Dubai Development: A bizarre new development in the desert near Dubai launched in Dublin this week. Fiona Tyrrell reports

Snowdome Residences, a 130,064sq m (1.4 million sq ft) development in Dubai which will bring snow to the desert will be one of the most unsual on offer anywhere.

It will be the world's largest free-standing transparent structure, and include 600 apartments and a winter wonderland of ski slopes, toboggan runs, ice-skating, a penguinarium and a continuous snowfall - of real snow.

It is in the "attraction and experience zone" in the heart of Dubailand, a €4bn ($5bn) mega-tourist project in the tiny but wealthy and glamorous emirate of Dubai.

Irish property company Larionovo is hoping to tempt Irish buyers to buy in the region with apartments costing from €96,897 to €355,254. The Ennis-based company's has just openeded an office on Baggot Street, Dublin 2.

The residential element of Snowdome is the Iceberg Buildings, with around 600 apartments planned in nine five-star buildings.

On the market right now through Larionovo are 60 studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments in the seven-storey Iceberg III apartment building.

Prices start from €96,897 for a one-bedroom studio on the ground floor with 42sq m (457sq ft) of living space; one-bed apartments cost from €138,369 to €194,672. Two-bed 91-109sq m (975-1,172sq ft) apartments cost from €194,672.68 to €268,259 while three-beds start at €344,806.

Promising sun, sea, sand and snow for buyers, amenities will include hotels, restaurants, shops and a spa.

Apartments in Iceberg III are due to be completed by early 2008.