Commercial Fit-Out
Beauty by Mikas Salon Al Muntazah
A massive 1,200 sqm residential-to-commercial villa conversion in Abu Dhabi, delivered as a complete turnkey fit-out and luxury interior design solution for a three-floor premium salon and wellness center.
The finished project
See the space, completed.
When Beauty by Mikas made the strategic decision to expand their boutique brand into a comprehensive, fully functional salon, spa, and wellness center, they secured a massive 1,200 square meter, three-floor villa in the Al Muntazah area of Abu Dhabi.
The vision was stunning. The reality of the execution, however, presented an immediate structural roadblock: it was a residential property. Transforming a residential shell into a high-capacity commercial project requires far more than aesthetic interior design; it demands complex structural engineering, rigorous regulatory approvals, and an uncompromising turnkey solution.
The Challenge
Converting a residential shell into a commercial operation
In a commercial salon, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) is the backbone of the entire operation. The existing villa was equipped with basic, residential-grade air conditioning and standard plumbing. A luxury salon interior design requires massive electrical loads for hair styling equipment, powerful exhaust systems, and high-capacity air conditioning to counter thermal loads. The existing AC was entirely inadequate and needed a heavy-duty upgrade.
Furthermore, the specialized drainage requirements for pedicure and manicure stations meant the entire plumbing system had to be demolished and re-engineered. Building the complex water supply and drainage systems into newly poured, raised concrete platforms with millimeter-perfect sloping became the most complex technical challenge of the interior fit-out phase.
Arcave's Solution
Acoustic zoning and value engineering without compromise
Before laying a single tile, Arcave managed the complex residential-to-commercial conversion paperwork, securing all necessary ADM, DMT, and Civil Defense approvals. When executing the interior design layout, spatial flow and acoustic zoning were critical. To preserve a tranquil atmosphere, the bustling hair styling stations were completely isolated from the luxury nail and spa sections using heavy acoustic sliding glass doors. This ensures the noise of hair dryers cannot travel into the relaxing pedicure treatment lounge.
During the fit-out, the client requested value engineering options to manage the budget. While Arcave successfully sourced high-quality local alternative materials to control costs, we refused to compromise on foundational build quality. When standard gypsum board was proposed for the wet areas to save money, Arcave insisted on installing premium MR (Moisture Resistant) cement board. In a commercial spa and salon fit-out, cutting corners on waterproofing inevitably leads to failure, and our interior design philosophy prioritizes long-term durability.
Design phase
From concept to drawing board.
Layout studies and concept renders for the 1,200 sqm commercial villa conversion.
Construction progress
Built, step by step.
From residential strip out to commercial handover. Drag the marker or click any stage below to see how it came together.
"Arcave's ability to manage the entire turnkey fit-out—from the complex residential-to-commercial authority approvals to the final interior design details—allowed us to scale our brand seamlessly. Their strict structural planning and refusal to compromise on material quality gave us complete confidence in our new 1,200 sqm wellness center."
Project FAQ
Common questions.
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