Engel & Völkers, the European-based luxury real estate group, has opened its first showroom in Dubai, complete with its trademark white house façade.

The opening of the showroom is part of the company’s strategy to grow business in the region. With two offices already established in the emirate, the firm has seen portfolios double and sales increase on a weekly basis since launching the Middle East operation three months ago.

According to Franz Schedlbauer, CEO of Engel & Völkers Middle East, the addition of the shop adds tangibility to luxury property sales: “One of the key assets of having a shop is the service element that is key in Engel & Völkers’ brand promise – not least the after-sales commitment to customers. Our customers tend to be buying properties as potential homes, and, as a result, the ambience of a showroom floor helps with the decision-making process. We already have a huge number of clients and properties on our books across both Dubai and international markets, and our new shop is a tangible reminder that we are indeed open for business.”

Since the establishment of the Middle East arm of the company, Schedlbauer points out that interest in Dubai real estate has grown exponentially in Europe, specifically in Germany.

He said: “Projects such as Dubai Marina and The Palm Jumeirah will continue to attract international attention thanks to global marketing campaigns, but we have seen a significant rise in attention from our home market of Germany in the last few months.”

The physical appearance of the shop mirrors the signature Engel & Völkers showrooms throughout Europe, creating an instantly recognisable storefront for well-versed property buyers.

Inside, the shop is manned by a multinational team, all of whom have been trained at the Engel & Völkers Real Estate Academy, which was formed in Germany in 1996 to ensure all employees are trained in the latest market trends, as well as internal systems and techniques.

The showroom is located on the Sheikh Zayed road in Dubai, close to the business and financial districts of Dubai International Financial Centre and Emirates Towers, as well as the upcoming Burj Dubai.

Internationally, Engel & Völkers is the sole representative for Christie’s Great Estates, a subsidiary of the auction house and it publishes market reports, figures and legal information in each market it is present.

Properties listed in the Engel & Völkers’ expanding portfolio include: Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest tower; Arabian Ranches; Emirates Hills; Dubai Marina; The Palm Jumeirah, Jebel Ali and Deira, as well as islands on The World.

The firm, established two decades ago, now has 174 shops in 18 countries across Europe, South Africa and the USA. The group’s activities focus on the high-end residential and commercial market.