Biarritz and Metreaux, which facilitate a modern shift in the way we use our bathrooms – creating a sought-after spa-like feel at home. bagnodesign.org

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> Last year Tom Dixon was unstoppable, culminating in Maison&Objet crowning him Designer of the Year 2014. One of the Londoner’s latest launches, Mud, pays tribute to his heritage and British manufacturing, with a series of accessories made from rough red brick. A far cry

from his signature metallic pendant lights, Mud has proven extremely popular and sold out prior to Paris’ Maison&Objet in January. Another new range, a stationary collection called Cube made from zinc and copper, stole the show instead. superstudio.me

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> In honour of the late designer’s prolific contribution to design, Molteni&C has re-launched Gio Ponti’s classic D.153.1 Armchair with contemporary finishes based on his original drawings. Ponti was renowned within many creative sectors, including architecture, industrial design, furniture design, art and publishing (he founded Domus magazine in 1928) and left behind many lasting legacies. The reissued Ponti D.153.1 Armchair features a brass structure and a choice of upholstery, either bicolour blue-and-white leather or the designer’s own Ponteggiato fabric, which he designed for Rubelli in 1934. Molteni&C is available at Finasi, Al Ittihad Road; finasi.ae

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> Retro-modern will be a strong theme in this year’s new furniture lines and Selva is a step ahead with its masculine Indigo collection, launched at the end of 2014. The bevelled edges, tapered legs and masculine colour palette are clearly inspired by furniture of the 1960s, the decade in which Selva was

born, and marks a change in direction for the company, which usually favours a more classical aesthetic. Selva teamed with fellow Italians Dainelli Design Studio to create 12 signature pieces in Canaletto walnut and leather, while still maintaining the core principles of quality craftsmanship and timelessness. selva-me.ae

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This year, Nada Debs’ design studio celebrates a decade of design – and like most energetic ten-year-olds, the company is looking to the future with big ambition

PerfectA

10WORDS: ELEANOR JOSLIN

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I want to be the one making craft glamorous so people can see that it’s sexy and cool – it will be a long project,” laughs the designer, who coined the phrase ‘craft cool’. “The aim of my

ten-year anniversary is to focus on the importance of craft, how it impacts people’s lives and raising awareness about the beauty of craft.”

She’s also making the transition from Middle East darling to global phenomenon. While she admits it won’t be easy she already has successful concessions in New York, London and Paris, three of the most design-savvy, cosmopolitan cities in the world. Add to that her presence across influential MENA countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and her home country Lebanon, and global domination doesn’t look too far away.

“It will be difficult, because how many designers are there in the world?” she muses. “What is important is the story. I have a global story myself, which is very interesting because it brings together the whole world, and it’s a waste not to take that on to the next level.”

The designer has lived across four continents and has been influenced by each one in equal measures. She grew up in the Far East, in Japan, before moving to America to study design; then the United Kingdom became the birthplace of her two children and home to her family, before they moved to Beirut 15 years ago.

“I have aesthetic values from these different continents and cultures and I incorporate them into my work – so we don’t need to isolate ourselves and I think this is a very important message,” she adds. In Japan she picked up the ‘less is more’ concept, streamlining and minimalism; in America design was functional and she saw a young country looking to the future; while in the UK she learnt about history and heritage and the appreciation of craft.

“By the time I came to Beirut I looked around and I could see a lot of ornament and craft and I kind of brought it all together, making

functional products that use crafts and patterns but in a very minimalistic form. When I moved to Beirut there wasn’t much product design and there was a gap in the market. Now it is really happening here; there is so much talent and so much potential – across the Middle East but really prevalent in Lebanon, partly because it’s liberal and we don’t have so many limitations but also because universities are starting to teach design. There is a lot of energy here, so much that it surprises me and inspires me a lot.”

While she’s set her sights on reaching a global audience, she’s continuing to champion ‘glamorous craftsmanship’ regionally. Design Days Dubai 2015 pays homage to her studio reaching double digits with a retrospective of her work at the show, from March 16, and luxury retailer Aati has just re-launched in Dubai with an extensive Nada Debs collection. Aati was drawn to her large range of accessories, such as her iconic tea boxes, retro-modern trays and linear vases. New designs include the Up Close tray, which

plays with geometry, colour and craftsmanship. “It is quite contemporary because I am increasingly pushing the boundaries of

craft through more contemporary lines,” she says. She’s also partnered with Harvey Nichols, here in

Mall of the Emirates but also across the Middle East, including Riyadh, Kuwait, Istanbul and Ankara. Both Harvey Nichols and Aati cement her status as a luxury designer in the region, something she’s worked hard for. “For me, as a Middle East designer, I am really aiming at luxury partners such as Aati and Harvey Nichols because it is very difficult to create luxury pieces using craft. The re-launch with Aati is giving me a great platform to be able to show that and to show the culture of the Middle East in a very

modern setting. I think the contrast of that is very interesting.”

25

e birthplace of her two children and home ily, before they moved to Beirut 15 years

aesthetic values from these different and cultures and I incorporate themork – so we don’t need to isolate

and I think this is a very message,” she adds. In

picked up the ‘less iscept, streamlining

malism; in esign wasand

young oking

ure; while ine learnt about d heritage and the on of craft. time I came to Beirut I looked d I could see a lot of ornament and kind of brought it all together, making

I am really aiming at luxury partners such as Aati and Harvey Nichols because it is very difficult to createluxury pieces using craft. The re-launch with Aati is giving me a great platform to be able to show that and to show the culture of the Middle East in a very

modern setting. I think the contrast of that is very interesting.”

I WANT TO BE THE ONE MAKING CRAFT GLAMOROUS SO PEOPLE CAN SEE THAT IT’S SEXY AND COOL

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I DO HAVE A MODERN ARAB IDENTITY AND I CAN REPRESENT MIDDLE EAST DESIGN IN A VERY MODERN WAY

This page: Draw The Line side

table. Left, clockwise from top:

Shadow vase; Arabesque Modern

armchair; Draw The Line bench

2828

This page: Fusion Collection

candle handlers. Right: Arabesque

Modern high back armchair

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The designer is attracted to contrasts wherever she may be. There are those that inspired her across the world – the future and the past, minimalism and functionality – and those prevalent where she lives now. “I love the contrast of everything here – the rich and the poor, the old and the new, the chaos and the organisation. It’s a country of contrasts and to me it works so well. I use this in my work and I try to always find a balance and harmony between opposites, whether it’s cultural, material or lifestyle.”

The materials she uses exemplifies this, such as using concrete with something natural and organic like Mother of Pearl and wood – as seen in her Concrete Pearl occasional table. Her ultra-contemporary Clear collection mixes Plexiglas with Mother of Pearl delicately inlaid in Islamic patterns, such as diamonds or the Islamic Star in repeat. The new Clear range has redesigned her tissue boxes, jewellery boxes, tea boxes and coasters by replacing natural wood with manmade Plexiglas. There’s an innate juxtaposition of old and new, mass-produced and refined, traditional and contemporary.

Global trends are also on her side this year. Fretwork is tipped to be a popular theme in furniture design and will only boost the awareness of arabesque patterns and its suitability across the world, not just in the Middle East. Look at Debs’ Arabesque Modern seating range, made from a rich dark wood with plump colourful cushions and geometric fretwork across the chairs’ backs and arms, or her Strand chairs and cabinet, made in a blonde wood with decorative fretwork detailing,

“To balance cultures I use a typical Middle East pattern like in Arabesque Modern but in a very minimalist way,” she explains. “The form and materials are very minimal and then I add the pattern, so you have that contrast of the vector-linear form and the very intricate geometry.

