The Luxury Podcast

We have previously talked about the phenomenal growth of the off-plan market in Dubai. This has propelled the launch of several exciting new residential projects in the latter half of this year and has brought several boutique developers to the forefront. One of those developers is Amis Properties, whose inaugural project The Woodland Residences will soon officially launch in MBR City. Omar Gull,...

The rental market in Dubai is getting out of hand - at least, that's what the news seems to suggest. Rental prices have hit staggering highs, with apartment rents being at their highest point since February 2017. What does this mean for landlords and tenants going forward? And could we be on the cusp of a reversal? Simon Boden, Leasing Director of LuxuryProperty.com, examines the latest rental...

Dubai's real estate market is extremely lucrative for professionals from all walks of life, who aim to live the so-called 'Dubai dream' as they market some of the finest homes in the city. But registered brokers number in the tens of thousands - how does any agent stand out and find continued success? Maisie Hopkins, Training and Development Manager at LuxuryProperty.com, has a few tip...

Racing season is almost over and it is going out with a bang, as the final race is schedule on the famous Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. But a week before that, there is a brand new entry to the race schedule - the Las Vegas Grand Prix. One of the exhibitors at the event is Tyler Price, founder of ExoticWorld cars. Tyler joins the podcast to talk about his relationship with ResortWorld and the W...

Dubai has officially become the busiest luxury real estate market in the world with over AED3.1 billion ($850 million) worth of sales for properties priced at $10 million or higher. The off-plan sector has been performing especially well, with off-plan accounting for roughly 61% of all transactions. Mark Richards, Managing Director of LuxuryProperty.com, discusses the incredible growth of Dubai&#3...

Dubai is a city known for its incredible architecture and some of the most uniquely designed homes in the world. But what is the process behind that design? For CK Architecture, design isn't just about aesthetics - there is an entire philosophy that goes into the planning and execution of any project. Cem Kapancioglu, the Founder and CEO of CK Architecture, talks about his unique approach to d...

White glove services are one of the cornerstones of the hospitality industry and are becoming increasingly popular in the luxury residential sector. Truly, there is no greater sense of luxury than being assured that all of life's details are being managed by safe hands while you can enjoy complete peace of mind. Matteo Vigano and Emilie Alvernhe, the founders of First-Class Concierge Services and...

Stephanie Sarka, the Founder & CEO of 1 Atelier, talks about how she is taking sustainable fashion in a new direction with her bespoke accessory design service. It's a great way to get the perfect addition to your wardrobe while doing something good for the planet. As the concept of sustainability becomes more prevalent across all industries, it's important to take a moment and consider how bu...

There is no greater luxury in the world than being able to design your own home exactly as you want it, to suit your lifestyle. But the reality of building a home involves a lot of logistics, with various groups to coordinate and deadlines to consider. Fortunately, there are those who can help. Brendan Carbery, Managing Director of Shield Contract Services, talks about the work that his consultanc...

London has always been a top choice for home buyers and investors from across the world and has enjoyed a fairly solid performance in a post-Covid world. However, a changing economic climate and the appointment of a new prime minister have cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future of the market. Laura Conduit, a Partner in the Residential Property division of Farrer & Co., talks about the k...

What makes a hotel stay memorable? When we travel, we appreciate the little things that a five-star property has to offer, from the range of services to the small touches such as a soothing colour palette, hotel slippers, or perhaps heated floors in the bathroom. The rise of short-term rentals and holiday rentals now allows you to enjoy all of the comforts of hotel living in a home away from home....

Dubai's real estate market has been moving at a frenetic pace in 2022, for both sales and rentals. For LuxuryProperty.com, the award-winning brokerage that is the parent company of The Luxury Podcast, the rental business has been good this year - so good that the rental team had to be split into two divisions. Alex Eady (Head Short Stays and Leasing Director for Apartment Rentals) and Simon Boden...

Private membership cards offer a unique range of benefits and privileges, from discounts at some of the best restaurants in the world to exclusively hosted events. Carlo Cisco, the founder of Select Card, talks about how he set up his own private membership program and how he designed it to be very different from the other options out there. In this episode, we cover: - The benefits associated wit...

