Building a home beside the sea, or even above it, is a thrilling dream in itself. But imagine being asked whether you would like to live inside the sea, in a house resting on the seabed. On first hearing, it sounds like something out of a movie, yet it is about to become reality. In the UAE city of Sharjah, an entire luxury housing society is taking shape underwater, and people will actually be able to live in these homes.
The Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, recently announced this unusual project to build homes beneath the sea in Sharjah's Kalba area. It is not a standalone building but the centrepiece of a much larger master plan called Khor Kalba City, which is set to reshape the entire city. Built on the seabed, these homes will be as striking as they are attractive. What makes it truly special is that no project like this exists anywhere else in the world so far.
Homes That Could Open This December
The homes being built under the sea could be ready and open as early as this December. On top of that, they may also be opened to tourists, so that visitors from around the world can experience the spectacle up close. Once the project is complete, Sharjah will become the place to see some of the most unusual and exciting homes on the planet.
What Makes This Project Stand Out
This is not a plan that came together overnight. Work has been under way for the past seven years, and it has now been accelerated. In the coming days, the dream of living beneath the sea could finally come true.
- The aim is not merely to build luxury homes, but to protect Kalba's archaeological and historical importance while turning the city into a new hub of tourism, leisure and luxury.
- These sea homes are expected to open this December.
- December will also bring several other developments to Sharjah, including new roads, a corniche or seafront, compensation housing, Al Hayar Lake, Wadi Al Helo roads, and several major tourism projects.
For now, the office of Sharjah's Ruler, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, has not clarified how many homes will be built in total. Details on how large the underwater homes will be, whether they will include 1 BHK and 2 BHK units or something even bigger, are expected to be shared soon.
Will the Price Match Noida and Gurugram?
Since the size of the homes has not yet been revealed, there is also suspense over how much they will finally cost. The big question is whether their price will match the apartments in Dubai's posh neighbourhoods or inside the Burj Khalifa and the ultra-luxury flats of Noida and Gurugram, or go even higher. Interestingly, compared with Gurugram in India and with Dubai, homes in Sharjah generally cost around 40 percent less, but this special under-the-sea project could push prices up here.
It is also possible that these homes will not be sold at first and will instead be offered only on rent to begin with, and put up for sale later. All of these details will only be revealed in time.
Sharjah Following Dubai's Path
It is worth noting that the Sharjah government has, for several years now, been working to modernise Kalba's eastern coast along the lines of Dubai. This includes preserving heritage, developing tourist destinations, improving roads and protecting the natural environment. Given the pace of the work, the day may not be far when Sharjah, like Dubai, becomes one of the world's most sought-after emirates. This project of homes inside the sea is being seen as a major step towards making Sharjah even more attractive.
