Page 13 - #201 September 2025

In Brief

HEYDUDE STEPS INTO THE GULF BY LAUNCHING NEW BALANCE OPENS FIRST-EVER
ITS FIRST STORE AT REEM MALL IN ABU DHABI RETAIL CONCEPT IN LUSAIL Hard Rock set to expand

HR Hotel FZ LLC, a joint venture between
Apparel Group is proud to announce the regional debut of New Balance has revealed the opening of its Malta-based db Group and RAK Hospitality
global casual footwear brand HEYDUDE with the opening of first-ever retail location at Place Vendôme, Holding (RAKHH), will develop Hard Rock Hotel
its first store in the Gulf at Reem Mall, Abu Dhabi. Spanning in Lusail, Qatar. The fresh retail concept & Residences Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE. The
135sq m, this inaugural opening marks the start of an exciting is built to put people, not products, at the branded mixed-use development is scheduled to
expansion journey, with more stores set to open across the centre of consumer experience. Designed open in 2028. The development will feature 300
GCC in the coming years. around central seating gestures, the store rooms and 395 branded residences.
Initially founded in Italy in 2008 and acquired by Crocs, aims to encourage customers to convene,
Inc. in 2022, HEYDUDE is redefining casual footwear with draw inspiration from each other and find
its ultra-light, exceptionally comfortable shoes. Known for its their authentic style. EM Sherif makes its debut
best-selling icon styles, the Wally and the Wendy, the brand The concept will include an edited Lebanon’s popular neighbourhood eatery, Em
offers a distinctive blend of comfort, versatility and effortless assortment of merchandise as well as Sherif Deli, will open its first UAE location at
style that resonates across generations. visual storytelling to accompany select One Central, The Offices 5 in Dubai World Trade
“Our vision with HEYDUDE is to bring disruptive, com- products, highlighting the makers and ori- Centre this month. The launch is part of the
fort-driven footwear to the region’s growing community gins behind them, illuminating New Balance brand’s regional expansion under Lavoya Group,
of consumers. We are excited to introduce a brand that not at the intersection of sport and culture. The bringing its fast-casual Lebanese concept to a
only prioritises comfort but also celebrates individuality and selection of footwear and apparel will be central business hub.
relaxed living – values that strongly connect with today’s curated so both an elite athlete and a fash -
Gulf consumers,” commented Neeraj Teckchandani, CEO at ion influencer can each envision their next
Apparel Group. great moment, side by side. Hotel chain set to grow
Mandarin Oriental is expanding its footprint in
Dubai with the launch of its second property,
Al Ghurair Centre has officially opened the ROSEWOOD TO OPEN LANDMARK HOTEL Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai, which is
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MIDDLE EAST NEWS
doors to 1004 Gourmet, one of the most pop set to open in October 2025. Located within
ular Asian shopping destinations, promising AND RESIDENCES IN DUBAI BY 2029 Wasl Tower, a striking new addition to the Sheikh
shoppers a taste of Korea in Dubai. Zayed Road skyline, the hotel will feature 259
Located on the Ground Floor, the new store rooms and suites and 224 private residences.
offers an authentic Asian experience for vis- Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is set to make that reflect Rosewood’s philosophy of A
itors to explore a variety of delicious Korean its long-awaited debut in Dubai, unveiling Sense of Place®.
snacks, groceries and K-beauty products, all Rosewood Dubai and Rosewood Resi- “Our vision is to create an ultra-luxury Terminal 3 home to Saddle
under one roof. dences Dubai, in a landmark development destination that is not only anchored in The upcoming branch at Dubai International
For customers craving a dash of gochu- located along the prestigious Jumeirah exceptional design and service but also in Airport Terminal 3 marks a milestone for Saddle,
jang, scouting the next viral skincare product Beach coastline. human connection and purpose. Rosewood thanks to a new franchise agreement between
to try, or simply curious about the flavours Slated for a 2029 opening, Rosewood Dubai is a vital part of our expansion in the Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR) and the Saddle
of Seoul, 1004 Gourmet is the ultimate place Dubai will mark the brand’s first prop- Middle East and will reflect our A Sense of Group. Founded in Dubai in 2017, Saddle has
to go. erty in the Emirate and will feature both a Place® philosophy, celebrating the city’s grown into a widely recognised and celebrated
