PROJECT
TWIN VILLA TRANSFORMATION
Before: Traditional twin villa in Jumeirah
After: Luxury showroom with double-height bronze-framed glazing
THE BRIEF
Two adjacent traditional villas on a prominent Jumeirah street had sat largely unchanged for years — weathered stone facades, dated ironwork balconies, small windows, and a “To Let” sign that had become part of the scenery. The client’s vision was bold: strip both properties back to their shells and rebuild them as a single, unified luxury furniture showroom housing some of Italy’s most prestigious brands, including Baxter, Fendi Casa, and Trussardi.
This was not a cosmetic refresh. It was a complete architectural modification and interior transformation — structural walls removed, floors ripped out, facades redesigned, and every MEP system replaced from scratch.
THE CHALLENGE
Converting residential villas into a commercial showroom in Jumeirah comes with significant hurdles. The project required full Dubai Municipality approval for change of use from residential to commercial, structural engineering assessments for removing internal walls between the two units, new Civil Defense fire safety systems for a public-facing retail space, complete DEWA reconfiguration for commercial-grade power and lighting loads, and facade modification permits within a heritage-conscious residential neighbourhood.
Every aspect had to meet commercial building standards while respecting the existing streetscape. Dufit managed the entire authority approval process from submission to final sign-off.
ARCHITECTURAL MODIFICATION
The exterior transformation is where this project truly stands apart. The original villas featured traditional sandstone cladding, small rectangular windows with ornamental mouldings, and wrought-iron balcony railings — a style typical of older Jumeirah properties.
Dufit’s team redesigned the facade entirely: the sandstone was replaced with a clean white rendered finish, the small windows were replaced with dramatic double-height bronze-framed glazing that floods the interior with natural light, and the entrance was reimagined with an oversized glass pivot door flanked by sculptural topiary. The roofline was simplified with a bold dark cornice that frames the building and gives it a contemporary gallery aesthetic. The iron railings were replaced with sleek black metalwork balconies that complement the new window proportions.
From the street, you would never know this was once two separate residential villas.
INTERIOR FIT-OUT
Inside, the two-villa footprint was opened up into a series of flowing showroom spaces designed to showcase luxury Italian furniture at its best. Key elements delivered by Dufit’s in-house divisions include:
Joinery: Custom wall panelling in dark timber and lacquered finishes, bespoke display plinths, and concealed storage throughout. Every joinery element was manufactured in Dufit’s own workshop.
Marble and Stone: A showpiece backlit onyx dining table takes centre stage in one of the display areas. Marble flooring transitions seamlessly between zones, with stone thresholds marking the shift from one brand environment to the next.
MEP: The entire HVAC, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure was replaced. Lighting was designed specifically for a retail showroom environment — a mix of recessed downlights, decorative pendants, and accent lighting to highlight individual furniture pieces. Smart home controls were integrated throughout.
Glass and Aluminium: Full-height glazed partitions separate certain display areas while maintaining visual openness. The entrance features automated glass doors with a custom bronze frame.
Civil Works: Structural modifications to remove load-bearing walls between the two villas, new flooring throughout, waterproofing, and full external works including the new facade, paving, and landscaping.
FROM VISUALIZATION TO REALITY
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was how closely the finished result matched the original 3D visualization. The renders showed a clean, gallery-like building with tall bronze windows and warm interior lighting visible from the street — and that is exactly what was delivered. This level of accuracy is only possible when one contractor controls every trade in-house, from structural civil works through to final furniture placement.
3D visualization: The concept render that guided the transformation
Interior: Designer furniture with statement lighting
Interior: Backlit onyx dining table and open-plan showroom
PROJECT DETAILS
Location: Jumeirah, Dubai
Type: Twin villa conversion — residential to commercial showroom
Scope: Full architectural modification, facade redesign, structural works, complete interior fit-out, MEP replacement, authority approvals
Divisions involved: All six — Joinery, MEP, Glass & Aluminium, Marble & Stone, Civil, Upholstery
Brands housed: Baxter (Made in Italy), Fendi Casa, Trussardi
THINKING ABOUT A SIMILAR TRANSFORMATION?
Whether you are converting a villa into a commercial space, renovating an existing showroom, or planning a complete architectural modification in Dubai, Dufit has the in-house capability to take your project from concept to handover under one roof. Explore our full villa and residential fit-out services or contact us for a free consultation.