Mr. C Residences Dubai and Beyond: Hamish Brown on Crafting Modern Icons
people • designers
Set against Dubai’s shimmering skyline, Mr. C Residences stands as a new benchmark for contemporary elegance, where Italian sophistication meets Middle Eastern modernity. Designed by 1508 London, one of the world’s most respected interior architecture studios, the project embodies the legacy of Mr. C’s Venetian hospitality through a lens of timeless craftsmanship and refined restraint. Founded in 2010 and led by Hamish Brown, 1508 London operates across global studios in London, Dubai, Singapore, and Miami, each guided by a shared philosophy: that luxury is not defined by excess, but by emotion, proportion, and purpose.
In this conversation, Hamish discusses the philosophy behind 1508 London, its global reach, and what defines true modern luxury today.
Words: designeers
OCTOBER 2025
WEBSITE: 1508london.com
INSTAGRAM: @1508london
DESIGNEERS
Mr. C Residences embodies Italian sophistication in Dubai. What was the guiding vision behind your design approach?
1508 London
Mr. C Residences captures the essence of Italian sophistication within Dubai’s dynamic skyline. Guided by Mr. C’s legacy of refined hospitality, 1508 London envisioned a design that balances bold architectural expression with the intimacy of everyday living. Venetian-inspired materials, meticulous detailing and timeless craftsmanship define spaces that feel both grand and personal, an elegant dialogue between Italian heritage and Dubai’s cosmopolitan spirit.
DESIGNEERS
How did you balance global luxury design cues with Dubai’s unique cultural and architectural context?
1508 London
1508 London approaches every project without a fixed house style, allowing history, geography and context to shape each design. For Mr. C Residences Dubai, we drew inspiration from the brand’s international legacy while responding to the city’s unique architectural language. Dubai’s bold skyline, the interplay of desert and sea, and the influence of nearby luxury fashion boutiques informed our palette and detailing. The result is a refined balance between global sophistication and the city’s own expressive spirit, where Italian design heritage meets Dubai’s contemporary allure.
DESIGNEERS
Could you share a few highlights of the material palette and bespoke detailing that define the interiors?
1508 London
The interiors of Mr. C Residences, part of Alta Real Estate’s Nobile Collection, draw inspiration from both Venetian heritage and Dubai’s contemporary elegance. Brass and nickel accents define bespoke joinery and furniture, while rich gloss timbers and Calacatta marble evoke timeless sophistication. Bold marbles and luxurious fabrics add depth and colour, complemented by terrazzo floors that guide movement through the space. Overhead, custom Venetian Murano glass chandeliers recall the grandeur of Italy’s historic villas, bringing a touch of artistry to modern Dubai living.
DESIGNEERS
Did you work with any artisans, makers, or collectible design pieces to enhance the project?
1508 London
For The Nobile Collection by Mr. C and Alta Real Estate, we collaborated with leading Italian makers and artisans to elevate every detail. Bespoke fabrics from luxury fashion house Loro Piana enrich the interiors, while Murano glass chandeliers from Venice illuminate the grand lounges and lobbies. We curated pieces from prestigious Italian furniture brands and partnered with Poliform to realise kitchens of exceptional calibre. Throughout, custom-designed ironmongery, exclusive to Mr. C Residences Dubai, adds a distinctive signature to the project’s refined craftsmanship.
“Mr. C Residences Dubai captures the essence of Italian sophistication within the city’s dynamic skyline.”
1508 London
DESIGNEERS
What do you hope future residents will feel when they step inside these spaces?
1508 London
We hope residents feel an immediate sense of elegance, comfort, and quiet sophistication the moment they enter. Beyond the privacy of their homes, Mr. C Residences offers a lifestyle rooted in community, an essential part of the brand’s identity. From the iconic Bellini Bar and tranquil spa to the Club Lounge, cinema, and event spaces, every amenity is designed as an extension of home. It embodies the intimacy of a members’ club, where refined living and genuine connection come together effortlessly.
DESIGNEERS
1508 London now has studios worldwide. How does the Dubai studio’s perspective influence projects like this one? Where do you see the future of branded residences heading?
1508 London
With studios across the world, 1508 London draws on a rich exchange of cultural insight and design expertise, allowing each project to be both globally informed and locally attuned. The Dubai studio, shaped by the city’s unique rhythm where innovation meets tradition, embodies this balance. Its perspective brings a bold yet refined approach, constantly pushing boundaries and reimagining what luxury living can mean in such a dynamic context.
Looking ahead, branded residences are evolving towards a more personal definition of luxury, one centred on meaning, experience, and wellbeing rather than excess. The future lies in creating holistic environments that blend design, hospitality, and community. The Nobile Collection by Mr. C and Alta Real Estate represents this new era: a seamless union of elegance, comfort, and service designed for contemporary life.
DESIGNEERS
Your dream dinner guest?
1508 London
Winston Churchill
DESIGNEERS
Your favourite hotel in the world?
1508 London
DESIGNEERS
Your design hero?
1508 London
Salvador Dali.
With projects spanning the world’s most influential cities, 1508 London continues to shape the conversation around modern luxury design, one rooted in authenticity, human experience, and enduring beauty. As Hamish Brown reflects, true sophistication lies in the balance between innovation and heritage, and in creating environments that move beyond aesthetics to evoke feeling. Through this lens, Mr. C Residences Dubai stands not just as a residential landmark, but as an expression of how design can transcend geography and culture, a shared language of beauty that unites the world.
