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Arabian Business
14-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Bulldozer Group pours $55mn into Europe, Middle East expansion as global wealthy flee West
Bulldozer Group is investing just over $55 million to expand its luxury hospitality empire across Europe and the Middle East, betting on a fundamental shift in where the world's wealthy choose to live as the company pivots beyond its restaurant roots into wellness ventures. The group, which operates more than 30 restaurants globally, including around 15 in Dubai alone, is launching ambitious new concepts from Paris to the Gulf as high-net-worth individuals increasingly relocate from traditional Western financial centres to emerging hubs in the East. 'Global wealth is becoming more fluid, and we're seeing a significant migration of high-net-worth individuals, particularly toward dynamic, opportunity-rich cities like Dubai,' Alexander Orlov, founder and chief executive of Bulldozer Group, told Arabian Business. 'We're not just following the wealth, we're building the environments it thrives in.' The expansion comes as the company ventures into wellness for the first time with Sacra, a two-floor spa complex in Dubai scheduled to open by the end of 2025. The venue will blend traditional bathhouse rituals with cutting-edge technology, marking Bulldozer's first major diversification beyond its hospitality core since launching in Dubai in 2011. Orlov's strategic timing aligns with Dubai's remarkable wealth growth trajectory identified in the latest World's Wealthiest Cities Report 2025, which reveals Dubai is now home to 81,200 resident millionaires. This represents a staggering 102 per cent growth between 2014 and 2024 – one of only three cities globally to outpace Silicon Valley's growth rate. 'Entering the wellness space felt like a natural progression for us,' Orlov said. 'Wellness has become a defining element of luxury, and we're meeting a growing demand while helping shape a new paradigm where luxury is defined not just by opulence, but by well-being.' The company has accelerated its expansion in recent months. UNI, a sophisticated Japanese restaurant in Paris inspired by traditional puzzle boxes, opened in the second quarter of 2025. Frou Frou, featuring French cuisine, launched in Marbella last autumn, whilst Eva, an opulent beach club and restaurant, is set to debut in Estepona this July. Bulldozer's expansion strategy reflects broader demographic shifts as wealthy individuals and entrepreneurs gravitate toward jurisdictions offering favourable tax regimes, business opportunities and lifestyle amenities. Dubai has emerged as a particular magnet, with its tax-free environment, strategic location and cultural openness attracting global elites. The emirate has climbed three places to 18 th in the global wealth rankings, with forecasts suggesting it will more than double its centi-millionaire population over the next decade, leading anticipated high-growth centres worldwide alongside Abu Dhabi. The UAE's strategic position is further strengthened by seven of the top 10 wealthiest cities being located in countries with residence by investment programmes. 'By expanding in both mature luxury markets like London and Paris and rapidly ascending ones like Dubai, we're creating a network that reflects the movement of modern luxury consumers,' Orlov said. The company, which started with a single restaurant in Dubai when Orlov was 27, has built what he describes as a billion-dollar empire through its theatrical approach to hospitality. Venues are designed as immersive experiences that blend architecture, art, music and cuisine into what Orlov calls 'almost cinematic' environments. 'True luxury lies in the elevation of every element, where nothing is left to chance,' he said. Over the next two years, Bulldozer plans to launch new wellness and hospitality destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, including locations in London, Cyprus and Azerbaijan. The wellness push comes as the global wellness economy is estimated to be worth over $9 trillion by 2028, according to the Global Wellness Institute, with luxury spas and retreats commanding premium prices as affluent consumers increasingly prioritise health and wellbeing. The economic significance of Dubai's wealth growth extends beyond tourism and hospitality. 'The world's centi-millionaires are increasingly designing their geographical footprints with the same strategic care they apply to their investment portfolios,' according to Dominic Volek, Group Head of Private Clients at Henley & Partners. 'Formal investment migration pathways create systematic entry routes into these rapidly developing regions.' Orlov said the company's expansion reflects its foundational ethos of resilience. 'The name 'Bulldozer' reflects our mindset: no matter the obstacles, we push forward,' he said. 'True to our name, we move forward with strength, vision, and relentless drive.' The company's bet on wealth migration appears well-founded. While London – traditionally a magnet for global wealth – has seen its millionaire population decline by 12 per cent over the past decade and fallen from 5th to 6th place globally, the UAE continues its upward trajectory as a preferred destination for the world's wealthiest individuals.
