scorecardDubai is getting these stunning $23 million floating villas that can withstand sea level rise
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Dubai is getting these stunning $23 million floating villas that can withstand sea level rise

This year, Dubai is getting its first of 33 floating villas by Waterstudio, which collaborated with French oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau.

Dubai is getting these stunning $23 million floating villas that can withstand sea level rise

The islands will also include outdoor patios with trees and a pool.

The islands will also include outdoor patios with trees and a pool.

The homes will not exactly be affordable. Each island will cost between $23 million and $27.5 million.

The homes will not exactly be affordable. Each island will cost between $23 million and $27.5 million.

They went on sale in 2015.

The islands will range in size from 150,000 to 450,000 square feet.

The islands will range in size from 150,000 to 450,000 square feet.

The only way to reach them will be by boat or seaplane. If water levels rise, so will the homes.

The only way to reach them will be by boat or seaplane. If water levels rise, so will the homes.

The floating, concrete base of the islands are designed to last for 100 years, according to Olthuis.

The floating, concrete base of the islands are designed to last for 100 years, according to Olthuis.

Waterstudio has exclusively built floating structures for over a decade. In 2008, the team completed this floating neighborhood in Amsterdam.

Waterstudio has exclusively built floating structures for over a decade. In 2008, the team completed this floating neighborhood in Amsterdam.

Waterstudio's latest luxury villas are part of an even more ambitious project that began in 2003 called "The World," a 24-square-mile archipelago of over 300 artificial islands. Dubai-based developer wants to start building homes and hotels on them by 2020.

Waterstudio

Prior to 2009, “The World” had already racked up $25 billion debt. The financial challenges have only gotten more difficult.

Prior to 2009, “The World” had already racked up $25 billion debt. The financial challenges have only gotten more difficult.

The Amillarah villas could revive the fantastical project. "We will see more floating neighborhoods in the next five to 10 years," Olthuis said. "Cities will start to see the water as an asset."

The Amillarah villas could revive the fantastical project. "We will see more floating neighborhoods in the next five to 10 years," Olthuis said. "Cities will start to see the water as an asset."

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