25hours Hotel One Central DUBAI 25hours expands its portfolio beyond Europe, unveiling a fun-filled boutique that overlooks Dubai’s Museum of the Future. Words: Nicola Chilton • Photography: Courtesy of 25hours Hotels
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leksandra Nastic looks up at the ceiling of the new 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central with a smile on her face. “This is the most fun I’ve ever had on a project,”
says the Senior Associate at Woods Bagot, who has been part of the property’s journey since December 2017. Dubai marks the first foray outside Europe for the 25hours
brand, whose ‘come as you are’ ethos brings a refreshing mood to the city. Just one month after opening, the local community is already embracing the new offer, with restaurants and co-working spaces buzzing day and night; there’s a sense that this is much more than just another hotel. “We’re not trying to script anything,” says General Manager Jean-Francois Brun. “This is not your typical corporate or leisure property; visitors feel naturally attracted to one space or another. We’ve seen people stroll in curiously, decide that the first floor is comfortable for them, and now they come back every day.” The hotel sits within the new mixed-use One Central development flanking Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road, with the Emirates Towers to one side and World Trade Centre to the other. Sharing a design narrative with the rest of the development, its architecture by Hopkins forms part of the One Central masterplan. And while not a major destination in its own right yet, the area is conveniently placed for business and leisure; a 15-minute drive to the airport and beaches,
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