Havelock One completes Manish Malhotra’s flagship store at Dubai Mall

From Bollywood icons to global favourites including Jennifer Aniston and Naomi Campbell, Manish Malhotra has dressed them all. Now, his magnificent designs hit the UAE with the opening of his first flagship fashion boutique at Dubai Mall.

Havelock One, a leading interior fit out and custom manufacturing specialist, was enlisted to execute the design development and delivery of Malhotra’s flagship store. Infusing the brand’s timeless designs with modern aesthetics, the newly unveiled 4,500 sq. ft. space aptly named ‘The India Story’ captures the essence of the brand. Originating from the visionary mind of Bollywood royalty, Gauri Khan, the ini- tial store designs were brought to life through the skilled execution of the Havelock One team.

We spoke to Mark Hampson, Senior Project Manager at Havelock One to know more about the intricacies and challenges associated with the design development and delivery of the company’s latest retail project.

Crafting 3D dreams into real-world wonders

Image by Alex Jeffries

The journey began with stunning 3D renders provided by famous Indian interior designer, Gauri Khan of Gauri Khan Studios. Harnessing the power of these visuals, Havelock One transformed these concepts into reality by developing detailed drawings and proposing materials. Mark Hampson shed light on the initial stages of the design development process, emphasising the hands-on approach of Havelock One’s team in transforming the client-supplied renders into practical detailed design and shop drawings.

Achieving a vision

Image by Alex Jeffries

Image by Alex Jeffries

Image by Alex Jeffries

The incorporation of decorative elements, including ornate plasterwork and white gold leafing, showcased the meticulous attention to detail paid by the team. Mark emphasised how the team adapted to navigate changes brought about by the client, in this case, the esteemed fashion designer Manish Malhotra. In this dynamic collaboration, where continual enhancements were made to actualise Malhotra’s authentic vision, the project’s success hinged not only on Havelock One’s operational efficiency but also on the essential input of North 51 Consulting, the project and cost management consultancy. At the heart of the project, managing multiple stakeholders, North 51’s expertise and strategic oversight played a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth workflow, and providing effective resolution of challenges, contributing significantly to the overall success of the project.

Challenges in relation to fit out of high-end retail stores

Image by Alex Jeffries

Manish Malhotra’s flagship UAE store is home to a bespoke High Jewellery collection, de- signed only for ‘The India Story’ at Dubai Mall and strictly by appointment only. To safekeep these precious items Havelock One built a private jewellery showroom in compliance with stringent SIRA (Security Industry Regulatory Agency) requirements. The challenge lies in interpreting and implementing these regulations comprehensively, ensuring every aspect of the security system meets the specified criteria.

With a track record of successful projects within Emaar properties, Havelock One has developed a strong familiarity with the landlord’s fit-out guidelines and procedures. This profound insight played a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless and swift delivery of this project within a live trading environment.

Global presence and high-end clientele

Image by Alex Jeffries

Mark Hampson emphasised how the project aligns with Havelock One’s expertise, hav- ing developed partnerships with globally recognised retail brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Charlotte Tilbury , Alo Yoga and Ralph Lauren. The company’s extensive experience includes the manufacturing of multiple stores for these brands internationally.

Havelock One is dedicated to reshaping the luxury retail experience, and the upcoming year marks a pivotal moment as it extends its influence and geographical presence. The aim is to set new benchmarks through cutting edge manufacturing technologies and top-tier talent.

About Havelock One

Established in 1998, Havelock One is now recognised as one of the leading fit out and manufacturing players in
the industry. Based in five countries (Bahrain, KSA, Kuwait, UAE and Qatar), across seven offices, it employs over 1,700 people across the GCC with its main headquarters and 520,000 sq.

ft. factory facilities located in Askar, Bahrain. Over the past 25 years, Havelock One has completed more than 8,800 fit out projects, across a range of sectors including hospitality, retail, entertainment, commercial, government, residential, F&B and more.