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Dubai's Burj Al Arab, the sail-shaped hotel that became one of the world's most recognizable symbols of luxury hospitality, has shut its doors for an 18-month restoration, its owner confirmed Tuesday, in a closure that coincides with a sharp drop in regional tourism driven by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based hospitality company that owns the property, said the phased renovation, the hotel's first since it opened in 1999, will be led by Paris-based interior architect Tristan Auer, known for his work restoring heritage properties including the Hotel de Crillon in Paris.
A staff member confirmed to Reuters that the hotel would be closed throughout the works and is offering alternative accommodation at nearby hotels to guests with existing bookings. The duration, the person added, remains subject to change.
Jumeirah CEO Thomas B. Meier described the project as more than a physical upgrade. "Jumeirah Burj Al Arab is far more than an architectural landmark; it is a symbol of ambition, craftsmanship and enduring excellence," he said, calling the renovation "a new chapter" that will "carefully preserve the heritage" of the property.
Auer, for his part, called the commission "a profound privilege," adding that carrying forward the legacy of the landmark was "both an honour and a responsibility."
The closure comes at a fraught moment for Dubai's tourism-dependent economy. The hotel itself sustained facade damage in early March when debris from the interception of an Iranian drone attack struck the building, one of several sites affected across the city, including Dubai airport, Palm Jumeirah and the Fujairah oil industrial zone.
The broader conflict, which began when the United States and Israel attacked Iran in late February, has rattled the region's travel sector. More than $120 billion was reportedly wiped from market capitalization on the Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock exchanges in the conflict's first month alone, while over 18,400 flights were cancelled. By late March, Iran had launched 398 ballistic missiles, 1,872 drones and 15 cruise missiles at the UAE, making it the most targeted country after Israel, though most were intercepted.
A Jumeirah employee told Reuters the renovation was "long-awaited" and not linked to the March incident. Jumeirah's official statement made no reference to the conflict.
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