MGM Tower in Dubai takes shape as ‘The Island’ reaches 5th floor
MGM’s first resort in the Middle East reaches key construction milestone
Dubai’s luxury skyline is set to welcome a colossal new addition.
The MGM Tower, part of a 26-acre beachfront resort development dubbed “The Island,” is steadily rising along the coast, with construction already reaching the fifth floor.
Slated for a third-quarter 2027 opening, the project marks the Middle East debut of MGM Resorts International’s iconic hotel brands – Bellagio, MGM, and Aria.
Speaking during a recent earnings call, MGM Resorts CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle confirmed the development’s momentum. “We are literally up on the fifth floor of the MGM Tower as we speak,” he said, calling it “a truly interesting resort with all kinds of features.”
‘The Island’
The project is a joint venture between Dubai’s Wasl Hospitality and MGM Hospitality, first announced in 2017. After years of delays and shifting plans, momentum is clearly back. The resort will house around 1,400 rooms across three properties: MGM Hotel, Bellagio Hotel, and MGM Residences.
Construction is being led by China State Construction Engineering Corporation under a Dh4.4 billion contract awarded in 2023. The site, located along a prime stretch of coastline, is envisioned as a mixed-use hospitality hub offering high-end living, entertainment, and beachfront experiences.
Gaming prospects
While the resort’s current framework is non-gaming, the potential for a casino remains a subject of speculation. Hornbuckle said the resort is being built to accommodate gaming “if and when” regulations permit. MGM submitted a gaming licence application in Abu Dhabi in 2024, though the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has not approved any casinos beyond Ras Al Khaimah’s Wynn project – due in early 2027.
MGM in UAE
The Island is not MGM’s first UAE venture. Past attempts date back to 2006, with earlier plans in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai that never materialised. This time, however, the development is well underway and enjoys firm backing, with GCGRA board members including former MGM executives Jim Murren and William Grounds.
If timelines hold, MGM’s Dubai project may finally reach the finish line after nearly two decades.