{"id":587583,"date":"2026-04-16T10:57:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T10:57:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/587583\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T10:57:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T10:57:09","slug":"jumeirah-burj-al-arab-closes-to-undergo-18-month-restoration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/587583\/","title":{"rendered":"Jumeirah Burj Al Arab closes to undergo 18-month restoration"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jumeirah Burj Al Arab<\/a> is set to undergo an 18-month restoration. The hotel, which has been a pillar of the Dubai skyline for more than 25 years, has temporarily closed to facilitate the works led by French interior architect Tristan Auer. <\/p>\n

Speaking to The National, Auer makes it clear that the \u201cessence\u201d of the hotel will be maintained. <\/p>\n

\u201cMy approach is very respectful, not to damage the DNA or the legacy of this building, but just to reinforce, refresh and restore it,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n

The best compliment would be for people not to notice the change<\/p>\n

Interior architect Tristan Auer<\/p>\n

\u201cRestoration is a good word \u2026 I have done projects on many iconic buildings, and they have all been about enhancing and improving them, without touching everything. That is my approach; it is not based on my ego or what I would like to live on as my legacy, but what I can do for this building.\u201d <\/p>\n

The philosophy underpinning the project, which has been two years in the planning, seems to be one of restraint. Rather than a dramatic transformation, guests can expect a near-invisible evolution, one that enhances the experience without altering the hotel\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe idea is not to break everything but, on the contrary, to preserve as much as possible and then to change a few things to make it beautiful for the next 25 years,\u201d explains Auer, adding that design elements will \u201ccarry through\u201d, ensuring familiarity for repeat visitors. <\/p>\n

\u201cI would like people to come back to the Burj Al Arab and feel like nothing has changed \u2026 the best compliment would be for people not to notice the change.\u201d <\/p>\n

Auer, who founded his Paris studio in 2002 after working with Philippe Starck and Christian Liaigre, is regarded as one of the leading figures in contemporary interior architecture. His portfolio includes projects such as Hotel de Crillon and Les Bains Douches in Paris. <\/p>\n

Burj Al Arab<\/a> opened in 1999 and celebrated its 25th anniversary in December 2024. The property\u2019s many monikers include \u201cthe world\u2019s most luxurious hotel\u201d; \u201cthe Dubai Sail\u201d; and, of course, the world\u2019s \u201conly seven-star hotel\u201d. It is known for its gold-plated interiors, Swarovski crystal embellishments, exclusive restaurants and panoramic sea and city views. <\/p>\n

Inspired by the sail of a traditional dhow<\/a> and designed by Tom Wright, the Burj Al Arab outline is said to have been sketched on a napkin as the British architect gazed out to the Arabian Gulf, firming up his vision for the property.<\/p>\n

The hotel opened on December 1, 1999, and comprises 198 duplex suites. Standing 321 metres high, it was the world\u2019s tallest hotel upon opening. <\/p>\n

Of the restoration project, Thomas Meier, Jumeirah\u2019s chief executive, says: \u201cJumeirah Burj Al Arab is far more than an architectural landmark; it is a symbol of ambition, craftsmanship and enduring excellence. For the past 27 years, this exceptional property has served guests with passion and world-class standards.\u201d<\/p>\n

Going into more detail when it comes to the restoration, Auer says the aquarium that greets visitors upon entry and the distinctly colourful lobby will remain intact. The spa, however, will undergo a more extensive renovation. \u201cIt will change a lot in terms of flow, but aesthetically, there is a high consistency between what people have seen and what they will see,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n

Auer has stayed at the hotel three times, an experience he compares to being \u201cinvited to a royal palace \u2026 but then very quickly, it becomes natural\u201d. <\/p>\n

Beyond aesthetics, sustainability plays a key role in the restoration strategy. By preserving many of the hotel\u2019s existing elements and prioritising craftsmanship over replacement, the project aims to reflect a more conscious approach to luxury.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeeping 70 to 80 per cent of the existing decor is a sustainable approach,\u201d Auer says, adding the plan is to work with \u201cartisans and craftspeople to restore things. You don’t bring new mouldings, new blocks, but restore them carefully.\u201d <\/p>\n

As for the timeline, Jumeirah has announced the project will take about 18 months, whereas Auer plays his cards closer to his chest. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt will open when it is ready. The intent here is to make it perfect, not to make it fast,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Jumeirah Burj Al Arab is set to undergo an 18-month restoration. The hotel, which has been a pillar…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":587584,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[228,226,227,227550,229,13362,88,27727,13761,615,13546],"class_list":{"0":"post-587583","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-design","8":"tag-arts","9":"tag-arts-and-design","10":"tag-artsanddesign","11":"tag-burj-al-arab","12":"tag-design","13":"tag-dubai","14":"tag-entertainment","15":"tag-hotels","16":"tag-lifestyle-team","17":"tag-standard","18":"tag-story"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/587583","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=587583"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/587583\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/587584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=587583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=587583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=587583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}