Dubai developer releases first Palm Jebel Ali villas

• 2002 project back on track
• Demand for beachfront homes rises
• Island includes 80 hotels and resorts

The first villas available to buy on Dubai’s billion-dollar Palm Jebel Ali man-made island project have been released by developer Nakheel.

The 13.4 sq km mega-project – twice the size of Palm Jumeirah – will add 91km of coastline to the emirate and provide homes for about 35,000 families.

The inaugural properties for purchase are situated around four “fronds” and features villas categorised as Coral and Beach, which are available in eight styles.

• Palm Jebel Ali to add much needed beachfront properties
• Dubai brokers compete to sell Palm Jebel Ali homes
• Palm Jebel Ali buyers get 150% refund as credit if they reinvest

Once complete, Palm Jebel Ali will feature seven islands and 16 fronds, with three access points to the island.

The island will also offer more than 80 hotels and resorts as well as several retail and dining experiences.

Originally launched in 2002, Palm Jebel Ali was to be one of the three palm-shaped man-made archipelagos Nakheel planned to build off Dubai’s coast. It completed only one as envisaged – the 460-hectare Palm Jumeirah, which contains some of the emirate’s priciest and most luxurious real estate.

The revamped master plan for the billion-dollar Palm Jebel Ali development was approved in June as demand for beachfront villas surges in Dubai, in part because so much of the coastline is built out and few development sites remain.

Extending the length of the emirate’s public beaches by as much as 400 percent is one of the targets set by the government in its 2040 urban masterplan.

Estate agent Chris Boswell said: “If we look at the huge demand that exists for waterfront villas, people will buy at Palm Jebel Ali 100 percent.

“I think the development will play particularly well for long-term investors, who will look to the ongoing success story of Palm Jumeirah.”