Forum Group, a recent but dynamic player in Dubai’s uber-luxury market, has started handing over homes at XXII Carat, a one-of-a-kind ultra-luxury mega project on the Palm Jumeirah.

The project, driven by the robust demand for luxury homes, has already seen 70 per cent of the homes sold to date. Construction was completed at the end February.

Exclusivity is very much a trend, Anton Yachmenev, managing director of the Forum Group, tells ABDULAZIZ KHATTAK of Gulf Construction magazine.  Also, buyers want larger plot sizes and bigger gardens that give them much-sought-after privacy and physical and visual space.

“With more money involved, they’re looking for five-star amenities, services and features that you just can’t find in the average luxury property. That could include top-of-the-range sprawling kitchens, luxury bathrooms, private beaches and concierge services.”

He says the value of ultra-prime properties is weighted heavily on personal values and lifestyle and each group comes with its own set of requirements. Ultimately, buyers want something that strikes the right balance between aesthetics, exclusivity and individuality; and luckily XXII villas fulfil these requirements, he adds.

XXII Carat offers beachfront resort-style living on the Palm Jumeirah next to One and Only the Palm, an opulent resort. The private beachfront gated community comprises uniquely designed seven-bedroom villas ranging from 8,000 to 13,000 sq ft with dramatic views of Dubai’s skyline. Facilities include 24/7 concierge and exclusive access to private beachfronts spanning 720 ft with 360-degree views of the Arabian Gulf.

The development offers 22 ultra-luxury villas of different styles and architecture – Emerald, Ruby and Sapphire, with the latter proving the most popular.

The project has seen numerous changes  since its inception to the interiors of the villas, restaurants and swimming pools. However, the overall masterplan remains the same.

The villa interiors at XXII Carat boast everything from kitchens that reflect discerning taste to bathrooms that offer a luxurious retreat from everyday life.

All villas are furnished with high-end finishing materials and equipment imported from France and Italy, from brands such as La Cornue, Baldi, La Cuisine Française, Devon & Devon, Schuco and Miele.

Yachmenev says the kitchen is the first thing you notice when you step inside one of these villas.

“The kitchen is technically one of the most challenging part of the house, an everyday work area with its combination of humidity, heat, liquids, and air circulating in and out. It is, therefore, vital that the quality of materials, furniture and worktops in this room are guaranteed for lasting sustainability,” he points out.

The timeless beauty of La Cornue cookers, which are decorated with fleur de lis and one-of-a-kind enamelled plinths, is a clear standout feature. Complementing the cookers are the kitchen cabinets, which are fitted by leading French company La Cuisine Française.

“The bathrooms feature the jewel in the crown of XXII Carat villas – the $1 million bathtubs, created by high-end Italian interiors specialist Baldi.

“When it came to the bathroom décor, we turned to Italian bathroom design experts Devon & Devon, who were tasked with giving these rooms a touch of European elegance. Catalogue pieces were selected and painstakingly redesigned to furnish the bathrooms and hammams of the villas to adapt them to the Mediterranean style,” says Yachmenev.

He says buyers of these homes are luxury-minded people from all over the world, typically Europe and CIS countries.

“Our buyers are people with style and sophistication who know exactly what they want and they expect nothing less than perfection. They are aged 45 and above, are successful businessmen, owners of big companies, politicians and sportsmen. They tend to have big families and are looking for a unique beachfront holiday home where they can enjoy the Dubai lifestyle,” he adds.

The Forum Group specialises in exquisite developments using the most stringent European building standards and finishes to provide each resident with privacy and unique views of the beach and skyline.

Yachmenev says the aim for Forum Group has always been to go one step further and ensure it responds to any changes and challenges in the long term.

In its home ground in Russia, the group is mainly constructing mixed-use projects  as well as shopping malls, residential developments and master community developments.