A branch of The Ivy, the London restaurant famed as a popular celebrity hangout and for being notoriously difficult to secure a table at, is to open in Dubai next spring.
Jumeirah Group, which has the regional rights to the brand, and manages hotels including the Burj Al Arab, made the announcement today. The restaurant will be located in Emirates Towers, replacing Scarlett’s, which will be closed from January 1, as construction on the property begins.
“Clearly it will be like The Ivy and feel like The Ivy, but it will be a restaurant in its own right,” said David O’Brien, the operations director at Caprice Holdings. The Ivy and brands such as Le Caprice and Scott’s are owned by Caprice Holdings, which is headed by the British restaurateur Richard Caring. Jumeirah took over the Middle East rights for the brands from Tatweer, which, like Jumeirah, is also part of Dubai Holding.
The Dubai restaurant will be designed by London designer Martin Brudnizki, who will replicate the look and feel of the West End property, Jumeirah Group said.
Jumeirah declined to disclose the financial terms of the deal and the cost of developing the restaurant in Dubai.
“It is an expensive brand to build and there will be high-end feel to it,” said Phil Broad, the managing director of Jumeirah Restaurants.