It also features a wide selection of pre- 195-key hotel and an adjacent residential vibrant energy while offering a new expres- name in the industry.
mium Asian groceries and lifestyle items, offering, the inaugural Rosewood-branded sion of modern luxury lifestyle,” explained
from Korean snacks, ramen and Tteokbokki, residences in Dubai. The project is being Radha Arora, President of Rosewood Hotels
to items such as fresh produce, meats, sauces delivered in partnership with H&H, a lead- & Resorts. Dubai home to Sur La Table
and ready-to-cook meals. ing developer based in the UAE and owned Rosewood Dubai aims to become a cul- Apparel Group, the region’s leading fashion
by Bright Start, a distinguished and well- tural and social hub, offering guests and and lifestyle retail conglomerate, has proudly
known real estate investment company residents a collection of distinctive experi- announced the successful opening of the GCC’s
MARTHA STEWART ELLINGTON PROPERTIES with a curated luxury portfolio. ences. The hotel will feature a private beach first-ever Sur La Table store at Dubai Hills Mall,
Set within Peninsula Dubai, an upcoming and beach club, a dedicated wellness centre,
in partnership with global brand accelerator
destination in one of the city’s most exclu-
immersive art and music programming and
Marquee Brands. This milestone marks the
OPENS FIRST-EVER STORES UNVEILS NEW DEVELOPMENT sive waterfront districts, the 640,104sq ft four dining venues. celebrated culinary brand’s debut in the region.
project will combine contemporary archi-
The property will also include eight pri-
tecture with curated lifestyle experiences vate garden villas.
You can now add freestanding brick-and-mortar retail to the Dubai-based real estate developer, Ellington Properties, has
resume of the legendary Martha Stewart. announced the launch of Eaton Square, its first-ever commercial
The world’s first Martha Stewart store has opened at City development. Located in Mohammed Bin Rashid City (MBR City), Qatar’s leading retail and leisure destina-
Centre Mirdif in Dubai, followed by a second location at the Dubai this project marks a new chapter for the developer, marking its tion, Place Vendôme, has opened the doors
Hills Mall. The stores are operated through Marquee Brands, entry into the commercial real estate sector. to Qatar’s first standalone Ray-Ban store.
which acquired the Martha Stewart brand of home furnishings Scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2028, the The iconic eyewear retailer, which has
and other branded products and media in 2019. As part of the project will feature a contemporary commercial tower with 11 recently expanded into the AI and wearable
deal, Marquee said Stewart would continue to guide the brand bespoke office floors and premium retail spaces. Each floor has tech space via a collaboration with Meta,
she founded. been designed for single-tenant occupancy, ensuring exclusivity has opened a Doha store in response to
“This global debut represents a new chapter for one of our most and privacy for businesses, while offering panoramic views of growing demand.
iconic brands, bringing Martha’s timeless taste, trusted quality Dubai’s skyline. The 108sq m store is located on the ground
and style expertise to the Middle East for the first time in a stan “With Eaton Square, we are expanding the boundaries of what level of Place Vendôme and adjacent to other
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dalone retail format,” stated Marquee Brands. commercial real estate can offer in Dubai,” comments Joseph retailers such as Gait and Abercrombie & Fitch.
The Martha Stewart stores are operated in partnership with Thomas, Co-Founder of Ellington Properties. “This launch reflects Carole Sabbagha, Mall Manager, said:
Apparel Group, a global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomer- our continued commitment to design excellence, now reimagined “Ray-Ban is a welcome addition to the
ate based in Dubai, which operates more than 2,300 stores in 14 for the workplace. As the city evolves into a global hub for busi- line-up at Place Vendôme, offering wide-
countries for more than 85 brands. nesses, there is a clear need for workspaces that foster wellbeing, spread appeal across all demographics.
“We’re proud to partner with leaders like Apparel Group to creativity and connection. Eaton Square delivers on that promise, Visitors will be keen to experience the range
expand globally and deliver innovative retail experiences to new offering an environment that inspires performance and cultivates of both traditional designs and tech enabled
audiences,” stated Marquee Brands. balance,” he continued. products at this exciting new store”.

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