• The Heart of Europe is a massive network of man-made islands approximately shaped like an atlas.
• Holiday residences currently exist or are starting to emerge on these parcels off the coast of Dubai.
• At the time of writing, only one house with a $7.89 million price tag was still available.

As the shuttle boat draws near the $5 billion megaresort being built off the coast of Dubai, its utter audacity really hits home.

The Heart of Europe is the lavish centrepiece of The World, a massive network of man-made islands approximately shaped like an atlas that has been under construction for almost two decades.

It could still turn out to be brilliant in the midst of a pandemic in its attempts to replicate Europe for affluent tourists unwilling to make the journey.

It also signals a significant leap of faith in Dubai’s long-term allure amid a Covid-caused decline in travel worldwide.

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The World’s 300 man-made islands spring up out of the Arabian Gulf after a four-kilometer boat ride from the mainland, resembling upside-down golf bunkers.

Since the project’s inception in 2003, the majority of them have been vacant, and subsequent global financial crises did little to entice developers.

The Heart of Europe (HoE) then appears in the distance.

On these aquatic parcels, no less than 15 opulent hotels, holiday residences, and millionaire mansions currently exist or are starting to emerge. The majority still require finishing touches in order to reach the initial completion targets by the end of 2020.

The Heart of Europe is made up of six themed islands, where visitors can pick among areas modelled after Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Venice, the Cote d’Azur, and other countries.

The idea is that once visitors arrive, they should be able to convince themselves that they have been moved from the frequently oppressive heat of the Arabian Peninsula to more temperate climates.

The surreality of this idea might practically slap you in the face on Sweden Island like a snowball.
A basement with kitchens, a gym, a massage, a sauna, and a snow room can be found in the expansive $21.8 million show residence on the island, one of ten “palaces” with roofing that resemble upturned Viking ships.

Machines fueled by the same Arabian sun that heats the upper infinity pool are used to distribute white flakes on demand against an Alpine setting.

The vast scope and exquisite yet restrained grandeur of the estate are breathtaking.
The boutique hotel-sized six-level houses have an elevator and a private beach yet are surrounded by un-Scandinavian lush vegetation.

A circular bed with ocean views, a big marble tub, and opulent seating for opulent dinner parties are just a few of the luxurious fixtures provided by high-end automobile manufacturer Bentley.

For those post-pandemic parties, a domed party area higher above can hold 300 guests and is bigger than many bars.

They will be able to salute their neighbours in Germany, a gesture that would be inconceivable in actual geography but is achievable thanks to the Heart of Europe atlas.

The 32 futuristic, beach- or lagoon-facing homes on Germany Island are inspired by Bauhaus, yet they more closely resemble a lunar colony. At the time of writing, only one of them with a $7.89 million price tag was still available.

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