RMAL Hospitality CEO Anthony Liddiard: MGM, Bellagio and Baccarat are a perfect fit for Dubai Pearl.
Dubai Pearl founder and CEO Santhosh Joseph and RMAL Hospitality CEO Anthony Liddiard reveal why it is so important that the AED 7.4 billion development brings a new hotel proposition to the emirate, and why brands such as MGM will make such a difference
Considering the number of projects in Dubai that have been put on hold, cancelled, or conveniently forgotten, you would be forgiven for wondering whether the 20 million ft², AED 7.4 billion (US $2 billion) Dubai Pearl superstructure had gone by the wayside.
Aside from a few stylish billboards which are lining Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Pearl has kept fairly quiet about the development in recent months, but the silence belies both continual planning and ongoing construction.
During a visit to the Dubai Pearl office last month, it became clear that the team have been working around the clock to deliver this 24-hour city within a city, which the developer’s founder and CEO Santhosh Joseph promises will be an “epicentre of entertainment”.
He reels off the list of components that will make the Dubai Pearl “truly a mixed-use development”: commercial space, residences, retail, entertainment, theatres, wellness, music, art, fashion, 60 F&B outlets, and what Hotelier is most concerned with; seven five-star hotels.
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The project has already been both demolished and redesigned since its conception in 2007, because “we felt the old design was not up to the mark” says Joseph, who speaks from 20 years of experience in developing and executing investment strategies in the real estate market.
Now though, he is confident that it is a sustainable development, in which every component will complement the other.
“When I say sustainable, I’m not just talking about the Gold LEED Certification [that Dubai Pearl is targeting for the entire development]. I’m talking about sustainability in terms of everything being connected; we believe in creating a spirit within the project. It should be sustainable and the maintenance cost is something else [important] — there are various figures being circulated in the market for property maintenance and property management cost, but we started working at least two years back in terms of keeping it at a cost that was sustainable for people owning property at Dubai Pearl, whether it is a hotel, shopping or residence. Sustainability is not just environmental but also economical, and it must be socially sustainable too,” explains Joseph.
“We believe that Dubai Pearl by itself is a compelling proposition,” he adds
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Nov 17, 2010 , United Arab Emirates
fascinating article and incredible concept; even for Dubai. I think if anyone can pull this off it's the two main characters involved. In my opinion, after over 3 decades in the region; it's exactly what is needed; not the same old,same old that Dubai has in spades already. The Dubai Tourism sect...
Nov 17, 2010 , United Arab Emirates
I cannot imagine how we can complete the work on time. We are rushing 24 hours at site. I being th Senior PM working with the main largest Arab Contractor there, we are being treated like slaves to slog for the work. If the target of this big boss is not realistic, why keep pushing to make it rea...