Nakheel and Vienna House to Create US$ 160m Beachfront Resort at Dubai’s Deira Islands

Date: April 2018

Location:

Name: Deira Island, Dubai, UAE

No. of Keys: 600

Seller:

Buyer: Dubai-based master developer Nakheel is planning a new partnership with Austria’s largest independent hotel chain, Vienna House, to create a beachfront resort at Deira Islands.

News of the planned resort – the first for Vienna House in the Middle East – was outlined at a Letter of Intent signing in Bangkok, home of Vienna House’s parent company, U City PCL.

The ceremony was attended by Mr Ali Rashid Lootah, Nakheel Chairman; Mr Keeree Kanjanapas, U City PCL Chairman; Ms Piyaporn Phanachet, U City PCL CEO; and Mr Rupert Simoner, CEO of Vienna International Hotelmanagement AG.

Under the planned partnership, the two companies will build a unique beachfront holiday complex – Vienna House Deira Beach – at Deira Islands, Nakheel’s new, 15.3 sq km master planned waterfront city that is transforming the area traditionally known as ‘Old Dubai’ into a world-class hub for living, leisure, tourism and retail.

The planned Vienna House partnership is Nakheel’s third hospitality joint venture at Deira Islands. The developer already has 1,400 rooms under way through JVs with Spain’s RIU Hotels and Resorts and Thailand’s Centara Hotels and Resorts.

In total, Nakheel has more than 3,600 keys at Deira Islands through existing or upcoming joint ventures or hotel management agreements.

Nakheel’s growing hospitality project portfolio comprises 17 hotels and serviced apartment developments with nearly 6,000 rooms and hotel apartments between them at various locations in Dubai, including Palm Jumeirah, Deira Islands, Ibn Battuta Mall, Jumeirah Village Triangle, Dragon and City.

Including Premier Inn Dubai Ibn Battuta Mall and ibis Styles Dragon City, which are now open and operational.

Nakheel Chairman, Ali Rashid Lootah, said: “We are delighted to be working with Vienna House on this unique new concept for Deira Islands.

“Vienna House has an enviable track record in hotel management and is renowned for its excellent service and hospitality across Europe.

Rupert Simoner, CEO of Vienna International Hotelmanagement AG, said: “The brand ‘Vienna House’ is about the joy of travelling, adventure and discovery.

Vienna House Deira Beach will offer quality leisure experiences that are designed to offer guests authentic moments and memories. There is nothing comparable in Dubai at present. We are honoured to partner with Nakheel to create this uniquely-designed beach resort, which will be introduced under our ‘Affordable Great’ concept, providing a quality yet informal and laid-back atmosphere inspired by the Bohemian lifestyle.”

Vienna House, the largest independent hotel chain in Austria, currently has more than 30 hotels across nine countries, and employees around 2,400 people.

Nakheel’s anticipated joint venture with Vienna House is the latest development in the company’s aggressive expansion into Dubai’s hospitality sector, under which 18 hotels – including five star, all-inclusive and value-for-money concepts – are planned across Dubai, with eight at Deira Islands.

Deira Islands is adding 40 km, including 21 km of beachfront, to Dubai’s coastline. The project paves the way for hotels and serviced apartments, retail destinations, mixed-use buildings and residential waterside developments at what will become Dubai’s newest hub for culture, tourism, entertainment and leisure.

Price: US$160m

Price per Key: US$266,667

THPT Comment: Vienna House is an interesting company…major Austrian hotel company, with hotels i nine countries, owned by Thailand parent company…look forward to see where next, and a welcome another international hospitality brand to the Emirate’s ever-growing choice of accommodation.

First Seen: Nakheel website