In September 2020, an eye-catching new skyscraper opened its doors in Dubai – ICD Brookfield Place. A collaboration between the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) and Brookfield Properties, the global real estate giants behind Berlin’s Potsdamer Platz and New York City‘s Brookfield Place, the 53-storey tower pulls in tenants with its sky suites, premium office spaces, central DIFC location and sustainable certifications. But recently, the tower has also emerged as one of Dubai’s leading lifestyle, wellness and dining destinations.
As the first office building in the region to attain the prestigious WELL Health and Safety Rating, ICD Brookfield Place is unrivalled for a working environment for slick companies, but it’s outside the office spaces that makes this building so unique. Guests will find top-spec gyms and fitness studios, health and juice bars, the most beautiful restaurant in Dubai, London-born Arts Club and Emirates‘ only City Check-In and Travel Store, beauty and hair salons and everything you need to live an elevated lifestyle. Here’s how we spent a day at ICD Brookfield Place – so much more than a typical Duhabi office block.
7:30 am: Pilates at Reform Athletica
In August 2023, ICD Brookfield welcomed one of the chicest and most sought-after Pilates spots in Dubai, Reform Athletica, occupying its own enclave with views over ICD Brookfield Place’s summer garden. In a modern and minimalist setting, reminiscent of its original Jumeirah villa location, clients can enjoy the brand’s signature Reform class – done on ultra-challenging maxi reformers – and a host of other classes, including yoga and micro-form. There’s one-to-one training, a must for those looking to get that svelte pilates figure and improve strength – and a chic smoothie bar and coffee shop. Facilities are superlative, with Salt & Mud toiletries, GHD straightens, the works, preparing visitors for whatever the day head brings.
reformathletica.com
9am: Ice bath and infrared sauna at Embody Fitness
Its own stand-alone fitness concept for those looking to complete their own challenging workouts or challenge themselves with PT sessions, Embody Fitness sits on the floor below Reform Athletic. The space comprises a huge gym floor, with every machine and equipment you could ever desire, on top of a warren of treatment and therapy rooms – largely focusing on fitness and recovery. What makes this a must-visit is its infrared sauna and ice bath recovery suites, where members can recover, build strength and immunity and work on their breathing.
embodyfitness.ae
9:30am – Breakfast at The Guild
As the most impressive and beautiful new restaurant in Dubai, The Guild is located by the entrance of ICD Brookfield Place and is the perfect spot for a post-workout breakfast. The brainchild of Dubai star chef-turned-entrepreneur Tom Arnel and his Eatx Group, the sprawling space comprises multiple dining destinations under one roof. One of these spaces is a beautiful greenery and light-filled brasserie known as The Nurseries, with a polished espresso bar and cosy tables. The breakfast menu is indulgent and elevated, with dishes like eggs en cocotte, pancake stacks and Eggs Benedict, but there are also leaner options like green bowls, porridge, avocado and smoked salmon on toast. Freshly squeezed juices, house-roasted coffee and dairy-free milks are a real treat.
theguilddubai.com, @theguilddubai
10:30am – working from ICD Brookfield Place’s Suites
A hallmark of the Brookfield brand is its stunning workspaces, and ICDs are second to none in the city. A selection of Suites and Sky Suites occupy the upper levels, offering panoramic views across the city and superlative facilities. With short-term leases available and a common area for tenants in the building, the spaces include beautifully designed living areas with Assouline coffee table books, a coffee machine and kitchen space and plenty of break-out areas.
12pm – blowdry and treatment at Y12 Salon
Tucked away by the entrances to the offices, guests step into the creative and gleaming all-white work of Y12 Salon, one of the most sustainable and pioneering brands in Dubai. In their cool salon-cum-coffee-bar-cum-hangout, visitors can enjoy signature hair treatments, nails, masques and other on-the-go experiences, as well as precision cuts with the award-winning team. The water here is filtered, delivering a PH perfectly aligning with the skin and hair, and as a result, it also has some of the best coffee in Dubai.
@y12salon
1pm – business lunch at La Nina
As one of ICD Brookfield Place’s most stylish restaurants, La Nina takes guests on a culinary and design journey to Portugal – with a stunning dining room with Poruteges blue tiled walls and glittering chandeliers, plus a sun-dappled terrace. From the team behind vibrant Bagatelle, the restaurant has a bustling, chic atmosphere – with a bar where groups can stand and order post-work drinks. The business lunch is excellent, with a starter and a main for AED115, with the menu offering plenty of their a la carte classics.
2pm – working from Niche
On top of its offices and suites, ICD Brookfield also operates a charming, laid-back and approach le co-working space, Niche. With communal tables and a chic minimalist vibe, the friendly space is perfect for those who want just to unpack, hide away and get stuff done – just bring your laptop, take a seat, store your stuff, fill up your water bottle and while away an afternoon.
6pm – drinks at Lulu and the Beanstalk
Part cool coffee shop, part cocktail bar, part bookshop, part co-working space and part hip after-work hangout, Lulu & The Beanstalk is the baby of two filmmaker sisters Wafa Tajdin and Amirah Tajdin, whose love for storytelling (and their grandmother Lulu) has resulted in a whimsical, fairytale-esque spot complete with soaring bookshelves (home to over 1,000 books), undulating sofas and plenty of cosy corners. Come in the day for killer coffee, matcha, avocado toast, vegan Reubens, and an AED80 business lunch, or in the evening for sharing platters, cocktails and small-batch organic grapes and artisan hops. A no-laptops after 6pm policy, a shift in mood lighting and a carefully curated soundtrack make this just as much a spot for the day as the evening.
lulusbean.com, @lulus.bean
7pm – head to the exhibition space
ICD Brookfield Place’s art and events programming is exceptional, spearheaded by a dedicated in-house curator. As a result, its rotating art exhibitions and events are truly must-visit. Now on at ICD Brookfield is Floating World – taking viewers on a journey of contemplation on the invisibility of fossil fuel resources and turning them into unavoidable objects through two works on display. Crested by Kuwaiti visual artist Monira Al Qadiri, the pieces explore the fragility and perishability of these resources, highlighting the need for more sustainable forms of energy.
ICD Brookfield Place’s art and events programming is exceptional, spearheaded by a dedicated in-house curator. As a result, its rotating art exhibitions and events are truly must-visit. Now on at ICD Brookfield is Floating World – taking viewers on a journey of contemplation on the invisibility of fossil fuel resources and turning them into unavoidable objects through two works on display. Crested by Kuwaiti visual artist Monira Al Qadiri, the pieces explore the fragility and perishability of these resources, highlighting the need for more sustainable forms of energy.
ICD Brookfield Place’s art and events programming is exceptional, spearheaded by a dedicated in-house curator. As a result, its rotating art exhibitions and events are truly must-visit. Now on at ICD Brookfield is Floating World – taking viewers on a journey of contemplation on the invisibility of fossil fuel resources and turning them into unavoidable objects through two works on display. Crested by Kuwaiti visual artist Monira Al Qadiri, the pieces explore the fragility and perishability of these resources, highlighting the need for more sustainable forms of energy.
ICD Brookfield Place’s art and events programming is exceptional, spearheaded by a dedicated in-house curator. As a result, its rotating art exhibitions and events are truly must-visit. Now on at ICD Brookfield is Floating World – taking viewers on a journey of contemplation on the invisibility of fossil fuel resources and turning them into unavoidable objects through two works on display. Crested by Kuwaiti visual artist Monira Al Qadiri, the pieces explore the fragility and perishability of these resources, highlighting the need for more sustainable forms of energy.
@icdbrookfieldplace
