Kleindienst Group and IHG Hotels & Resorts have unveiled the new design for InterContinental Dubai – The Heart of Europe, a 466-key resort on Dubai’s World Islands scheduled to open in winter 2027.
The project marks a key milestone in the broader revival of the World Islands, which have seen renewed investor activity and construction after more than a decade of limited progress.
“We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with The Heart of Europe to bring our inaugural InterContinental Resort in Dubai,” said Haitham Mattar, Managing Director for India, the Middle East and Africa at IHG Hotels & Resorts. “We are confident in our partnership with Kleindienst Group in offering unique guest stays within a dynamic flagship location.”
The hotel’s architectural redesign is led by New York-based HWKN Architecture and features a Teflon-coated fibreglass mesh curtain that moves with the wind, described as a “living façade.” The updated exterior combines a cream limestone-inspired finish with contemporary materials designed to evoke the look of traditional Italian coastal architecture.
“The design transformation embodies our commitment to delivering experiential hospitality,” said Josef Kleindienst, Founder and Chairman of Kleindienst Group. “Every design decision was made to create lasting guest connections.”
Inside, the resort will feature nine restaurants and lounges, three accommodation wings, and branded residences managed by InterContinental. Facilities include a children’s club, a ladies’ spa, and a 700-metre beach, reinforcing the group’s plan to make the Heart of Europe the first large-scale family-focused hospitality hub on the archipelago.
HWKN’s founder Matthias Hollwich said the redesign integrates AI-based design tools to blend European sensibilities with Dubai’s contemporary style.
“For the InterContinental Dubai, we applied AI-enhanced design methodologies that merge the European quality of life with Dubai’s spirit of hospitality,” he said.
The property is part of Kleindienst’s broader $6 billion Heart of Europe development, which includes 20 themed hotels and over 5,000 rooms under construction or planned through 2027.
The redesign comes as capital returns to the World Islands, which had stalled after the 2008 financial crisis.
Once operational, InterContinental Dubai – The Heart of Europe will contribute to the growing cluster of branded resorts redefining the archipelago’s market position.
The hotel is expected to open in winter 2027 as part of Dubai’s push to expand its high-end tourism offering and attract international investment to long-stalled offshore developments.