“I do have a modern Arab identity and I can represent traditional Middle East design in a very modern way. You cannot deny the old, which is why everything I do is inspired by traditions. Then they’re made eclectic by layering with products with a new aesthetic – it’s like an international fusion, like cooking, and I believe I have the ingredients – so people say.” Shop for Nada Debs at Harvey Nichols Dubai, Mall of the Emirates. nadadebs.com

I HAVE A GLOBAL STORY MYSELF, WHICH IS VERY INTERESTING BECAUSE IT BRINGS TOGETHER THE WHOLE WORLD

These qualities extend beyond the product, too. When Debs shoots her work she picks a traditional Lebanese home to reflect the lifestyles and customs of her homeland. The result is different to conventional photo shoots; it’s raw and very real. Her elegant sofas recline against bare concrete walls; tarnished mirrors reflect modern vases; gold bowls sit atop scratched worktops. No doubt this will catch the attention of design-savvy apartment dwellers in New York and London, who are known to be partial to this modern-industrial look, the shabby-meets-chic.

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NO SLOWING

DOWN

WORDS: ELEANOR JOSLIN

Nina Campbell discusses her decades in design

A value Nina Campbell shares with many of her clients is privacy. While the long-established interior designer confides her thoughts on Middle East traits and new

fabric patterns, she’s careful to keep her clients close to her chest. And well she might, for many commissions come from Saudi Arabian and Jordanian royalty, and prominent families all over the world.

“Jordan was a wonderful place to work in,” she says from her London studio where she works closely with a team of five. “And Beirut and Kuwait – I enjoyed them all because I met the most generous people. It’s great fun working there because they really look after you. They cook the most delicious things and insist that you taste everything; they have such a generous spirit.”

Since its establishment in 1967, her eponymous practice, Nina Campbell Interiors, has flourished with each passing decade and is much favoured by both older and younger generations across the world. She admits she was incredibly young herself when she set up the business at the tender age of 22, after honing her eye for design with John Fowler at his prestigious company Colefax and Fowler. Her very first commissions were a large country house in Shropshire, England, and Annabel’s, an esteemed private members’ club in London.

“I was going to Annabel’s a lot as a young girl,” she recalls. “It was the place

you went to after dinner for dancing and music, and one evening I said to [the owner] Mark Birley that there was something in his club that could be improved. He said, ‘if you think you’re so clever why don’t you do it yourself ’, and that was a great opening.”

This was the start of a successful working relationship, with the fledgling designer taking on other clubs owned by Birley and the pair opening a shop together in 1970. A decade later she opened her own home accessories boutique in Knightsbridge and launched a fabric and wallpaper collaboration with Osborne & Little – both of which continue to be successful.

While long-established, she shows no sign of slowing down or getting behind the times, a factor of her enduring appeal with clients of all ages. More recently, she’s expanded her retail franchise online, where all her bespoke furniture, tabletop wares, accessories and fabrics are available. This year she plans to open a showroom

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in Chelsea Harbour in April with a number of new collections, including 1950s-inspired furniture and opulent fabrics with stamped gold velvet and yellow weaves.

“We have a wonderful big print with beautiful velvet weaves that I have already showed my current Kuwaiti clients and they love it, so I’ll have to get it produced ahead of time for them,” she reveals. “There will be a lot of rich colours this year – silvers, golds, reds and purples. Also lots of aquamarine and teal, which are always popular colours in the Middle East.

“Over time my ‘English country’ aesthetic has crisped up, as life does, and it is more contemporary,” she continues. “But I am not a great follower of fashion so endurance is very important to me as well as comfort. It’s like clothes; you don’t always want to be in something flamboyant but rather something chic that feels comfortable.

“It also has to be suitable; I do a lot of diverse projects and I’ve worked all over, in China, Jordan, Kuwait, Scotland, France and the USA, so it’s really important that the interiors suit the customs of the place you’re working in but massages it to go with the moment. I do a lot of research into the culture and surroundings, and I also talk to the people I’m working with and see how they live their life and what they want from it.”

Her fourth Kuwaiti project is on behalf of young clients who want a sophisticated approach to the typical Middle Eastern style. “We are just putting in a flavour of the Middle East, just a little sparkle, which is fun and beautiful when it’s handled properly,” she explains. “I think Venetian glass would look beautiful there because you do need that sparkle somehow

– perhaps because of the light or being surrounded by desert.”

A house in Jordan fused heritage with pops of bright colour – formal damask patterns were livened up with wonderful acid green and silver colourways, punches of purple with light grey. “We took the traditional and turned it upside down, for a modernised version of heritage,” she says.

Sometimes she has to focus on what the client doesn’t want from their surroundings. An apartment in Tokyo has no hint of the East, as per the request of the Japanese-American couple. Campbell explains: “Strangely, they didn’t want anything remotely Japanese because they

said they already have the best of Japan and they didn’t want anything that an Englishman or a Frenchman thinks is Japanese when making a fabric. I thought that actually makes sense – we might want an Anglo-Chinese toile but the Chinese probably don’t. The obvious isn’t necessarily what is wanted so I always talk to the client a lot and get to know them.”

I AM NOT A GREAT FOLLOWER OF FASHION SO ENDURANCE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME

In a city where space is at a premium she turned their two apartments into one, which gave the couple a three-bedroom home with the luxury of a spare bedroom. Simple and sleek décor throughout the property maximised the space with light colours.

In contrast, the homes she’s worked on in the Middle East are spacious and accommodate public areas, private family spaces and staff quarters – a way of living that she’s come to admire. “I rather like the Middle East attitude to living, where – if you have the space – you have a private family part and the public entertaining part of the house, so guests don’t ever have to go into the inner sanctum of family life,” she reveals. “I think that’s a rather beautiful way of living.

“Entertaining was on a large scale in these projects so I would design these rather huge reception rooms with lots of

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Cathay Parade, from Nina

Campbell’s Autumn 2014

collection for Osborne & Little

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seating as you need to expect 20 to 30 people to sit down. I used rich fabrics on the chairs while sofas were in a background colour with wonderful embroidered cushions, so you get that richness but you keep the budget somewhere under control.

“The family part is more casual and comfortable because there is always children involved especially in the women’s part of the house, where ladies lunch and family life and homework goes on. The men’s rooms are fun to do and are comfortable but have a richer aesthetic. They really mind about their rooms more than a man in the UK would, which is rather nice. Even though they are incredibly busy people it seems that the busier and more important they are the more time they find to give to you.”

Her own home is compact in comparison, but has a story that only London dwellings can provide. Once an

artist’s studio at the back of another house, Campbell completely renovated it into a three-storey home. She dug a basement to create two guest bedrooms, a bathroom, a laundry room and storage space, with a small adjoining courtyard. The ground floor has a large area for entertaining by

the kitchen, which easily seats 12 but often 20, plus access to two gardens. Her bedroom is upstairs on the first floor. Perhaps inadvertently, she’s followed the Middle East concept of private and public spaces that she so admires, albeit in a smaller way.

She’s recently redecorated her Chelsea home with Cathay Parade, a fabric she launched in 2014 with Osborne & Little. Inspired by a decorative piece of linen she found at a textile sale, she had it re-embroidered in India while her design team brought the illustrations back to life, with an exultant Chinese festival winding its way around tall feathery trees towards a stylised pagoda. She’s used this beautiful Eastern toile to make her curtains and changed her colour scheme from aqua to white linen with coral accents.

“Sometimes I do see the most beautiful fabric in the world but then I’d need a completely different room, or house or even live in a different country,” she laughs. “By the time I’ve figured that out the moment has passed and I go home perfectly content to shut the door on my own house.” ninacampbellinteriors.com

I RATHER LIKE THE MIDDLE EAST ATTITUDE TO LIVING

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JEWELLERY

Diamonds may be a girls’ best friend, however, jewellery connoisseurs are increasingly demonstrating a penchant for colourful, more

unique gemstones. “I have certainly seen a change in today’s

young consumers,” says Ian Harebottle, CEO of Gemfields, the world’s leading supplier of coloured gemstones, which specialises in emeralds and amethysts from Zambia and rubies from Mozambique.

