Latest news with #JosefKleindienst
Time Out Dubai
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
Huge new Danish-style hotel to be built on Dubai's World Islands
A brand-new luxury hotel is set to be built on Dubai's iconic World Islands. Inspired by the Danish concept of hygge, the Hygge Hotel will bring a laid-back, cosy vibe to The Heart of Europe. Hygge is a Danish word for the quality of cosiness that comes from doing simple, everyday things. With a warm, comfortable and understated design, the hotel aims to create a happy place for guests to slow down and reconnect with what matters in life. Hygge will be home to 96 rooms and four restaurants, which will all be carefully designed to encourage calm, connection and wellbeing. Expect soft textures, warm lighting and natural materials to make the hotel room feel more like a home away from home. Hygge Hotel (Credit: Supplied) Hygge Hotel will be part of a cluster of six themed islands inspired by the culture and architecture of diverse European regions. The new concept comes to Dubai's World Islands via the Klendienst Group – the group behind the voco Monaco, Venice Hotel and Portofino Hotel – and is set to open in the first half of 2027. The hotel will be designed by HWKN Architecture DPC, a firm that uses specific AI-driven prompts and research to shape buildings. Hygge Hotel (Credit: Supplied) Josef Kleindienst, founder and chairman of Kleindienst Group, believes that the hotel will offer a happy escape for guests. He said: 'With Hygge Hotel, we are not just unveiling a new property, we are opening the doors to a home of happiness. Hygge Hotel (Credit: Supplied) 'This hotel is designed to offer guests a deep sense of comfort, calm, and connection. A sanctuary where joy lives in all the details. 'At Kleindienst Group, we believe true luxury is emotional and Hygge Hotel is where that emotion is embraced, nurtured, and brought to life through thoughtful, human-centred hospitality.' You might also like: UAE public holidays: Every long weekend to look forward to in 2025 The dates to know 22 pictures that show how much Dubai has changed from the 1950s to today Take a look at these unrecognisable photos of the city 112 best things to do in Dubai in 2025 Everything to tick off your Dubai bucket list
Web Release
03-07-2025
- Business
- Web Release
HYGGE HOTEL – A HOME OF HAPPINESS AT THE HEART OF EUROPE
Kleindienst Group today unveils the concept of Hygge Hotel, a new property set to open in H1 2027 as part of its visionary flagship destination, The Heart of Europe, on The World Islands. Taking its name from the Danish concept of hygge – a word that encapsulates the feeling of contentment, simplicity, and quiet joy – the hotel aims to create a home of happiness for guests to slow down and reconnect with what truly matters through experiences rooted in warmth, comfort and intentional design. With happiness as a lifestyle, every detail of the hotel with 96 rooms and four restaurants is carefully designed to encourage calm, connection, and well-being. From the soft textures and warm lighting to natural materials and intuitive service, the hotel is built to feel like home – no matter how far from home you are. The philosophy of hygge will be brought to life through every touchpoint of the guest experience: the design is warm and understated, with cosy corners, communal spaces, and intimate details that invite relaxation; meals are prepared with seasonal ingredients and served in a way that feels familiar and welcoming; and even wellness is approached with simplicity and care, through saunas, quiet rituals, and peaceful environments. Josef Kleindienst, Founder and Chairman of Kleindienst Group said: 'With Hygge Hotel, we are not just unveiling a new property, we are opening the doors to a home of happiness. This hotel is designed to offer guests a deep sense of comfort, calm, and connection. A sanctuary where joy lives in all the details. At Kleindienst Group, we believe true luxury is emotional and Hygge Hotel is where that emotion is embraced, nurtured, and brought to life through thoughtful, human-centred hospitality.' Matthias Hollwich, Founding Principal of HWKN Architecture commented: 'When developing the façade and interiors of Hygge Hotel, we were encouraged to approach the property as a distinct cultural story, viewing hospitality not just as a design, but as an emotional journey. As a German born and raised architect leading a New York City firm, we are perfectly positioned to bring European inspired design with New York ambitions to Dubai's place of vision. We focused on what the future of hospitality will look like and how to create experiences that exceed the expectation of travellers for years to come.' HWKN Architecture DPC, one of the most innovative firms globally, pioneers a new approach by merging AI with architecture. This process uses specific AI-driven prompts and research to shape buildings with contextual insight, programmatic intent, brand identity, and personality. For Hygge Hotel, it brings surprising experiences that push the boundaries of traditional design. Situated within The Heart of Europe, the Hygge Hotel becomes part of one of Dubai's most ambitious and visionary developments – a cluster of six themed islands inspired by the culture and architecture of diverse European regions. Designed to deliver immersive experiences rooted in innovation, sustainability, and European excellence, the destination now gains a new dimension with Hygge Hotel. It introduces a deeply personal and emotionally resonant layer, offering guests a haven of warmth and well-being within this iconic project. Sales of units will be officially launched during an exclusive event on 25th July 2025, and interested buyers can register their interest via The Heart of Europe website.
