Artificial Intelligence
Builders Company
Developers/The First Group
TF
The First GroupDubai, United Arab Emirates · founded 2005 · 2 active markets
PRIVATE

The First Group develops and operates upscale hotels, residences, food-and-beverage venues, and leisure destinations, primarily in Dubai and expanding markets. Its hotel-ownership model serves individual investors, while hospitality operations serve guests, owners, partners, and international travellers.

Years in business
21
founded 2005
LinkedIn headcount
1,420
employees, as shown on LinkedIn · size band 501–1,000
Total projects
19 hospitality projects
across the company’s whole history
Units delivered
2,529
as the company states it
Projects last researched October 15, 2026
Every figure on this card was read out of a document.

Overview

Investor tear sheet

a summary of the tabs that follow · no rating of our own

Company dossier

Legal name
TFG Real Estate LLC1
Headquarters
22nd Floor, Tameem House1, Dubai1, UAE
Founded
20051
Entity type
PRIVATE1
Business model
offplan for sale1, commercial1, mixed use1
Markets
2 markets listed
What they build
Hotel (7 of 7) · Hotel residences (2 of 7)
Full dossier in About →

Delivery record

6 date-assessed of 7 projects
Unverified by developer

AI-researched delivery record, not yet confirmed by the developer. Dates may be approximate; original sources are linked.

Completed projects from 2016-10-15 through 2026-10-15, with sufficient delivery-date evidence. Date assessment and developer profile verification do not mean an independent audit of every source. Original source links and available snippets are provided. May not represent the developer’s full portfolio. 0 undated and 0 boundary-uncertain completions are excluded. Delivery exceptions are listed separately under Projects.
Completed projects assessed
7
within the rolling ten-year window
Median delay
+9.5 mo
the middle of 6 scored projects
Average delay
+11.7 mo
the same projects, pulled by the worst
Average time to deliver
5.3 yrs
start to completion, over 4 delivered projects
Worst slip
+28.5 mo
Ciel Dubai Marina · +23.0 to +34.0
2
early or less than 6 months late
6 to 12 months late
2
yellow rows below
Over 12 months late
2
red rows below

Against other developers

6 date-assessed here · 102 developers, 362 date-assessed projects in United Arab Emirates
Median delay
The First Group·102 developers in United Arab Emirates
+9.5 mo vs +4.0 mo
this developer 5.5 mo worse
The typical project on each side.
Average delay
The First Group·102 developers in United Arab Emirates
+11.7 mo vs +9.5 mo
this developer 2.2 mo worse
Both pulled by their worst few.
On time
The First Group·102 developers in United Arab Emirates
33% vs 55%
this developer 22 pts worse
Share of date-assessed projects delivered early or less than 6 months after the original target. Exactly 6 months late is excluded.
Average time to deliver
The First Group·102 developers in United Arab Emirates
5.3 yrs vs 3.5 yrs
this developer 1.8 yrs slower
Start to completion, over 4 delivered here and 319 in the market.
Projects and timelines in Track Record →

Resident experience

7 of 7 buildings rated · scale 1–10

AI research over published reviews and resident comments. Scores are a model’s reading of opinion, not figures stated on a page, and nothing here feeds any number above it. The links under each block are the pages that research says it used. Based on available resident reviews of covered buildings. These are reported experiences, not independent building inspections, and may not represent all residents or properties.

Overall verdict
8.0/ 10
Weighted judgment across build and operations · from 7 of 7 rated buildings
Structure & systems
7.7/ 10
Fabric, services, waterproofing, envelope · from 4 of 7 rated buildings
Management & living
7.9/ 10
Upkeep, response times, amenities, community · from 7 of 7 rated buildings

Against other developers

7 rated here · 118 developers, 506 rated buildings in United Arab Emirates
Overall rating
The First Group · 118 other developers in United Arab Emirates
8.0 vs 7.7
this developer 0.3 better
The weighted verdict on each side. From 7 of 7 rated buildings here and 506 in the market.
Structure & systems
The First Group · 118 other developers in United Arab Emirates
7.7 vs 6.8
this developer 0.9 better
Fabric and engineering only — fixed at handover. From 4 of 7 rated buildings here and 228 in the market.
Management & living
The First Group · 118 other developers in United Arab Emirates
7.9 vs 7.3
this developer 0.6 better
Upkeep and response — belongs to whoever runs the building now. From 7 of 7 rated buildings here and 483 in the market.
The market here is United Arab Emirates: every other developer whose head office is in the same country, because the review platforms residents use, and the service norms they judge against, move together within one. It is not a city, a sector or a price band. Read structure and living together. A developer above the market on structure and below it on living builds well and runs buildings badly, which is a fixable problem and a different one from building badly. Higher ratings are better; differences use the displayed scores rounded to one decimal. Rated buildings only, on both sides, and a structure or living score with no stated basis — no review count and no notes or links — is left out of both.
Ratings by building →

Awards & recognition

All awards →

Risks & source coverage

  • FINANCIAL DISTRESS 19 July 2023 (liquidity disclosure); 21 August 2023 (standstill announcement) Aurum (Cayman), the parent of The First Group and obligor of TFG Sukuk I, disclosed liquidity tightening and said it could not meet the full US$27 million principal payment due on 7 August 2023; it expected to pay approximately US$2 million and sought to reprofile the debt. The subsequent standstill announcement said holders of more than 75% of the certificates agreed to an interim standstill while repayment restructuring discussions continued, and confirmed that only US$2 million of the principal due had been paid. This is an event concerning the parent/ sukuk obligor, not a finding that The First Group itself defaulted.
  • PROJECT CANCELLED Reported status updated 7 May 2025; project first traced January 2018 Grand Garden Hotel in Dubai Sports City, identified as a The First Group development, is reported as cancelled; a replacement project, The First Collection at Dubai Sports City, was subsequently launched on the same plot.
  • PROJECT CANCELLED Status reported 7 May 2025; cancellation date not stated Grand Garden Hotel in Dubai Sports City was reported as a cancelled development by The First Group; the same plot was subsequently used for The First Collection at Dubai Sports City, so this is a resolved/replaced cancellation rather than an active stalled project.
  • 2 more in Risk & Sources
Record status
active
Company sources
94 source entries across 86 fields
Projects tracked
7 · 7 completed in assessment
All flags and sources →

Track Record

Delivery record

6 date-assessed of 7 projects
Unverified by developer

AI-researched delivery record, not yet confirmed by the developer. Dates may be approximate; original sources are linked.

