grapeshisha: Nurai Villas and Resort

Probably the most underplayed luxury development in Abu Dhabi and the world, and for good reason - most people won't be able to afford it. Current prices range between 30 and 85 million Dirhams. Newsweek did call it the "Most Luxurious Project in the World", and you need only look at the pictures. Financial slowdown just doesnt affect some people in the way that it affects most.

Nurai is a 3.3-million-square-foot (equivalent to approximately 306,000-square metres) private community, of limited edition resort beach-front estates and water villas, on a natural island near the northernmost tip of Saadiyat Island. The design concept of the island will provide residents with abundant stretches of land, thus guaranteeing their privacy. Since most of the island will remain untouched by buildings and structures, landscaped greenery will envelop the residents in its folds. The water villas will extend into the ocean, while the beachfront estates are to be integrated into the landscape.

Here's the brochure spiel - it does sound exciting in a wish I was king kind of way, but as I know some of you CAN afford this kind of paradise, you need to know:

Nurai is the Emirates’ most sought after private island - an island of inspiration, delighting the senses and offering lifestyle without parallel. Designed to provide residents with generous plots of land, panoramic sea views and the utmost level of privacy, Nurai is home to a single, world-class, boutique resort and a limited number of breathtaking exclusive Beachfront Estates and Water Villas.

Nurai houses a distinctive collection of limited-edition beachfront estates of 12,750 square feet which sit on generous plot sizes ranging between 30,000 – 80,000 square feet as well as luxury contemporary water villas of 5,540 square feet, which offer an unparalleled over-water living experience. In total, there are 31 beachfront estates with prices starting at 60 million dirhams and fifty water villas with prices starting at 35 million dirhams.

Watervilla Beachfront Estate

Each perfectly designed residence includes a private beach with unobstructed sea views, exclusive private amenities, pools, docks, and boat slips as well as the luxury facilities of the Island, 24 hour service access from the hotel, a celebrated brand luxury spa, world class fitness centers, and a multitude of water activities.

* Nurai is just minutes from Abu Dhabi’s key upcoming projects.
* 5 minutes by boat from Saadiyat island: home to the world’s largest single concentration of premier cultural institutions including the Sheikh Zayed National Museum designed by Lord Norman Foster, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum by Frank Gehry, the Louvre Abu Dhabi universal museum by Jean Nouvel, a performing arts centre and a maritime museum.
* 15 minutes by boat from Yas island: feature attractions such as a world-class motor sports racetrack, signature hotels, the Ferrari theme park, water park, and the Abu Dhabi destination retail development of 300,000 sq m retail area.
* 20 minutes by boat from Reem Island: an invigorating, world-class residential, commercial and business project set to house more than 100,000 people.
* Nurai is just under an hour away from key locations in Dubai.
* 45 minutes by Helicopter from Dubai International Airport.
* 45 minutes by car from planned Dubai International Airport in Jebel Ali to Saadiyat island, followed by 5 minute boat ride to Nurai.
* 55 minutes by car from Burj Dubai / Down town Dubai to Saadiyat island, followed by 5 minute boat ride to Nurai.

Nurai represents an outstanding investment opportunity with prices expected to more than double upon construction completion. Nurai’s guaranteed investment security is due to a number of key reasons:

* Nurai’s strategic location and proximity to Abu Dhabi’s biggest projects – e.g. Saadiyat, Reem and Yas island – which have put Abu Dhabi on the international cultural ,tourism and commercial map
* The current structural shortage of good quality space across the various types of real estate – and in particular high end product
* Strong immigration growth prospects – International partnerships which will see the world’s leading educational and medical talent move to Abu Dhabi – e.g. Johns Hopkins Medicine, Cleavland Clinic, the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, Sorbonne University and INSEAD
* Abu Dhabi’s vast oil-driven wealth which is driving economic growth.
* Reports by leading investment houses and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Planning and Economy concluded that the city’s real estate prices are almost certain to keep rising, at double digits, until 2012
* Nurai’s resort and residences are scheduled for completion in December 2010.