Considering a move to Dubai this year? This extravagant location – which is one of the wealthiest in the seven United Emirates – is home to some of the world’s most impressive and property developments, and is a location in which you’ll never come up short in the pursuit of luxury.
From the opulent Palm Jumeirah to the towering Burj Al Arab, Dubai has long been famed for its lavish architectural masterpieces – but new and exciting development company Muraba has been making waves in recent months following the inauguration of its breath-taking new oceanfront project, Muraba Residences.
A boutique property development company catering to high-net-worth individuals, Muraba’s properties start from £1 million, but it’s a small price to pay to be able to live in one of its incredible new residences, which have become some of the most highly sought-after in Dubai – or to make a savvy investment in them that is certain to bring returns.
Standing out from the crowd thanks to its innovative approach to design and with a focus on customer experience, Muraba aims to create sophisticated and intimate projects where others are big and bold – and Muraba Residences, which comprises 50 units and 46 residences, is its first and proudest achievement.
Found on the Eastern Crescent of the Palm Jumeirah, the site enjoys a privileged location on the open sea and faces an awe-inspiring skyline that brings both the iconic Burj al Arab and equally renowned Burj Khalifa together in one frame. Enjoying daily views that take in both the rising and setting of the sun, it’s easy to see how this exciting canvas could serve as inspiration for a very special project indeed, and form the backdrop for an exceptional living experience that simply can’t be found elsewhere in Dubai.
“When we started the project, we didn’t have any preconceptions or visions of what we wanted to look at. The starting point was finding the right location and understanding what the market wanted,” explains Muraba founder, Ibrahim Al Ghurair.
“Then, it was a collaboration between our team and our chosen architects. The guiding principle was always ‘how do we create something that is both an exceptional space and delivers an enjoyable experience?’
“Wherever you are in a Muraba Residence apartment, you feel you are in the sea. Whether you’re in the dining room or the kitchen, you always feel the sea present – and that is exactly the kind of unique and immersive experience we had in mind.”
Muraba Residences is the first project Muraba has collaborated on with 2017 Pritzker Prize Laureates, RCR Arquitectes. After visiting different architects and perusing their work, Ghurair was impressed by the fact that the spaces created by the Spanish architectural firm – founded by Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem and Ramon Vilalta – went beyond the bricks and mortar alone, and the fact that there was an aesthetic language in each of their projects that one could not fail to notice.
“We saw projects where only two materials were used, conceptually – glass and metal – and with only those two materials, a magical space had been created. For us, this was ingenious – and we knew instantly that RCR was the perfect partner to help bring our vision to life,” says Ghurair.
“Each project was in complete harmony with its surroundings, and everything came together to bring delight and peace to the space – and we knew that it was something we wanted to replicate – in a unique way – at Muraba Residences.”
Carme Pigem, founding partner of RCR Arquitectes – the firm responsible for the design of the imposing Musée Soulages in Rodez, France, as well as collaborating on the central public library and media centre in Ghent, Belgium – was similarly drawn to working on the project alongside Muraba.
“We instantly loved the site when we visited it, particularly with its stunning view over the ocean,” he says.
“In reality, it’s a place where the water is very calm; very blue. In particular, the view of the Burj Al Arab, and then the silhouette of Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa in the background blew us away – then behind, the beach and beyond to the Atlantis hotel.
“Really, the view from all directions gave us a lot of information about the project. The location and its environment were the main inspirations for Muraba Residences, as we recognised the need for spaces to be fluid in relation to the exterior. The idea is to be able to experience the exterior from the interior, and it’s something we feel has not only been achieved, but in such a way that has exceeded our expectations.”
The design of Muraba Residences began in a workshop between Ibrahim and the Muraba team, and RCR. A creative process exercise that saw them look at every aspect of design in order to incorporate details that create a unique living experience through balance between the exterior and the interior, both parties were excited about the project from the start, with both the concept and the design being perfectly in tune with one another.
“Seen from outside, the building is serene and restrained,” says Pigem. “Its modest scale and simple materials lend it a nobility and strength, in contrast to the extravagance of its neighbours. By renouncing excess and avoiding the glib attempts at ‘icon-making’ that characterise so many developments around the world today, Muraba Residences defines a new era in Dubai property.”
For Ghurair and Muraba, the aim was always for the company to chart its own path, with the aim of crafting experiences rather than building real estate, whilst also remaining viable – but the task wasn’t without its challenges.
“Being directly on the water challenged us to create something special. The aim was to create residences on the water – not just a view of the water – to bring calm and serenity to the space. We really believe that we have been able to deliver on the promise of creating an exceptional living experience, with a focus on bringing the surroundings into the building and making residents feel part of it rather than just being able to look at it. Today, they are already starting to enjoy this experience and find Muraba to be an escape within the city.”
Dubai has always challenged itself in different ways from an architectural and design standpoint, and Muraba considers itself, and Muraba Residences, part of the story of its evolution, aiming to continue challenging itself to create exceptional experiences.
Muraba is never one to rest on its laurels, and prides itself on always seeing things through – not just making grand promises, but delivering on them, too. And in the pursuit of its vision for Muraba Residences, it left no stone unturned, with an enormous amount of work and planning going into getting the project just right.
Of course, this innovative project isn’t to all tastes – something that Ghurair and his team were well aware of from the start.
“We know that the Residences don’t suit everyone, but that is part of its beauty. The aim was to cater to those with an eye for more contemporary architecture and design – those with ‘different horizons’,” he says.
With a clean and contemporary aesthetic built and designed to the highest of specifications, the attention to detail at Muraba Residences is clear. European fixtures, fittings and finishes can be found throughout, with all living spaces across the 50 units and 46 residences – including four penthouses – enjoying breath-taking views of the ocean and the iconic Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa.
Despite its city location, it feels somewhat removed, providing residents with a peaceful haven away from the hustle and bustle – and with glass fins to provide privacy screening and three elevator cores to ensure each resident shares an arrival lobby with one other neighbour, privacy is guaranteed.
Facilities include a spa, gym and pool amenities, allowing for the ultimate luxury lifestyle to be lived out from the comfort of one’s home.
