Dubai's 100 Villas as they used to be

100 Villas was a 1970's development of low cost / low rent Villas built on Dubai's coastline towards Jebel Ali. Development comprised 100 single storey Villas which were known (not surprisingly) as "The 100 Villas"! They became a popular place to live despite being out of town by 1970's standards. Low rents and beachside location were the attractions. International Air Radio leased many of these Villas to house staff operating Air Traffic Control services at Dubai Airport. No more Villas were built after the initial 100.

Dubai began to recognise this beachside land's value as Dubai grew outwards. Hotels and Resorts were planned for the area. Around year 2000 the "100 Villas" were vacated. 96 Villas were demolished to make way for Dubai's new Resort Hotels. However four Villas were not demolished. They were kept for Dubai's new "Big Secret" project. That "Big Secret" project was Palm Island Jumeirah.

100 Villas and the start of Palm Island Jumeirah.

These remaining Villas became the Management Centre for Dubai's "Big Secret" - the building of Palm Island. Designers, Salesforce, Management were housed in these old Villas. Bedrooms walls were now adorned with Designers' Concept drawings and plans for Palm Island Villas. Lounges became sales offices and meeting rooms. Photocopiers, Printers and Computers filled hallways. Kitchens constantly made coffee and tea instead of family meals with the inevitable "Tea Boys" collecting and delivering orders. Gardens were turned into car parks.

Around June 2001 the Palm Island Project became public. Palm Island's Sales and Design workforce relocated to a grandiose new Sales Office. The last four of the 100 Villas disappeared to make way for Dubai's new Resort Hotels.

Cheap Beachside Living in Dubai

This photos shows 100 Villas' close proximity to Dubai's beach as well as its isolation from Dubai. Only a single road from Dubai led to the 100 Villas. That road terminated at the 100 Villas.

Not so Cheap Beachside Living in Dubai

100 Villas provided cheap but exclusive beachside living. They have been replaced by equally exclusive but not so cheap Resort style beachside living!