“When I joined Gemfields in 2009, we surveyed the market and the general response was, ‘I love emeralds, but they’re

With record prices being achieved for rubies, emeralds and sapphires,

In Residence chats to Gemfields CEO Ian Harebottle about the

allure of coloured gemstones

CRAZY FOR COLOUR WORDS:

LARA BRUNT

a bit of a granny stone. I’m not going to buy one – I’ll inherit one’. Just a few years later, I’ve been speaking to young people and some of them have told me, ‘I think diamonds are such a granny stone… I want to showcase my individuality with colour’. It’s like a complete circle. Young people are looking for differentiation and how better to do it than with coloured gems?” he asks.

Rarer than diamonds, the coloured gemstone market – sapphires, rubies and emeralds – is red hot. “It’s been phenomenal the last few years,” agrees the South African born CEO. Last October, Sotheby’s set a new world record for

sapphires when a 27.54-carat step-cut Kashmir sapphire with a rare saturated velvety colour sold for US$5.98 million, becoming the most valuable Kashmir sapphire in the world.

The following month, the auction house set a new world record for a ruby when it sold the Graff Ruby, an 8.62-carat cushion-shaped Burmese stone, for US$8.6 million. This spectacular gemstone displayed the coveted ‘pigeon blood’ red colour associated with the finest rubies

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I have seen in my life’,” he recalls. While the buyer asked to remain anonymous, Harebottle says Gemfields hopes to reveal the finished creation to the market one day.

Traditionally, many of the best gemstones come from places such as Colombia and Burma (today known as Myanmar), where smuggling is rampant and buyers often cannot be sure whether the stones helped fund wars or conflicts. Established in 2005, Gemfields has invested in large-scale mines where the stones are easier to track and grade. The process, introduced by the London-based firm in 2009, allows customers to buy the right grade for their specialist skill and

market demands, and is the world’s most comprehensive grading system.

While diamond shoppers are told to look out for the Four C’s – colour, clarity, cut and carat weight – Gemfields has introduced three additional C’s: credibility, certification and character. A transparent route from mine to market is key, says Harebottle. “Funnily enough, when people are buying art, provenance is really

important – people realise that you need to know the path that artwork has

taken before it comes to you because if it took a wrong path it’s valueless. The jewellery segment is not quite there yet, but at Gemfields we’re very proud to be committed to transparency and ethics,” he says.

Zambian emeralds range in colour from bright green with yellowish undertones to a vibrant green with bluish undertones, and compare favourably with the famous Muzo emeralds of Colombia. Mozambican rubies, meanwhile, are often a rich pinkish-red and hold their own against the legendary rubies of Burma. “I’m a big believer that each and every coloured gem is unique and special in its own right,” says Harebottle.

The firm aims to do for coloured gemstones what De Beers did for

diamonds last century. “De Beers saw there was a need to have

consistent supply, supported by consistent marketing and downstream delivery and

that had a massive impact on the diamond

from Mogok in Burma, arguably the rarest of all gemstones.

A week later, Gemfields made headlines with its own record-breaking rock when a 40-carat rough ruby, nicknamed the ‘Rhino Ruby’, sold at auction in Singapore. Unearthed from the company’s Montepuez mine in Mozambique, the stone has the potential to become an exceptional finished product, says Harebottle.

“Prior to auction, I called in gemologists from GIA, Gubelin and others, and each and every one of them – and these are guys whose whole lives have been dedicated to coloured gemstones or gemstones in general – picked it up and held it with reverence. They said, ‘This is potentially the most significant ruby

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JEWELLERY

market,” explains Harebottle. “Right up until the 1940s global coloured stone sales and diamonds sales were on par. It was only after the 1940s that diamonds surged ahead and colour went backwards – diamonds really benefitted from that De Beers’ vision.”

Following its example, Gemfields is investing millions in marketing its precious product. It has collaborated with 36 international designers to produce a one-of-a-kind fine jewellery collection, with designers and maisons such as Stephen Webster, Theo Fennell and Fabergé given free reign to experiment, with magnificent

results. The firm has also enlisted actress Mila Kunis as its brand ambassador. “In my mind, De Beers is like Microsoft and Gemfields is like Apple – we’re much cooler, we’re much funkier and we’re a whole lot sexier,” Harebottle laughs.

The 2014 campaign, Beauty By Nature, was shot by acclaimed fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh and marked the second collaboration between the brand and the Hollywood beauty. “We went to Mila and said we want to shoot you as you are – no photoshopping, no make-up – because we want to showcase how beautiful the individual can be,” he

explains. “Not a lot of stars would have accepted that but Mila said yes.”

Kunis also travelled to the Gemfields mine in Zambia to see for herself how the stones are ethically and responsibly sourced. “She loved it, she absolutely loved it,” enthuses Harebottle. “We have to move about 10 million grams of waste for one gram of emerald. When you’re the first person to touch that emerald in 500 million years, it’s a spiritual experience.”

“Mila’s not alone,” he adds. “I’ve had a lot of significant people through our mine and everyone’s had that same experience.” consumer.gemfields.co.uk

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GEMFIELDS AIMS TO DO FOR COLOURED GEMSTONES WHAT DE BEERS DID FOR DIAMONDS

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COLLECTABLES

Revivalof the

The best car brand you’ve never heard of – it may have been away for over 75 years,

but finally Atalanta has returned

It seems fitting, looking back, that the name ‘Atalanta’ stems from Greek mythology, as the British car brand of the 1930s that adopted it became something of a legend itself. Those who know their classic literature will tell you that

Atalanta was an athlete and huntress, famous for her speed and strength – traits that the small vehicle manufacturer established in Staines, on the outskirts of London back in 1936, was soon able to demonstrate on the road.

The model it developed was the Sports Tourer, a two-seater built to order, with a number of different engines and styling options. Using a hand-crafted aluminium frame, with high standards of workmanship evident throughout, the company became known for its innovative approach, and one of the first in the UK to employ such advancements as fully-independent coil

spring suspension, adjustable dampers, hydraulic brakes, a semi-automatic gearbox and a twin-spark cylinder head. It was also an early adopter of the use of lightweight materials.

Favourable reviews of the Atalanta Sports Tourer were common, with one magazine claiming that the car was “beyond criticism”, and displayed “the tenacious quality of a racing car when cornering.” As if to prove the point, Atalanta entered

its cars in a number of races, including the 24 Hour of Le Mans, and took home the team prize at the 1939 Welsh Rally. For a moment it seemed that more successful years in motorsport lay ahead.

Sadly, they were not to be. The outbreak of war stopped any plans Atalanta may have had, with the company halting

production in 1939, just over two years after it had begun. In its short lifespan it had produced 21 cars, very few of which still exist today. “Atalanta is one of the greatest untold British motor heritage stories,” explains classic car enthusiast Martyn Corfield, who in recent years has made efforts to re-establish the brand. “The cars and the team were so ahead of their time. What might have been had the war not interrupted development?” Clearly

it is a question that has plagued Corfield for a while, as he is now spearheading Atalanta’s revival, with a new headquarters in Staffordshire that he presides over as CEO. “As custodian of

the marque, it is my objective to sensitively bring the original Atalanta design up to date, delivering the modern motoring needs of safety, reliability and performance, but still remaining true in spirit to the Atalanta sports car ideals,” he explains.

His intent was made clear on March 5, 2012, when in front of the gathered press

THE STORY IS ONE OF THE GREATEST UNTOLD IN MOTORING

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COLLECTABLES

at London’s Royal Automobile Club, a new Sports Tourer model was unveiled – exactly 75 years to the day that the original was first shown to the public. Similarities with another UK brand, Morgan, abound, as the idea is to retain the 1930s aesthetics, mixed with modern expertise. The bodywork of the ‘Revival’ version is hand-crafted aluminium, like its predecessor, mounted on an ash frame, with around 90% of the parts used exclusive to the brand. Corfield has employed car restorer Trevor Farrington to oversee the work and guarantee its authenticity.