Completed projects from 2016-10-15 through 2026-10-15, with sufficient delivery-date evidence. Date assessment and developer profile verification do not mean an independent audit of every source. Original source links and available snippets are provided. May not represent the developer’s full portfolio. 0 undated and 0 boundary-uncertain completions are excluded. Delivery exceptions are listed separately under Projects.
Completed projects assessed
7
within the rolling ten-year window
Median delay
+9.5 mo
the middle of 6 scored projects
Average delay
+11.7 mo
the same projects, pulled by the worst
Average time to deliver
5.3 yrs
start to completion, over 4 delivered projects
Worst slip
+28.5 mo
Ciel Dubai Marina · +23.0 to +34.0
2
early or less than 6 months late
6 to 12 months late
2
yellow rows below
Over 12 months late
2
red rows below

Against other developers

6 date-assessed here · 102 developers, 362 date-assessed projects in United Arab Emirates
Median delay
The First Group·102 developers in United Arab Emirates
+9.5 mo vs +4.0 mo
this developer 5.5 mo worse
The typical project on each side.
Average delay
The First Group·102 developers in United Arab Emirates
+11.7 mo vs +9.5 mo
this developer 2.2 mo worse
Both pulled by their worst few.
On time
The First Group·102 developers in United Arab Emirates
33% vs 55%
this developer 22 pts worse
Share of date-assessed projects delivered early or less than 6 months after the original target. Exactly 6 months late is excluded.
Average time to deliver
The First Group·102 developers in United Arab Emirates
5.3 yrs vs 3.5 yrs
this developer 1.8 yrs slower
Start to completion, over 4 delivered here and 319 in the market.
The market here is United Arab Emirates: every other developer whose head office is in the same country, because planning regimes and reporting norms move together within one. It is not a city, a sector or a size band. Read the two delay figures together. A median close to the market with a much better average means no single disaster; the reverse means one project is carrying the record. Time to deliver runs from the earliest start we hold to the completion itself — a construction start where a source gave one, otherwise a sales launch, otherwise the launch year read as its January. A handover the sources place only inside a year is read as that December, so a duration is the widest the record allows rather than the flattering end of it. Only delivered projects dated at both ends count, so it is taken over fewer projects than the delay figures, and a long build is not a fault: a tower is not a villa run. Sourced figures only, both sides, and values taken from documents held on file are excluded here — a developer who shares their records should not score better than one who does not.

Construction start to handover

7 of 7 projects dated · 1 place
Based on covered projects with documented construction or launch dates and available handover dates. Timelines vary by project and may not represent the developer’s full portfolio.
Construction start, or the launchTarget completion (window)Completion or handover, as reportedCurrently statedLaunch year only, no date publishedEarly or ≤6 mo lateOver 6–12 mo lateOver 12 mo lateStalled
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027todayDUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES+28.5 moverified+8.5 moverifiedcompleted, no target published+1 moverified+19.5 moverified+2 moverified+10.5 moverified
Click a row in the chart to open a project, or a table row below to see its sources. The chart runs wider than the page where the record spans many years — scroll it sideways to follow a project to its handover. Every date we have is drawn. A hollow marker is only a launch year, not a date anyone published. No dates published means we looked and found none; dates not yet checked means we have not looked yet. Handing over is not finished — rows say which. A delay is shown when one source gives the promised date and another gives the real one, however rough: "2019" still counts, and the row shows how wide that is. Projects missing one of the two dates, or with sources that disagree, are left out of the figures.

Building & Livability Ratings

Resident experience

7 of 7 buildings rated · scale 1–10

AI research over published reviews and resident comments. Scores are a model’s reading of opinion, not figures stated on a page, and nothing here feeds any number above it. The links under each block are the pages that research says it used. Based on available resident reviews of covered buildings. These are reported experiences, not independent building inspections, and may not represent all residents or properties.

Overall verdict
8.0/ 10
Weighted judgment across build and operations · from 7 of 7 rated buildings
Structure & systems
7.7/ 10
Fabric, services, waterproofing, envelope · from 4 of 7 rated buildings
Management & living
7.9/ 10
Upkeep, response times, amenities, community · from 7 of 7 rated buildings

Against other developers

7 rated here · 118 developers, 506 rated buildings in United Arab Emirates
Overall rating
The First Group · 118 other developers in United Arab Emirates
8.0 vs 7.7
this developer 0.3 better
The weighted verdict on each side. From 7 of 7 rated buildings here and 506 in the market.
Structure & systems
The First Group · 118 other developers in United Arab Emirates
7.7 vs 6.8
this developer 0.9 better
Fabric and engineering only — fixed at handover. From 4 of 7 rated buildings here and 228 in the market.
Management & living
The First Group · 118 other developers in United Arab Emirates
7.9 vs 7.3
this developer 0.6 better
Upkeep and response — belongs to whoever runs the building now. From 7 of 7 rated buildings here and 483 in the market.
The market here is United Arab Emirates: every other developer whose head office is in the same country, because the review platforms residents use, and the service norms they judge against, move together within one. It is not a city, a sector or a price band. Read structure and living together. A developer above the market on structure and below it on living builds well and runs buildings badly, which is a fixable problem and a different one from building badly. Higher ratings are better; differences use the displayed scores rounded to one decimal. Rated buildings only, on both sides, and a structure or living score with no stated basis — no review count and no notes or links — is left out of both.

By building

7 rated · 0 not rated · scale 1–10
ProjectOverallStructure & systemsManagement & living
Millennium Place MarinaDubai Marina, Dubai462 units
8.8/ 10
7.4/ 10
Trip.com 9/10 · 274 reviews · trip.com
Yango Maps 86/100 · 225 reviews · maps.yango.com
Combined from 2 published figures on 2 platforms, weighted by review count, adjusted for where resident ratings usually fall and weighted toward the 6.5 midpoint where reviews are few: 7.4.
7.7/ 10
Trip.com 8.8/10, 9.5/10, 9.1/10 · 274 reviews · trip.com
Yango Maps 97/100 · 316 reviews · maps.yango.com
Yango Maps 92/100 · 260 reviews · maps.yango.com
Yango Maps 90/100 · 186 reviews · maps.yango.com
Yango Maps 42/100 · 114 reviews · maps.yango.com
Yango Maps 41/100 · 42 reviews · maps.yango.com
Combined from 8 published figures on 2 platforms, weighted by review count, adjusted for where resident ratings usually fall and weighted toward the 6.5 midpoint where reviews are few: 7.7.

Google’s 4.6/5 from 4,057 reviews is the largest directly reported review base and converts to an 8.9 anchor under the requested curve. The evidence is predominantly positive on staff, location, rooms and amenities, but repeated service, housekeeping, HVAC and noise complaints warrant a modest net reduction; the structure sub-score is held below living because the reported physical-condition issues are more mixed.

