Armani Beach Residences

Armani builds its first beach villas, and they're in Ras Al Khaimah

Forty one villas, not one more. That's the number RAK Properties settled on for Armani Beach Residences, on Raha Island in the Mina Al Arab district. According to the official brochure, these are the first villas anywhere to carry the Armani name, a brand that had until now stuck to apartments and hotels, such as the Armani Hotel Dubai inside the Burj Khalifa. A separate building holds apartments and penthouses, but it's the villas that carry the weight of the project's positioning. Handover is set for March 2029, on a freehold basis.

Four villa layouts, from 615 to 793 sqm

The range comes down to just four typologies. The four bedroom Ocean villa measures 616 sqm, and the five bedroom Ocean villa 615 sqm, so nearly the same footprint despite the extra room. The five bedroom Beach villa reaches 674 sqm. The six bedroom Beach villa tops out at 793 sqm (8,539 square feet), putting it among the largest residential units currently on offer along the emirate's coastline. The masterplan draws a clear line between the two: Beach villas sit directly on the sand, while Ocean villas take the tip of the peninsula with terraces facing open water.

Armani/Casa handles the interiors

Interiors are designed by Armani/Casa, the Milan house's interior design arm. The stated palette stays understated, built around natural tones and materials that pair Italian craftsmanship with motifs drawing on Eastern design. The developer hasn't released a detailed finishes spec sheet yet, something a buyer should ask for before signing. Brochure renders show open floor plans that spill into the outdoors, private pools and decks extending the living spaces. Much of the brand's value here rests on this fit out work, and on how closely it matches what's actually delivered at handover.

Raha Island, 32 km from the Wynn construction site

Raha Island belongs to the wider Mina development, a mangrove lined waterfront south of Ras Al Khaimah city. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport sits 23 km away, Dubai International (DXB) is 95 km out, and Abu Dhabi is 220 km. The Wynn Resort on Al Marjan Island is 32 km by road, though the project includes a boat shuttle to the resort, which changes how that distance actually plays out. The Jebel Jais mountains are 74 km away. The island is reached via a dedicated access road, with its own arrival and drop off area for residents.

A members only beach club and Quintessentially concierge

The project leans less on an amenities checklist and more on a service model. The beach club, open to members only, includes an infinity pool, a bar, two restaurants with terraces, a wine cellar and a cigar lounge with humidor. Within the residences, the spa offers a hammam, a dry sauna with a Himalayan salt room and a cold plunge, backed by a Technogym and Peloton equipped fitness room and a dedicated pet room. On demand concierge services run through Quintessentially, covering Rolls-Royce chauffeur service, boat or helicopter rental and butler services. Worth flagging: the shuttle to Wynn and mooring at nearby marinas both turn into paid services after two years of ownership.

Who it's for, and what to check

With unit sizes this large and an entry price running into eight figures in dirhams, the buyer pool is narrow. It's mostly wealthy families from the Gulf or Europe looking for a second home an hour from Dubai, along with collectors of branded real estate. RAK Properties, a locally listed developer already active in Mina with Solera Downtown Mina, is putting its top tier project on the table here. Service charges, bound to run high given the level of amenities, should be confirmed in writing before committing. The March 2029 handover date also leaves time to see what effect the Wynn opening actually has on coastal prices.