The Brief
The client, a family of four residing in a three-bedroom villa in Damac Hills, approached us seeking to expand their living space without compromising the property's elegant aesthetic. Their primary goal was a ground floor extension to accommodate a larger open-plan kitchen and dining area, plus a dedicated playroom for their young children. The existing layout felt cramped, with the kitchen isolated from the main living zones, limiting family interactions during meals and gatherings. They specified a budget cap of AED 350,000, inclusive of all materials and labour, and a strict 10-week timeline to align with their summer travel plans. We assured them that our expertise in luxury villa renovations would deliver a seamless integration, enhancing both functionality and value while adhering to Dubai's stringent building codes.
Scope & Materials
Our ground floor extension project encompassed a 45-square-metre addition, featuring structural reinforcements, premium finishes, and smart home integrations. We demolished the existing utility room to create the new footprint, ensuring minimal disruption to the villa's core structure.
- Structural works: Reinforced concrete foundations with 25 MPa grade mix, supporting steel beams (S355 grade) for the extended roofline.
- Exterior cladding: Natural limestone panels from a Turkish quarry, 20mm thick, for a timeless Mediterranean look matching the original villa facade.
- Interior walls: Gypsum board partitions with acoustic insulation (Rockwool 50mm) for soundproofing the playroom.
- Flooring: Imported Italian porcelain tiles (60x60cm, porcelain stoneware) in a neutral grey tone, rated for high-traffic durability.
- Kitchen fit-out: Custom oak cabinetry with soft-close mechanisms, topped with 30mm Quartzite worktops from Caesarstone in a veined marble effect.
- Electrical and plumbing: Recessed LED lighting (Philips Hue system, 3000K warm white), plus underfloor heating pipes (PEX tubing) connected to a 24kW boiler.
- Finishes: Matte black aluminium windows (Schüco profile, double-glazed with low-E coating) for energy efficiency, and matte emulsion paint (Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt) throughout.
These selections balanced luxury with practicality, sourcing 70% of materials locally in Dubai to expedite delivery and reduce costs.
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Timeline
We executed the project in a disciplined 10-week schedule, meeting every deadline through precise coordination with our in-house teams and vetted subcontractors. Key milestones ensured transparency and on-time completion.
- Weeks 1-2: Site survey, demolition of utility room, and excavation for foundations; concrete poured and cured to specification.
- Weeks 3-4: Steel framework erection and masonry for new walls; limestone cladding installed on exterior.
- Weeks 5-6: Roofing with insulated panels (100mm PIR core) and window fittings; internal framing and plumbing rough-ins completed.
- Weeks 7-8: Electrical wiring, underfloor heating installation, and kitchen cabinetry assembly; all systems tested for compliance.
- Weeks 9-10: Final finishes including tiling, painting, and appliance integration; full clean-up, snagging, and handover with client walkthrough.
This phased approach minimised downtime, with the family able to use adjacent areas throughout, culminating in a flawless handover on the agreed date.
Before → After
Before the extension, the villa's ground floor suffered from compartmentalised spaces that stifled flow. The original kitchen, a mere 12 square metres, was tucked away behind a narrow corridor, forcing family members to shout across rooms during dinners. The absence of a dedicated play area meant toys cluttered the living room, disrupting the serene atmosphere the clients cherished in Damac Hills' manicured community.
After completion, the transformation unlocked an expansive 57-square-metre open-plan zone where the kitchen seamlessly merges with dining and play areas. Natural light floods in through floor-to-ceiling windows, highlighting the Quartzite surfaces and oak joinery. The playroom, now partitioned yet connected via sliding glass doors, provides a safe haven for children while preserving adult tranquility. Functionality soared: cooking became a social event, storage tripled with integrated cabinetry, and the overall space value increased by an estimated 15%, aligning perfectly with the villa's AED 4.5 million market worth.
Client Quote
What You'd Pay
For a similar ground floor villa extension in Damac Hills, spanning 40-50 square metres, expect to invest between AED 280,000 and AED 400,000. This range hinges on specifics: opting for standard porcelain tiles and local steel keeps costs nearer AED 280,000, while premium imports like Italian Quartzite or smart integrations can push it to AED 400,000. Structural complexities, such as integrating with an older villa foundation, add 10-15% (around AED 35,000), whereas straightforward sites shave off AED 20,000. Timeline pressures beyond 12 weeks might inflate labour by 20%, but our efficient processes lock in the lower end without skimping on luxury standards.
Ground floor villa extension in Damac Hills, Dubai, costs AED 120K+ and takes 8-12 weeks, including design, approvals, and construction by First Unicorn Interiors. This adds up to 50-100 sqm of living space with full municipality permits. Our in-house team ensures 3-year warranty on all works.
- Villa extension in Damac Hills starts at AED 120K for ground floor additions up to 100 sqm.
- Project timeline: 8-12 weeks from design to completion, including 2 weeks for approvals.
- Dubai Municipality issues building permits and NOCs for extensions in gated communities like Damac Hills.
- First Unicorn handles full process: architectural drawings, 3D visuals, and fitouts with 800+ projects experience.
- Enhance your villa with outdoor kitchen or pool extension, backed by 3-year warranty on structural and finishes.