Giorgio Armani tours Armani Hotel site at the Burj Dubai

Dubai, UAE, December 6, 2005: Emaar Properties’ iconic Burj Dubai development received its most high profile visitor to date when celebrated Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani was given a personal tour by Emaar’s Chairman Mohamed Ali Alabbar on Sunday, December 4. The Burj Dubai, which is anticipated to be the tallest tower in the world when completed in 2008, will feature one of the world’s first Armani Hotels. 

In May 2005, Emaar signed a long-term license with Giorgio Armani SpA for the development of a unique worldwide collection of ten luxury hotels and resorts. With this agreement, Emaar Hotels & Resorts LLC was created to oversee the construction, management and operations of the Armani Hotels and Resorts. Planned openings will include Milan (Spring 2008), London and New York among other international destinations.

The collaboration is the result of this shared vision of Emaar and Giorgio Armani to create one of the world’s leading “lifestyle” hotel and resort developments.
 
Emaar’s Chairman Mohamed Ali Alabbar said: “It is an honour to be able to work with one of the world’s most iconic designers in realizing this ambitious project. There could be no better setting for one of the first Armani Hotels than the Burj Dubai which, when finished, will define a city and be a global beacon synonymous with style and luxury.”

Giorgio Armani said: “This marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Armani story which will bring to life the Armani philosophy of style and design in a collection of exclusive hotels and resorts.  Today, more than ever before fashion has expanded to encompass our way of life, not just how we dress, but where we live, which restaurants we eat at, where we holiday and which hotels we stay in.” 

“I strongly believe that for those people who enjoy the Armani fashion and home furnishings collections; there will be a real enthusiasm for the possibility to now stay at an Armani hotel or resort. This continues our ongoing strategy of building the Armani universe into a comprehensive lifestyle brand,” he added.

When completed the Armani Hotel Dubai will feature 160 guest rooms and suites, a variety of restaurants and a spa covering more than 40,000 square metres. Adding to the luxury of the hotel are the 144 luxury residential suites which will be personally designed by the celebrated Italian designer and will feature his home furnishing line, Armani Casa.