Virtual assets such as cryptocurrency and NFTs are still often seen as a fad rather than a meaningful advancement in the way we think about the future of business. The crypto market is extremely volatile and many celebrities are creating NFTs that don't offer much value beyond the novelty factor. While new laws are being drafted to regulate virtual assets, is it really possible to create a robust...

Sustainability is a concept that every industry is looking at very closely, with the aim of creating the best possible product that is also good for the environment. O2 Monde is a boutique footwear brand that champions the idea of sustainability with shoes that are completely vegan, made of unique plan-based materials through a process that has a low carbon footprint. Mirco Scoccia, the brains beh...

The short-term rental market in Dubai has been booming of late, and got a significant boost as a result of Expo 2020 and other recent world events. Award-winning luxury brokerage LuxuryProperty.com made its first official foray into the world of short-term rentals this year with the launch of its subsidiary brand 'Short Stays by LuxuryProperty.com'. Alex Eady, the Head of Short Stays, talks about...

A pen is one of the most indispensable tools that you can have - whether you are writing out a grocery list or signing an important contract. But some pens are so much more than that - they are style statements, fashion pieces and can offer a great insight into your personality. Michael Kahwajy-Hyland is the founder of Turning Point Pen Co., a manufacturer of luxury pens that is changing the face...

Brazil's most well-known interior design studio, with 17 showrooms located across the country, has just opened its doors in Dubai. Ornare, which means to decorate or adorn, provides a custom interior design solution that is backed up by decades of architectural and design expertise. Carina Fontes and Shalise Basso, who are both overseeing the Dubai outpost of Ornare, talk about their passion for d...

In Dubai, there is perhaps no better time to be a real estate agent than the present. The market has hit some phenomenal highs over the past 18 months, and it seems the best is yet to come. However, it's important to understand that a fast-moving market doesn't guarantee instant success. For all aspiring real estate brokers, there are several different factors to keep in mind. Mark Richards, Sales...

Imagine taking to the open water in your own private yacht, able to visit any corner of the world that you choose without a single care. There is one man who was done just that for the past 30 years and now dedicates his time to guiding others toward achieving the same dream. John Crupi is not only a highly experience yacht captain, he is the founder of Rubicon Maritime, a luxury yacht brokerage a...

Art is one of Dubai's hidden gems - while the city is best known for the artistry of its architecture and incredibly picturesque landmarks, there is an art movement that has been growing and evolving at a rapid pace. Paola Marucci, the co-founder of Italy's Oblong Contemporary Gallery, talks about how the art scene is developing in Dubai, the role Oblong plays in promoting art across the Middle Ea...

There are some car brands that are better known for design and others that put performance at the forefront - Audi is a brand that does both seamlessly, and is always looking for new ways to innovate. Elmir Arnautovic, the Director of Marketing & Communications for Audi Middle East, talks about the exciting developments that took place over the course of 2021, and the bold vision for the futur...

The real estate market across the world saw an uplift in 2021, especially key markets like Dubai, London and New York. There were over $30bn worth of sales closed in the prime New York market, and 2022 looks to be even bigger. SERHANT, the brokerage firm founded by celebrity realtor Ryan Serhant, took over the marketing and sales of a luxury condominium building in Manhattan known as The Westly. T...

The UAE's relationship with coffee goes back decades and is constantly evolving. Sometimes, it feels like there is a new coffeeshop opening up every day. But there are a few that stand out from the rest - Third Wave at Al Barari is just one such example. Yousif Al Hammadi, the founder of Third Wave talks about what it takes to create a unique coffee concept in a dynamic city like Dubai how the cof...

Since they were first announced a few years ago, Golden Visas in the UAE have been the source of much speculation and discussion. What are the exact criteria? How does it differ from a standard long-term visa? What are the exact benefits? Grant Kirk, COO of Synergy Gulf, is the man who can answer those questions. As someone who works with local and international clients on a regular basis to help...