Open House: A sweeping Polo Homes villa

Perched amid the tree-lined streets of Polo Homes, a private, gated community within Dubai’s Arabian Ranches, this villa has been designed to feel both spacious and intimate. Originally spanning 7,500 square feet, it has been expanded to 10,500 square feet, resulting in an airy, open layout that maximises natural light and strengthens the connection between indoor and outdoor living. The goal was simple: to reimagine the address as a home that feels like a blank slate—elegant but adaptable, with high-quality finishes and a design that flows effortlessly into daily life.

Polo Homes is well known as a destination for privacy and understated luxury. It’s part of Arabian Ranches, but with only 70 residences, the neighbourhood has a private, peaceful feel to it. During the drive in, it’s not uncommon to pass by grazing horses, while the surrounding greenery and desertscape offer a rare moment of stillness and connection to nature in a fast-moving city. Despite its calm, however, this community is well connected. The Palm Jumeirah is just 30 minutes away, while Downtown Dubai is a 40-minute drive, making it easy for residents to shift between their peaceful retreat and Dubai’s urban energy.

The larger Arabian Ranches development has long been a favourite among families and couples who value their privacy and an active lifestyle. This is thanks to the development’s wide-open spaces, cycling trails, and a strong sense of community. Elite sporting facilities, including the Arabian Ranches Golf Club and the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club, are just minutes away, offering a way of living that balances relaxation with activity. Essential amenities are dotted throughout the neighbourhood—there’s a village-style community centre with supermarkets, banks, cafés, and boutique retail, while the Ranches Souk draws together more than 35 concepts, spanning dining destinations and lifestyle stores.

In the middle of it all, this redesigned villa at Polo Homes embodies what makes the area so desirable. It’s a place where thoughtful design meets easy, everyday comfort—a home built for entertaining, unwinding, and everything in between.

To learn more, we sat down with Jason, one of the driving forces behind the project, to talk about what went into creating this impressive home that feels as practical as it is inviting.

LUXHABITAT: Could you start by telling us a bit about your group?

Jason: We are a close-knit group of friends who share a real passion for real estate. Our journey began years ago with a collective vision of creating homes that are not only luxurious but also thoughtfully designed. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of bringing some truly exceptional projects to life. Rather than taking on numerous projects, we focus on a select few addresses that we believe in each year. This allows us to dedicate our full attention to the details, ensuring each residence meets the highest standards and truly stands out.

LUXHABITAT: What drew you to this villa and its community?

Jason: Polo Homes has a unique atmosphere. It’s part of Arabian Ranches, but it feels quieter, with only 70 homes in the entire community offering a unique blend of exclusivity and accessibility. The drive in is really special. It feels grounding as you pass by rows of paddocks, with horses grazing in the mornings and late afternoons. Despite its seclusion, the villa is conveniently located and well-connected to the rest of the city, with a 30-minute drive down Umm Suqeim Road leading to the Palm Jumeirah and 40 minutes to Downtown Dubai.

The spacious plots and large villas offered ample opportunity for customisation, which was a significant draw for us. We wanted a house that felt open and adaptable while making the most of the outdoor spaces. The community also has great dining concepts, a pool, and a seating area overlooking the polo field, which adds to an elevated and active outdoor lifestyle.

LUXHABITAT: How would you describe the villa’s design journey? Did you undertake any renovations or structural changes? What aesthetic were you aiming for, and what do you feel makes your home unique?

Jason: The original villa spanned 7,500 square feet, but we saw the potential for expansion to better suit modern living needs. Through careful planning and strategic extensions, we increased the space to 10,500 square feet. The initial layout was somewhat compartmentalised, so our primary goal was to create an open, airy environment. We achieved this by removing walls, increasing window heights, and introducing extensions that enhanced both functionality and natural light. Understanding the developer's guidelines allowed us to thoughtfully redesign the floor plan, adding a dedicated service area, an upper-level family space, a shared bathroom, a bedroom, an open-plan formal living area, a show kitchen, and a private courtyard. These additions not only improved functionality but also contributed to a fluid indoor-outdoor connection. Elements like floor-to-ceiling glass, light wood, and stone enhance the connection to nature and feed into an open and inviting atmosphere overall.

LUXHABITAT: Can you walk us through the layout of the home? What are some standout features? Tell us about the amenities and design in the outdoor spaces.

Jason: The villa comprises six main bedrooms, with two additional flexible rooms, one on the ground floor and one on the first floor, that allow future homeowners to tailor the space to their needs - they could, for example, be utilised as a gym or office space. Key highlights include a grand courtyard entrance that offers an effortless indoor-outdoor connection and recalls regional design traditions. There’s also a sophisticated formal living area and a stunning show kitchen complemented by a fully functional chef’s kitchen. It’s ideal for foodies as it is fitted out with Gaggenau appliances, and amenities include a double basket pasta maker, double electric hot plate, gas BBQ station as well as filtered drinking water.

The outdoor space is fully landscaped, it was completely reimagined to enhance the flow between the interior and exterior realms. We aimed for practicality, ensuring the space is suitable for both everyday family life and larger social gatherings. Features like a heat chiller unit for the pool ensure year-round usability, making the outdoor area a true extension of the home.

LUXHABITAT: Inside the home, how did you approach the interior aesthetics? What were your key considerations for materials, colours, and lighting?

Jason: Our vision was to create a timeless aesthetic that remains elegant and inviting. We opted for a predominantly neutral colour palette, providing a refined backdrop with subtle touches of colour to add personality and warmth. Material selection was crucial; we opted for elements not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their durability. For instance, the main entry features imported stone from Iran with intricate lines and detailing, while the first floor boasts wooden flooring from Sweden, adding warmth and character. Lighting was carefully considered to enhance the villa’s ambience; it can evolve according to needs at various moments in the day. We also incorporated skylights in the courtyard, staircase, master bathroom, and dressing room to maximise natural light, creating bright and welcoming spaces during the day and a softer, more intimate atmosphere in the evenings. The interior design follows a Japandi style, blending Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian cosiness, resulting in a peaceful yet connected environment.

LUXHABITAT: When it comes to furnishing your home, where do you find inspiration? Are there any key pieces that hold special meaning?

Jason: Furnishing the home was about striking the perfect balance between comfort, functionality, and style. We wanted the space to feel inviting—somewhere you could truly live in, whether relaxing alone or entertaining guests. Each furniture piece was thoughtfully selected, in the master bedroom, the carpet is a one-off, for example, handmade by artisans in Jaipur. The seating arrangements were designed for both intimate moments and large gatherings, ensuring flexibility.

One of the standout pieces is the dining table—it serves as a statement feature, with carefully selected marble that adds a sophisticated yet grounded feel to the space. Dividing the formal kitchen and formal living room is an opening of 8 metres, which has four large fluted glass sliding panels into pockets that keep the rooms separate from each other. Additionally, off the master bedroom wardrobe is a secret door entering into one of the spare rooms. Sticking with the hidden door theme, in the courtyard, the office, the guest bedroom, and the gym room have frameless doors that blend seamlessly with one another.

LUXHABITAT: How did you ensure aesthetic cohesion throughout the rooms? 

Jason: Cohesion was achieved through careful planning. Creating a mood board and sample board was essential in visualising how all elements would come together. The key was to blend textures and finishes harmoniously. We also embraced contrast in a subtle way: a soft rug to add warmth, natural wood for a cosy feel, and selective colour accents to bring life into the space.

For additional details, view the listing.