Dubai's ultra-rich, including former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand and his wife Kate, are experiencing an unprecedented shift in their opulent lifestyles. Over one year ago, when they moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the couple never imagined the basement of their super-villa would become an impromptu bedroom. This unexpected change comes as recent missile threats have prompted many wealthy residents to seek refuge in their previously ostentatious panic rooms and reinforced bunkers.
Kate Ferdinand described a recent incident as "a truly terrifying night" on social media, as the city was on red alert due to attacks on 28/2. With schools closed, the Ferdinand children transformed their underground gym into a play area. Images of lavish poolside living and glamorous parties have temporarily given way to the family baking cookies and watching movies together in the enclosed space, a conscious effort to keep the children calm during the emergency.
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Kate Ferdinand and her family in the basement gym. Photo: Dailymail |
Kate Ferdinand and her family in the basement gym. Photo: Dailymail
Dubai is renowned for its safety and extremely low crime rate. For years, installing panic rooms or reinforced bunkers in super-villas across prestigious areas like Emirates Hills or Palm Jumeirah was largely considered a "technical accessory" to display the status of the ultra-rich. However, after a series of incidents last weekend, these luxurious amenities have transformed into genuine lifelines, providing essential protection.
For the elite, taking shelter extends beyond mere escape; it is an effort to maintain their comfortable lifestyle to the maximum extent possible during an emergency. Ebraheem Al Samadi, star of the reality TV show "Dubai Bling" and with a net worth of nearly 50 million USD, recently posted a video reassuring fans from his private bunker. Dressed in workout gear and headphones, the millionaire demonstrated his commitment to maintaining a normal routine despite the crisis.
These high-end shelters are equipped with advanced systems. At the "Marble Palace" - one of the city's most expensive properties recently listed for over 100 million USD - a dedicated bomb shelter system and private transformer station are operating at full capacity to ensure complete isolation. Similarly, in other large estates, high-tech panic rooms can be activated with a single button, providing power and air filtration for several weeks.
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A public room at Zabeel Palace. Photo: Kiev.victor |
A public room at Zabeel Palace. Photo: Kiev.victor
Television presenter Luisa Zissman also shared her terrifying experience, recounting how she was walking her children when two explosions shook her home. "We immediately retreated to the basement. Now it's underground movie time", she said. To soothe her children's fears, Zissman transformed the bunker into a mini-campsite, where the children baked cookies and sang together.
Despite the unexpected upheavals shaking Dubai's image as a peaceful "oasis", many wealthy residents remain optimistic. They continue to share images of their daily lives in sealed bunkers and express confidence in the security forces. "I believe everything will soon return to normal", Zissman stated, reflecting a widespread hope among the city's affluent population.
By Nhat Minh
