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Mike Hoque, the founder and CEO of Hoque Global who has been very active in major real estate developments across the metroplex over the past decade, this month opened his first hotel in Dubai, UAE, with considerable fanfare.
And, he has plans for more.
While Hoque is already active in the food and beverage sector, owning and managing Wicked Butcher, Wild Salsa, and Chop House Burger in Fort Worth and Dallas, this marks the first hotel brand he’s created and opened.
Hoque’s new neighborhood hotspot, HOTEL LOCAL, is a community-oriented hotel in the heart of Dubai’s Jumeirah Village Triangle that caters to the city’s residents, visitors, and business travelers.
The 33-story hotel offers 579 rooms, a farm-to-table restaurant, a separate coffee shop/bar, rooftop pool, a fully equipped gym, and a wellness center & spa, ensuring guests can unwind whether they are there for business or pleasure.
At the April 17 grand opening celebration in Dubai, it was announced that HOTEL LOCAL will soon join the Marriott Autograph Collection, part of the Marriott International portfolio known for its unique character and upscale accommodations. To qualify, hotels must meet specific standards and offer a distinct identity and design — and HOTEL LOCAL checks those boxes.
The First Group Hospitality, a prominent hospitality management company based in Dubai, will manage HOTEL LOCAL. The First Group Hospitality, renowned for its upscale hotel portfolio and innovative approach to hospitality, has a portfolio of 10 existing hotels — including HOTEL LOCAL — in Dubai. It is expanding its portfolio with seven up-and-coming hotels, including the 82-story skyscraper, Ciel Dubai Marina, which is set to open in October as the world’s tallest hotel.
“HOTEL LOCAL is more than just a place to stay. It’s a vibrant social hub where guests and locals come together to connect, create, and experience Dubai in an authentic and immersive way,” said Rob Burns, CEO of The First Group. “We are honored to partner with Hoque Global to bring the first of many HOTEL LOCAL properties to life.”
Said Mike Hoque: "HOTEL LOCAL was born out of a deep passion for people, community, and education. It’s been an incredible journey developing this brand alongside hospitality pioneer Dave Johnson, of Horizon Capital, and Rob Burns, with a vision to create spaces that truly become extensions of the neighborhoods they serve and create opportunities for the local community through education programming interwoven into our operations.
The hotel restaurant, Farmers Commons, features an upscale, relaxed dining experience utilizing locally sourced ingredients, hydroponic herbs, farm-fresh produce, and artisanal cheese. The hotel’s coffee shop, Neighborhood Brew, blends community vibes with a laid-back atmosphere. It serves freshly brewed coffee in the morning and craft beers and signature cocktails in the evening.
The concept for Farmers Commons comes from Hoque and Kris Davis’ Farmers Commons restaurant at the Vineyard at Florence, located 50 miles north of Austin.
Davis, a Fort Worth native, owns the Vineyard at Florence property. Hoque Global was appointed the master developer and management/operations leader for the property in 2018 and led a multimillion-dollar renovation that included the 2021 opening of Farmers Commons. The Vineyard at Florence is the first "residential winery" in Texas, encompassing over 600 acres and plans for more than 1,000 homes.
Hoque is actively involved in numerous real estate projects, including plans to open more hotels under the HOTEL LOCAL brand internationally and in the metroplex.
Hoque said that he plans to open a HOTEL LOCAL in downtown Fort Worth and downtown Dallas. Dave Johnson told TradeArabia News Service: “This marks just the beginning, and we look forward to expanding the brand worldwide and taking HOTEL LOCAL’s unique blend of connection, culture, and innovation to New York, San Francisco, Miami, and more dynamic neighborhoods across the region and the globe."
The Hoque-owned HOTEL LOCAL trademark includes in its logo the latitude and longitude geographical coordinates of its location in Dubai's Jumeirah Village Triangle area above the name, with the location under the name.
Hoque filed a trademark for HOTEL LOCAL Dallas in 2022. The geographical coordinates on this trademark filing are 32.7767 N-96.7970 W, which is the absolute location of Dallas, Texas. A Hoque Global spokesperson said that the likely location for HOTEL LOCAL Dallas is Hoque’s Newpark Dallas, a large, mixed-use development on the south side of downtown that aims to revitalize a previously underutilized area.
Johnson is also collaborating with Hoque and Mike Ablon, founder and principal of PegasusAblon, on the $350 million redevelopment of Dallas' tallest skyscraper, the Bank of America Plaza. The project includes converting part of the 72-story building into a 300-room luxury, five-star hotel, with plans to occupy eight to 10 upper floors. The hotel would feature a 69th-floor reflection pool, a ballroom, and seven new restaurants. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with completion targeted for early 2028.