Chris Hemsworth, the ultra-millionaire, face-so-perfect actor who seemingly has it all in life. Some say he even made Australian soap Home and Away mildly watchable for a few years.
These days, when he is not wielding a hammer as Thor, he is seen riding into the UAE on a black stallion, his white shirt billowing in the desert breeze, his golden locks barely out of place (and not a hint of sunburn on that smooth skin) having presumably just crossed the Empty Quarter during the height of summer. An impressive feat that even his Marvel character would be proud of.
Following the exertion of the desert voyage, Hemsworth is seen donning aviator sunglasses as he gets behind the wheel of a red Ferrari and cruises through the tree-lined streets of Dubai's Palm Jumeirah.
He pulls into the driveway of a fancy Signature villa, takes off his sunglasses and somehow, without any facial movement, gives a seal of approval for what lies before him. Now that is what I call acting of the highest order.
He then struts around the property and even manages a smirk before strumming away on an oud while surrounded by boxes. Hemsworth has a new home.
Or so it appears in the recent advert for property portal Bayut.com, which is pleasantly done.
Stepping back into the real world, this could be you – riding on a horseback through the desert, sipping Arabic tea in a tent as the sun dips behind the dunes, and rolling home in a shiny Ferrari that looks as though it has not been beyond the showroom during its short existence.
The main difference though (probably aside from the husky Australian accent) is that you would not have to give the house keys back before jetting back to Byron Bay or wherever Hemsworth resides these days, for the home could actually be yours – it is now on the market with LuxuryProperty.com for Dh24 million.
Having the Hollywood hero connection is quite a seal of approval. Just as Bayut did not pick an older alpha male, they did not just pick any old Dubai villa either.
It's unquestionably of star-quality, a mansion on the water's edge of the kind you might find on the West Coast of the United States.
There is plenty of character on the exterior, from the rounded upstairs balcony on the front and chapel-style windows to the side of the entrance, to the imposing three-storey tower at the rear of the property.
Inside, there are five bedrooms with unique themes including an Asian-inspired look with bamboo features. And if you fancy a walk in the wild, there is a family room upstairs adorned with a giant zebra image on the wall.
The ground floor has an open plan living room and is warm and homely throughout, while rooms on the upper floor are more contemporary.
As you would expect for a Dh20m-plus villa on the Palm, it sits on a large plot with a pool, gazebo and stairs down to a private beach.
As for the views, the water is visible from most vantage points at the rear of the house and allows you to watch the boats bob about in the marina against the backdrop of the Palm's trunk. The Dubai Marina high rises are also visible along with the Ain Dubai Ferris wheel in the distance.
An added bonus is that if you wanted to live the Hemsworth life for only a year, then you could – the property is also available to rent at Dh750,000 per annum.
Q&A: Paul Martin, associate director, LuxuryProperty.com
Has the Hemsworth association added to the price?
The villa has been priced as per the current market rates for similar style villas and locations along the fronds. Having a famous Hollywood actor there for a recent video shoot has certainly added to the interest and appeal of the villa in the market.
Do you know of many A-listers who have property on the Palm?
Since the Palm Jumeirah was first announced to the world in the early-2000’s, there have been a large number of celebrities who have either bought or rented villas in the community. This includes famous football players, movie stars and business leaders, who all love the beachfront lifestyle associated with living in a Palm Jumeirah villa. As discretion is at the heart of all that we do I will not name names, but it is quite the haven for the A-list.
Why did Bayut pick this property out of all available in Dubai?
Bayut was looking for a nicely furnished Signature Villa on the Palm and, after shortlisting a few options, it felt this particular villa was beautifully presented and had all the required elements for the shoot, including the outdoor gazebo overlooking the beach and the large driveway for the Ferrari to be driven on to.
How come the owner is willing to rent or sell?
This spectacular home represents an incredible opportunity for our most discerning clients, offering tremendous value for money and is available fully furnished. The owner would like to sell this villa at the right price but is equally happy to rent this home until the right opportunity comes along.
