Horizons Tower in Dubai Marina, a 45‑storey landmark completed in May 2006 by Gulf General Investments Company, is home to over 160 residences—primarily expansive four‑bedroom apartments and duplexes that remain some of the marina’s most generous layouts. But nearly twenty years of continuous living has taken its toll.
 
Finishes fade, plumbing systems wear out, and electrical plans conceived long before smart‑home living no longer meet the demands of 2026 households. For most owners, a quick repaint or new curtains stopped being a meaningful solution long ago.

What renovating a Horizons Tower apartment actually involves

So most apartments carry nearly two decades of original finishes, aging plumbing lines, and electrical systems not designed for today’s appliance loads.
 
Before any design discussion begins, a full MEP condition assessment is essential—you can’t open a wall and assume what’s behind it is fine.
 
Renovations in the tower typically fall into three scopes:
  1. Full gut overhauls down to the slab.
  2. Partial upgrades focused on kitchens and bathrooms.
  3. Cosmetic improvements covering flooring, joinery, ceilings, and paint.

 

The unit type matters. Duplexes have very different structural and design constraints than standard floor‑plate apartments, and each scope has its own permit requirements and minimum budget.

Floor plans here are generous—four‑bedroom units often exceed 3,500 sq ft—though sizes vary, so confirm your exact measurements before finalizing scope. That scale gives owners real design freedom, but the high‑rise context adds constraints villas don’t face.
 
Structural walls cannot be removed; they also require a licensed engineer’s approval, and balcony integration, privacy glazing, and natural‑light optimization are common priorities. The goal is always to make the layout feel intentional for 2026 living, not 2006 handover standards.

Real renovation costs for Horizon Tower: what to budget

A full apartment renovation in Dubai Marina typically ranges from AED 100–350 per sq ft for mid‑ to high‑spec finishes, depending on materials and the amount of MEP work required. Premium, bespoke scopes sit at the upper end. For a 2,400 sq ft unit, a complete overhaul usually falls between AED 240,000 and AED 840,00 —realistic figures that reflect high‑rise logistics, not showroom pricing.

Many owners start with kitchens and bathrooms. A high‑spec kitchen in a unit this size runs AED 40,000–60,000, while each bathroom typically costs AED 20,000–35,000. Custom joinery—wardrobes, built‑ins, media units—adds AED 60,000–150,000, depending on scope.

High‑rise operations add costs villas don’t face: elevator restrictions, building‑management working hours, hoisting requirements, and mandatory waste‑disposal contractors. These can add 10–20% if not planned early. Ensure contractor quotes include building‑operations fees and NOC charges, as omissions often cause surprises. For full strip‑outs, keep a 10–15% contingency on top of your base budget.

How long your Horizons Tower renovation will realistically take

Week-by-week timeline

The renovation of a whole apartment in Horizons Tower always proceeds in an orderly sequence, and the table below shows the usual durations drawn from the project timelines of Aashna Interiors LLC for high-rise apartments in Dubai Marina:
  • Design and material selection:1-2 weeks
  • NOC application and permit approval:1-2 weeks (subject to building management responsiveness)
  • Demolition:2-3 weeks
  • Civil and MEP works:3-6 weeks
  • Joinery installation and finishes:2-3 weeks
  • Final snagging and handover:1–2 weeks
 
From start to finish, the entire renovation process lasts 8-16 weeks, starting when the design is approved and ending when the keys are handed over.
 
High‑rise renovations run on building‑management schedules that villas never deal with. Most Dubai Marina towers limit noisy works—drilling, demolition, hammering—to set hours, usually 8am–6pm, with many restricting loud activity to a tighter 10am–4pm window. Material deliveries need pre‑approval and service‑lift bookings. These rules are fixed, and any contractor claiming they can “work around them” is setting you up for delays and penalties.
 
 

NOC approvals and permit requirements you can't skip

NOC checklist

  • Permits Required: Major renovations in Dubai Marina require a building NOC and government permits (DM/ DDA & DCD).

  • Key Submission Package: Approved drawings, method statement, contractor credentials, and AED 1.5M public liability insurance (fully provided upfront by Aashna Interiors LLC).

  • Timeline: 1-2 weeks for Building NOC + 2-3 weeks for government review and fitout permits.

  • Risks: Unpermitted work leads to project halts, financial penalties, required reinstatement, and voided insurance.

Case study: a Horizons Tower 4-bedroom before and after

A Horizons Tower Owner approached Aashna Interiors LLC with a Three-bedroom unit last updated at handover in 2006. The brief covered a full apartment renovation: a new kitchen, all three bathrooms, replacement of all flooring, a ceiling remodel, a full electrical upgrade to support smart home integration, and custom joinery throughout. The total area was approximately 2,400 sq ft. The budget was set at AED 485,000, with a target move-in of 20 weeks from design sign-off.
 

Full Turnkey Renovation | Completed in 19 Weeks

  • Scope: End-to-end design, NOC & permit approvals, demolition, MEP, custom joinery, and fit-out.

  • Approvals & Speed: Building NOC secured in 19 days; project completed 2 weeks ahead of schedule.

  • Transformation: Converted a legacy 2006 layout into an open-concept living space with premium porcelain slab flooring and a full stone-clad master wet room.

  • Investment & Assurance: Delivered on budget at AED 492,000, supported by a comprehensive 1-year trade-wide warranty.

 
 

Ready to plan your renovation in Horizon tower?

A high-end renovation at Horizons Tower is one of the most effective ways to upgrade your lifestyle and elevate your property value—provided it is handled by the right team. From navigating complex building NOCs to delivering flawless finishes, Aashna Interiors LLC manages every detail under one roof with clear pricing and a written 1-year warranty.

Ready to transform your Horizons Tower apartment? Contact Aashna Interiors LLC today for a free site evaluation and customized scope proposal. Getting your project planned early is the best way to secure exact costs and realistic delivery schedules.