Dubai Islands handover: what to upgrade first in your apartment
Published 22 October 2026 · Updated 22 October 2026 · By Subhra
In short
Dubai Islands is Nakheel's new Deira-coast masterplan: high-rise apartments and branded residences facing the Gulf. Several towers target handover in Q4 2026, including phases of Palm Beach Towers and Rixos Hotel and Residences. Snag the unit, then upgrade kitchen, wardrobes and lighting before furniture arrives. Sea-facing glazing needs glare control. Most fit-outs need a tower NOC and goods-lift booking. A typical Dubai Islands apartment fit-out with ZuriSpace runs 10 to 14 weeks and starts from AED 300,000.
What Dubai Islands is
Dubai Islands replaces the old Palm Deira vision with a chain of islands and waterfront towers. Stock is mostly apartments and branded residences, not family villas. Owners often buy for the view and discover the developer kitchen and wardrobes do not match how they will live full time or rent the unit out.
Check the apartment first
Test AC, bathrooms, balcony doors, sea-facing seals and kitchen alignment. Tower handovers are busy. Log defects with Nakheel or the building operator before you pay for upgrades.
What to upgrade first
Kitchen, full-height wardrobes and entrance storage first, then lighting and sheer or blackout layers for Gulf glare. If the unit is a rental, durability and easy maintenance matter as much as the view line.
Tower approvals
Built-in joinery, kitchen changes and most bathroom work need a tower fit-out NOC, contractor registration and a goods-lift slot. Each building on Dubai Islands has its own pack. Submit drawings while joinery is in fabrication.
How we work on Dubai Islands
ZuriSpace designs Dubai Islands apartments with joinery, kitchen, lighting and tower coordination. For a wider waterfront brief see Creek Harbour and apartment interior design in Dubai.
Quick answers.
Several towers list Q4 2026, including Palm Beach Towers and Rixos-branded phases. Dates vary by building. Confirm with Nakheel or your completion notice.
Most full fit-outs with ZuriSpace start from AED 300,000 for one- and two-bedroom units and scale to AED 1M+ for larger layouts and premium joinery.
Yes for most kitchen work, built-in wardrobes and bathroom changes. Working hours and lift booking are part of the same process.
Written by
Subhra
Founder & Principal Designer
Subhra is the founder and principal designer of ZuriSpace, leading every project from first conversation to final reveal across the UAE and India.
Read Subhra's profile →