Leading real estate developer Dubai Properties (DP) and hospitality group Hilton Worldwide have signed an agreement to build a DoubleTree by Hilton at the mixed-use Bay Square development in Dubai’s Business Bay district in the UAE.

The 238-guestroom DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Business Bay will join a fast growing portfolio of DoubleTree hotels already welcoming guests in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah and is expected to open in early 2017, said a statement from Hilton.

The development is the latest addition to DP’s broad portfolio of retail, commercial, residential and mixed-use developments.

Complementing the existing offering in Business Bay, the hotel will cater to the increasing number of business and leisure travellers visiting the area, whilst providing further food and beverages (F&B), retail and leisure facilities to local office workers and residents, it added.

Mohammed Al Habbai, the chief officer of urban planning and infrastructure (DP Group) said: "Our portfolio is growing and this new launch is part of a suite of hotels DP will develop in strategic locations in Dubai. Hilton is one of the world’s leading hotel operators, and we are proud to partner with them to bring the DoubleTree brand to our Bay Square development."

"We are confident that this new hotel will be a key feature of Bay Square whilst enhancing the hospitality offering of the wider Business Bay and Downtown district, he stated.

Rudi Jagersbacher, the president (Middle East and Africa) for Hilton Worldwide said: "We are delighted to expand our DoubleTree by Hilton portfolio in Dubai with the development of this remarkable new property in Bay Square with Dubai Properties."

"As Dubai’s visitor offering continues to evolve, we see great potential for the development of our brands – supporting the strong vision for tourism and hospitality in the emirate," he added.

DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Business Bay will be one of DP’s many hospitality projects designed to cater to the increased number of visitors expected in Dubai ahead of Expo 2020.

This is the second hotel announcement by DP in recent months, following the recent announcement of a new Anantara hotel in the Culture Village district at Cityscape, and further demonstrates the developer’s continued support for the long-term vision of Dubai.

Expected to open in early 2017, the new-build hotel will be located within close proximity to major corporate offices, as well as the commercial and entertainment areas of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall areas.

The hotel will include the characteristic qualities found at more than 400 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels across six continents, including upscale amenities and guest services such as a health club, swimming pool, fully equipped business centre and four multi-function boardrooms.

John Greenleaf, the global head for DoubleTree by Hilton, said: "With the constantly changing cityscape and major events such as Expo 2020 on the horizon, Dubai is one of the most exciting destinations where DoubleTree operates."

"We recently opened our 10th property in London, and our first hotel in Moscow – marking the success of our strategy to grow our presence in key destinations globally," he added.

The hotel will also join 27 Hilton Worldwide properties trading or under development in the UAE, across Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn brands.

In early 2014, Hilton Worldwide announced plans to introduce its mid-market Hilton Garden Inn brand to Dubai, with the opening of two hotels expected in 2015, added Greenleaf.-TradeArabia News Service