High above Dubai, on the 53rd floor of One&Only One Za'abeel, N53 approaches the idea of the lounge less as spectacle and more as atmosphere. Designed by London-based studio Bergman Design House, the space sits within The Link — the dramatic cantilever connecting the hotel’s twin towers — though the interiors take a more restrained direction.

For co-founders Marie Soliman and Albin Berglund, the project was shaped around balance and restraint. Deep caramel, cognac and charcoal tones run throughout the interiors, layered with dark woods, brushed metals, leather and Cipollino marble. Rather than leaning into the heavy visual language often associated with cigar lounges, N53 introduces a softer and more residential sense of comfort through controlled lighting, acoustic softness and carefully proportioned seating areas.

​

MATERIAL, CRAFT AND RHYTHM

​

Craft plays a central role across the space. A large marquetry installation inspired by falconry references regional heritage without becoming overly literal, while Murano glass floor lights, bespoke metalwork and tailored cabinetry add texture and depth throughout the lounge. Many of the materials were chosen for the way they age, bringing a quieter sense of permanence to the project within Dubai’s fast-moving hospitality landscape.

​

The layout moves fluidly between seating clusters, cigar displays and quieter corners overlooking the city, including a concealed humidor reserved for private guests. Throughout the project, the emphasis appears less on visual excess and more on rhythm — a place shaped around slowing down, conversation and lingering above the city rather than simply observing it.