These ultra-luxurious underwater homes are being built in Dubai
The giant fleet of so-called 'Floating Seahorses' have been rolling out in phases over the last year
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Your support makes all the difference.In the clear-blue waters off the coast of Dubai lies a chain of islands known as The Heart of Europe. They're manmade reconstructions of actual European nations, just on a smaller scale — part of an even larger chain of islands known as “The World.”
Richard Branson, fittingly, owns the island representing Great Britain.
The Heart of Europe rolled out its first $2.8 million floating home, the aptly named “Floating Seahorse,” in early 2016. Since then, development firm Kleindienst has been rolling out even larger homes that will cost roughly $3.3 million.
Keep scrolling to see the gorgeous renderings.
The $2.8 million Floating Seahorse is the product of more than 5,000 hours of research and 13,000 hours of design and engineering, according to design firm Kleindienst Group.
The first models went on sale in 2015, before any Seahorses were even completed. Kleindienst told Business Insider it sold approximately 60 Seahorses in 2015.
The underwater portion, composed of a master bedroom and bathroom, will make up approximately 270 square feet on the interior. Just outside the walls is a 500-square-foot coral garden.
From the home, residents will be able to see actual seahorses dance through the Arabian Gulf — the animal's natural habitat.
The floating homes will have a massive floating bed as well as an observation deck above water.
If you want to take a swim, a convenient step-ladder offers a safe entry and exit. Or you could just dive right in.
Since the structures are located about two and a half miles from Dubai's shores, inhabitants can reach their Seahorse via boat or seaplane.
It's not exactly the most accessible way to get to and from home, but once they're out there, they can cross between the islands via floating jetties.
The company says it hopes the structure can set a new standard for what it means to live lavishly.
Kleindienst also hopes it can make some headway in restoring the endangered seahorse population in the area.
“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,” Kleindienst said at an unveiling even in May 2015.
The firm completed the rollout of its Signature Edition line of villas in fall of 2016. At 4,000 square feet and $3.3 million, they are a major upgrade from the original model.
The Signature Edition will have four designated bedrooms and several rooms that can transform into sleeping quarters, meaning the Seahorse can accommodate up to eight adults and eight children, according to Kleindienst.
These bigger structures will feature complete smart home automation, even down to the blinds.
The underwater views are just as impressive, with marine life on full display in the master bedroom.
Below the water's surface there are actually two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a viewing area for the coral garden.
There will be nearly 900 square feet of living space and 600 square feet on the outside of the Seahorse for the garden.
Kleindienst said it has already sold out of its first three editions, the most recent being the Tzar Edition for the island being built in the St. Petersburg portion of The World.
More than 200 designers, engineers, and architects from 25 countries have been working to make the underwater fantasy a reality.
Once the homes hit the water, they'll be a breathtaking sight to behold — for humans and marine life alike.
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Read the original article on Business Insider UK. © 2017. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.
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