Case Study: Full Villa Renovation in Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT)

When our client purchased this villa in JVT, Dubai, she didn’t just want to upgrade the finishes — she wanted to transform everything.

From demolishing walls and rewiring MEP to installing a 10x4m overflowing pool and modernizing the entire interior, this was more than a renovation — it was a full rebirth. And City Contracting was trusted to deliver it.

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Project Background & Client Goals

The client approached us with a clear and ambitious brief:

Strip down the entire villa to its bones
Change MEP, finishes, room functions, kitchen layout, and ceilings
Completely redo the outdoors: a new pool, landscaping, and shaded seating areas
Achieve a modern minimalist interior within the limits of Nakheel’s strict architectural guidelines

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The villa had an outdated, traditional look inside and out. The exterior couldn’t legally be altered — yet the client still wanted it to **look and feel like a contemporary home**.

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Scope of Work

Our team handled the entire design and build scope, including:

Interior demolition: walls, tiling, and full MEP removal
Complete MEP infrastructure: HVAC, plumbing, electrical
Full civil works and reconfiguration
Modern finishing: marble-look floors, decorative wall panels, recessed lighting
Custom gypsum ceilings and lighting integrations
Joinery, carpentry, and decorative wood paneling
Pool construction with an underground pump room to reduce equipment noise
Landscaping, tiling, and two shaded pergolas outdoors

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Every corner of the home — from the **entrance door to the pool’s edge** — was designed, built, and handed over by City Contracting.

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Key Transformations (Before & After)

We turned:

A dark, dated staircase into a glowing architectural feature with gold accents
A generic garden into a resort-style oasis with palm trees, pergolas, and a sleek infinity pool
Flat, lifeless ceilings into multi-layered lighting experiences with warm recessed strips
A basic living room into an elegant, integrated space featuring texture, reflection, and precise symmetry
Every outdated wall into a statement piece — using subtle trims, fluted panels, and curated material selection

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Example of the staircase transformation.

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Challenges & Solutions

✅ Challenge 1: Strict Nakheel Guidelines

Nakheel did not allow modern changes to the exterior — especially on older villas. However, the client was determined to shift toward a clean, minimal look.

Our solution: We proposed subtle material and texture upgrades that stayed within the approved envelope — while still modernizing the aesthetic. After multiple design submissions and smart negotiation, we secured hard-to-get approvals for just enough transformation.

✅ Challenge 2: Converting a Traditional Interior to Modern Minimalism

The existing villa had low ceilings, narrow rooms, and dated layouts.

Our solution: We completely redefined the room functions and circulation, optimized wall placements, and introduced lighting and finish treatments that brought height, light, and openness to the space.

✅ Final Result & Client Feedback

Despite early frustrations with Nakheel’s limitations, the client was thrilled with the final outcome — and particularly impressed by our constant communication and transparent updates.

"You kept me involved at every step, and there were no surprises. The final result exceeded my expectations — especially with the challenges we faced from the community."
— Homeowner, JVT

Today, this villa is unrecognizable. It’s not just renovated — it’s reimagined. And it stands as a testament to what City Contracting can do even within regulatory constraints.

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