Hakkasan to open Palm Jumeirah Dubai resort

London-based restaurant and nightclub group Hakkasan has announced plans to open a new luxury resort on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah island with construction to begin next year.

The property, which is being conceptualized and developed by HKK Hospitality, is to encompass a beach-front hotel on the crescent of the man made island.

Hakkasan Ltd. chairman Khadem Al Qubaisi said "We are thrilled to continue the strategic development of Hakkasan into a multifaceted global lifestyle brand. In addition to our hotel project, the growth of Hakkasan will include new restaurants and elite nightlife venues, day clubs, spas, boutique hotels and other hospitality and lifestyle offerings at key locations around the world.”

This will be the first hotel venture from the company, which was set up as a modern Cantonese restaurant concept in London in 2001, then subsequently expanded to several cities in the US, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha and to Mumbai in India. Hakkasan Ltd is owned by the Abu Dhabi investment company Tasameem.

Neil Moffitt, CEO of Hakkasan Ltd. and HKK Hospitality said: "This is a significant time for the Hakkasan brand as we embark on our first venture into the hotel industry. We are excited at the opportunity to create such a luxurious resort in one of the world's most important business and leisure destinations. As we move forward with our plans for expansion, this project serves as a strategic step towards developing our brand across the globe."

The firm has said that Aabar Propertiess has been appointed to oversee construction, and has already invited a "select group" of architects and designers to bid for the design work.