Integrated global property developer The First Group has introduced a lifestyle brand, The First Collection, which encompasses the firm’s portfolio of hotels, restaurants and leisure venues.
The launch of the brand marks a major step in the firm’s evolution, with its existing portfolio of 11 award-winning properties, including Wyndham Dubai Marina, Millennium Place Marina and TRYP by Wyndham Dubai.
Additionally, The First Group has a pipeline of seven upscale and upper-midscale hotels in development in Dubai, with many of these exciting new projects launching under The First Collection banner, along with a selection of The First Group’s existing properties that will be rebranded in the coming months.
“The First Collection brings our assets together under one sophisticated brand, providing a platform for the development of exciting lifestyle experiences that leverage our core strengths while providing investors new opportunities to further capitalise on our long-term growth plans,” says Rob Burns, Chief Executive Officer of The First Group.
“The First Collection will enable us to accelerate our expansion plans in new and existing markets, while ensuring strong brand recognition across our entire portfolio,” continues Burns.
Over the past several years, The First Group has diversified its operations, branching into key vertical markets, including property asset management and Food & Beverage (F&B) – with the latter earning the brand a formidable reputation as one of Dubai’s most ambitious and innovative hospitality operators. This is thanks in part to the launch of MasterChef, the TV Experience – the world’s first restaurant based on the global reality TV phenomenon, located at Millennium Place Marina.
In recent months, the F&B team have rolled out equally exciting and original outlets including Japanese street-food inspired Ikigai (生き甲斐) at Millennium Place Marina, plus Lola Taberna Española and the Mediterranean-themed Soluna Restaurant & Lounge, both of which are located at TRYP by Wyndham Dubai. Each venue has received acclaim for delivering unique and exceptional dining experiences.
The First Group has appointed a highly experienced team to oversee the long-term development of The First Collection’s hotel and F&B portfolio. Renowned hotelier David Thomson, who spent two decades stewarding the rise of Dubai-based JA Resorts & Hotels, will serve as Vice President of TFG Hotel Management; and internationally acclaimed restaurateur, Mark Patten who previously managed F&B for Atlantis The Palm and Harrods of London, will oversee The First Collection dining and entertainment division as Vice President of Food & Beverage.
The introduction of The First Collection will also signal an exciting new era for The First Group’s investors, who currently hail from 149 countries worldwide.