+ Clean rooms reported+ Spacious modern rooms+ Comfortable beds+ Good room condition+ Clean pool water
− Housekeeping stains and dust− Air-conditioning failures− Low shower water pressure− Broken shower reported− Only one of four elevators working in one report
+ Friendly helpful staff+ Excellent location+ Metro access+ Breakfast praised+ Gym and pool available
− Unresolved cleaning requests− Highway noise− Small pool− Limited sunbeds− Occasional billing or extra-charge complaints

Reviews generally describe the rooms as modern, spacious and clean, with Trip.com publishing 9.0/10 for cleanliness and 8.8/10 for amenities. Counterevidence includes reports of stained linen, dust, a broken shower, low water pressure and an air-conditioning complaint; one Yango reviewer said, “There are 4 elevators, but only one works.”

The daily experience is mostly praised: Long Weekend counted 224 staff compliments and 97 location compliments, while Tripadvisor reviews call staff “kindly, polite and helpful” and praise the breakfast and pool. The recurring downside is inconsistent follow-through—one guest had to “remind them daily to clean”—alongside highway noise, a small pool and occasional charges or service complaints.

Ciel Dubai MarinaDubai Marina, Dubai1,004 units
8.6/ 10
8.3/ 10
8.2/ 10
Tripadvisor 4.8/5, 5/5, 4.7/5, 4.9/5 · 149 reviews · tripadvisor.com
Booking.com 9.1/10, 9.3/10, 8.8/10, 8.7/10, 9.5/10, 8.4/10, 7.7/10 · 103 reviews · booking.com
Combined from 11 published figures on 2 platforms, weighted by review count, adjusted for where resident ratings usually fall and weighted toward the 6.5 midpoint where reviews are few: 8.2.

Google’s 4.7/5 rating from 730 reviews is the largest reported review base and converts to 8.5 under the specified curve. Positive themes are more prevalent, but repeated lift delays and room-functionality complaints keep the result close to the anchor; the evidence is guest/hotel evidence rather than long-term resident evidence.

+ New and modern building+ Clean rooms+ Comfortable rooms+ Excellent views
− Long lift waits− Nonfunctional room details− Some power outlets reportedly did not work− Wood veneer reportedly peeling
+ Attentive staff+ Professional service+ High cleanliness+ Strong views+ Modern amenities
− Restricted rooftop pool and spa access− Construction noise− Crowded breakfast layout− Occasional slow service− Noisy neighbours

Reviews describe Ciel as new, modern, clean and comfortable, but lift performance is a repeated concern: one guest reported waiting more than five minutes, while others described lifts as slow or a “work in progress.” One detailed review reported that “some of the power outlets didn’t work,” wood veneer was starting to peel, and the room design was “poorly planned, nonfunctional”; these are individual reports rather than evidence of a broad structural failure.

Guests commonly praise the staff as “friendly, polite, and helpful,” and describe the hotel as “extremely clean,” with strong views and amenities. Reservations include rooftop-pool or spa access restrictions, cramped breakfast areas, construction or neighbour noise, and occasional slow service or follow-up.

The First Collection WaterfrontBusiness Bay, Dubai327 units
8.1/ 10
—/ 10
8.3/ 10
Booking.com 8.8/10, 9.3/10, 8.8/10, 9.1/10, 9.1/10, 8.7/10, 8.7/10, 9/10 · 4,158 reviews · booking.com
Tripadvisor 4.7/5, 4.8/5, 4.9/5, 4.9/5 · 1,004 reviews · tripadvisor.com
Combined from 12 published figures on 2 platforms, weighted by review count, adjusted for where resident ratings usually fall and weighted toward the 6.5 midpoint where reviews are few: 8.3.

Booking.com provides the largest review base and sets the level at 8.8/10, converted to 7.6 under the specified guest-rating curve. Tripadvisor is materially more positive but has a smaller base, so it moves the result only modestly; recurring praise and complaints produce a net small upward commentary adjustment. No structure score is assigned because the published evidence contains observations but no qualifying structure rating.

+ Clean rooms+ Well-maintained rooms+ Strong water pressure+ Modern interiors+ Good facilities
− Small bathrooms− Traffic noise− Outdated TV system− TV outage for three nights
+ Friendly staff+ Helpful concierge+ Good breakfast+ Clean common areas+ Rooftop pool and waterfront views
− Restaurant service delays− Dirty tables during one meal− Occasional noise− Small rooftop pool− Limited response to one restaurant complaint

Guests commonly described the rooms as “clean,” “spacious” and “well-maintained,” and one specifically praised the bathroom and shower for “great water pressure.” Physical criticisms included a “very small” bathroom, occasional traffic noise and one report that the smart-TV system was down for three consecutive nights; these are guest observations rather than an engineering inspection.

Daily-life feedback is strongly positive about hospitality: guests called the staff “incredibly friendly, helpful, and welcoming,” and praised the concierge for solving issues quickly. The clearest operational complaint was a restaurant meal where tables were left uncleared for about an hour, steaks took over 30 minutes and the complaint received little follow-up; other reviews mention occasional noise and a small pool.

First Collection Jumeirah Village CircleJumeirah Village Circle District 14, Dubai491 units
8.0/ 10
8.4/ 10
Agoda 9.1/10 · 9,392 reviews · agoda.com
Booking.com 9.1/10 · 7,164 reviews · booking.com
Booking.com 9.1/10 · 5,624 reviews · en.planetofhotels.com
Tripadvisor 4.8/5 · 3,263 reviews · tripadvisor.co.uk
Combined from 4 published figures on 3 platforms, weighted by review count, adjusted for where resident ratings usually fall and weighted toward the 6.5 midpoint where reviews are few: 8.4.
8.5/ 10
Agoda 9/10 · 9,392 reviews · agoda.com
Booking.com 9.1/10 · 7,164 reviews · booking.com
Booking.com 9.1/10 · 5,624 reviews · en.planetofhotels.com
Tripadvisor 4.9/5 · 3,263 reviews · tripadvisor.co.uk
Property Finder 5/5 · no review count · propertyfinder.ae
Combined from 5 published figures on 4 platforms, weighted by review count, adjusted for where resident ratings usually fall and weighted toward the 6.5 midpoint where reviews are few: 8.5.

Agoda has the largest reported review base among the comparable aggregate ratings and its published 8.8/10 score converts to 7.6 under the guest-rating curve. Tripadvisor is a strong positive dissenter, but the score is moderated by the larger-base anchor and by the reported operational and physical-condition complaints, partly offset by repeated praise for cleanliness, staff and amenities.

+ Clean rooms+ Comfortable rooms+ Good water pressure+ Good hot and cold water+ Modern facilities
− Construction noise− Dirty windows− Inconsistent air conditioning− Parking elevators not connected to other floors
+ Friendly staff+ Helpful reception+ Responsive housekeeping+ Clean pool+ Good amenities
− Room-service delays− Poor or limited dining− Rude pool staff report− Construction noise− Taxi dependence

Guests commonly described the rooms as clean, comfortable and well-maintained; one review specifically reported “good water temperature (cold and hot), good water pressure.” Reported physical drawbacks included windows described as “very dirty,” air conditioning that was “either too cold or too hot,” construction noise, and parking elevators not connected to other floors; no serious structural failure was reported.