The Guardian
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
James Bond owners say name battle is ‘assault' on 007 franchise
The owners of James Bond have called the attempt by an Austrian businessman to take control of the superspy's name across Europe an 'unprecedented assault' on the multibillion-pound global franchise. In February, the Guardian revealed that a Dubai-based property developer had filed claims in the UK and EU arguing that lack of use meant various protections had lapsed around James Bond's intellectual property, including his name, his 007 assignation and the catchphrase 'Bond, James Bond'. Nearly all of the nine trademarks being challenged relate to the merchandising of goods and services under the Bond name, which can be challenged after five years of 'non-use'. Josef Kleindienst, an Austrian who is building a $5bn (£3.7bn) luxury resort complex called the Heart of Europe on six artificial islands off Dubai, has argued the trademarks have been commercially under-exploited. Lawyers representing Danjaq, the US-based company which controls the rights to worldwide James Bond merchandising in conjunction with the UK-based production company Eon, have hit back, aiming to vigorously defend the 007 franchise. 'James Bond is a trademark of the highest reputation in the EU,' said Rudolf Böckenholt at Boehmert & Boehmert, one of the largest intellectual property (IP) law firms in Europe, representing Danjaq. 'The trademarks are also licensed for numerous consumer products and merchandise products, ranging from very luxurious products to everyday products, as well as further services. These goods and the corresponding services are covered by a number of trademarks that have been challenged and attacked by the claimant Josef Kleindienst in an unprecedented assault.' It has also emerged that Kleindienst has extended his attempt to try to take control of the spy's various brands by also submitting his own trademark for James Bond in Europe. He has not, however, done the same in the UK. The European IP law firm Withers & Rogers said this is likely to be because the 'intention to use test' that applications are submitted to is more stringently applied by the UK's Intellectual Property Office than its continental equivalent the EU Intellectual Property Office. 'Danjaq would be more likely to object to the registration [in the UK] on the grounds of 'bad faith',' said Mark Caddle, a partner and trademark attorney at Withers & Rogers. Danjaq's lawyers are putting together evidence to prove the trademarks are still being commercialised, while at the same time arguing that Kleindienst's 'non-use' challenges 'represent abuse of process'. Kleindienst was approached for comment. 'The plot thickens,' Caddle said. 'Opting for an 'abuse of use' defence suggests that Danjaq could believe that the cancellation attempt is not legitimate, and specifically, that the challenger may not be intending to use the marks commercially. While it is impossible to say for sure what the challenger's motives are in this case, the James Bond trademark portfolio and its legacy value does make it an enticing target for opportunists, and further cancellation attempts can't be ruled out.' Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Daniel Craig's last outing as 007, No Time to Die, was released in 2021 and with no announcement yet of his replacement or timeline for production of the next film, the franchise is on track to beat the previous longest gap between instalments of six years and four months. Danjaq also co-owns the copyright to the existing Bond films, along with MGM Studios, which was acquired by Amazon for $8.5bn in 2021. Days after the report of Kleindienst's legal challenges, it emerged that Amazon had paid more than $1bn to gain full 'creative control' of the franchise from Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, the longtime stewards of the Bond films. With creative control, Amazon now has the power to move forward with new films and potentially TV spin-offs, without approval from the two British-American heirs to the film producer Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli, who had overseen the integrity of the character originally created in 1953 by the author Ian Fleming. In March, Amazon confirmed that Amy Pascal and David Heyman would steer the next Bond film, although no release date or lead actor has yet been named. Pascal has experience with the Bond series in her previous position as Sony's chair of film, overseeing Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace and Skyfall. She also had producer credits on the latest Spider-Man series. Heyman is best known as the producer of the Harry Potter films as well as the Fantastic Beasts franchise and is now in pre-production on the much-anticipated HBO TV series adaptation of the stories. He is the second most commercially successful film producer of all time, with credits including Gravity, Paddington, Barbie, Wonka and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Gulf Business
