For Gauri Khan, designing the penthouses at Shahrukhz Residences was more than another luxury interiors assignment. The designer described the Dubai project as deeply personal, speaking about the time, creative investment and collaboration that went into bringing the spaces to life at the development's launch on November 11.

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Taking the stage at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, Gauri spoke about seeing her work unveiled on a global platform. Filmmaker Karan Johar, who hosted the event, introduced her alongside Danube Group's Adel Sajan and asked how it felt to finally see the project come together.

“It’s so personal. It really is,” Gauri said. “We put so much of our heart and soul in it together.”

For the designer, the occasion was also significant because it brought the work of her India-based team into the international spotlight. “I think that’s what is also making it unique and different for us as a team in India,” she added.

The collaboration was not limited to lending her name to a luxury development. Adel Sajan spoke about the extent of Gauri's involvement in the design process, revealing that she had been part of every Zoom meeting and closely followed decisions throughout the project.

“She has been involved in every single Zoom meeting,” Adel said, describing the experience of working with her as an “absolute, absolute breeze”.

Her attention, he explained, extended to the selection of materials and even the treatment of individual corners within the penthouses. “Every single thing that you’re going to be seeing in the penthouse over here is her vision, her dream,” he said.

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The collaboration was initially suggested by Adel's father, Rizwan Sajan. Despite the demanding timeline, the partnership developed into a hands-on creative process, with Gauri overseeing details that would shape the finished interiors. Her comments at the launch offered a glimpse into the level of personal involvement behind the project.

Inside Gauri Khan's Dubai design project

Shahrukhz Residences is a planned 60-storey waterfront development by Danube in Dubai Maritime City. The tower will house fully furnished apartments with views of the sea and Dubai skyline, with Gauri Khan designing its penthouses.

The development is positioned as a luxury residential address, with more than 40 planned amenities. These include a rooftop King's Club, access to a private yacht and a Longevity Lounge. Apartment prices start at Dh1.65 million, while the project is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2029.

The payment plan announced by the developer requires buyers to pay 30 per cent during construction, with the remaining 70 per cent due at handover.

The residential project follows Shahrukhz by Danube, a 55-storey commercial tower on Sheikh Zayed Road that Shah Rukh Khan helped launch in December 2025. When the residential development was announced in October, the actor spoke about creating a space that would allow fans to experience a lifestyle similar to his own. He also highlighted Gauri's involvement, saying, “Having Gauri by my side in this project makes it even more special.”

A personal milestone on a global stage

Gauri's appearance at the launch was also a rare opportunity to speak publicly about the creative work behind the development. Johar, who has known her for years, acknowledged that she usually prefers to remain behind the scenes. He also pointed out her family members, including her mother, who were present in the audience to support her.

For a designer whose work is now part of a high-profile Dubai development, the unveiling marked a moment of recognition for both her and her team. And as Gauri put it, the project carries a personal investment that goes beyond the finished penthouses.