Omniyat unveils Zaha Hadid-designed ‘ME by Melia’ hotel’s artist renderings for ‘The Opus’ interiors

Omniyat unveils Zaha Hadid-designed ‘ME by Melia’ hotel’s artist renderings for ‘The Opus’ interiors

The over AED 2.5 billion project is more than halfway complete, says Omniyat Chief

Dubai, UAE, 13 May 2014: Omniyat, a leading developer in the Middle East, unveiled today the artist renderings of the Middle East’s first ‘ME by Melia’ hotel, designed by renowned architect, Dame Zaha Hadid, in its flagship project The Opus.

Located in Burj Khalifa District, The Opus will feature signature limited edition furniture pieces designed by Hadid. Each individual piece is significant, but should be considered within the overall ensemble of Hadid’s architecture.

The renderings unveiled by Omniyat detail the unique interiors of the ME Hotel lobby, the vertical café, the lounges and the reception area.

“We are delighted to reveal today the interiors of the first ‘ME by Melia’ hotel in Asia,” said Mahdi Amjad, Omniyat Executive Chairman and CEO. “These images convey the remarkably inventive quality of Zaha’s work; expressing a sculptural sensibility that reinvents the balance between solid and void, opaque and transparent, interior and exterior.”

Hadid has designed a sequence of dramatic event spaces for the ME Hotel. Shaped by functional and programmatic considerations, yet dependent on the overriding formal language of the design, the interiors express Hadid’s investigations into the concepts of fluidity and of seamless spatial flow.

The ME by Melia hotel will feature Michelin star restaurants, lounges and cafes across an area of 250,000 square feet, with entertainment options selected from the best in the Middle East, New York, Miami, London and Las Vegas, according to Amjad.

The ME by Melia hotel is operated by Melia Hotels International, one of the world’s leading hotel companies that currently runs more than 350 hotels and 90,000 rooms in 39 countries in 4 continents.

This outstanding new project exemplifies the unique artistic vision of the award-winning architect. Combining innovative design concepts and engineering with materials of the highest quality, The Opus reflects Zaha Hadid’s enchanting world of design. The clarity of the architecture’s formal composition and bespoke interiors give The Opus a truly unique identity. Amjad added: “We expect the architectural quality and experience of The Opus in downtown Dubai to be a premier destination for visitors to the city, especially those who value originality, experience and design.”

Speaking on the progress of The Opus, Amjad announced that the over AED 2.5 billion project is more than halfway complete.

Gabriel Escarrer, Vice Chairman & CEO –Meliá Hotels International added: “You always expect to be surprised by Zaha Hadid’s designs, but the renderings for the Opus building and ME Dubai go beyond what we could ever have anticipated.  Alongside the unique Aura Service offered by the ME brand and the Michelin star restaurants and bars in the property, there’s no doubt that ME Dubai will raise the bar for Dubai’s hotel supply.”

Escarrer added: “We are proud to have this amazing project in our portfolio and to be working alongside Omniyat for the ME brand’s first hotel in the Middle East – an incredibly exciting step for our brand!”

Dame Zaha Hadid DBE is a visionary architect who in 2004 became the first woman recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Prize, often referred to as ‘the Nobel Prize of Architecture’. Hadid’s architectural projects include the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympic Games and the MAXXI: Italian National Museum of 21^st Century Art in Rome, while her fashion collaborations include Mobile Art for Chanel and unique designs for Louis Vuitton and Fendi.

ME by Melia is an international hospitality brand that spans the world’s global capitals of culture and cool, with its progressive mix of design-driven and experience-centric approaches.

Amjad added: “Today’s unveiling of Zaha Hadid’s artistic vision for the ME Hotel interiors demonstrates that Dubai is well on course to consolidate its position as the premier luxury destination in the Middle East and one of the world’s most dynamic cities.”

Omniyat’s new-look ‘The Opus’ to feature Zaha Hadid-designed ‘ME by Melia’ hotel & serviced apartments

Omniyat’s new-look ‘The Opus’ to feature Zaha Hadid-designed ‘ME by Melia’ hotel & serviced apartments

The 5-star hotel will feature Michelin star F&B outlets and Zaha Hadid signature furniture

Dubai, UAE, 6 October 2013: Omniyat, a leading developer in the Middle East, will unveil a reconfigured version of its landmark project The Opus, featuring Middle East’s first ‘ME by Melia’ hotel and plush serviced apartments, designed by renowned Arab architect, Dame Zaha Hadid.