Daily-life feedback is strongly positive about staff and cleanliness: guests called the reception staff “warm, welcoming and very accommodating,” and described the pool as “very clean.” The main operational complaints were that room service was “extremely bad” with delayed or missing orders, a report of “extremely rude” pool staff, limited dining variety, nearby construction and the need to rely on taxis.

TRYP by Wyndham DubaiBarsha Heights, Dubai675 units
7.7/ 10
6.5/ 10
7.3/ 10
Agoda 8.9/10, 8.9/10, 8.7/10, 8.6/10, 8.5/10 · 13,138 reviews · agoda.com
Combined from 5 published figures on 1 platform, weighted by review count, adjusted for where resident ratings usually fall and weighted toward the 6.5 midpoint where reviews are few: 7.3.

Agoda's 8.6/10 aggregate, based on 13,138 verified guest reviews, is the largest qualifying rating base and converts to 7.2 under the guest-rating curve. The final score is 7.4 after limited commentary adjustment: strong repeated praise for service, cleanliness, breakfast and location offsets recurring but non-severe reports of noise, AC and room/bathroom maintenance issues.

+ Well-maintained rooms reported+ Clean rooms reported+ Soundproof rooms offered
− AC failures reported− Leaking bathroom tub− Leaking windows reported− Moisture-damaged bathroom door− Worn corridors and carpets
+ Helpful staff+ Cleanliness+ Convenient metro location+ Good breakfast+ Pool and shuttle amenities
− Street and room noise− Small or crowded pool− Occasional unhelpful reception− Extra-fee concerns

Reviews include specific physical-system complaints: one guest reported that “the AC [was] not working,” another said the bathroom tub was leaking across the bathroom, and another reported leaking windows and a moisture-damaged bathroom door. A separate review described the 16th-floor corridor as worn with dirty carpets; these are guest observations rather than an engineering inspection.

Guests repeatedly praise the service—“Clean and very good staff and service all were helpful and humble”—as well as breakfast, cleanliness, metro access and shuttle connections. The negative operational feedback is narrower but recurring: guests mention street or adjoining-room noise, a pool that can feel crowded, and occasional front-desk or extra-fee concerns.

The First Collection Business BayBusiness Bay, Dubai440 units
7.7/ 10
—/ 10
7.6/ 10
KAYAK 9.5/10, 9/10, 8.5/10, 2.5/10 · 4,929 reviews · kayak.com
Tripadvisor 4.9/5, 4.8/5, 4.9/5, 4.8/5 · 1,720 reviews · tripadvisor.com
Combined from 8 published figures on 2 platforms, weighted by review count, adjusted for where resident ratings usually fall and weighted toward the 6.5 midpoint where reviews are few: 7.6.

KAYAK provides the largest clearly stated review base among the directly read rating pages and sets the starting level at 6.6 after the requested 1–10 conversion. The much larger Trivago aggregate is a material higher dissent, but the available category and written-review evidence is mixed enough that the final score remains close to the KAYAK anchor after limited commentary adjustment.

+ Modern rooms+ Clean rooms+ Comfortable rooms+ Well-maintained interiors
− Repeated refrigerator failure− Occasional maintenance lapses− Construction-related noise
+ Friendly staff+ Helpful service+ Cleanliness+ Large pool+ Good facilities
− Billing disputes− Slow issue resolution− Construction noise− Shallow or cold pool− Limited nearby walkability

Published reviews describe the hotel as modern, clean and generally well maintained; one guest called it “comfortable, well-maintained,” while Tripadvisor’s summary notes “occasional maintenance lapses.” The physical complaints found were limited but included a refrigerator that still did not work after replacement and nearby construction noise; no flooding, major structural failure or prolonged lift outage was reported.

Daily-life feedback is predominantly positive: guests describe “friendly and helpful” staff, immaculate cleaning, comfortable rooms and a “massive pool.” Counterevidence includes a double-charge complaint, reports that “any issue takes a lot of time,” and criticism of construction noise, shallow/cold pool conditions and the need for taxis because the hotel is not convenient for walking.

Avalon TowerJumeirah Village Circle, Dubai362 units
7.3/ 10
—/ 10
7.4/ 10
fäm Properties 5/5, 5/5, 5/5, 5/5, 5/5 · 1 review · famproperties.com
Combined from 5 published figures on 1 platform, weighted by review count, adjusted for where resident ratings usually fall and weighted toward the 6.5 midpoint where reviews are few: 7.4.

Yango Maps provides the largest located aggregate, 4.1/5 from 5 ratings, which converts to 7.3/10 under the supplied curve; it is guest evidence, so it is only a moderate proxy for a resident year. The one-resident fäm result is directionally positive but too small to overturn the anchor, while the historical delivery complaint is not current completion evidence and the only repeated negative in the guest reviews is a minor location/access concern.

+ Friendly, helpful staff+ Clean rooms and common areas+ Gym and heated pool+ Daily cleaning+ High service level
− Inconvenient distance from central Dubai− Historical delivery-delay complaint

no notes returned

no links returned

Guest feedback describes “polite, caring but unobtrusive staff,” a “gorgeous” gym, a “large heated swimming pool,” and daily room cleaning. The principal negative was access: one guest said the location was inconvenient and took a long time to reach the centre; a separate 2024 investor complaint alleged the project had still not opened, but current DLD-linked material records completion on 30 June 2020, so that older claim is not treated as current completion evidence.

Only buildings that have reached handover are rated. 0 of 7 projects carry no rating: a building still under construction is never asked about, one that has just been handed over may not have been reached yet, and the rest were asked about and no published resident commentary was found. Structure is fixed at handover and stays the developer's; management and living belongs to whoever runs the building now. The overall verdict weights both rather than averaging them. None of this is checked: a rating is what people published about a building, aggregated — it is not evidence, it cannot move a delay figure, and it is not part of the delivery record above.