Many of the original features have been

carried over or directly influenced those on the updated model, for example the fully-independent suspension, paired with modern brakes and a set of period-looking 18-inch aluminium wire-spoke wheels, featuring narrow tyres. A 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine sits under the bonnet, sourced from an US manufacturer, believed to be Ford, and available as a supercharged option, matched with a five-speed manual gearbox.

The Atalanta website currently offers ‘limited commissions’ and expects to release around 12 Sports Tourers a year, each made to order, hand-built and

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COLLECTABLES

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fabricated, in line with the original ethos. Those interested are invited to register their information, and will then need to hand over £99,995 (US$151,612 approx) before taxes to see that curiosity come to life.

Or they could wait to see what else the revived brand delivers. At the International Concours of Elegance show last autumn, held in London at Hampton Court, Atalanta unveiled its ‘chassis number one’ to tease a brand new model it is planning. While the modern Sports Tourer is based on an earlier version, this will be something original, but keeping with the spirit of the marque – again

with the option to tailor it to your needs. “As in the 1930s, Atalanta provides the opportunity to commission an individual driving machine to exacting requirements,” Corfield adds. “The new sports car readily offers an exhilarating drive with assured handling and a supremely comfortable ride.”

With such limited numbers, Atalanta’s revival will remain low-key, and the name still only heard of in whispers at classic car shows. For those lucky enough to purchase one, they will have bought a rare but important piece of British motoring history.atalantamotors.co.uk

OWNERS WILL HAVE BOUGHT A RARE BUT IMPORTANT PIECE OF BRITISH MOTORING HISTORY

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ART

WORDS: CHRIS ANDERSON

MY VISION WITHIN ART IS

REALLY TO TRY TO REMOVE

JUDGEMENT, TO REMOVE CRITICISM

The world’s most expensive living artist, Jeff Koons, is the subject of a new retrospective at the Pompidou

Centre in Paris, celebrating his life’s work

“

”

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1.

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Jeff Koons is an artist never far from controversy. When a showcase for his work opened at the Whitney Museum of American Art in his hometown of New York last summer, the various pieces on display inspired

such a heartfelt reaction in showgoers that two were driven to vandalism. The first incident took place in August when a man painted a crimson X on a wall near Koons’ Rabbit sculpture – an enlarged replica of an inflatable child’s toy, cast from mirror-finished stainless steel. Then, just two months later, another man sprayed black letters next to the Hanging Heart – a massive, bright red reflective metal heart shape suspended from the ceiling.

In each case, neither piece was damaged, which would have come as a huge relief for the museum, especially with Koons carrying the title of the world’s most expensive living artist. Aged 59, his work can easily fetch tens of millions of dollars – the piece that earned him his current record-breaking status was Balloon Dog (Orange), a three-metre-high version of a balloon animal commonly made

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at children’s birthday parties, cast from stainless steel and finished in a reflective orange during the early 1990s, sold at auction in 2013 for US$58.4 million.

Did the vandals find that Koons was speaking to them somehow, asking them to express whatever hidden meaning they had found, or was it merely a protest, objecting to how work so seemingly simple can command such obscene amounts? Art critics asked to appraise Koons usually find themselves split in much the same way, experiencing similar feelings, but according to Don Bacigalupi, president of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas, which last year acquired its own version of Koons’ Hanging Heart in bright gold, there is much to appreciate. “Koons has been a monumental figure in art for the last 25 years,” he explains. “Many think of him as the heir to the [Andy] Warhol legacy, advancing the tradition of pop art in taking everyday imagery into a much different realm.”

Art lovers in Europe are currently

making up their own minds, with Jeff Koons: A Retrospective running at the Pompidou Centre in Paris until the end of April. Part of a collaboration with the Whitney Museum in New York, it features around 100 paintings and sculptures, including the two that were very nearly enhanced by the keen amateur graffiti artists. The Pompidou describes the exhibition as the first exhaustive retrospective devoted to Koons in Europe,

with pieces sourced from around the world, arranged chronologically to show the different cycles of his career. Bernard Blistène,

the event’s curator, describes Koons as “the last of the pop artists”.

Walking around the exhibition, showgoers are invited to make sense of the artist’s interpretation of contemporary visual culture. There are examples of his work that served as his launchpad to fame in the 1980s, placing shiny new Hoovers in sealed acrylic cases, or basketballs inside equilibrium tanks. This developed into a fascination with other everyday objects,

MANY THINK OF HIM AS THE HEIR TO WARHOL

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such as inflatables, in the case of the aforementioned works, recreating toys and shapes from reflective metal. “If you look at a reflective surface, it reflects you and it affirms you, it affirms your existence,” Koons himself told Mail Online. “If you move, the abstraction changes, it shifts, and again this affirms your existence. It’s bringing it back to a sense of acceptance, bringing it back to the self.”

While this may be the purpose of certain pieces, others may take longer to digest. Michael Jackson and Bubbles, for example, is a supersized porcelain sculpture of the late king of pop, sat with his beloved chimpanzee, created in 1988 and presented with striking gold paint. In other areas there is a clear obsession with popular cartoon characters Popeye and the Hulk, with whole collections based around the two, featuring paintings and metallic reproductions, including one that sees the green-skinned superhero morphing into a musical instrument.

His newest work includes the Gazing Ball collection, offering replicas of statues from museums across Europe – the sole difference being the addition of a blue mirror ball poised in a strategic location. This is said to be a nod to how decorative

blue glass of this kind was popular with middle class households during the 1960s, which Koons would have been aware of with his father running a furniture store. Reflections of his youth can be seen across much of Koons’ work, including his latest sculpture, Play-Doh, a giant recreation of different-coloured balls of the popular children’s toy all squashed together, apparently 20 years in the making.

Is it the work of a genius or too much fuss over nothing? Other artists specialising in pop art, such as Warhol or Roy Lichtenstein, often found themselves under similar scrutiny. With Koons experiencing more media attention than his predecessors, including news of his record-breaking auctions and television chat show appearances, his critics can struggle to separate his celebrity from his work. Often dressed in a nice suit with neat hair, he looks more like a banker than an artist, and actually worked as a stockbroker in New York before fully immersing himself in art. Some say he

IS IT GENIUS OR A FUSS OVER NOTHING?

understands the business side of what he does too well, with a studio of artists helping him, mass-producing such works as the Hanging Heart or Balloon Dog in different colours, unveiled with a helping of Koons’ salesman charm. Is he “the poster child for art-world excess” as The Guardian newspaper once described him? A term perhaps not helped by his endless commercial appeal, designing limited edition handbags for H&M or album covers for Lady Gaga.

But as Koons explains, to make your opinions about his work known is to admit you do not understand it. “My vision within art is really to try to remove judgement, to remove criticism,” he explained to Mail Online. “Then people are open and more accepting. The first role is to accept yourself, then you can go out and accept others.”