Located in Burj Khalifa District, The Opus will feature signature furniture designed or selected by Hadid, giving it another huge value addition.

The Opus, which will be unveiled at Cityscape Global 2013, will feature the first ‘ME by Melia’ hotel in Asia, after its successful launches in London, Cabo, Cancun, Barcelona, Madrid and Vienna. The world class hotel will feature Michelin star F&B outlets spread across an area of 250,000 sq. ft. The entertainment options will be selected from New York, Miami, London and Las Vegas. The Opus will have exclusive furniture designed or selected by Zaha Hadid.

The limited number of serviced apartments, located on top of the hotel, will feature four penthouses with private roof terraces.Owners will enjoy the widest range of services customized.

“Omniyat is thrilled to unveil this ambitious project,” said Mahdi Amjad, Omniyat's Executive Chairman and CEO. “Inspired by Omniyat and designed by legendary architect, Zaha Hadid, The Opus will stand out as one of the most striking landmarks on the Dubai skyline and offer the hotel guests and residents of the serviced apartments a truly classy experience.”

The project marks the foray into Dubai by ME by Melia, operated by Melia Hotels International, one of the world’s leading hotel companies that currently runs more than 350 hotels and 90,000 rooms in 39 countries in 4 continents. ME hotel is not merely a five star hotel but an extraordinary personality brand that believes that no two travellers are the same and therefore cannot be treated in the same manner.

“One of the key value additions of The Opus will be the exquisite furniture designed by Zaha Hadid,” said Amjad. “As most connoisseurs know, Zaha Hadid’s furniture is only available in select Art Galleries and retails in the world.”

This new remarkable project shows that Zaha Hadid’s design has gone a way beyond buildings. The Opus ideally reflects architect’s exciting world of design.

Amjad emphasized: “The Opus is an extraordinary work of art, created by one of the world’s most brilliant minds. It is an icon of architectural distinction in downtown Dubai and a destination in its own right within the Burj Khalifa district, dubbed ‘a city within a city’.”

“The 95 metre high Opus is a masterwork of design whose repertoire gravitates towards distinction and originality. Brookfield Multiplex has already completed 30 percent of the construction,” Amjad said.

Located in one of the most desired places in Dubai, The Opus serviced apartments epitomise an incomparable experience of infusing stylish interiors with a home-away-from-home sensibility. They embody the ultimate urban lifestyle and all that one would expect in terms of luxury, hi-tech, service and privacy -- the cherished hallmarks of The Opus.

Dame Zaha Hadid DBE is a visionary architect who was selected in 2004 to become the first woman recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Prize, often referred to as ‘the Nobel Prize of Architecture’. Very recently, Hadid Architects’ design for the National Stadium of Japan, the centrepiece of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and a significant iconic addition to Tokyo's skyline, is expected to become a shrine for world sport for the next 100 years as described by many.

ME by Melia is an international hospitality brand that spans the world’s global capitals of culture and cool with its progressive mix of design-driven and experience-centric approaches.

CEO and Vice Chairman of Meliá Hotels International, Gabriel Escarrer said “We have been searching for the next city for the ME brand to locate in and found it in this remarkable project in Dubai. It is a fascinating, exciting city that meets the high standards that ME by Meliá offers guests. Zaha Hadid’s masterpiece has exceeded our expectations; we are grateful to Omniyat for developing this ambitious project, and for trusting Meliá Hotels International as their key partner.”

Omniyat’s projects have a clear value proposition with offerings focusing on providing sustained value and tangible, measurable benefits to all stakeholders involved, including shareholders, buyers, and the community. The company has assembled international, multi-disciplinary teams of highly qualified professionals, each with many years of relevant experience in international markets as well as in the GCC region.

Omniyat works with “best-in-class” professional consultants and builders, with some of the world’s best known and most respected architects, specialty consultants and contractors. Omniyat has entered into strategic partnerships and joint ventures with selected professional service providers, offering complementary capabilities to its core business.