About

Company dossier

Legal name
TFG Real Estate LLC
Headquarters
22nd Floor, Tameem House, Dubai, UAE
Barsha Heights
Founded
2005
Dubai, UAE
Entity type
PRIVATE
Revenue
USD 26.7 million
Business model
offplan for sale, commercial, mixed use

Offices

head office and 9 others
JeddahAl KhobarMoscowAlmatyKazanAstanaBakuAbujaLagos

Sources: office cities

COMPANYdate not shown in source

The First Group - Maintenance

The First Group
#### Al Khobar
value seen: Al Khobar
https://secure.thefirstgroup.com/maintenance/
COMPANYdate not shown in source

The First Group - Maintenance

The First Group
#### Almaty
value seen: Almaty
https://secure.thefirstgroup.com/maintenance/
COMPANYdate not shown in source

The First Group - Maintenance

The First Group
#### Kazan
value seen: Kazan
https://secure.thefirstgroup.com/maintenance/
COMPANYdate not shown in source

The First Group - Maintenance

The First Group
#### Astana
value seen: Astana
https://secure.thefirstgroup.com/maintenance/
COMPANYdate not shown in source

The First Group - Maintenance

The First Group
#### Baku
value seen: Baku
https://secure.thefirstgroup.com/maintenance/
COMPANYdate not shown in source

The First Group - Maintenance

The First Group
#### Abuja
value seen: Abuja
https://secure.thefirstgroup.com/maintenance/
COMPANYdate not shown in source

The First Group - Maintenance

The First Group
#### Lagos
value seen: Lagos
https://secure.thefirstgroup.com/maintenance/
COMPANYdate not shown in source

The First Group - Maintenance

The First Group
#### Jeddah
value seen: Jeddah
https://secure.thefirstgroup.com/maintenance/
COMPANYdate not shown in source

The First Group - Maintenance

The First Group
#### Moscow
value seen: Moscow
https://secure.thefirstgroup.com/maintenance/

Partners

6 partners
China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC)
contractor

CRCC has played a key role in the successful delivery of The First Collection Business Bay, The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle, The First Collection at Studio City and Grand Millennium Business Bay.

Pulse Developments
joint venture

As co-development partner for The First Collection Sharm Oasis, Pulse brings deep local market expertise

Marriott International
operator

Our collaboration includes The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle, The First Collection Marina and The First Collection Waterfront

IHG Hotels & Resorts
operator

Ciel ... has joined IHG’s Vignette Collection

Millennium Hotels & Resorts
operator

collaborations including Millennium Place Marina and Grand Millennium Business Day

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
operator

The First Group developed TRYP by Wyndham Dubai

Sources: partners

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Strategic Hospitality & Real Estate Partners | The First Group

The First Group
CRCC has played a key role in the successful delivery of The First Collection Business Bay, The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle, The First Collection at Studio City and Grand Millennium Business Bay.
value seen: China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC)
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/partner-portfolio/

Sources: partners

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Strategic Hospitality & Real Estate Partners | The First Group

The First Group
As co-development partner for The First Collection Sharm Oasis, Pulse brings deep local market expertise
value seen: Pulse Developments
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/partner-portfolio/

Sources: partners

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Strategic Hospitality & Real Estate Partners | The First Group

The First Group
Our collaboration includes The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle, The First Collection Marina and The First Collection Waterfront
value seen: Marriott International
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/partner-portfolio/

Sources: partners

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Strategic Hospitality & Real Estate Partners | The First Group

The First Group
Ciel ... has joined IHG’s Vignette Collection
value seen: IHG Hotels & Resorts
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/partner-portfolio/

Sources: partners

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Strategic Hospitality & Real Estate Partners | The First Group

The First Group
collaborations including Millennium Place Marina and Grand Millennium Business Day
value seen: Millennium Hotels & Resorts
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/partner-portfolio/

Sources: partners

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Strategic Hospitality & Real Estate Partners | The First Group

The First Group
The First Group developed TRYP by Wyndham Dubai
value seen: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/partner-portfolio/

Registrations & licences

DEVELOPER LICENCE29
Dubai Land Department · AE
Jurisdiction-agnostic: a DLD number, a Companies House number and a state RERA registration all land in the same table.

Contact

Markets

2 countries
United Arab Emiratesactive 7 projects tracked
Egyptactive 0 projects tracked

What they build

2 types
Hotel7 of 7
Hotel residences2 of 7
A project counts once under each type it carries, so the shares add to more than the project count.

Management

Principals & executives

6 names found
DL
Danny Lubert
Danny Lubert is identified by The First Group as its founder and senior partner. The company credits his financial-structuring, acquisition and marketing expertise, and says that under his guidance the group expanded across Europe, Asia, Africa, the UAE and the United States. Independent reporting describes him as a joint chairman and co-founder, but the current official page does not state when he took either role.
Current title
Founder & Senior Partner
Experience
no career length stated
Companies before
none sourced
Education
not published
Other boards
none sourced
Known for
FounderSenior PartnerFinancial structuringAcquisitionMarketing
Throughout our network, our strategy remains unchanged: deliver quality projects that ensure worry-free returns for our investors. The Business Year 2012-09-11https://thebusinessyear.com/interview/build-with-pride/
A commitment to excellence is part of our corporate DNA, and this shows as we continue to deliver innovative projects in the most desirable locations throughout the world. The Business Year 2012-09-11https://thebusinessyear.com/interview/build-with-pride/

Sources: full name

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
### Danny Lubert
value seen: Danny Lubert
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: quotes

PRESS2012-09-11

Build with Pride

The Business Year
Throughout our network, our strategy remains unchanged: deliver quality projects that ensure worry-free returns for our investors.
value seen: Throughout our network, our strategy remains unchanged: deliver quality projects that ensure worry-free returns for our investors.
https://thebusinessyear.com/interview/build-with-pride/

Sources: quotes

PRESS2012-09-11

Build with Pride

The Business Year
A commitment to excellence is part of our corporate DNA, and this shows as we continue to deliver innovative projects in the most desirable locations throughout the world.
value seen: A commitment to excellence is part of our corporate DNA, and this shows as we continue to deliver innovative projects in the most desirable locations throughout the world.
https://thebusinessyear.com/interview/build-with-pride/

Sources: summary

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Danny Lubert's vast experience of major global property markets and aptitude for detecting opportunities in key emerging markets has proven key to The First Group’s growth to date. Under his guidance, the group of companies has expanded its presence in major markets including the United Kingdom, Spain, Cyprus, South East Asia, West Africa, CIS countries, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. With a background in commerce and mathematics, Danny Lubert specialises in financial structuring, acquisition and marketing.
value seen: founder and senior partner; financial structuring, acquisition and marketing expertise; group expansion across multiple regions
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: tags

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Founder & Senior Partner ... With a background in commerce and mathematics, Danny Lubert specialises in financial structuring, acquisition and marketing.
value seen: Founder; Senior Partner; financial structuring; acquisition; marketing
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: title

