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
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
One of the industry’s most respected awards programmes, the International Property Awards celebrate excellence in commercial real estate design. Our flagship project Ciel Dubai Marina – the world’s tallest hotel – has earned multiple IPAs over the years, while The One at Jumeirah Village Circle is a previous winner of the Best Hotel Architecture Dubai Award.
Ciel Dubai Marina
- Best International Hotel Architecture 2019-20
- Best Hotel Architecture Arabia 2019-20
- Best High-rise Architecture Arabia 2019-20
The One at Jumeirah Village Circle
- Best Hotel Architecture Dubai 2018-19
Arabian Property Awards
The annual Arabian Property Awards showcase the region’s top commercial real estate developments. The First Group has been a consistent winner, recognised for delivering landmark developments that have helped shape Dubai’s fastest-growing destinations.
The One at Jumeirah Village Circle
- New Hotel Construction and Design 2020-21
- Hotel Architecture 2020-21
- Hotel Interior 2020-21
The One Hotel in Business Bay
- Hotel Architecture Dubai 2020-21
- New Hotel Construction and Design Dubai 2020-21
Arabian Property Awards
The annual Arabian Property Awards showcase the region’s top commercial real estate developments. The First Group has been a consistent winner, recognised for delivering landmark developments that have helped shape Dubai’s fastest-growing destinations.
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
Dubai Land Department Appreciation Awards
The First Group is proud to have received prestigious Appreciation Awards from the Dubai Land Department (DLD) in both 2017 and 2019. As one of the Emirate’s most trusted developers, the recognition is testament to our dedication to excellence, transparency and promoting sustainable growth across the industry.
- Appreciation Award - 2019
- Appreciation Award - 2017
