Who We Are
Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, The First Group is a visionary and dynamic hospitality real estate developer. Since 2005, we have been at the forefront of innovation, transforming the real estate landscape with our rapidly expanding, award-winning portfolio of upscale hotels, residential properties, F&B brands, leisure venues, and real estate asset management services.
We have revolutionised the industry with our pioneering approach to hotel unit ownership. Our innovative model allows individual ownership of guest rooms, suites, and serviced apartments in Dubai’s prime locations. This approach has created lucrative opportunities for owners, delivering significant returns and exclusive benefits such as travel rewards, complimentary stays, and referral bonuses.
At The First Group, we are dedicated to delivering high-value properties and ensuring long-term value for our clients while providing exceptional, memorable experiences to hotel and leisure guests. As we continue to grow, we remain focused on innovation and excellence, striving to introduce groundbreaking concepts and redefine the property landscape for our clients and partners.
At The First Group, we are driven by our passion for innovation and an unwavering commitment to creating exceptional value for our clients. Since our inception, we have been pioneers in offering unique hotel ownership opportunities that not only allow our clients to benefit from Dubai’s remarkable growth as one of the world’s leading destinations, but also ensure they reap the benefits of our industry-leading expertise.
Our vision is to continue expanding our portfolio of world-class hotels, lifestyle brands, and leisure venues while offering our clients exclusive access to lucrative ownership opportunities. We are committed to building landmark properties in prime locations that deliver exceptional returns and unforgettable experiences. The success of our clients is our success, and we strive to enhance their journey with us through bespoke incentives, rewards, and personalised services that extend far beyond traditional offerings.
As we look to the future, The First Group remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the hospitality industry, transforming aspirations into reality, and ensuring that every interaction with our company leaves a lasting, positive impact on our clients' lives.
Rob Burns
Chief Executive Officer, The First Group
About THE FIRST GROUP
With our diverse, high-value asset portfolio ranging from award-winning upscale hotels and residences to exciting F&B outlets and lifestyle venues, we are the region’s leading provider of end-to-end hospitality solutions.
WHO WE ARE
Over the past two decades, we have forged a reputation as one of the hospitality industry’s leading innovators, providing groundbreaking ownership opportunities to clients and partners and exceptional, memorable experiences to hotel and leisure guests.
WHAT WE DO
Today, our high-value hospitality asset portfolio spans unique lifestyle hotel brands, exciting F&B outlets and highly popular leisure venues. Our visionary, trailblazing approach to hotel and hospitality asset management has made us a trusted partner of some of the industry’s leading global brands, including Wyndham Hotel Group, Emirates Skywards, and Mont Blanc, as well as individual owners from more than 146 countries worldwide.
WE INNOVATE
Our vast expertise developing and operating award-winning hospitality ventures is reflected in our extensive portfolio of third-party hospitality management services, which range from hotel asset management to F&B brand development, resourcing, and operations. This makes us the ideal partner for new owners looking to quickly establish a market presence or for existing players aspiring to take their hospitality businesses to the next level.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Success breeds responsibility. This ethos, as reflected in our commitment to sustainable development, is core to our efforts to make a positive impact in every community in which we operate. As we work to Enrich Young Lives, our innovative and wide-ranging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aim to secure a brighter future for underprivileged young people living around the world.
Careers
We pride ourselves on providing a workplace environment that not only recognises individual brilliance but also stresses the importance of teamwork and collaboration. When you join us, we will nurture your core strengths and help you achieve your professional goals. We will provide you with mentoring and support to ensure you deliver on your potential, and we will offer you lucrative rewards and exclusive benefits when you excel.
THE FIRST GROUP IN THE NEWS
Awards SETTING NEW INDUSTRY BENCHMARKS
The First Group has received multiple international awards for its lifestyle-focused hospitality and leisure brands, upscale hotel developments and efforts to set new quality benchmarks in the UAE’s hotel and hospitality sectors.
Central to our mission is a commitment to sustainability, and we are proud to have several of our properties Green Key certified. This commitment reflects our dedication to implementing sustainable practices and promoting environmental responsibility in the hospitality industry.
International Property Awards
The IPAs are recognised as the world’s most respected property development awards programme. Ciel – the world’s tallest hotel upon completion – has earned four IPAs to date, while still being under construction in the heart of Dubai Marina.
- Ciel
Best International Hotel Architecture 2019 - 2020
Best Hotel Architecture Arabia 2019 - 2020
Best High-rise Architecture Arabia 2019 - 2020
- The One at Jumeirah Village Circle
Best Hotel Architecture Dubai 2018 - 2019
Dubai Land Department Appreciation Awards
The First Group is honoured to have received Appreciation Awards from the Dubai Land Department (DLD) – the Dubai government’s real estate regulator – in 2017 and 2019. The DLD recognition acknowledges The First Group’s reputation as one of Dubai’s leading property developers and its key role in promoting the growth of the emirate’s real estate sector globally.
- Appreciation Award 2019
- Appreciation Award 2017
Arabian Property Awards
This world-renowned awards programme is recognised for setting the gold standard for excellence in the Middle East property development industry. The First Group has won multiple awards for the following properties:
- The One at Jumeirah Village Circle
New Hotel Construction and Design 2020-2021
Hotel Architecture 2020-2021
Hotel Interior 2020-2021 - The One Hotel in Business Bay
Hotel Architecture - Dubai 2020-2021
New Hotel Construction & Design - Dubai 2020-2021
Arabian Property Awards
This world-renowned awards programme is recognised for setting the gold standard for excellence in the Middle East property development industry. The First Group has won multiple awards for the following properties:
- Ciel
Best Hotel Architecture Dubai 2019 - 2020
Best High-rise Architecture Dubai 2019 - 2020
Best Commercial High-rise Development Dubai 2019 - 2020
Best New Hotel Construction & Design Dubai 2019 - 2020