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Founder & Senior Partner
value seen: Founder & Senior Partner
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/
RB
Rob Burns
Rob Burns is The First Group’s chief executive officer and chairman of the board. The company says he joined after a career in hospitality real-estate development, became chief operating officer in 2009 and has led the group’s growth into hotels, leisure, F&B, asset management and VIP services since becoming CEO. He studied Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management at Pennsylvania State University.
Current title
Chief Executive Officer; Chairman of the Board
Experience
30+ years hospitality real estate
Companies before
none sourced
Education
Pennsylvania State UniversityHotel Restaurant and Institutional Management
Other boards
Chairman of The First Group’s Board
Known for
CEO since 2017Chairman of the BoardPenn StateHotel development
https://linkedin.com/in/rob-burns-7a731626
since Chief Executive Officer held since 2017
It demonstrates that our ambition is matched by our ability to execute. Guinness World Records 2026-08-20https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/commercial/2026/8/behind-the-worlds-tallest-hotel-interview-with-ceo-rob-burns
The record was never pursued at the expense of those fundamentals; it was achieved because the entire team remained committed to them throughout the journey. Guinness World Records 2026-08-20https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/commercial/2026/8/behind-the-worlds-tallest-hotel-interview-with-ceo-rob-burns
The attention may come from the record, but the reputation will be built through the experiences we deliver to our guests. Guinness World Records 2026-08-20https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/commercial/2026/8/behind-the-worlds-tallest-hotel-interview-with-ceo-rob-burns

Sources: education

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Rob is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, where he studied Hotel Restaurant and Institutional Management.
value seen: Pennsylvania State University; Hotel Restaurant and Institutional Management
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: full name

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
### Rob Burns
value seen: Rob Burns
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: linkedin page

SOCIAL2026-08-22

Rob Burns

LinkedIn
# Rob Burns CEO & Partner at The First Group
value seen: https://linkedin.com/in/rob-burns-7a731626
https://linkedin.com/in/rob-burns-7a731626

Sources: other boards

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Rob also serves as Chairman of the Board.
value seen: Chairman of The First Group’s Board
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: quotes

PRESS2026-08-20

Behind the world’s tallest hotel: Interview with CEO Rob Burns

Guinness World Records
It demonstrates that our ambition is matched by our ability to execute.
value seen: It demonstrates that our ambition is matched by our ability to execute.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/commercial/2026/8/behind-the-worlds-tallest-hotel-interview-with-ceo-rob-burns

Sources: quotes

PRESS2026-08-20

Behind the world’s tallest hotel: Interview with CEO Rob Burns

Guinness World Records
The record was never pursued at the expense of those fundamentals; it was achieved because the entire team remained committed to them throughout the journey.
value seen: The record was never pursued at the expense of those fundamentals; it was achieved because the entire team remained committed to them throughout the journey.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/commercial/2026/8/behind-the-worlds-tallest-hotel-interview-with-ceo-rob-burns

Sources: quotes

PRESS2026-08-20

Behind the world’s tallest hotel: Interview with CEO Rob Burns

Guinness World Records
The attention may come from the record, but the reputation will be built through the experiences we deliver to our guests.
value seen: The attention may come from the record, but the reputation will be built through the experiences we deliver to our guests.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/commercial/2026/8/behind-the-worlds-tallest-hotel-interview-with-ceo-rob-burns

Sources: since

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2009, and to Chief Executive Officer - a position he has held since 2017.
value seen: Chief Executive Officer held since 2017
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: summary

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
The American national has called the city of Dubai home since 2008. Since then, he has led the rapid growth of the dynamic, integrated property developer The First Group, firstly as Chief Marketing Officer before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2009, and to Chief Executive Officer - a position he has held since 2017. Rob also serves as Chairman of the Board.
value seen: CEO and chairman; hospitality real-estate development; COO in 2009; CEO since 2017; growth across hospitality verticals
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: tags

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Having spent more than 30 years in leadership roles for some of the world’s most-respected hospitality real estate developers, Rob is one of the foremost industry leaders in real estate development and hospitality.
value seen: 30 years; Chief Executive Officer; Chairman of the Board; Pennsylvania State University; real estate development; hospitality
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: title

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
### Rob Burns Chief Executive Officer ... Rob also serves as Chairman of the Board.
value seen: Chief Executive Officer; Chairman of the Board
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/
RB
Rashad Barajakly
Rashad Barajakly is the group’s managing director and, according to the company biography, also became chief financial officer in 2017. He joined in 2009 as chief investment officer after work in New York and Atlanta, the Dubai International Financial Centre, DIFX and investment firms. The company credits him with helping develop its real-estate portfolio and expand its hospitality and asset-management businesses.
Current title
Managing Director
Experience
25+ years finance
Companies before
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)DIFXInvestment firms
Education
not published
Other boards
none sourced
Known for
Managing DirectorCFO since 2017Investment bankingDIFX launch
since Joined The First Group in 2009; promoted to Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer in 2017

Sources: full name

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
### Rashad Barajakly
value seen: Rashad Barajakly
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: previous companies

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Rashad then joined the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and from there went on to join the DIFX ... His journey continued through notable positions at various investment firms
value seen: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC); DIFX; various investment firms
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: since

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Joining The First Group in 2009, initially as Chief Investment Officer, Rashad quickly became a keystone of the company’s financial and commercial expansion. His promotion to Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer in 2017 marked the culmination of years of dedicated service.
value seen: Joined The First Group in 2009; promoted to Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer in 2017
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: summary

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Rashad is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in finance, investment banking, and operations, with an expansive career spanning both the United States and UAE.
value seen: 25 years finance, investment banking and operations; DIFC and DIFX; joined in 2009; promoted in 2017; portfolio and hospitality expansion
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: tags

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Joining The First Group in 2009, initially as Chief Investment Officer, Rashad quickly became a keystone of the company’s financial and commercial expansion.
value seen: 25 years; finance; investment banking; DIFX; Chief Investment Officer; Chief Financial Officer
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: title

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
### Rashad Barajakly Managing Director
value seen: Managing Director
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/
TJ
Talal Jassim Al-Bahar
Talal Jassim Al-Bahar is documented on The First Group’s board page as a board member with roughly 25 years in international financial and real-estate investment and development. Outside The First Group, he is described as vice chairman of IFA Hotels & Resorts, vice chairman and CEO of AQARAT, chairman of Arzan Financial Group, and a director of several listed or international businesses. The page does not state when he joined The First Group’s board.
Current title
Board member; Vice Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Real Estate Company (AQARAT)
Experience
25+ years investment
Companies before
none sourced
Education
not published
Other boards
Vice Chairman of IFA Hotels & ResortsVice Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Real Estate Company (AQARAT)Chairman of Arzan Financial GroupBoard Member of Commercial Real Estate Co. (Al-Tijaria)Board Member of Boursa KuwaitChairman of United Investments (Portugal)Chairman of Yotel LimitedBoard member of Miami International Securities Exchange (MIAX)Board member of Miami International Holding
Known for
Board memberVice chairmanCEO of AQARATChairman of Arzan

