In the past three years, the scope and style of new build architecture in Dubai has changed from predominantly contemporary high-rise buildings to a wider range of schemes, which are inspired by a variety of cultural influences. The evolving architectural language of Dubai is best witnessed in newer precincts including Culture Village where two current developments alone exemplify the trend for developers to design homes that provide, distinct styles to suit different types of purchasers and their living requirements. These developments include Palazzo Versace Dubai, and the D1 Tower.
Palazzo Versace Dubai, is a 130,000 sq m resort complex providing 169 residences, is fashioned in a layout that reflects the traditions of European palaces with its east and west building wings allocated for private residences and the central, main area for the 217 room fashion-branded hotel. Though the original Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast in Australia followed a more traditional interpretation of Renaissance architecture, the Dubai resort uniquely features Arabic cornices and almond-shaped arches, with central friezes depicting traditional Arabic patterns and sculptures inspired by the local heritage of the emirate.
Throughout Palazzo Versace’s private residences the parquetry, also details Arabic-influenced designs through the style of flooring originating from Versailles in France, which again demonstrates the rich tapestry of blending Middle Eastern and Western designs. In addition, the landscaping around Palazzo Versace incorporates native plants suited to the region’s climate yet the layout of the gardens is designed in a European fashion.
The buyer profile of Palazzo Versace homes extends to mature, upper-middle class homebuyers and investors from the Middle East, Europe and Russia. This is reflected in the sizes of homes ranging from one-bedroom apartments to six-bedroom villas.
Adjacent to Palazzo Versace is a very different style of a residential development. D1, the first residential apartment building to be constructed in Culture Village, is a very modern tower which will stand at 80-storeys when it is completed in 2011. The buyer profile the development attracts is much broader and incorporates young families, couples, single professionals, retirees, expats and local Emirati. Apartments range from studios to four-bedroom penthouses with the majority being spacious three-bedroom sky-homes ranging up to 278sqm.
D1 is the sister development to Q1 which is located on the Gold Coast in Australia. It is purposely designed to be a landmark development, acting as a signpost at Culture Village across the Dubai skyline, with its canopy structure reflecting the heritage of the region, and inspired by the Dhows of the Dubai Creek and the fishing nets.
Palazzo Versace Dubai, and D1 are the first two properties to be developed within Culture Village and are schedule to be completed throughout 2010 and 2011 respectively. The design concept behind these developments was created by Soheil Abedian, the founding director of Sunland Group in Australia. The Dubai projects are joint venture developments by Emirates Sunland Group (50:50 joint venture between Sunland Group and Emirates International Holdings).
Mr Abedian commented, “Dubai has gone through one of the quickest residential Renaissances the world has witnessed. Within several short decades an entire, modern city has been created. The emirate is still evolving in this period of dramatic change and the architectural evolution is one of the most exciting in recent history. Throughout the past 10 years, we have seen a combination of modern high-rise buildings, low-rise family homes that incorporate local architecture including traditional wind towers and, more recently, we are seeing a hybrid of architecture from a variety of cultures mixed with Arabic architecture. No where else will you see such a mixed variety of architecture.
“I take a personal interest in providing homes with various cultural influences. I was raised in the Middle East, studied architecture in the Baroque capital of Vienna in Austria and have developed property in Australia for more than 25 years. I understand that buyers of difference socio-economic backgrounds, nationalities and positions in life prefer different styles of homes.
Palazzo Versace Dubai residences are priced from Dh 17.7million and D1 apartment are from Dh 3.5 million.
