VILLA dell' ARTE

A red bear sculpture on the roof: Mr. Eight sells a building designed as an art piece

A red bear-shaped sculpture, set on the rooftop and visible from the marina, is the landmark Mr. Eight Development picked for VILLA dell' ARTE. The building stays modest in height. It has a ground floor, two podium levels, eight floors of apartments and an amenities deck on the roof. Handover is scheduled for December 2027, on a freehold basis, on Dubai Islands, the archipelago Nakheel is building off the coast of Deira. The developer launched the scheme in 2025 at The Royal Atlantis, with Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody on hand, a sign that the marketing around the project carries as much weight as the floor plans.

A Monaco-style facade, with Red Bear on the roof

For the building's shell, the developer points to the coastal architecture of Monaco and the French Riviera. In practice, that means a low-rise volume, private terraces and large glass openings, a world away from the glass towers of Business Bay. The Red Bear works as a visual signature: the brochure frames it as a nod to contemporary art, bringing colour and a playful touch. For an investor, the logic is fairly straightforward. On an island where ten to fifteen-storey buildings tend to blend together, a recognisable silhouette helps with resale and short-term rentals. Whether the aesthetic bet holds up over time is another question.

Eight floors, from one-bedroom to duplex

The unit mix runs from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom layouts, with some units built as duplexes. Kitchens are Italian, made by San Marino, and fitted with Bosch appliances. The developer describes interiors drawing on contemporary art and panoramic windows, though the documents reviewed don't break down floor areas. With only eight occupied floors, the number of units stays limited, and that's exactly what Mr. Eight highlights when it markets the project as a boutique-style serviced residence. The mix appeals both to a single buyer after a managed pied-à-terre and to a family looking for a four-bedroom near the beach.

Outdoor cinema and a pool facing the marina

The rooftop carries most of the leisure facilities. It includes an infinity pool facing the marina, a barbecue area and an open-air cinema. On the Club level, landscaped terraces lit up at night echo the Mediterranean theme of the facade. A Balance Club fitness studio, a spa area with sauna, a children's play area and beach access round out the offering. Pets are allowed, with a pet-sitting service on offer, a detail few neighbouring projects advertise.

Mr. Eight Hotel Management runs the show

The developer set up its own hospitality arm, Mr. Eight Hotel Management LLC, to handle day-to-day operations and à la carte services. Residents can book a chauffeured Mercedes-Benz S 600 and golf carts with drivers that connect the island's Mr. Eight residences, the mall and the beach club. They also get access to a 2023 Riva 38 Rivamare. This mahogany-decked boat, powered by twin Volvo Penta D6 300 engines, reaches 40 knots and always goes out with a professional captain. It's moored five minutes away at a private marina and can be booked through the concierge. This service model already runs at Villa del Gavi, the developer's neighbouring project. Buyers should check, before signing, what's covered by service charges and what gets billed per use.

248 berths nearby, DIFC 15 minutes away

The Dubai Islands marina, run by Nakheel on the island's north shore, offers 248 wet berths for boats between 9 and 47 metres. There are also 40 dry berths and 13 slots reserved for superyachts over 47 metres, and Nakheel has plans for further marinas across the archipelago. By road, DIFC sits 15 minutes away. Downtown, Business Bay and Dubai Mall are roughly 20 minutes off via the new bridge. The master plan also calls for two golf courses (9 and 18 holes), a cultural district and a mall, but much of that infrastructure still exists only on paper. Anyone buying in 2025 is betting on the building's handover, and on the progress of the island around it.