Sources: full name

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
### Talal Jassim Al-Bahar
value seen: Talal Jassim Al-Bahar
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: other boards

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Locally, Mr. Al-Bahar is the Vice Chairman of IFA Hotels & Resorts (“IFAHR”), the Vice Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Real Estate Company (“AQARAT”), the Chairman of Arzan Financial Group (“Arzan”). He is also a Board Member of Commercial Real Estate Co. (Al-Tijaria), and Board Member of Boursa Kuwait (“Boursa”).
value seen: Vice Chairman of IFA Hotels & Resorts; Vice Chairman and CEO of AQARAT; Chairman of Arzan; board member of Commercial Real Estate Co. and Boursa Kuwait; chair of United Investments and Yotel; boards of MIAX and Miami International Holding
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: summary

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Mr. Talal Al-Bahar has c. 25 years of experience in international financial and Real Estate investment and development sectors.
value seen: approximately 25 years international financial and real-estate investment and development; senior external leadership roles
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: tags

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Locally, Mr. Al-Bahar is the Vice Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Real Estate Company (“AQARAT”), the Chairman of Arzan Financial Group (“Arzan”).
value seen: 25 years; Vice Chairman; CEO of AQARAT; Chairman of Arzan; international finance; real estate investment
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: title

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Locally, Mr. Al-Bahar is the Vice Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Real Estate Company (“AQARAT”), the Chairman of Arzan Financial Group.
value seen: Vice Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Real Estate Company (AQARAT)
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/
AW
Abdul Wahab Al Halabi
Abdul Wahab Al Halabi is listed on The First Group’s board page and brings more than 28 years of executive-management experience. His documented background includes senior investment, development, leisure and restructuring roles at Meraas, Dubai Properties, Dubai Holding and KPMG. He also has board experience with Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Union Properties, Houlihan Lokey and other companies, and holds an economics degree from the London School of Economics.
Current title
Board member; former Group Chief Investment Officer of Meraas Holding and former CEO of Dubai Properties
Experience
no career length stated
Companies before
Meraas HoldingDubai PropertiesDubai HoldingKPMG LondonKPMG Dubai
Education
London School of EconomicsEconomics
Other boards
Board member of Abu Dhabi Islamic BankVice Chairman of Union Properties PJSCRegional board member of Houlihan LokeyFormer Chairman of DXB EntertainmentsFormer board member of Global Investment House PJSCFormer board member of Emirates REIT ManagementBoard member of Plant Pharmacy LLC
Known for
Board memberEx-Meraas CIOEx-Dubai Properties CEOLSE EconomicsICAEW fellow

Sources: education

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Mr. Al-Halabi holds a degree in Economics from London School of Economics
value seen: London School of Economics; Economics
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: full name

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
### Abdul Wahab Al Halabi
value seen: Abdul Wahab Al Halabi
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: other boards

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Mr. Al-Halabi sits on the board of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, is the Vice Chairman of Union Properties PJSC (both listed entities) and the regional board of Houlihan Lokey
value seen: Board of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank; Vice Chairman of Union Properties PJSC; regional board of Houlihan Lokey; former boards of DXB Entertainments, Global Investment House PJSC and Emirates REIT Management
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: previous companies

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
He has been the Group Chief Investment Officer of Meraas Holding ... He has also been the Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Properties and held various senior positions within the Dubai Holding group ... He started his career with KPMG in London ... for two years was a partner at KPMG Dubai
value seen: Meraas Holding; Dubai Properties; Dubai Holding; KPMG London; KPMG Dubai
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: summary

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Mr. Al-Halabi has over 28 years of experience in the field of executive management. He is involved in the real estate and leisure industry in the region.
value seen: over 28 years executive management; Meraas, Dubai Properties, Dubai Holding and KPMG; board experience; LSE economics degree
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: tags

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Mr. Al-Halabi holds a degree in Economics from London School of Economics and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
value seen: 28 years; Group Chief Investment Officer; CEO of Dubai Properties; LSE; ICAEW; listed entities
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: title

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
He has been the Group Chief Investment Officer of Meraas Holding, a leading UAE based developer where he was responsible for the group's capital markets, investments, funding and finance functions. He has also been the Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Properties
value seen: Group Chief Investment Officer of Meraas Holding; Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Properties
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/
CL
Carlos Leal
Carlos Leal is listed as a The First Group board member and as general manager of United Investment Portugal, where he leads strategy and operations. The official biography says he previously worked at Murray & Roberts and Nedcor, became CEO of IFA Asset Management, and has more than 30 years of international leisure-project investment, development, project and asset-management experience. His qualifications include quantity surveying and postgraduate management and business-administration credentials.
Current title
Board member; General Manager of United Investment Portugal and CEO of IFA Asset Management
Experience
30+ years leisure projects
Companies before
Murray & Roberts GroupNedcor Group
Education
not published
Other boards
CEO of IFA Asset ManagementBoard Member of Yotel Hotel Management CompanyExecutive Chairman of UHM
Known for
Board memberGeneral ManagerCEO of IFA Asset ManagementQuantity surveyor

Sources: full name

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
### Carlos Leal
value seen: Carlos Leal
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: other boards

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Carlos is also the CEO of IFA Asset Management and a Board Member of various group companies, including Yotel Hotel Management Company, and is Executive Chairman of UHM.
value seen: CEO of IFA Asset Management; Board Member of Yotel Hotel Management Company; Executive Chairman of UHM
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: previous companies

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Before joining UIP in 1999, Carlos held several positions within the Murray & Roberts Group and Nedcor Group in South Africa.
value seen: Murray & Roberts Group; Nedcor Group
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: summary

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Before joining UIP in 1999, Carlos held several positions within the Murray & Roberts Group and Nedcor Group in South Africa. ... Carlos’ experience spans over thirty years, including vast international knowledge and expertise in major leisure industry projects’ investment, development, project and asset management.
value seen: more than thirty years international leisure-industry investment, development, project and asset-management experience; previous Murray & Roberts and Nedcor roles
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: tags

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Carlos’ experience spans over thirty years, including vast international knowledge and expertise in major leisure industry projects’ investment, development, project and asset management.
value seen: 30+ years; General Manager; CEO; leisure projects; investment; asset management
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Sources: title

COMPANYdate not shown in source

Senior Management Team | The First Group

The First Group
Carlos Leal is the General Manager of United Investment Portugal (UIP), spearheading the company’s overall strategy and operations in Europe and abroad.
value seen: General Manager of United Investment Portugal; CEO of IFA Asset Management
held out of the figures · the quote does not carry this value
value paraphrased from this source
https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/about-the-first-group/management-team/

Projects

Assessment coverage

Completed projects: 2016-10-15 through 2026-10-15. Initial research is capped at 10 completed projects and a separate delivery-risk search capped at 7 findings. Risk findings are not project assessment counts. Absence is not proof of a complete portfolio or no failures. Month-level dates overlapping a boundary are excluded from figures.