12-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
‘If it doesn't exist, create it,' Josef Kleindienst on real estate innovation and AI-powered hospitality
Image: Supplied The Kleindienst Group prepares to mark 40 years in 2025. Spearheaded by a belief in building what doesn't yet exist, the company has reimagined what experiential tourism and climate-conscious living can look like through its flagship $6bn project, The Heart of Europe. In this interview, the group's founder and chairman, Josef Kleindienst, reflects on the concept of underwater living, launching AI-powered hospitality, regenerating coral ecosystems — and shaping a legacy that is enduring. As Kleindienst Group celebrates 40 years this year, how would you describe the company's evolution? We started with just two desks and one mindset: if it doesn't exist, create it. Four decades later, Kleindienst Group is Dubai's largest European real estate developer, with a team of more than 1,500 people working across hospitality, tourism, marine engineering, and real estate. From day one, our mission has been to deliver impact – through innovation, sustainability, and long-term vision. The Heart of Europe is the clearest expression of that ambition: a six-island destination built from the sea up to redefine what luxury hospitality tourism can look like. We were the first developer to successfully deliver a complex, multi-island destination on The World, Dubai – something that has never been done before. That meant solving unprecedented regulatory, engineering, and environmental challenges, often with no blueprint to follow. But we stayed the course. We engineered the seemingly impossible and brought it to life. Today, we've launched voco Monaco Dubai into a thriving destination attracting guests from around the world. We've delivered the luxurious Sweden Beach Palace and completed construction on the Nice Hotel. These aren't just milestones, they're a living expression of the Kleindienst vision: to create bold, experiential, innovative, and climate-positive communities that deliver world-class experiences. We didn't just develop a resort: we delivered a vision, and helped shape a future-forward model for experiential tourism in Dubai. The Heart of Europe is widely recognised for pioneering concepts like underwater living, climate-controlled streets, and car-free islands. How do you approach innovation, and what's next in redefining real estate and hospitality in Dubai? Innovation isn't just part of our process — it is the foundation of the process. We are driven by a single goal: to create world-class, immersive, and experiential destinations the world hasn't seen before, and make them real. That mindset has shaped The Heart of Europe into a $6bn destination defined by firsts; from underwater bedrooms to climate-controlled streets, soon to be launched Snow Plaza, and zero-car islands powered entirely by solar energy. These are not design flourishes; they are engineered experiences, built to challenge the limits of hospitality and fully immerse guests in something extraordinary. What's coming next is the region's first Buddha-Bar Hotel & Floating Villas, a flagship $817m luxury wellness destination that forms part of Honeymoon Island — a concept built around floating villas, coral-rich diving zones, and marine-inspired architecture. It's a key step in our strategy to lead the next era of restorative, experience-led tourism, aligned with Dubai's vision for innovation and sustainability. Sustainability is a core pillar of your development, from solar power to coral regeneration. How are you integrating environmental resilience into your business model, and what does sustainable premium living look like for the next decade? At But our most ambitious work is happening below the surface. Through the Coral Institute, we've restored over 100,000 coral fragments and built thriving artificial reefs around our islands — creating a self-sustaining marine ecosystem that protects biodiversity and enhances the underwater environment. These reefs are not just conservation tools — they're destinations in their own right. Guests can dive straight from their villas into living coral habitats, explore curated dive zones off Honeymoon Island, and witness marine life returning to areas that were once barren. It's a rare convergence of tourism and restoration, where guests don't just experience nature, they contribute to it. This is our model for the future: sustainable, high-performing destinations that offer unforgettable experiences while actively healing the environment. With AI rapidly transforming the real estate sector, how is the group leveraging technology to enhance operations and the customer journey – including the launch of Olivia, your AI-powered concierge? We're not just building