Dubai’s Burj Al Arab Is Getting a Makeover

Dubai’s most recognisable building is entering a new phase. Burj Al Arab will undergo its first major restoration since opening in 1999, with a phased programme expected to last around 18 months. Led by French interior architect Tristan Auer, the project is framed as a careful update rather than a redesign, focused on preserving the building’s identity while refining its interiors for the next generation. As Auer puts it, “being entrusted with the very first restoration of a property of this calibre in Dubai… is both an honour and a responsibility.” He adds that the aim is “to carry forward… the legacy of such an extraordinary landmark,” signalling a process based on continuity rather than change.

This is also the first time the hotel has undergone a comprehensive renovation in over 25 years, marking a shift in how Dubai approaches its own recent architectural icons. From a design perspective, the Burj Al Arab sits within a very specific moment in Dubai’s history. It is not just a hotel but a symbol of the city’s late 1990s ambition, when architecture was used to signal scale, confidence and global reach. Its interiors, defined by marble, gold leaf and crystal, reflect that era. The restoration treats these elements with precision, approaching the building as a piece of recent heritage rather than something to be replaced.

French interior architect Tristan Auer.

Across the region, there is a growing shift in how relatively recent architecture is handled. Buildings from the early 2000s are now being reconsidered as part of a broader design history. In Dubai, where development has often prioritised the new, the decision to restore instead of rebuild suggests a more measured approach. More than two decades after it opened, the Burj Al Arab is being treated as both landmark and reference point, maintained and updated rather than replaced.

In 2026, Dubai is entering a broad renovation cycle, and it’s not limited to the Burj Al Arab. A number of high-profile hotels across different segments are either closing temporarily or scaling back operations for upgrades. The Armani Hotel Dubai, Park Hyatt and St. Regis The Palm are amongst those due for a refresh.