0 undated completions and 0 boundary-uncertain completions are retained but excluded from figures.

Stalled, cancelled & overdue projects

0 evidenced cases
The capped delivery-risk search ran; no project-level exception cases are recorded here. Risk findings are listed under Risks and are separate from assessed projects. This does not establish that the developer has no delivery failures.

Completed projects

7 projects
ProjectLocationTypeUnitsFloorsAreaCostPayment planLaunchedConstruction startOriginal targetHandoverDelayConfidenceStatus
Ciel Dubai MarinaDubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai Marina
hotel1,004182102,000 m²AED 650m
estimated cost
—20182018Jan 2023 – Dec 2023Nov 2025+28.5 mo
(+23.0 to +34.0)
sourcedcompleted
The First Collection Business BayDubai, United Arab Emirates
Business Bay
hotel440118 storeys (+1 basement level)53,497 sq ftAED 119.9m
other
—201501-Jul-2015Jan 2020 – Dec 2020Mar 2021+8.5 mo
(+3.0 to +14.0)
sourcedcompleted
The First Collection WaterfrontDubai, United Arab Emirates
Business Bay
hotel, hotel residences327122 storeys (+2 basement levels)—AED 158.7m
estimated cost
—2017July 2017—Jul 2020—not scorablecompleted
Avalon TowerDubai, United Arab Emirates
Jumeirah Village Circle
hotel, hotel residences36213B+G+16+R227,073 sq ftAED 94m
other
—2017June 2017May 2020Jun 2020+1.0 mo
(+1.0 to +1.0)
sourcedcompleted
First Collection Jumeirah Village CircleDubai, United Arab Emirates
Jumeirah Village Circle District 14
hotel49114046,166 m²AED 203.2m
estimated cost
—2021September 2021Sep 2018 – Dec 2018Jun 2020+19.5 mo
(+18.0 to +21.0)
sourcedcompleted
Millennium Place MarinaDubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai Marina
hotel4621————201921 February 2019Jan 2019 – Mar 2019Apr 2019+2.0 mo
(+1.0 to +3.0)
sourcedcompleted
TRYP by Wyndham DubaiDubai, United Arab Emirates
Barsha Heights
hotel6751————2013August, 2013Sep 2016 – Dec 2016Sep 2017+10.5 mo
(+9.0 to +12.0)
sourcedcompleted
Click any row for the sources behind it. Cost basis matters: an estimated cost, a construction loan and a sale price are different numbers. Each row states which one it is, so they are never averaged together.

Awards

Awards & recognition

7 found
MILESTONE Winner 9 December 2025
Tallest hotel · Ciel Dubai Marina
Guinness World Records states that the 377.127-metre Ciel Tower was achieved by The First Group in Dubai on 9 December 2025 and officially recognized as the tallest hotel.
PROJECT AWARD Winner 2022 (reported 3 June 2022)
Hottest New Hotels for 2022 — Best of the Best Traveller’s Choice Awards · The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle
Tripadvisor recognized The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle among its Hottest New Hotels for 2022; the independent report identifies The First Group as the property developer.
PROJECT AWARD Winner 2022
Lifestyle Hotel of the Year · The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle
The developer reports that The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle won Lifestyle Hotel of the Year in 2022.
PROJECT AWARD Winner 2022
Regional Luxury Modern Hotel · The First Collection at Dubai Studio City
The developer reports that The First Collection at Dubai Studio City received the Regional Luxury Modern Hotel award in 2022.
PROJECT AWARD Winner 2021
Dubai’s Leading Serviced Apartments · Citadines
The developer reports that Citadines received the Dubai’s Leading Serviced Apartments award.
PROJECT AWARD Winner 2020–21 (reported 8 November 2020)
Arabian Property Awards — five Dubai categories · The One at Jumeirah Village Circle and The One Hotel at Business Bay
The First Group’s two projects won five Dubai categories in the 2020–21 Arabian Property Awards: New Hotel Construction & Design, Hotel Architecture and Hotel Interior for The One at Jumeirah Village Circle, plus Hotel Architecture and New Hotel Construction & Design for The One Hotel at Business Bay.
PROJECT AWARD Winner 2019–20 (reported 8 November 2020)
International Property Awards — three architecture categories · Ciel
The First Group’s Ciel project won Best International Hotel Architecture, Best Hotel Architecture Arabia and Best High-rise Architecture Arabia at the 2019–20 International Property Awards.

Risks

Risk flags

5 found
FINANCIAL DISTRESS 19 July 2023 (liquidity disclosure); 21 August 2023 (standstill announcement)
Aurum (Cayman), the parent of The First Group and obligor of TFG Sukuk I, disclosed liquidity tightening and said it could not meet the full US$27 million principal payment due on 7 August 2023; it expected to pay approximately US$2 million and sought to reprofile the debt. The subsequent standstill announcement said holders of more than 75% of the certificates agreed to an interim standstill while repayment restructuring discussions continued, and confirmed that only US$2 million of the principal due had been paid. This is an event concerning the parent/ sukuk obligor, not a finding that The First Group itself defaulted.
PROJECT CANCELLED Reported status updated 7 May 2025; project first traced January 2018
Grand Garden Hotel in Dubai Sports City, identified as a The First Group development, is reported as cancelled; a replacement project, The First Collection at Dubai Sports City, was subsequently launched on the same plot.
PROJECT CANCELLED Status reported 7 May 2025; cancellation date not stated
Grand Garden Hotel in Dubai Sports City was reported as a cancelled development by The First Group; the same plot was subsequently used for The First Collection at Dubai Sports City, so this is a resolved/replaced cancellation rather than an active stalled project.
PROJECT CANCELLED Status reported 7 May 2025; original trace October 2007; cancellation date not stated
Beach Front Hotel, a proposed Dubai Marina hotel associated with The First Group, was reported as cancelled and replaced on the same plot by Ciel Vignette Collection; the source does not state when the cancellation occurred.
DELIVERY DELAY Original commitment reported 4 May 2023; subsequent opening reported 17 November 2025
Ciel Tower, owned by The First Group, missed its earlier stated fourth-quarter-2023 opening expectation and was still described as opening in November 2025 after nine years of construction and delays; it subsequently opened in November 2025, so the delay is historical rather than current as of 15 October 2026.

Record status

active
Coverageactive
Tracked sinceOctober 6, 2026
Last checkedOctober 15, 2026 this month
Profile last researchedOctober 15, 2026
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For informational purposes only. This information is not investment, financial or credit advice and should not be relied on for investment, lending or credit decisions. Records may be incomplete or outdated. Verify information independently and seek qualified advice before making a decision.