Dimorestudio: The Arts Club, Dubai
Take a tour of The Arts Club’s new sibling with the interiors designed by Milan-based design studio Dimorestudio, as the iconic member’s club opens their doors in Dubai, marking its first foreign expansion since its founding in 1863.
The Arts Club, London’s iconic private members’ club, founded in 1863, has officially expanded overseas for the first time in its distinguished history. The chosen destination is Dubai, a city renowned for its architectural ambition and luxury hospitality. Nestled within ICD Brookfield Place, a contemporary skyscraper designed by Foster + Partners in the heart of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), The Arts Club Dubai marks an important cultural and design milestone.
Spanning 65,000 square feet across four floors, the new club features two distinctive restaurants, a brasserie, private dining areas, extensive terraces, and multiple members’ lounges. What sets this project apart is the interiors, designed by Milan-based design powerhouse Dimorestudio, whose bold and eclectic approach brings a distinctive identity while honouring the values of the London original.
The Arts Club Legacy
Since its founding more than 160 years ago, The Arts Club in London has been at the intersection of culture, creativity, and society. Originally established to provide a meeting place for those involved in the arts, literature, and sciences, its Mayfair townhouse has long been a hub for cultural exchange and elegant socialising.
With Dubai, the club seeks to extend that legacy to a global audience, attracting creatives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders from across the Middle East and beyond. While the London clubhouse exudes historic charm and tradition, the Dubai edition takes a fresh approach, embracing the modernist architecture of ICD Brookfield Place and reinterpreting its heritage for a new cultural landscape.
Foster + Partners and ICD Brookfield Place
The architectural backdrop for The Arts Club Dubai is the striking ICD Brookfield Place tower, one of the most prestigious office and lifestyle developments in the city. Designed by Foster + Partners, the skyscraper represents the very best of contemporary urban design, with its sleek glass façade and open, light-filled interiors.
The contrast between the modern exterior and the richly layered interiors by Dimorestudio is deliberate. Where the building projects transparency and structural clarity, the interiors are imbued with warmth, opulence, and character. This juxtaposition reinforces The Arts Club’s identity as both a cosmopolitan and timeless institution.
The Arts Club Legacy
Since its founding more than 160 years ago, The Arts Club in London has been at the intersection of culture, creativity, and society. Originally established to provide a meeting place for those involved in the arts, literature, and sciences, its Mayfair townhouse has long been a hub for cultural exchange and elegant socialising.
With Dubai, the club seeks to extend that legacy to a global audience, attracting creatives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders from across the Middle East and beyond. While the London clubhouse exudes historic charm and tradition, the Dubai edition takes a fresh approach, embracing the modernist architecture of ICD Brookfield Place and reinterpreting its heritage for a new cultural landscape.
Foster + Partners and ICD Brookfield Place
The architectural backdrop for The Arts Club Dubai is the striking ICD Brookfield Place tower, one of the most prestigious office and lifestyle developments in the city. Designed by Foster + Partners, the skyscraper represents the very best of contemporary urban design, with its sleek glass façade and open, light-filled interiors.
The contrast between the modern exterior and the richly layered interiors by Dimorestudio is deliberate. Where the building projects transparency and structural clarity, the interiors are imbued with warmth, opulence, and character. This juxtaposition reinforces The Arts Club’s identity as both a cosmopolitan and timeless institution.
Dimorestudio’s Design Approach
Founded by Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran, Dimorestudio is celebrated for its ability to merge past and present, creating spaces that feel nostalgic yet forward-looking. Their work is often described as cinematic, defined by unexpected colour palettes, bold material juxtapositions, and narrative-driven design.
For The Arts Club Dubai, Dimorestudio sought to preserve the essence of the original members’ club while creating something uniquely connected to its new setting. The result is a sequence of spaces, each with its own identity, yet tied together through recurring motifs, materials, and detailing.
Dimorestudio’s Design Approach
Founded by Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran, Dimorestudio is celebrated for its ability to merge past and present, creating spaces that feel nostalgic yet forward-looking. Their work is often described as cinematic, defined by unexpected colour palettes, bold material juxtapositions, and narrative-driven design.
For The Arts Club Dubai, Dimorestudio sought to preserve the essence of the original members’ club while creating something uniquely connected to its new setting. The result is a sequence of spaces, each with its own identity, yet tied together through recurring motifs, materials, and detailing.
Interiors Inspired by Art Deco and Beyond
While Art Deco serves as the principal inspiration, the interiors draw upon multiple styles to create what Dimorestudio describes as a “nonlinear narrative.” Guests are invited on a journey where no two rooms feel identical, yet all share a sense of grandeur and sophistication.
Entrance Hall: The experience begins with an Art Deco-inspired entry hall, where bold woods and geometric forms establish the visual language of the club.
First Floor – The Brasserie: A striking geometrically patterned marble floor defines the brasserie, complemented by wooden floors with oversized fan motifs that extend into adjoining spaces.
Second Floor – Latin Restaurant: Here, cathedral-like stained glass windows create a sense of drama, paired with custom panelling and a hand-painted mural inspired by coloured concrete tiles.
Third Floor – Italian Restaurant: The Italian dining space is marked by its triple-marble flooring in a hexagonal geometric pattern, which is echoed in a spectacular backlit briar wood ceiling.
Across all levels, Dimorestudio has embraced bold textures, rich fabrics, and deep colour palettes to create a layered interior world.
A Space for Art and Culture
True to its heritage, The Arts Club Dubai places art at its heart. Each space has been carefully designed to host rotating and permanent collections, ensuring that members can engage with contemporary art in an intimate, immersive environment.
This curatorial approach reflects the club’s longstanding relationship with artists and collectors, positioning the Dubai location not just as a social venue, but also as a cultural institution. The integration of art into the design further reinforces Dimorestudio’s narrative, ensuring the interiors serve as a canvas for creative expression.
Outdoor Terraces and Lounges
While interiors dominate the design story, The Arts Club Dubai also makes full use of its setting within DIFC. Expansive outdoor terraces provide panoramic views of the city skyline, offering members the chance to enjoy Dubai’s year-round climate in a stylish, exclusive environment.
Lounges throughout the club provide flexibility for informal meetings, private conversations, or social gatherings, further reinforcing its reputation as a versatile space for business, leisure, and cultural exchange.
Connecting London and Dubai
One of the most fascinating aspects of The Arts Club Dubai is how it bridges the traditions of London with the dynamism of Dubai. Where the London club leans heavily into its 19th-century heritage, the Dubai edition embraces modern architecture while layering in Art Deco glamour and eclectic design references.
This interplay creates a club that feels distinctly international yet locally resonant — a space that reflects both its European heritage and its Middle Eastern context.
The Arts Club Dubai in Context
Dubai has become a global hub for luxury hospitality and lifestyle brands, with members’ clubs increasingly making their mark on the city. Yet The Arts Club stands apart for its deep history and enduring cultural relevance. Its arrival signals not only an expansion of a prestigious London institution but also a recognition of Dubai’s growing role as a cultural capital.
For Dimorestudio, the project represents one of their most ambitious commissions in the Middle East, highlighting their ability to translate European design sensibilities into a distinctly international setting.
The opening of The Arts Club Dubai at ICD Brookfield Place represents a meeting of architecture, design, and culture. With Foster + Partners providing the architectural framework and Dimorestudio crafting richly layered interiors, the project captures both tradition and innovation.
More than just a private members’ club, The Arts Club Dubai is a cultural destination in its own right, a place where art, design, and society converge. It is a fitting next chapter for an institution that has been shaping cultural dialogue since 1863, and a testament to Dubai’s position as a global city for design and creativity.
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