Guide to Dubai's Islands

Introduction

The Emirate of Dubai has been one of the biggest revelations of the overseas property world in the past few years – introducing the concepts of buying off-plan properties, buying for future developments in tourism, building on an unprecedented scale and, of course, what will soon be the world's tallest building when it is completed in 2009.

Among this plethora of superlatives and world firsts, possibly the most impressive engineering feats have been reserved for the creation of a set of new islands, reclaimed from the seas of the Arabian Gulf, specifically for the purposes of real estate development.

As the government of this tiny state continues to attract tourists and businesses alike, buyers have been snapping up plots and properties on these new pieces of land. Three Palm islands are sprouting up along the coast, along with The World – a giant map of the globe some 4km off the coast – and Dubai Waterfront.

The regions

Despite being one of the Gulf’s more oil-rich States, Dubai's ruling family decided some 50 years ago that they would seek to attract international businesses to the area to ensure the prosperity of the Emirate in the event of oil becoming less important in a global context. This decision seems to have paid off in spades, with Dubai becoming a world-leading tourism, business and trade hub.

The creation of Dubai's artificial islands has been a long process of dredging and dumping sand and rocks, but as the first residents begin to inhabit the Palm Jumeirah island in the latter stages of 2007, the first part of the most ambitious expansion programme in the history of the Middle East is coming to fruition. Although most of the islands that are due to be created in Dubai will rise a mere few metres above sea level, they will incorporate highways, water parks and hotel developments, as well as the thousands of villas that line the 'fronds' of the island. The relatively calm nature of the Arabian Sea means that the low-lying islands of Palm Jumeirah and it's sister Deira and Jebel Ali Palms are supposedly in no danger from the tides.

The World is a little different from the Palm islands, in that the individual islands that make up this huge map of the world are being sold – some to individuals, and some to developers. Investors therefore have the ability to buy a whole 'country' and take their place in the world.

The most recent project to be announced was the Dubai Waterfront development. This extension of the Jebel Ali part of Dubai will comprise a number of new islands laced with canals and leisure facilities, as well as the now-ubiquitous hotels and apartments.

Getting there

There are now daily direct flights to the huge hub of Dubai's international airport from the UK, which take around seven hours. The new Dubai World Central International Airport currently under construction will share the load of passengers arriving, departing and transferring through Dubai, and at roughly ten times the size of the current facility, it will certainly be an impressive sight when it is completed in 2017.

Climate

The desert surrounding Dubai is a constant reminder of the power of the climate in this part of the world. The hottest months are through the summer, when temperatures can reach over 40 deg C on a regular basis. Even through the winter months, expect temperatures high enough to sunbathe every day.

Properties

With a range of projects of this magnitude, there are a huge number of different property types available to buy. The Palm islands are characterised by the iconic rows of luxury villas that line the 'fronds' of the islands, giving out directly onto the beach. For a slightly less-expensive solution to living on the largest man-made islands on the planet, there are a number of different apartment developments in varying styles. The advantage for buyers who have invested in plots or properties on the Palm islands is that many of them have appreciated significantly in value without the owners ever having set foot in their property.

The principles of buying a property (or an island, should the fancy take you) on The World are entirely different. Buyers will either have the option of buying a property in a small-scale, exclusive development, or have a bespoke villa constructed on their own piece of terra firma. Many of the buyers of islands are publicity-shy, but there are stories of one buyer having an Irish castle transported brick-by-brick to the Arabian Gulf to be rebuilt on the owners island.

The conglomeration of islands and canals will have a combination of apartments and hotels laced among the commercial and retail spaces that will attract the tourists and locals alike along the coast.

Local life

Dubai has the largest population of the seven Emirates, and figures suggest that 800 people are setting up home there every day. Despite the amount of publicity Dubai gets in the UK, Europe and the US, only three per cent of the population is called as ‘Western’, which demonstrates the importance it has assumed on the global stage.

Conclusion

Dubai's islands provide some of the most exciting places in the world that you can buy a property overseas. The main point to consider if you are attracted by the idea of buying on one of Dubai's man-made islands, is that to get the best value deals, you are best advised to get in early on new projects, otherwise you could end up paying for someone else's capital appreciation.

© Buy Associates Limited 2007

All circumstances vary. BuyAssociation provides general advice for guidance purposes only. It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice before making any purchase.