What's On
13-05-2025
- Business
- What's On
Sacra, an ultra-luxe bathhouse and spa to open in Dubai
Can we get our reservations in now, please? For most of us, we tend to neglect wellness, self-care, and feeling good as other priorities take over. However, you may find it hard to ignore the urge to book a spa day when Sacra opens in Dubai at the end of the year. When it does open its doors in the Jumeirah district along Beach Road, wellness seekers will be treated to a sanctuary of wellness and luxury in the heart of Dubai. Inside the three-level, 360-degree bathhouse and spa, you will find everything you need for a luxurious wellness retreat. 3 of 12 And thankfully, gents, Sacra caters to both male and female, offering bespoke spaces and private suites for each gender. Not just another spa… We have plenty of world-class spas around the city, but Sacra states it is so much more. It's a bathhouse sanctuary that places an elevated focus on the art of bathing. An important experience to witness is the grand banyas – a traditional Russian steam bath that utilizes a wood stove. It will be meticulously designed with artisanal furnaces crafted by master kiln builders. It will offer up a profound and sensory experience steeped in ancient traditions. Whether you're seeking to sweat, detox, or unwind, this is a signature offering, a grounding and purifying core to Sacra's spa philosophy. And one that you won't find elsewhere in the city. *New trend: 4 floating wellness classes in Dubai* Inside Sacra, you will also find healing salt grottos, a revitalizing ice atelier, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and a curated selection of rejuvenating saunas and steam rooms. At its eatery, you will be served a nutrient-rich, indulgent gourmet cuisine with dishes drawing inspiration from Middle Eastern and Oriental flavours. And caviar connoisseurs, there's a dedicated section just for you for that extra layer of indulgence. Sacra is Bulldozer Group's first venture into the wellness industry. You will know them by their restaurants, which include the likes of Frou Frou, La Baia, Gaia, China Tang, and more. We can't wait to check out their new venture. @ Images: Supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
The National
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Frou Frou review: Parisian vibes at The Lana Promenade in Business Bay
Nestled alongside the waters of Marasi Bay Marina, a new little pocket of France can be found in the shape of Parisian restaurant Frou Frou. Taking its name from the silk found in the skirts made famous by the popular can-can dance, the restaurant – part of Alexander Orlov's Bulldozer Group – opened in January and is the latest venue to open on The Lana Promenade in Business Bay. Gallic influence in Dubai is nothing new, with restaurants such as LPM, Bagatelle, Couqley, Josette and more quickly making names for themselves in the emirate. Frou Frou is attempting to join elite company and it's with this backdrop that my dining partner and I arrive to try it out. Frou Frou's decor is entirely in keeping with the restaurant's namesake, with colourful artwork that encapsulates the distinctive vibes of Paris. That said, the views out over Marasi Bay and the looming presence of Burj Khalifa are inescapable, so there's a wonderful sense of old meets new – the tradition and elegance of French gastronomy blended with the modernity that's made Dubai famous. There are three main areas within the restaurant itself – an intimate lounge for light bites and arrival drinks, a large dining room with an open-plan kitchen and an outdoor terrace offering spectacular views across Business Bay. My dining partner and I are lucky to visit on a beautiful, clear evening with a still breeze so we take the opportunity to sit outside and take in the scene around us as we dine. Saying that, the difference in vibe at Frou Frou changes quite dramatically depending on where you choose to sit. The outdoor terrace is very quiet and private, which suits us perfectly, but if you're more inclined to soaking up a lively atmosphere, then the interior seating would be my suggestion for you. It's noisy, fun and full of life, with the open kitchen making you feel part of everything, while the terrace is more serene and intimate. Frou Frou's menu is archetypally French in every sense. Among the starters are classics such as salade nicoise (Dh120) and French onion soup (Dh75), there's a truffle chicken sharing platter (Dh300) among the mains and, of course, you can find creme brulee (Dh55) in the dessert selection. My dining partner and I opt to share a selection of starters before diving into our main courses on the recommendation of our server, Shikhar. We try the beef tartare (Dh160), the tuna tartare with avocado and shiso dressing (Dh160), and the king crab salad (Dh180). Each brings their own distinctive taste, but it's the tuna that stands out as the real crowd pleaser. Admittedly it's a bit of a go-to starter in Dubai, but this dish stands out with the freshness of the avocado and shiso giving it a light and healthy feel that makes it, in many ways, the perfect starter. For the main courses, my dining partner opts for the whole red mullet (Dh150) while I go for the black angus ribeye (Dh250). With these, we share sides of ratatouille (Dh40) and mashed potato (Dh35). The beauty of these dishes is their simplicity, in terms of both taste and presentation. The red mullet, in particular, is served whole and filleted at the table by our server meaning we're treated to the vibrant colours of the fish before my dining partner tucks into it. The steak, meanwhile, is expertly cooked and blends beautifully with the stewed vegetables in the ratatouille. For dessert, we replicate our mains and go for the simplistic beauty of two French classics; creme brulee (Dh55) and Parisian chocolate tart (Dh100). The tart is the showstopper here, presented in a pot featuring bubbling chocolate sauce. It's the perfect end to a meal for anyone with a sweet tooth. While for those who favour a more savoury end to their dinner, there is a wide selection of cheeses to choose from on Frou Frou's fromage menu. One key issue with Frou Frou is its price range. The food is admittedly excellent but, for what you're paying, there are other Dubai venues that offer comparable quality for far less money. As for what I'd avoid, the king crab salad is a little underwhelming considering it costs Dh180. Chef Leonid Ivanov is the main man at Frou Frou. He describes himself as a connoisseur in Mediterranean and French cuisine, having spent almost a decade working and learning his craft in the gallic nation. His plan at Frou Frou is to 'reimagine French cuisine in a modern way, presenting a rich melange of flavours that's both sophisticated and unexpected, designed for local tastes'. Frou Frou is located at The Lana Promenade, Dorchester Collection, Business Bay, Dubai. It is open daily from noon to 1am. Reservations can be made by calling on 04 834 8397. This review was conducted at the invitation of the restaurant
