These were snapped @ Trump International Hotel Opening in Dubai.

The sad reality of this Bastardly Fantasy: It’s probably possible.

Dubai’s $30m penthouse sale trumps record

Dubai government developer Nakheel hopes to sell a penthouse in Donald Trump’s towers on Dubai’s first artificial island for more than $30m, which would smash the emirate’s record for its most expensive apartment.

The two towers of the Trump International Hotel & Tower, scheduled for completion in 2011, will form the gateway to Palm Jumeirah, the offshore development that will host a permanent residence for the Cirque du Soleil and the retired QE2 cruise liner, along with hotels, apartments and villas.

Chris O’Donnell, Nakheel’s chief executive, said that based on initial interest in the 62-storey building he expected to sell one of the two Kelly Hoppen-designed penthouses within the next six months for more than $30m, beating Dubai’s previous record for an apartment of $12m.

Mr Trump has reserved one of the development’s 399 residences for himself. The project has already received bids as high as $3,270 a sq ft in pre-sales before yesterday’s launch. The $1.1bn development, a joint venture with Nakheel, is the US magnate’s first foray into the Middle East. [FT]