Dubai Marina Realty     

The Marina Crown will rise to 207 meters with 53 floors (including 51 residential). It adds one more luxurious property to the row of towers lining Al Sufouh Road. It stands between the very exclusive Le Reve and the plot of the yet to break ground Ocean Heights tower. It will offer a range of apartment sizes from 1 bedroom to 5 along with penthouses, and according to the literature "villas." In addition to the usual fitness center, pools and 24-hour security, the tower will house shops and restaurants. Notably, in a move to be especially family-friendly it will offer nanny service in apartments along with housekeeping and a day care center--for a fee it may be presumed. In the words of one advert, services include "24-hour babysitters." Construction on the tower began in March 2004 with completion perhaps by mid-2006. The tower has already topped out with its outer cladding being steadily applied. It has a particularly attractive facade in a soft tan shade with generous white trimming. It features columns in relief and other surface gradations. Its facade resembles that which might be found in a colonial-style hotel. Construction photos by AltinD, 26 Dec 05

Floorplan:
Marina Crown's floor plans are particularly interesting. Each floor consists of only one or two bedroom types, for example 1 & 2-bedroom units on one floor, only 4-bedroom units on another, and so on. The units spread out symetrically from the elevator lobby which forms a square at the center of the building. The result is that each unit, whether twelve to a floor as in the case of the 1 and 2-bedroom arrangement or two as in the case of the penthouse suites, appears to be centrally positioned, with all entrances generally at equal distance from the elevators--there is practically no corridor to navigate even with 12 units distributed on one floor.

Not all units offer balconies, while many provide maid's quarters. The 2-bedroom unit above is attractively laid out with 2 balconies.

Quick Data

• Construction Start/Finish: early 2004, mid-2006
  
• Height & No. of Floors: 207 meters (with/without crown?), 53 floors
  
• No. & Type of Units: 1-bed (769 sq.ft.-886 sq.ft.), 2-bed (1431 sq.ft.-1772 sq.ft.), 3-bed (2180 sq.ft.), 4-bed (3019 sq.ft.-4619 sq.ft.), 5-bed (5616 sq.ft.-6079 sq.ft.) and villas (1772 sq.ft.-5330 sq.ft.)
  
• Purchase Prices (USD): 1-bed (106,800+), 2-bed (197,200+), 3-bed (403,250+); 4-bed (620,720+); prices vary greatly by floor.
  
• Maintenance Fees ( AED/sqft):
  
• Location: plot #392/189
  
• Highlights: Wide-variety of room plans, family-friendly, attractive floor layouts, attractive facade and design, includes shops & restaurants, has lost its crown!

Tallest residential tower in the world--will it be the Princess Tower or 23 Marina? It seems that Princess Tower's developers had the jump start on announcing their project (as early as Nov. 2004) but construction work seems to be moving along more quickly in 23 Marina which was initially announced in March 2005. With a 2008 projected completion date this tower should be able to hold on to the title for up to a year.

The 90-story tower should be noteworthy not only for its height but also for its features. They include a 6-story high lobby and up to 48 duplex apartments positioned on the upper 26 floors of the tower. Each duplex will have a private elevator to service its two levels and a small plunge pool on the balcony. (Duplex lower level--click image to enlarge.)

Other facilities will include health club, spas, indoor/outdoor pools, jogging track, business center, 24-hour concierge, 24-hour conveninece store, valet parking, etc. Lower floor units in the tower will have either 2 or 3 bedrooms, and all units will have quarters for a live-in housekeeper. The tower is clearly targeting an upscale clientele with numerous amenities and prices to match. The two-bedroom units start at Dhs 1.5 million.--03 Jan. 2006

Floorplan:

Lobby with 6-story clearance.

   Quick Data

• Building/Project Title: 23 Marina
  
• Construction Start/Finish: 9-2005/2008
  
• Height & No. of Floors: 380+ meters, 90 floors
  
• No. & Type of Units: 2 & 3-bedroom (no.??) & 4 bedroom duplexes (48)
  
• Purchase Prices & Maintenance Fees (AED): 2-bed at 1,707sqft (1,536,849+), 3-bed at 2,189sqft (1,970,345), 4-bed at 5,451sqft (5,723,839); Mtnce. Fees (10 aed/sq ft)
  
• Location: District A23D
  
• Highlights: 6-story lobby; housekeeper's room; private elevator, plunge pool & jacuzzi in dublex

In most apartment buildings, the most sumptuous sits at the top – the penthouse. Le Rêve is all penthouses! Aimed at the wealthy who want privacy and discretion along with the best in home luxury, the building contains quarters for staff and drivers at the bottom, enabling owners to enjoy a lifestyle normally reserved for exclusive hotels. See complete article.

