Urban Density Solution: Underwater Townhouses?

United Arab Emirates, and especially Dubai, produces incredible market-leading projects known for their advanced concepts and sheer scale. This year, one of the most ambitious developing enterprises is going to be The Floating Seahorse — luxury floating villas, partially hidden under water.

The Floating Seahorse is a truly unique underwater product which is the first of its kind in the world. In real terms, it's a marine style retreat (essentially a boat, without propulsion) but it has its own plot in the Arabian Gulf.

But essentially, it's an underwater villa, and one of the most talked about luxury lifestyle products in the past 12 months. Designed, engineered and built in the UAE, 40 Signature Edition Floating Seahorses are now under production and are currently priced at AED 12 million.

The complex will be home to 42 boats/villas, each with three levels - basically, your very own aquarium. The Floating Seahorse has been designed and developed by leading European architects for Kleindienst Group’s iconic island project, located just 4km from the coast of Dubai.

The Signature Edition of The Floating Seahorse will be an idyllic and exclusive holiday retreat for UAE residents and international tourists. After months of undertaking research, tenders and due diligence, developer Kleindienst and The Heart of Europe have teamed up with key contractors and suppliers to fabricate the world’s first Floating Seahorse. Over 5,000 hours have been invested in research and development and more than 13,000 hours in design and engineering. Over 200 specialists and professionals from 25 different countries have been involved in the exciting Floating Seahorse project.

CEO of Kleindienst Group, Josef Kleindienst adds “Many months of research, design and planning have gone into The Floating Seahorse and we are excited to be able to officially launch and build it in Dubai. We are confident that it will set a new benchmark in the luxury lifestyle market worldwide for outstanding innovation, contemporary design and underwater living at its best.”

CEO Josef Kleindienst explains the reasoning behind the project's name. “The Seahorse is an endangered species and we will create an artificial coral reef beneath the luxury retreats which will be a protected area in which seahorses can safely live and breed. Very soon, people will be able to see up-close and personal, the beautiful and elegant Arabian horse of the ocean – the seahorse!”

Each Floating Seahorse will weigh 188 tonnes and feature 25m2 (269 sq ft) of underwater glazing and a coral garden spanning 46m2 (495 sq ft). The underwater level of The Floating Seahorse will be the idyllic environment in which seahorses can live and breed in their natural habitat in The Arabian Gulf.

Offering four flexi living/sleeping areas, The Signature Edition accommodates up to eight adults and eight children and provides excellent versatility whereby each level can be adapted to suit individual needs as and when required. Each unit can also be customized to ensure the ultimate in privacy by fully enclosing the outdoor areas on the sea level and upper level. When not enclosed, these outdoor areas can be used for alfresco entertaining all-year-round thanks to the introduction of climate controlled technology and innovation.

The floating luxury homes have a total of three levels, with one being submerged under water. Each villa offers spacious 1,700 sq ft of floor area.

The main floor will feature an outdoor shower, kitchen, and glass-bottomed Jacuzzi. The underwater level is home to the master bedroom and bathroom, with floor-to-ceiling windows complete with views of life under the sea.

A reputable UAE contractor with international experience was appointed to construct the first Floating Seahorse and fabrication is now underway in dry dock facilities in the UAE. The naval engineering consultants have also been contracted for the project and are an international company located in the UAE with extensive experience in design, classification and the launch of vessels.

Where the underwater glazing of The Floating Seahorse is concerned, Kleindienst and The Heart of Europe have selected a well-established global specialist using state-of-the-art technology. With over 40 years’ experience and international certifications, the reputable European company has an in-depth understanding of underwater projects and is synonymous with delivering premium quality materials.
Contractors Appointed For $AED4.8bn "Heart of Europe" Project
Kleindienst, the biggest European real estate company in Dubai, recently announced the appointment of JK Bauen Building Contracting, Wuchang Ship Building Industry Group Co. Ltd and Sino Great Wall International Engineering Co. Ltd. for The Heart of Europe – a project comprising a cluster of six islands on The World.

The LOA, executed on 29th November 2016 by the The Heart of Europe Chairman Mr. Josef Kleindienst, Mr. Y Shaoxi and Mr. L Rong, formalises the awarding of construction projects worth AED4.8 billion. This follows the Strategic Cooperation Agreement and the formal MOU signed between these companies in Wuhan, China, earlier in the month.

Visit: thefloatingseahorse.com