O’Driscoll splashes out on Dubai home

GREAT beaches, vibrant nightlife, year-round sunshine and awesome golf courses are thought to be the primary reasons why rugby star Brian O’Driscoll decided to buy a home in a private gated development in Dubai.

O’Driscoll, following a visit to Dubai last month, has purchased an apartment in the €446 million Tiara Residence which is nearing completion.

On his initial visit to Dubai in April for the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-19 World Championship, he said he was impressed with what the city had to offer.

“The Tiara development is just mind-blowing, considering the amount of planning that has gone into it. The facilities and ambience it offers is exactly what I am looking for, it is definitely the best property in Dubai that I have seen so far,” he said.

Before making his decision to purchase the home in Tiara, O’Driscoll toured the entire development and had discussions with the architects and engineers behind the project.

On completion, the property will consist of seven 15-level buildings plus a penthouse floor.

Tiara Residence buildings include luxurious and spacious one, two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 1,200 to 2,250 square feet. There will be 238 one-bedroom, 210 two-bedroom, 182 three-bedroom apartments and 14 penthouses. The development will have basement-level parking for 1,300 cars.

“Not only is this a fantastic place to come on holiday, especially during the cold winter at home, but it also has the potential to be a major international sporting destination,” said Mr O’Driscoll, widely regarded to be the finest player to ever represent Ireland.

Tiara Residence is located off the main trunk of the Palm Jumeirah which also houses the Anantara Resort and Spa.

Under the scheme, clients buying an apartment at Tiara Residence have the opportunity to lease out their apartments exclusively through a property management company and generate a yearly return equivalent to 10% of the original price of the property for a period of three years.