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The Kleindienst Group is gearing up to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2025. Driven by a vision to create what has yet to exist, the company is redefining experiential tourism and eco-friendly living with its flagship $6 billion venture, The Heart of Europe.
In this interview, Josef Kleindienst, the founder and chairman of the group, discusses the innovative concepts of underwater living, the introduction of AI-enhanced hospitality, the restoration of coral ecosystems, and the creation of a lasting legacy.
Reflecting on 40 years of Kleindienst Group, how would you characterize the company’s growth?
We began with only two desks and a singular directive: if it doesn’t exist, make it happen.
Fast forward four decades, and Kleindienst Group has transformed into Dubai’s leading European property developer, employing over 1,500 individuals across various sectors such as hospitality, tourism, marine engineering, and real estate. Since our inception, our goal has been impactful delivery through innovation, sustainable practices, and a long-term vision.
The Heart of Europe represents this aspiration vividly: a six-island resort developed from the sea to redefine luxury tourism. We were pioneers in successfully launching a complex multi-island destination on The World, Dubai — an endeavor previously unseen. This required us to tackle unique regulatory, engineering, and environmental hurdles, often with no existing templates to guide us. However, we persevered and turned the seemingly impossible into reality.
Currently, voco Monaco Dubai is thriving as a popular destination, while we’ve completed construction of the luxurious Sweden Beach Palace and the Nice Hotel. These achievements are more than mere milestones; they embody the Kleindienst mission of creating bold, unique, and environmentally conscious communities that offer exceptional experiences.
We haven’t just constructed a resort; we’ve realized a vision and contributed to a progressive model of experiential tourism in Dubai.
The Heart of Europe is renowned for innovative ideas like underwater habitats, climate-controlled pathways, and islands without cars. What is your approach to innovation, and what’s the next step in transforming real estate and hospitality in Dubai?
Innovation is integral to our ethos; it forms the core of our operations. Our mission is clear: to develop iconic, immersive destinations that have never been seen before, and to bring those visions to life.
This mindset has shaped The Heart of Europe into a $6 billion destination characterized by groundbreaking features; from submerged bedrooms to climate-controlled walkways, the forthcoming Snow Plaza, and islands fully powered by solar energy. These are carefully designed experiences aimed at pushing the boundaries of hospitality and offering guests truly extraordinary encounters.
Upcoming projects include the region’s first Buddha-Bar Hotel & Floating Villas, an $817 million luxury wellness resort that is part of Honeymoon Island, featuring floating villas, rich coral-diving areas, and architecture inspired by marine life. This is a significant milestone in our strategy to lead the next chapter of restorative, experience-driven tourism, in line with Dubai’s vision for innovation and sustainability.
How does sustainability factor into your development strategy, particularly in relation to solar energy and coral restoration? What does premium sustainable living look like in the coming decade?
At the Kleindienst Group, sustainability is fundamental. Each aspect of The Heart of Europe is designed to reduce impact and boost regeneration, including operations running entirely on solar power, vehicle-free zones, zero-discharge systems, and water recycling efforts exceeding 97%.
The most ambitious initiatives, however, take place below the water’s surface.
Through our Coral Institute, we have restored over 100,000 coral fragments and established vibrant artificial reefs around our islands — fostering a self-sustaining marine environment that protects wildlife and improves the underwater landscape. These reefs aren’t simply tools for conservation; they are attractions in their own right.
Guests can dive directly from their villas into living coral ecosystems, explore designated dive zones off Honeymoon Island, and witness the resurgence of marine life in previously desolate areas. It’s a unique intersection of tourism and environmental restoration, allowing guests to both appreciate and participate in nature conservation.
This embodies our future vision: sustainable, high-performance destinations that provide unforgettable experiences while actively restoring the environment.
As AI transforms the real estate landscape, how is the group utilizing technology to enhance operations and improve the customer experience, such as through the introduction of Olivia, your AI concierge?
We are not merely focused on constructing buildings; we are creating intelligent, responsive habitats.
Olivia, our AI concierge, offers guests, agents, media, and investors 24/7 access to information, insights, and immediate support. However, AI’s potential goes beyond surface-level interactions; it facilitates seamless and personalized customer engagement.
Committed to advancing innovation, we are progressing towards a future where AI is integrated into our foundational processes. Looking ahead, we plan to leverage AI to enhance project management and the overall guest experience.
What is your long-term vision for The Heart of Europe, and what guidance would you provide to developers aiming to balance ambition, impact, and innovation in today’s market?
Dubai’s future is bold, and as developers, it’s our responsibility to help shape it.
The long-term vision for The Heart of Europe is to evolve into a destination in its own right: not just a place for visitors to stay, but a compelling reason to travel. We aim to establish a hub of culture, innovation, and hospitality that brings Europe’s best to Dubai.
Every developmental phase aligns with national strategies, including the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, Dubai’s D33 Economic Agenda, and Centennial 2071, promoting initiatives such as renewable energy use, coral restoration, smart infrastructure, and sustainable tourism investment. Our aim is to deliver value to all stakeholders, ensuring that each project is not only economically viable but also climate-conscious and experience-centric.
To fellow developers: focus on future needs rather than just current demands. The most successful ventures will not necessarily be the largest, but those that contribute to a lasting legacy environmentally, economically, and culturally. If a project does not benefit the future, it is merely construction.