Unlike the marine life for which they are named, the Floating Seahorse Villas don’t actually move up and down beneath the surface of the water. But they do float, are partially submerged and are moored around the World Islands, a Nakheel Properties development of man-made landmasses off the Dubai coast in the United Arab Emirates.
The 300 artificial islands are shaped to look like a map of the world and identified by countries. The Floating Seahorse is set in the area known as the Heart of Europe, a project of the Kleindienst Group. Neighboring theme islands include the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden.
The three-story contemporary homes have an underwater level, a sea level and a deck level. (Driven Properties)
The innovative marine-style retreats of the Floating Seahorse are akin to elaborate stationary house/boat hybrids. Lacking propulsion and navigation systems, they are moved into place by construction cranes and then anchored to the ocean floor.
The three-story contemporary homes have an underwater level, a sea level and a deck level. Marine-grade concrete is used for the surface below the water. The upper levels, framed in light-weight aluminum, have the glossy finish of a luxury yacht.
The Floating Seahorse Villas achieve underwater living using marine-grade concrete. (Driven Properties)
The submerged floor contains the primary bedroom and a bathroom. A floor-to-ceiling rounded-corner window in the bedroom lets in views of the sea life. Colorful denizens of the man-made coral reef include the striped clown fish, the blue angel fish and pink anemones.
Another window in the bathroom sits next to the stand-alone soaking tub.
The upper levels of the Floating Seahorse Villas are framed in light-weight aluminum, which give the residences a glossy finish similar to a luxury yacht. (Driven Properties)
Floor-to-ceiling windows continue on the sea level, which includes an open-plan living area, a dining area and the kitchen. The window wall opens to a sundeck to extend the living space outdoors.
The uppermost level features another deck, a mini bar, a kitchenette and a glass-bottomed hot tub. Vistas take in the skyline of Dubai and the Persian Gulf.
Above the water, floor-to-ceiling windows frame an open-plan living area, a dining area and the kitchen. (Driven Properties)
A bent wood and glass staircase connects the floors.
The first Floating Seahorse Villas were put in place last year, according to ArabianBusiness.com. Phase 1 contains 78 homes. The project will eventually include 131 such villas.
Custom lighting makes the floating marvels glow at night. (Driven Properties)
The asking price for a 4,000-square-foot, one-bedroom, two-bathroom villa is US $2,990,506. Sogol Einavy of Driven Properties is the listing agent.
The $5-billion master-planned Heart of Europe development is just two miles, or about 3.2 kilometers, off the coast. The second-home and holiday destination will have resort hotels, restaurants, shopping, vacation homes and luxury mansions. Dubai International Airport serves the region.
