Hoppen’s connection with Dubai deepened after working on the Lanai Island villas at the Tilal Al Ghaf development, a high-end community being built by Majid Al Futtaim. The project, known for its sustainable and experience-focused approach, marked her return to the region after several years. “I was buzzing when I came back. The city had evolved, and it had a new energy,” she recalls. Her interior design for the villas blends elegance with comfort, featuring swirled marble, natural wood accents, and soothing colours that harmonize with Dubai’s intense light.

The designer, whose career spans over 40 years, feels a growing bond with Dubai. She’s already working on multiple projects in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh, and is considering expanding her presence in the region. Hoppen is contemplating opening a studio in Dubai, believing that the rapid pace of development in the city warrants a local outpost to manage projects more efficiently while nurturing regional talent.

“I want to teach the next generation of designers here,” she says, envisioning a studio that would train local designers under the Kelly Hoppen Interiors umbrella. She sees vast opportunities in the region, particularly in craftsmanship and working with local talent, instead of relying solely on international designers.

Alongside her design work, Hoppen continues her partnership with Marina Home, a UAE-based retailer that sells her furniture collection. She first met the Marina Home team at a Maison&Objet fair in Paris, and their collaboration has been a success, with her pieces now available in the Middle East.

Hoppen is also passionate about cultural diversity and how it shapes design. “Dubai is such a diverse country with so many nationalities,” she explains, noting how this fusion of cultures inspires her work. She envisions a future where design reflects both the city’s rich heritage and its global influences, creating spaces that offer both comfort and individuality.

Her ambitions for the region extend beyond residential projects. Hoppen dreams of designing a boutique hotel in Dubai, inspired by the vibrancy of cities like Paris, Milan, and New York. With a vision of smaller, intimate hotels, she wants to bring a unique style to the hospitality sector in the city.

The pandemic, Hoppen believes, has shifted how people view living spaces. “It’s about family and community,” she says, observing that Dubai’s evolution into a city with both luxurious villas and community-style living is ahead of similar developments in Europe. She’s excited by the shift in design and sees Dubai as a city of the future, one where innovation and tradition merge seamlessly.

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Under the terms of the agreement, Abu Dhabi will pay a franchise fee to Sphere Entertainment for the rights to construct the new venue, which will replicate the innovative designs of its predecessor. The local government will be responsible for financing the construction and will also incur annual fees to Sphere Entertainment for “creative and artistic content.”

While the announcement shed light on the plans, it did not disclose specific financing details or the intended location within the Emirati capital.

Queries sent to Abu Dhabi’s government regarding the project remained unanswered as of Wednesday, and Sphere Entertainment opted not to provide further comments beyond the initial release.

The original Sphere in Las Vegas, which opened in 2023, is a monumental $2.3 billion project and stands as the most expensive entertainment venue in the area. This striking structure features a high-resolution LED screen that encircles half of its 17,500-seat audience area. It has already hosted various concerts and sporting events within its impressive dimensions, measuring 366 feet (111 meters) in height and 516 feet (157 meters) in width.

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The META Cinema Forum, now in its fifth year, will bring together cinema industry stakeholders from Turkey, Asia, and CIS countries, making it a truly global cinema industry convention that has become one of the must-attend global cinema conventions.

At the META Cinema Forum, over 500 industry delegates, experts, and participants will discuss and debate the opportunities and challenges that industry stakeholders face. More than 60 exhibitors will showcase the most recent products and services that enhance the moviegoing experience. The two-day mega cinema industry conference will be followed by a three-day META Film Fest, which will screen over 40 shortlisted feature films, documentaries, and short films, as well as premieres of highly anticipated 2022 releases at the Nakheel Mall’s VOX Cinemas.

“META Cinema Forum has become an international platform for the global cinema industry community to build partnerships and bridge the content gap, in addition, to discuss ways to expand the cinema chains into emerging markets,” Leila Masinaei, Managing Partner, Great Mind Events Management, said.

META Cinema Forum also contributes to the growth of the creative economy, which has the potential to have a significant impact in Middle Eastern and African countries. It will support the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy, which aims to transform Dubai into an international creative destination and creative economy capital by 2025.

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