real estate. We're building responsive, intelligent ecosystems. Olivia, our AI concierge, provides guests, brokers, media and investors with 24/7 real-time access to updates, insights, and on-demand support. But AI's role goes much deeper. Currently, it enables seamless customer engagement — ensuring every interaction is frictionless and personalised. Driven by steadfast commitment to innovation, we are advancing towards a future where AI is deeply integrated into our core processes. Moving forward, we plan to leverage AI to enhance project planning and the guest hospitality experience. What's your long-term vision for The Heart of Europe – and what advice would you offer to developers looking to balance ambition, impact, and innovation in today's market? Dubai's future is bold, and our job as developers is to help shape it. The long-term vision for The Heart of Europe is to become a destination in its own right: not just a place to stay, but the reason people travel. A hub of culture, innovation, and hospitality that brings the best of Europe to Dubai. Every phase is aligned with national strategy, including UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, Dubai's To other developers: don't build for now, build for what's next. The most successful projects won't be the biggest, but the ones that deliver legacy environmentally, economically, and culturally. If it doesn't contribute to the future, it's just construction.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A New 007 Lawsuit Setback Has Taken Shape, And I'm Afraid This Could Delay Bond 26 Indefinitely (Again)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Though we're not seeing much movement from the 007 series on the 2025 movie schedule, there are still some pretty major pieces in play that have kept James Bond 26 on everyone's mind. Unfortunately, one of those developments was a 007 lawsuit posing 'mortal danger' to the franchise at large. Through a new update on the matter, it appears that a swift resolution isn't in the cards any time soon - and the result could be an indefinite pause on what seemed to be an ambitious start to the next era of Bond. Per reporting from The Guardian, the legal case brought forth by property Josef Kleindienst has seen a request from Danjaq, LLC to delay proceedings in the name of building a stronger case to maintain key trademarks. More specifically, the James Bond name, the catchphrase that makes great use of said moniker, and the 00-designation are on the line. As Kleindienst claims that UK and EU copyright law allows those signature elements to be examined 'after five years of 'non-use,'' this is a pretty big deal. Danjaq, LLC is the corporate entity is a vital player in all things 007, as it both co-owns the James Bond copyright (with Amazon-MGM Studios), as well as oversees the merchandising (with EON Productions.) Admittedly Amazon-MGM's supposed plans for Bond 26 feel stymied by this legal action. That, in turn, leaves me with a feeling we could see yet another chapter in the history of James Bond delays. Can you even imagine a movie where James Bond can't even use his name to introduce himself? Failing that, there's no number to fall back on; which already caused some confusion in No Time to Die's reassignment of 007 to Nomi (Lashana Lynch). The potential loss of these trademarks could be the greatest legal hiccup in Bond history since the rights battle over SPECTRE. That gave us some interesting substitutes like Quantum, but also yielded the infamous Never Say Never Again. Even in that case, James Bond was able to use his name, albeit with some stipulations. Not calling an obvious stand in for Blofeld by his name is one thing, but not being able to call James Bond by his own name is a greater disaster. That basically leaves you with something akin to The Simpsons' classic Bond parody (or rather Bont parody) shown below: For a legacy franchise that's trying to move forward into a new chapter, this feels like a nightmare. Without this challenge being handled once and for all, it's assumed that Amazon-MGM Studios and its producing team of Amy Pascal and David Heyman can't truly move forward on a new film. Also, this could be a devastating blow to IO Interactive's Project 007 video game, which is currently in development. But on the bright side, if the team behind an aborted unofficial remake of For Your Eyes Only with Ryan Reynolds still wants in, there may be a way forward... provided they use a different name, of course. As the potential record-setting 007 gap between No Time to Die's 2021 release and Bond 26 continues, the fate of Commander Bond once more hangs in the balance of business deals. So if anyone wants to join me over at the saddest martini bar known as the '007 Waiting Room,' feel free. Though depending on how these legal challenges shake out, we may need to change the name out of safety. How about 'The Tuxedo Room?'
