Maison Margiela Residences: Architectural Alchemy

Maison Margiela has long existed at the intersection of concept and craft, known for its daring reinterpretation of fashion’s boundaries. Today, that narrative extends beyond the runway and atelier, as the House unveils Maison Margiela Residences—its first foray into the world of residential living. Developed in partnership with Alta Real Estate Development, this new chapter unfolds on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai’s emblem of innovation and prestige. More than a collection of homes, the project is an architectural translation of Margiela’s philosophy: a study in transformation, materiality, and the art of perception.

Architecture has always been intrinsic to Maison Margiela’s identity. From its stark white ateliers and conceptual show spaces to installations that blur the line between art and environment, space has been both canvas and muse. With Maison Margiela Residences, the House takes this dialogue further—rendering its codes of deconstruction, trompe-l’œil, and metamorphosis into a living environment designed to engage the senses.

Each of the 25 bespoke residences is conceived as a reflection of the Maison’s unconventional aesthetic, where architectural mastery meets artistic experimentation. Created under the direction of Italian architect Carlo Colombo in collaboration with the Maison Margiela architecture team, the design concept merges structural rigor with poetic restraint. A bespoke collection of furniture—sofas, armchairs, tables, beds, and lighting—has been designed exclusively for the project. These pieces echo the Maison’s sculptural precision, creating an intimate dialogue between the architecture and its interiors.

The result is a living space that feels at once serene and subversive. Surfaces are treated not merely as backdrops but as mediums for storytelling: Travertine furnishings recall classical forms reimagined through Margiela’s lens, while resin-filled indentations in optical white evoke the Maison’s décortiqué technique—where layers are peeled away to reveal hidden structures beneath. These subtle details invite inhabitants to engage with their surroundings as one would a garment, discovering new dimensions through touch and light.

The project also pays homage to the Maison’s longstanding fascination with interiors and objects. Since its inception, Margiela has reimagined domesticity as an extension of artistry—evident in its early furniture designs, immersive installations, and the 2011 redesign of La Maison Champs Élysées in Paris. Its world of objects—such as the now-iconic bottle lamps, white cushions, and feather pens—has always blurred the boundaries between the functional and the poetic. Maison Margiela Residences extends this exploration, turning the act of living itself into an art form.

Beyond aesthetics, the Residences embrace a holistic philosophy of living. The amenities are conceived as extensions of the Maison’s values: discretion, refinement, and sensory harmony. Residents will have access to a curated library, art gallery, fitness studios, spa, infinity pool, gym, and the Margiela Café, a social haven where the Maison’s minimalist codes meet the rituals of contemporary life.

The launch arrives at a pivotal moment for the House’s global evolution. Alongside the Residences, Maison Margiela celebrates the opening of its new boutique and Margiela Café at Mall of the Emirates, marking a deliberate expansion in the Middle East. Together, these ventures signal a vision that transcends fashion, positioning the Maison as a curator of experience and environment.

For Renzo Rosso, Chairman of OTB Group, the project embodies the essence of the brand’s creative lineage: “It has been thrilling to bring together the codes of more than 30 years of history of an iconic Maison, led by the greatest fashion couturiers like Martin Margiela, John Galliano, and now Glenn Martens. It has been very inspiring to create this first project, and I hope it marks the beginning of many more to come.”

Abdulla Al Tayer, Managing Director of Alta Real Estate Development, echoes this sentiment: “As the first collaboration of its kind globally, this project blends iconic design with bespoke experiences, redefining luxury living in Dubai.”

With Maison Margiela Residences, the House redefines not only what it means to inhabit space, but what it means to belong to a creative universe—one that continues to evolve, layer by layer, form by form.