OMNIYAT, Dubai’s leading visionary developer and purveyor of ultra-luxurious, curated living, has announced its latest architectural gem – and it is set to redefine the parameters of coastal luxury. The Alba, a groundbreaking new destination scheduled to open on Dubai’s coastline in 2028, marks the world’s first mixed-use garden retreat by the sea designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. Encompassing ultra-luxurious ‘sanctuaries’ managed by Dorchester Collection, its second hotel in Dubai with OMNIYAT, The Alba Residences offer expansive interiors and a highly tailored choice of bespoke accommodation options, alongside Dubai’s largest and most luxurious wellness centre.
In keeping with its ‘Art of Elevation’ philosophy, which sees OMNIYAT curate memorable experiences as well as creating liveable masterpieces, the developer chose to celebrate the announcement by welcoming guests to the iconic Yacht Club de Monaco during the Monaco Yacht Show. Against a backdrop of world-leading entertainment and breathtaking maritime views, overlooking the Quai Louis II, in the emblematic pulse of the Principality’s yachting capital, the event introduced an elite audience to the concept behind The Alba, whilst demonstrating through its setting the synergy and affinity between Monaco and Dubai. Imbued with elegance and ambition, and punctuated by impressive architectural feats that hug the contour of its coastline, Monaco was a masterful choice to launch a project that is set to rise from the shores of Palm Jumeirah and offer uninterrupted views of Dubai Marina, Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa; reiterating the notion that luxury is not an aspiration, but a way of life.
“The Alba, Dorchester Collection, Dubai, represents OMNIYAT’s vision of reimagined luxury by the sun and sea in Dubai”, said Mahdi Amjad, Founder and Executive Chairman of OMNIYAT, speaking at the launch. “With this project, we’re providing a level of residential living previously unseen in the emirate, influenced by the incredible talent and inspirational ethos of Zaha Hadid Architects and operated by our longstanding partner, Dorchester Collection.
“This project is particularly special as it offers a harmonious blend of nature and cutting-edge design. Dubai derives so much of its charm and lifestyle from its seaside location, and The Alba – featuring OMNIYAT’s signature focus on crafting privacy-centric residences – enhances this unique connection with the water by offering a personalised waterfront experience. OMNIYAT will continue to curate unique experiences, creatively collaborating with some of the world’s most visionary minds, to surpass the traditional definition of well-living.”
Here in Monaco, that innovative take on ‘well-living’ resonates palpably. Few places capture the heady glamour of the Riviera quite like the sovereign city-state nestled in the Côte d’Azur. Whether enjoying lunch at the iconic Café de Paris; or a leisurely dinner in the intimate Salon Méditerranée at the Hôtel Métropole; shopping at One Monte-Carlo; whittling away an afternoon on a world-leading super yacht; or indulging in a relaxing treatment at the Thermes Marins de Monte–Carlo, it is a destination synonymous with luxury and one that understands and values the importance of living well and finding equilibrium between public and private life.
The Alba promises to strike exactly that balance. Couched in terms that demonstrate its commitment to facilitating the living of one’s best and fullest life, it offers ‘sanctuaries’ rather than mere residences, suggestive of both the privacy and escapism that underwrite its waterfront design. That cocooning feeling plays into a new understanding of wellness; an exploration of which weaves its way throughout the property. The Alba will work with pioneering partners to bring the world’s best practices together under one roof, enabling OMNIYAT to extend its boundary-pushing approach across design and hospitality to wellness too.
As the concept of wellness has adapted to include longevity, personalisation, and ultra-bespoke offerings, so too have OMNIYAT’s foundational pillars become even more ambitious. A journey that started and continues with prime, exceptional locations, a focus on working with the best and most unique designers in the world, and offering a meticulous pedigree of service, now also includes a pioneering approach to wellness and an indefatigable commitment to sustainability and meeting the highest standards of ecological design practices. The future of OMNIYAT, and the portfolio it is creating, understands and appreciates the significance of these concepts to its clients. For the well-heeled guests who attended the most exclusive event of the Monaco Yacht Show, luxury encompasses both the tangible and the intangible. As Founder Mahdi Amjad tells Esquire at the launch, “Ultimately luxury is about how you feel.”
“Each space will be a sanctuary within an exclusive enclave that will offer residents and guests both privacy and serenity in this dynamic city”, adds Christopher Cowdray, President of Dorchester Collection, speaking at the Monaco unveiling. “This next-level lifestyle and hospitality experience will be combined with the impeccable service of Dorchester Collection; the foundation of our culture is the care we have for our guests and people, which has been celebrated globally. With panoramic views across the sea and the city’s famous landmarks, The Alba will provide redefined luxury through exceptional design in an environment where nature and wellness converge.
“Guests and residents will enjoy exclusivity in Dorchester Collection’s first garden retreat by the sea with its expansive private terraces and immersive wellness offerings, cultivating a sophisticated oasis for reawakening, reconnection and renewal.”
A holistic approach will see The Alba’s proximity to nature celebrated through a plethora of relaxing outdoor features — from private pools and outdoor jacuzzis, to elevated sun platforms and expansive outdoor terraces. Interiors will boast generously proportioned floor-to-ceiling heights to capitalise on the views and to create a harmonious thread between indoor and outdoor living.
Its thoughtful curation extends to the property’s landscaping, crafted by international award-winning landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic, which reads like literary romanticism — think tropical forest and gardens replete with cascading waterfalls and lily ponds; designed with beauty and serenity in mind. It’s an alluring, oasis-like concept, particularly given its location in Dubai, one of the world’s most fast-paced and dynamic cities; and one that offers OMNIYAT’s clients, leading busy and multifaceted lives, waterfront ‘well-living’ at its very best.