Jeff Koons: A Retrospective is being held at the Pompidou Centre in Paris until April 27. More info at www.centrepompidou.fr and www.jeffkoons.com

1. Balloon Dog (Magenta), 1994 -

2000, Mirror-polished stainless steel

with transparent color coating

1 of 5 unique versions. Pinault

collection - © Jeff Koons

2. Loopy, 1999

Oil on canvas

Photo: Lawrence Beck, New York/

Courtesy Sonnabend Gallery

Bill Bell collection © Jeff Koons

3. Large Vase of Flowers, 1991

Polychromed wood, Edition no 3/3

Sammlung Ludwig – Ludwig Forum

für Internationale Kunst, Aix-la-

Chapelle © Jeff Koons

4. Dutch Couple, 2007

Oil on canvas

Photo: Markus Tretter Fotographie

Pinault Collection © Jeff Koons

5. Rabbit, 1986

Stainless steel, Edition no 1 / 3

Museum of Contemporary Art

Chicago, Partial Gift of Stefan

T. Edlis and H. Gael Neeson,

2000.21© Jeff Koons

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MOTORING

Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTSThere have been many occasions when the 911 seemed to have reached its peak and achieved motoring perfection – but this might actually be it. Combining the beautiful Targa open top with the razor-sharp handling and increased performance of the marque’s GTS models, this new-for-2015 edition is released in spring and will have Porsche collectors queuing at the showrooms. The GTS in the title stands for Grand Touring Sport, but this is no cruiser. It’s a 430BHP, 3.8 litre rocket with seats – and a good thing too, as the mechanics that open and close the roof add some weight. The design comes with beefed up 20-inch wheel locks, a sportier front end, and, crucially, the all-important GTS logos emblazoned in prominent places. Porsche has given itself a hell of a job trying to improve upon this – but if anyone can do it, it’s the German genius. porsche.com

ThrillRoad

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MOTORING

1999 Bombardier Challenger 604 5418

Airframe 8,173 Hours / 4,457 Landings

Engines Enrolled on GE OnPoint

Features Honeywell GTCP 36-150 APU, Precision Plus, Aircell ST-3100,

Dual Collins HF-9000

2008 Hawker 900XP HA-3


Engines On MSP

Features Jar Ops 1 Equipped, FDR, Dual Transponders, Aircell ST-3100, Airshow 410

2011 Dassault Falcon 7X 138

Airframe 1,045 Hours / 339 Landings

Engines Enrolled on ESP

Features EASy II Cockpit, CPDLC, ADS-B Out, FANS-1A, FalconCare

2009 Hawker 4000 RC-23


Engines 2,123 Hours / 1,817 Cycles

Features Enrolled on JSSI, Block Point Upgrade Completed, EASA Compliant

Empire Aviation Group is a dedicated aircraft sales and management company operating one of the region’s largest managed fleet of business jets.

For enquiries Tel: +971 4 299 8444 | E-mail: [email protected]

www.empire.aero

Aircraft for Sale

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LISTINGS

dubaisir.com

The GalleryFeast your eyes on our exclusive collection of premium properties throughout the world. This month we take you from a new-build penthouse in central London to a Georgian-style estate in Connecticut, and from a villa in Emirates Hills to one aside a pristine golf course...

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AGENT PROFILE

SERAN GHEORGHE

Which areas of Dubai do you specialise in? I mostly cover Downtown and specifically The Address Downtown where I have sold over 60 apartments in the last 8 years. But I also look after a few exceptional residences across Dubai.

As an agent, what have been the high points for you since joining DSIR? That was a trip

to Miami where I had the pleasure of meeting 1,500 of my colleagues from Sotheby’s International Realty. Since then I have been able to assist my local clients to buy internationally, as well as locally, which is great for them.

What made you one of DSIR’s highest-ranking agents in 2014? Referrals from my previous and current clients played a big part. Referrals from high-net-worth individuals are extremely difficult to get and reflect the trust that I have built with them. These clients are invaluable as they are the ones who

will choose my services and trust my advice when it’s required.

Aside from referrals, what enables you to acquire high-net-worth clients? I believe this success stems from my experience in the luxury property market. I’ve worked in high-end real estate in

Dubai for the last 8 years and have handled decades-old property portfolios of high-net-worth individuals. All of this feeds my confidence, which enables me to attract and keep new clients.

How do you earn the trust of your clients? By learning everything there is to know about what you’re trying to sell them, and by telling them both the good and the bad points about it. Clients actually appreciate a bad piece of information more than a good one, and that information is not likely to affect their final decision. It also means for sure that they will use you next time they want to invest.

OLIVER ESSEX

You were one of the leading agents for Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty (DSIR) last year – please describe the level of your achievements.It’s undoubtedly an achievement to be one of the highest producing agents within the Dubai office, as all of my colleagues are of the highest caliber. I try to focus on maintaining my relationships with my loyal clients and look to win the trust of new clients, so that when they want to buy or sell, anywhere in the world, I’m the only consultant they look to.

What will 2015 bring?Over the course of 2014 I have analysed which nationalities have shown the most interest in the properties I have had for sale. This year will see me focus on these markets and trying to bridge the gap between what amounts to simply an interest and what converts to actual transactions.

To what do you attribute your success in the market?I sell what interests me. I look to products that I believe are a timeless investment, built to last, and in the best locations. For me, there is no doubt that the Downtown area is the most sensible investment in Dubai. Another which I believe will be a great investment is Palazzo Versace. Mark my words: this project will outperform any other development available in Dubai over the next 5 years.

How do you ensure you’re an expert in the areas you sell?I think you can only become an expert in an area through experience. It’s easy to learn which developments, villas or apartments sell at what price, and where they are, but to truly know the market you have to experience it yourself. Living through different market conditions teaches you how to predict the market. This gives you the knowledge to advise clients of the best times to get in and out of the property market, as the key to property investing is timing.

TOP GUNSOliver Essex and Seran Gheorghe were Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty’s highest

producing agents of 2014. Here they share the secrets of their success

I LOOK TO PRODUCTS THAT I BELIEVE ARE A TIMELESS INVESTMENT

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The 118Downtown, Dubai

Price on requestThe 118 Project Sales Department Team | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999

Nestled in the heart of Downtown, The 118 will set the bar as the ultimate residential address for only a discerning few with its unique collection of 27 spacious, full-floor residences. Unit 15 is a 6,600 Sq. Ft., intelligently-designed, 4-bedroom residence. It has been designed with grand 4-metre-high ceilings and trackless French windows that frame the rooms offering views of Downtown, bathing the property in an abundance of natural light during the daytime and glittering city lights after sunset. These trackless panes lead out to the sky terrace, ensuring a seamless ‘indoor to outdoor’ transition, completing the full experience of unified luxury. The kitchen offers designs by SieMatic, while superior cabinetry and innovative spatial aesthetics seamlessly combine to create a kitchen of the future. Bringing extra personalised touches of refinery to each resident, a highly-skilled concierge oversees visitor entry, maintains security and caters to every whim.

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Prime Waterfront AddressDubai Marina

AED 34,950,000Svetlana Gorbach | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | TH371

This Marinascape Avant property was recently remodeled by joining 2 large townhouses together to create 1 majestic residence. With a total BUA of 15,000 Sq.Ft. this townhouse is spread over 3 floors with a rooftop terrace and is paved throughout with either exquisite white marble or flamed granite. The first floor has a spacious lounge, dining, living room and kitchen with breakfast area. The elegant kitchen is adorned with Pedini cabinetry and Gaggenau and Bosch appliances. The second floor has a home office and 4 en-suite bedrooms with balconies/terraces. On the third floor is a spacious master bedroom with a large bathroom and terrace offering impressive Marina views. All marina-facing windows have internal wooden shutters. Most rooms have a built-in sound system and there’s a central dock on the first floor from where music can be sourced using IPods, etc. Additional features include a maid’s room, play area, driver’s quarter, laundry room, 1,600 Sq.Ft. of storage area and direct access to parking for 6 vehicles.

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Bespoke Presidential PenthouseDubai Marina

Prestigious Penthouse AddressDubai Marina

AED 23,500,000

AED 23,500,888

Svetlana Gorbach | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | AP104

Jeffrey Gullbrand | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | AP305

This luxury 4-bedroom penthouse is located in one-of-a-kind and bespoke residence in Dubai Marina’s Le Rêve Residence. The property comprises spacious living and dining rooms, large bedrooms, and has the bonus of a room that can be designed as an in-home office or family TV room. There is also a fully equipped and integrated galley kitchen. The property affords stunning views of the Dubai coastline and Palm Jumeirah, and is offered for sale unfurnished.