The quote is from an online publication geared toward youthful readers, but its language does well to convey the extraordinary nature of this Marina project. The Le Rêve tower's understated exterior seems to almost deliberately belie its extravagent features. The developer's website expands on this theme:

All residents of Le Rêve benefit from secure private valet parking (with separate living accommodation for chauffeurs on parking floors), access to the temperature-controlled rooftop pool and landscaped gardens, a fully-equipped gymnasium and 24-hour concierge service.

Translated into English, the French Le Rêve means the Dream. The tower rises 210 meters with 82 apartment units spread over its 50 floors. It has already topped out and completion is scheduled for February 2006. The design incorporates two apartment types--one allowing for two units per floor and the other requiring a whole floor to itself. In essence every unit is a penthouse. However, noteworthy distinction may still be applied to the topmost unit or super penthouse--a duplex apartment of unique design with not only 4 dedicated lifts, but also an interior elevator to service its two floors. Highest prices are reportedly in the range of US $7 million.

Interior

Floor Plan

   The incredible Royal Classic penthouse. Additional plans at developer's site.

Commentary:

Towering above the Dubai International Marine Centre,
21-Dec-2005

The specs on this tower are amazing. When completed one might expect a measurable influx of capital into the Dubai Marina district, considering the amount of wealth those who move in will need to have. (Eighty-two millionaires in a single tower!) Not only will these residences be expensive to purchase, but annual management fees are sure to represent a substantial continuing investment.

All the luxury aside, the tower's appearance is not so specatacular. Its designer, London based consultancy W.S. Atkins, the same firm noted for having designed the renown Burj Al Arab, seems to have decided to avoid ostentation and go with modest understatment. Many of the surrounding towers will probably draw more attention although none will match the Le Rêve in terms of exclusivity. 

   Seaview from Le Rêve, photo taken by Andrew Lemon.

Intro:


This tower makes claims of being the tallest residential tower in the world. (Of course, this is a projected claim as construction is only just getting underway.) The signboard at the site indicates a height of 380 meters but there appear to be other claims of over 400 meters. There are, as well, conflicting reports about the number of floors. The developer's site indicates 100. Interestingly, the 90th floor of the tower (the highest floor perhaps if counting residential floors only) is being called a villa, occupying the entire floor. Expected date of completion is sometime in 2009. --30 Dec. 2005

The tower will be quite impressive if built to specs. The developer indicates that in addition to a variety of residential units, the tower will provide...

offices, sales outlets, car parking spaces, sports and recreational clubs and hotel suites... (also) swimming pools, a gymnasium, a children’s day care nursery, a sauna club, a prayers area... in addition to a luxurious reception area.

Floor Plan:

   The 90th floor Villa penthouse. Additional plans at developer's site.


Purchasing Estimates:

Prices (AED) starting from: 1-bed 744,187; 2-bed 1,180,777; 3-bed 2,272,252; 4-bed 2,950,000 and 5-bed penthouses 7,245,000

Intro:

One of the most impressive tower designs for the Marina, this tower will have 74 floors, rising up to 345 meters. It will house 504 luxury apartments in 1, 2 and 3 bedroom configurations, in addition to stunning duplex penthouses.

It is a very popular tower, if not somewhat controversial. This seems due in part to the limited amount of activity that has taken place at the construction site. Completion date appears to be late 2008 or early 2009.

Some the tower's features will include:

• Temperature controlled swimming pools
• Sauna, steam room and spa
• Gymnasium
• Shopping and dining facilities
--15 Dec. 2005

With Reference to MAG 218:

This tower will be "catty-cornered" to the MAG 218's SW (front-facing) side. If the tower is as attractive as its renders show, it will provide a pleasant view for some 218 tower residents. The shopping and dining facilities it offers will also be convenient for MAG 218 residents.

Floor Plan:

   The penthouse floors 55-71. Additional plans at developer's site.

Intro:

71 floors and 260m in height this tower will be SE of the MAG 218 Tower on the Dubai Marina Ring Raod. (Separating the two towers will be a planned Dubai Marina mall.) The tower will offer as many as 748 apartments on 61 residential floors. At present piling work is being carried out within an extremely deep excavation pit. Completion is expected in 2007. Views of the Marina may be spoiled to some extent by the 345 meter Torch tower to be built just opposite. However, partial views should be possible at an angle. --10 Dec. 2005

Floor Plan:


   A 2-bedroom unit. Additional plans at GoWealthy.com.

Intro:



This tower is just opposite the MAG 218 Tower on the Dubai Marina Ring Road. It is nearing completion--by mid-2006. It has at present "topped-out" and stands some 208m with 54 floors. It promises to offer spectacular views (from one side) of the Dubai Marina waterway, built at water's edge at the NE point of the marina. 

Floor Plan:


   The penthouse. Additional plans at developer's site.