The Marble Palace

The breathtaking interior is embellished with more than 700,000 sheets of gold leaf, a project that required more than two years to complete. (Courtesy of Luxhabitat Sotheby’s Int'l)

Not all that long ago, the country of Dubai was mostly desert, but it now boasts Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and a booming economy founded on oil and boosted by tourism.

The curated artwork and handcrafted furniture are all included in the purchase of the residence. (Courtesy of Luxhabitat Sotheby’s Int'l)

Located in Emirates Hills, Dubai’s most exclusive neighborhood, this incredible 60,000-square-foot home, clad in marble and set on a 1.6-acre site, features five bedrooms and 19 bathrooms. The property enjoys golf course frontage and views of coastline and the city skyline. Inspired by the European palaces of the Belle Époque, the owners conducted more than 10 years of research, visiting the finest palaces in Europe, before commencing several years of construction.

The rear of the residence, featuring a grand covered second-story balcony, is accented by a shimmering pool. (Courtesy of Luxhabitat Sotheby’s Int'l)

Embellished with 700,000 sheets of hand-laid gold leaf that required more than two years to complete, the residence’s numerous remarkable features include two hand-crafted glass domes, which were created and installed by a team of 17 artisans, and 160 marble columns throughout the interior spaces. The central gathering room features numerous pieces of impressive artwork and furniture, which can be included in the purchase, and gleaming marble flooring accented by elaborate hand-crafted oriental rugs, with exquisite chandeliers adorning the vaulted, gold leaf-accented ceilings. A 21,800-gallon coral reef aquarium and a crystal dining table adorned with precious stones are the focal points of the elaborate formal dining room.

The home’s main gathering room features a multi-tiered, gold leaf-accented ceiling adorned with magnificent chandeliers floating above the polished marble flooring. (Courtesy of Luxhabitat Sotheby’s Int'l)

Upstairs is a 3,875-square-foot master bedroom, an enormous mini-master bedroom, and three more bedrooms. The design allows the addition of eight more bedrooms if desired. Notable features include a 2,150-square-foot gym on the main floor, a 15-car garage, indoor and outdoor pools, a koi pond, a steam and sauna room with a 24-karat-gold jacuzzi, and a power substation.

The Marble Palace Emirate Hills, Dubai, UAE $204 million

5 bedrooms 19 bathrooms 60,000 square feet 1.6 acres

Key Features 21,800-gallon coral reef aquarium 24-karat jacuzzi 15-car garage

Agent Kunal Singh Luxhabitat Sotheby’s Int’l 971 4 455 0888