This modern style Presidential penthouse in Le Reve comes fully furnished with modern finishes. The property comprises of spacious living and dining rooms, 4 large en-suite bedrooms and a further room that can be designed as an in-home office or family TV room. The master and second bedrooms are designed with walk-in wardrobes, while the other two bedrooms have built-in wardrobes. On entering this property you are greeted by a grand central reception affording vistas of the palm Jumeirah and beach.

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Incomparable Royal PenthouseDubai Marina

Price Upon RequestSeran Gheorghe | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | AP289

This opulent Royal penthouse, with a BUA of 15,711 Sq.Ft., is one of the finest properties in Dubai, occupying an entire floor in the exclusive Le Rêve tower. This vast living space consists of 6 grand suites, captivating lounge areas, a cinema room and staff accommodation. The expansive terrace enjoys picturesque views of the Arabian gulf, Marina skyline and the iconic Burj Al Arab. This masterpiece is a bespoke design and consists of Italian marble, solid wood flooring, high-end kitchen appliances and finishings. With private lift access and luxurious amenities to match, Le Rêve is complimented by a state-of-the-art gymnasium and swimming pool. Located in Dubai Marina, residents have a wealth of dining and entertainment choices on their doorsteps.

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Refined Marina Gate PenthouseDubai Marina

AED 13,152,000Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999

This grand, half-floor, 5,845 Sq.Ft. penthouse sits a top Marina Gate II. From your terrace you can marvel at the incomparable views over the marina and beyond to the Arabian Gulf horizon bringing a harmonious feel to the property. The entrance lobby opens to a majestic formal dining area and entertaining lounge. The kitchen opens onto an informal family and lounge space at the heart of the property. With 4 elegant en-suite bathrooms, and the master suite boasting a vast dressing and bathroom area, it really is an expansive home in which to entertain guests.

Expansive Marina Gate VillaDubai Marina

AED 9,720,000Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999

This sophisticated villa offers a tranquil lifestyle in the centre of the cosmopolitan Marina. Once you enter this bright home, which covers 4,418 Sq.Ft, you are greeted by the capitavating double height open plan living area which opens onto a terrace overlooking the Marina life below. This informal area houses the kitchen and open plan living/dining space. Upstairs there is a more formal lounge and library area. There are 4 bedrooms in this villa, each benefiting from an ensuite bathroom, some with a dressing area too.

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Modern Apartment with Extraordinary ViewsDubai Marina

AED 9,230,888Jeffrey Gullbrand | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | AP38

Achieve luxury waterfront living with this 4-bedroom duplex property. The apartment offers unmatched views of the Palm Jumeirah, Arabian Gulf and the Marina. It has its own lift lobby leading onto a specially designed deck replete with plunge pool. The large, spacious bedrooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, while elsewhere there’s a fully equipped open-plan kitchen, living and dining area. This rare apartment also has 5 bathrooms and a maid’s room. The property is nestled in 23 Marina, a 380-metre high tower which offers an extraordinary experience of sophistication and elegance high above the waterfront marina.

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Unique Marina ApartmentDubai Marina

Exclusive Indulgence in Business BayBusiness Bay

AED 2,698,920

AED 3,366,000

Filippo Tavernaro | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | AP148

Jihad Iqbal | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | AP105

This 1-bedroom apartment has a BUA of 987 Sq.Ft. It has been furnished with high quality Italian furniture and offers sea and Palm Jumeirah views. It is located in the 84-storey Ocean Heights which occupies a premium spot in Dubai Marina, surrounded by 5-star resorts, hotels, restaurants and retail shops. The large master bedroom has a luxurious, carpeted walk-in wardrobe and an upgraded bathroom. The apartment also comes with a 160 Sq.Ft. terrace to enjoy the captivating sea views, and is being sold as furnished.

Reside in this fully-furnished, 2-bedroom Executive Towers apartment located in the Business Bay district. Situated in Tower M, this spacious property is being sold along with its high quality furniture. Residents will enjoy the views of Burj Khalifa, the Jumeirah neighborhood and the Arabian Gulf. For those who appreciate their privacy, they will be glad to know that the apartment is located in the core of the building that houses 2 units per floor.

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Savvy and Modern ApartmentDubai Marina

Prestigious Dubai Marina towerDubai Marina

Delightful Downtown HavenDowntown Dubai

AED 1,650,000

AED 2,199,120

AED 2,700,000

Saud Malik | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | AP447

Filippo Tavernaro | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | AP188

Saud Malik | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | AP435

With picturesque views of the Arabian gulf and Dubai Marina skyline, this well-appointed 2-bedroom apartment in Marina Pinnacle has a BUA of 1,291 Sq.Ft. This elegant apartment features ceramic floors, bespoke furniture and contemporary interiors. With an equipped kitchen, refined bathroom fittings and generous wardrobe space, this apartment is a home owner’s delight. The Marina Pinnacle is one of the tallest residential buildings in Dubai Marina and houses the amenities expected from a quality developer. The tower exudes luxury and class at an affordable price and stands in a great location, with Marina Walk and The Beach Mall at JBR both just a short walk away.

Take ownership of a prestigious address in Dubai Marina with this 1-bedroom Infinity Tower apartment. With a BUA of 850 Sq.Ft. this property enjoys breathtaking vistas of the Marina and has a dedicated parking space in the building. The world-renowned, multi-awarded Infinity Tower is surrounded by 5-star resorts, hotels, restaurants and shops. Residents get access to the tower facilities such as swimming pool, sauna, steam room and a well-equipped gym. This could be an ideal property investment or a rental opportunity.

Be in the ‘centre of now’ with this 2-bedroom Claren Tower apartment. With a BUA of 1,291 Sq.Ft., enjoy the luxury of proximity as it’s just a stone’s throw away from Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall. The apartment is complete with an equipped kitchen, Stellar bathroom fixtures, and sizable built-in wardrobes. Residents enjoy views of the pool and the lush garden. Claren Tower is a mid-rise development by one of the most prominent developers in Dubai, Emaar. A games room, equipped gym, shared pool and 24/7 concierge are only some of the amenities residents of Claren Tower can become accustomed to.

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Redefined Urban LivingDowntown Dubai

AED 3,800,000Jonathan Gardner | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | AP421

This South Ridge ‘03’ apartment with upgraded hardwood flooring covers 1,635 Sq.Ft. It includes 2 spacious bedrooms plus a study. The living/dining area showcases dramatic views of Dubai’s skyline; including the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, as well as the biggest park found in the area. Equipped with a serving hatch, the kitchen boasts beautiful granite counter tops with built-in appliances. The grand master bedroom is large enough to accommodate a king size bed. It features a large walk-in wardrobe and an en-suite white crème marble and mosaic spa-like bath with an oversized deep-soaking tub, double sinks, and a separate glass shower enclosure. The second bedroom, also with an en-suite bathroom and plenty of wardrobe space, is perfect as a guest room or nursery. South Ridge amenities include a swimming pool, children’s wading pool and play area, one of the best fully-equipped gyms, squash and badminton courts, and more besides. Residents also appreciate the 24-hour mobile security services and concierge.

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Luxury Villa in a Premier Gated CommunityEmirates Hills

AED 27,000,000Jackie Johns | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | 6961

This exquisite 6-bedroom villa has been presented in an immaculate condition throughout and benefits from a superb view over the largest lake in Emirates Hills. On entering this luxurious villa you will be greeted by a magnificent, vaulted entrance foyer which leads to a stately reception hallway that’s perfect for greeting guests. The spacious and bright lounge enjoys panoramic views of the pool, gardens and lake beyond. This villa has a modern, fully-fitted kitchen, where the careful choice of carpentry and marble used enhances the space beautifully. Throughout the villa you will find myriad examples of quality workmanship, while all bedrooms are en-suite.

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Ultimate Luxurious LivingEmirates Hills

AED 42,840,000 (SOLD)Oliver Essex | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | VI51

Situated on a 22,193 Sq.Ft. plot, this Emirates Hills property has a well-kept garden with an infinity swimming pool which overlooks a lake. Inside, the villa has an approximate 15,000 Sq.Ft. open floor plan with 3 large reception rooms and an open-plan kitchen with a combined breakfast and dining area. Other features include exceptional finishes and interiors, and intelligent use of space. Downstairs there are 2 smaller bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, while upstairs houses 4 bedrooms including the large master bedroom.

Vibrant Beachside ApartmentJumeirah Beach Residence

AED 3,100,000Svetlana Gorbach | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | AP370

Located on a low floor in Sadaf 6, JBR, and with a BUA of 1,856 Sq.Ft., this apartment has 3 bedrooms plus a maid’s room. It is being offered for sale either furnished or unfurnished. The balcony and living/dining rooms offer sea and sunset views through Meydan Beach Club and the soon-to-be-completed Dubai Eye. Partial sea and courtyard views are seen from the master bedroom and other rooms. This property is well-maintained and offers a tranquil family home in the heart of the JBR community.

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Garden Villa in the FairwaysJumeirah Golf Estates

AED 9,000,000Christine Park | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | VI357

This Girona style villa is located on a plot of over 10,000 Sq.Ft. overlooking the pristine fairways of the 12th hole of the Earth golf course. The garden faces west allowing you to experience the beautiful sunsets from your terraces. The ground floor hosts an open plan kitchen by SieMatic with breakfast area and formal dining. A lounge area, triple-height entrance hallway, en-suite guest room plus a study/tv room complete the ground floor. The first floor includes the grand master suite with walk-in wardrobes plus 3 further bedrooms.

Tranquil Family HomeJumeirah Golf Estates

AED 11,500,000Christine Park | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | VI386

This 5-bedroom Mediterranean home proves itself as an ideal family residence. Sitting on a plot of about 9,000 Sq.Ft. this impressive Murcia villa in Lime Tree Valley boasts a lush landscaped garden with magnificent views of the 14th and 15th hole Earth course fairways. This 2-tier villa is built to the highest quality of materials and specifications in the region. It’s a perfect family home complete with an open-plan Siematic kitchen, breakfast and formal dining areas, a lounge area, en-suite guest room and study.

69dubaisir.com


Rare Private ResidenceUptown Mirdif

Ultimate Luxurious LivingMeadows

AED 29,000,000

AED 8,200,000

Gary Giles | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | 7307

Gary Giles | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4999 | 7718

Located in Uptown Mirdif with a BUA of 10,000 Sq.Ft. and a plot area of 27,000 Sq.Ft., this one-of-a-kind villa has its own private gateway and large privacy walls. The main residence has 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, superb kitchen and 2 lounging rooms. While the outside residence consists of male and female staff rooms, a driver’s room and service kitchen. This property has been designed to meet a variety of needs with separate access to its upstairs from the front and rear. It also provides provision for an elevator.

This elegant 6-bedroom Meadows villa has a built-up area of 4,924 Sq.Ft. and a plot area of 9,900 Sq.Ft. This 2-level villa sits on a corner plot. The ground level has a large open-plan living/formal dining area, a semi-closed kitchen, informal dining/breakfast room, study, en-suite guest room, maid’s and utility room. The first level has a sizable family room, spacious en-suite master bedroom, 2 en-suite bedrooms and 2 further bedrooms with shared bathroom. 3 bedrooms have balconies, 2 of which have impressive lake views.

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Exquisite Contemporary TownhousesJumeirah Village Circle

From AED 2,970,000 to AED 3,450,000Sunshine Kewalramaney and Rohit Saluja | [email protected] |+971 4 818 4999 | VI403-VI410

This exquisite contemporary townhouse project is located in Jumeirah Village Circle. With their contemporary architectural design, Artistic Villas offer optimum use of living space, spatial comfort and simple, timeless features and facilities that are synonymous with family living. Each townhouse consists of a ground floor plus a further 2 floors. The ground level is exquisitely finished with incredible detailing, spacious living and dining rooms which connect to the fully-equipped kitchen, that lead directly to a beautiful garden atrium and 2 covered car parking spaces. The first floor offers a lounge/family area with a private pantry and 2 en-suite bedrooms. The second floor offers 2 further bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a private lounge. All bedrooms open on to large balconies. Currently under construction, the estimated completion date is Q3, 2015. Flexible payment plans are available.

71dubaisir.com

INTERNATIONAL

ThailandPhuket

US$ 22,000,000Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4950

Located within the exclusive Cape Yamu private estate on Phuket’s east coast, this unique estate offers 2,005 Sq.M. of internal living space and 4,500 Sq.M. of built-up area. Situated on a beachfront land plot of over 15,000 Sq.M., the contemporary property includes many commissioned artworks and exquisite interiors, complemented perfectly by the views across Phang Nga Bay. The master bedroom suite features the Cape Yamu signature pavilion ceiling and a spectacular 8-metre-high picture window. The villa offers an additional 6 ocean-view bedrooms, all with dressing areas and en-suite bathrooms. The second pavilion space mirrors the master suite, housing the spa, gym, steam room and sauna. The landscaped gardens combine rolling lawns with artfully placed sculptures. Truly an oceanfront home, the villa’s gardens merge seamlessly with the beachfront and the ocean and islands beyond.

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INTERNATIONAL

CanadaToronto


Come home to Villa Florentine, an iconic estate that sits atop 80 acres of land in the sweeping hills of the Caledon countryside. The charm of old world antiquity meets modern extravagance in this stunning 10,000 Sq.Ft. mansion, with steel-frame construction, custom marble and crown mouldings, imported hardwood, private forest and lake, equestrian facility, luxury pool house, wine cellar and finest kitchen appliances including AGA range. Fruitful investment with potential for development of 12 estate lots on property anterior, Villa Florentine embodies an optimal way of life where the epitome of European style is paired with modern-day functionality and only the most exquisite amenities.

73dubaisir.com

INTERNATIONAL

United KingdomWestminster, London

Penthouses start from £ 9,750,000 Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4950

With the same SW1 postcode as London’s most exclusive and sought-after address, Belgravia, Victoria is currently undergoing a complete transformation and property prices here are forecast to soar over the next few years. 55 Victoria Street is the area’s most exciting and luxurious development to date and will offer 57 New York loft-style apartments with the most spectacular panoramic views on offer in the heart of prime central London. The Penthouse occupies the entire 10th and 11th floors and will boast one of London’s finest outdoor roof terraces. Residents will benefit from a state-of-the-art gym, private car parking and 24-hour concierge service. The development is due to complete in the third quarter of this year.

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INTERNATIONAL

United KingdomKnightsbridge, London

£ 32,000,000Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4950

Located in the heart of Knightsbridge with uninterrupted views of Hyde Park, this lateral penthouse of around 9,000 Sq.Ft sits next to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and is just a short walk away from Harrods and Harvey Nichols. The apartment boasts the largest roof terrace in the area and is the perfect place for entertaining guests, with 4 reception areas, 2 kitchens, 6 bedroom suites, a gym and spa room all interior-designed to the highest and most luxurious specifications. The apartment also comes with secure car parking which is incredibly rare for the area and the benefit of having a separate staff accommodation. The block is suitably secure and private, making it the perfect London pied-à-terre.

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INTERNATIONAL

FranceParis

Price upon requestDubai Sotheby’s International Realty | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4950

Enjoy stunning Eiffel Tower views and 360° panoramic vistas from the splendid 300 Sq.M. terrace of this penthouse. This 230 Sq.M. duplex features an entrance hall, a living room complete with wooden flooring and fireplaces, a study room (or bedroom), an additional living room, a dining room, an open-plan kitchen, and a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom.

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INTERNATIONAL

Saint-BarthélemyGouverneur

€ 36,000,000Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4950

This exceptional 4-bedroom villa boasts panoramic island views which take in the beautiful St. Jean Bay. Artisanal stonewalls and walkways complement the tropical landscaping, which is drawn from the natural vegetation, and enhance the setting. An expansive palm tree shaded deck encompasses an 82 Ft. infinity edge pool. Surrounded by an abundance of outdoor living and dining space. The spacious bedrooms all have en-suite baths and walk-in wardrobes, and a full guest bathroom can be found on the lower level. Parking, meanwhile, is in ample supply.

77dubaisir.com

INTERNATIONAL

USAGreenwich, Connecticut


Beautiful Georgian estate amid 2.3 private and parklike acres in the exceptional location of Greenwich, Connecticut. This magnificent and private estate features exquisite detailing with the finest custom craftsmanship, state-of-the-art technology and grandly-scaled interior spaces. Outside is a 3,000 Sq.Ft. blue stone terrace, embraced by breathtaking, professionally designed landscaping and a walled garden with heated pool. The property has 7 bedrooms, 8 full and 2 partial bathrooms, and a garage for 5 cars.

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INTERNATIONAL

USANew York


A triplex 3-bedroom with 4.5-bathroom apartment that delivers the best of everything at ONE57, a new luxury building designed by Pritzker-prize winning architect Christian de Portzamparc and interiors by Danish designer Thomas Juul-Hansen. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame extraordinary Central Park and Midtown views throughout the apartment. The gourmet kitchen offers the finest appliances by Miele and cabinetry by Smallbone of Devizes. Bedrooms feature generously sized walk-in wardrobes, while bathrooms offer Statuario marbled showers and separate bathtubs both with Dornbracht fixtures. Each room is equipped with dimmers and lighting control and Valli & Valli hardware. ONE57 amenities include a 24-hour doorman and concierge, private fitness centre, yoga studio, indoor pool, private dining, catering kitchen, library with billiards table, screening room, and on-site parking garage.

79dubaisir.com

INTERNATIONAL

USAToro Canyon Park Road, California


California living at its best. This modern masterpiece by Los Angeles architect Barbara Bestor offers unparalleled views of ocean, islands and mountains in a completely private setting on 160 acres of unspoiled wilderness. Newly constructed and designed for entertaining and relaxation, with custom glass walls that slide away to bring the outdoors in. The centre of the home is a loft-like space, anchored by an open kitchen with European-style cabinetry. On one side, a 25-Ft. telescoping glass door retracts to reveal a panoramic view of the entire Santa Barbara coastline, leading into a lush courtyard with fireplace. The master bedroom has an en-suite spa bath complete with Japanese-style soaking tub and steam shower. Two additional bedrooms offer a shared full bathroom, media room, powder room, and yoga room with a private garden. A separate guest house sleeps up to four comfortably.

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INTERNATIONAL

USAWyoming

Price upon requestDubai Sotheby’s International Realty | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4950

This fly-in, fly-out community can be found amongst the rugged mountains and the Palisades Reservoir. Extremely unique in its design – likely the most majestic, airport-based community in the world – The Refuge is a private community within the Alpine Airpark, a spectacular and user-friendly airport with inexpensive fuel and no landing fees. The runway, at 5,664 Ft. elevation, is 6,000 Ft. long and is situated in a convenient east-west orientation – ideal for the prevailing winds. From the 65 acres available at an average of 2+ acres per lot, these home and hangar locations represent a recreational-rich opportunity.

81dubaisir.com

INTERNATIONAL

USABoston, Massachusetts

SpainBarcelona

US$ 4,295,000

€ 1,600,000

Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty | [email protected] | +971 4 818 4950


Live steps from Charles Street in this conveniently located, comfortable, classic, renovated Beacon Hill townhouse on one of the most magical streets on the hill, Chestnut Street. This south-facing home captures great light all day, and offers the perfect balance between entertaining and living space. Consisting of 4.5 bedrooms with custom built-in shelves and drawers. The first 2 floors include dining and living rooms with a fully revamped kitchen on the first floor, extended to create a serene breakfast nook.

This is a masterpiece of the architect Enric Sagnier I VillavecchiaI, designed as a Gothic palace. The property, which enjoys its own access stairs, opens onto the street via a fabulous glassed gallery. Unique in its category, it has 3 bedrooms (1 currently used as a library), 2 reception rooms, a dining room, 2 bathrooms (1 in onyx), and a kitchen. It is a carefully restored gem that retains its palatial character, and you will feel immediately transported to the 19th century on entry.

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INTERNATIONAL

SwitzerlandFounex, Geneva

SwitzerlandChoulex, Geneva

Price upon request

Price upon request



This sublime property is located in a tranquil, green and exclusive residential area in the charming municipality of Founex, just 15 minutes from Geneva airport. It offers a fabulous 180° view over Lake Geneva and the Alps. This magnificent Italian-style house was built in 1907 using high-quality materials and stands on more than 5,200 Sq.M. of land. Very bright and well-maintained, this home offers 400 Sq.M. of total floor area over 2 levels and a basement. The reception area includes superb adjoining living rooms.

Located on a hillside between the villages of Vandoeuvres and Choulex, this exceptional 12-bedroom property enjoys lush surroundings and a magnificent view of Mont Blanc. Built by architect Adrien Krieg in 1856, this mansion offers living space of more than 800 Sq.M. on 3 levels in addition to the basement. The reception area includes an entrance hall, a spacious living room with fireplace, and access to the terrace, a small living room, small and large dining rooms, and a library.

83dubaisir.com

INTERNATIONAL

GreeceRhodes

GermanyBerlin

€ 2,900,000

Price upon request



This timeless property can only be described as a modern stately home. It is set in impeccably landscaped grounds and its exquisite design offers spacious living accommodation. On 1 level, the main house has 5 bedrooms including a master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and en-suite bathroom. Downstairs in the basement is a home cinema. The gardens house an infinity pool and 50 Sq.M. guest house. While for those who like to fly home at the end of the day there is a even a helicopter pad.

This sophisticated villa in the south-west of Berlin is located in Wannsee. Proximity to the water and the stunning natural surroundings give this neighbourhood an enchanting quality. The Wilhelmine-era villa on a plot of 2.919 Sq.M. was constructed in 1888 and offers you a main building, 3 garages, a 22-metre-long private lakefront and a wonderful water terrace with your own marina. The living space of around 530 Sq.M. is spread across 2 levels, and consists of 11 spacious rooms plus 5 bathrooms/shower rooms.

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INTERNATIONAL

Hong Kong Belgravia, New Territories

Hong Kong Leung Fai Tin, Clear Water Bay, New Territories

US$ 12,600,000

US$ 4,600,000



This contemporary, detached home nestles in a peaceful location favored by stars and celebrities, surrounded by beautiful scenic greenery and exotic plants. Boasting 4 comfortably sized bedrooms, each with their own outdoor access and en-suite bathroom, there is also a spacious living and dining room, designer kitchen and an outdoor space comprising a garden and heated lap pool. The excellent layout design ensures both privacy and comfort.

This harmonious residence impresses at every turn. The interior was designed with bifold doors opening onto a private garden, offering a delightful contrast between nature and the cool interior. Light coloured marble flooring complemented by a wooden paneled ceiling offers a nod to the gracious details prevalent in South East Asian colonial design, but with a modern twist. The open-plan kitchen features an array of high-end appliances, making this an ideal setting for occasional entertaining.

Tel: +971 4 299 8444 | Enquiries: [email protected] | www.empire.aero

Empire Aviation is a one-stop shop for integrated executive aviation services,offering aircraft acquisition, aircraft management and

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sotheby's in residence feb-mar'15

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