Building a destination on a cluster of man-made islands in the middle of the sea requires a particular kind of vision, one that balances imagination with relentless operational discipline. As Managing Partner of Kleindienst Group, Parisa Seif has spent the past two decades doing exactly that. From overseeing large-scale construction and hospitality developments to shaping the guest experience at The Heart of Europe, the US$6 billion destination rising on Dubai’s World Islands, her role sits at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and infrastructure. In conversation with Zenith Magazine, Seif reflects on the realities of building an island ecosystem from scratch, the philosophy behind immersive living and the leadership mindset required to bring a project of this scale to life.
What does being a managing partner look like day to day?
My day begins at 5 am in stillness. Meditation helps clear my mind before the pace of the day begins, followed by strength training to set the tone physically and mentally. Before heading to the office, I make sure to spend time with my daughters. I help them get ready for school. It is a small but important ritual that keeps me grounded.
I usually arrive at the office before 9 am. Those early quiet hours are my favorite because they allow space for thinking. This is when I review strategy across our developments at Kleindienst Group and The Heart of Europe. Recently, for example, we were finalizing the launch of the limited-edition Portofino Residences within the InterContinental resort. Projects like these require constant alignment between vision, design and guest experience.
Hospitality is at the heart of everything we build. Guests and investors today do not just buy property; they buy into a story and a feeling. My role is often about listening to my team, mentoring them and helping everyone see how the details we work on today shape a much bigger vision. By evening, the focus shifts back to family. We have dinner together and unwind. By 9 pm it is lights out, ready to start the cycle again the next day.
You’re building on islands in the middle of the sea. What is the one logistical nightmare you’ve had to face?
When we first started building on The World Islands, there was nothing there. No roads, no power, no water, and certainly no blueprint for how to build a destination in the middle of the sea. Everything had to be created from scratch.
I remember early discussions where the question was not just how to build a hotel, but how to create an entire ecosystem. Today, The Heart of Europe operates with its own infrastructure. This includes solar energy systems, water desalination plants, and advanced recycling and logistics networks that function independently from the mainland.
At the same time, protecting the surrounding marine environment became just as important as developing the destination itself. Through our Coral Institute, for example, we regenerate more than 5,000 corals every year to help restore marine life around the islands.
Looking back, what once seemed like logistical challenges became opportunities to innovate. In the process, we did not just build a destination. We created a blueprint for sustainable island development.
What does immersive living actually mean to you in practice?
I often think about how travel used to feel centuries ago. When merchants or explorers arrived in a new coastal town, they did not simply sleep in a room and leave the next day. They walked the streets, smelled the sea, heard the language and tasted the food. Even if only for a short time, they became part of the place. That sense of discovery is what immersive living tries to recreate.
At The Heart of Europe, the experience begins even before guests arrive. The ferry ride becomes a transition from the energy of the city to the calm of the islands. When guests step onto the Côte d’Azur Resort, they do not enter a single hotel. They move through Monaco, Nice, Cannes and St. Tropez, each with its own atmosphere, design and rhythm.
In our Floating Villas, the sea itself becomes part of the home. From underwater bedrooms, guests can watch coral and marine life drift by. It is a quiet reminder that nature is not outside the experience but part of it.
For me, immersive living is about emotion. It is about creating spaces where people can slow down, reconnect with nature and experience something meaningful during their time there.
With so many moving parts, how did you keep the Heart of Europe project cohesive?
From the very beginning, the idea was to create something that had never been done before in the region. A destination that captures the spirit of 51 European countries and brings them together in one place. The goal was not simply to build hotels, but to create a living expression of Europe through culture, design, hospitality and storytelling.
As the project evolved into a masterplan of 20 hotels across six islands, that vision remained the anchor. Each concept was designed with its own personality and story. Côte d’Azur reflects the charm of the French Riviera. The family-focused InterContinental creates a welcoming destination for families. The Floating Villas offer a completely different lifestyle experience. Upcoming concepts such as the Buddha-Bar Hotel and the private Sweden Beach Palace will add their own distinct character.
Despite their differences, they all share the same philosophy: authentic experiences inspired by Europe.
Another important factor in maintaining cohesion is our vertically integrated development and construction model. This allows us to control the full cycle, from concept to delivery, and ensures that every detail remains aligned with the original vision.
On a personal level, I stay closely involved in shaping the hospitality strategy. I constantly ask one simple question: does this elevate the guest journey? When everyone involved understands they are contributing to a larger story, alignment happens naturally and the vision stays intact.
What’s the one thing about The Heart of Europe that you’re most proud of, even if it’s not the biggest selling point?
What I am most proud of is the hard work and resilience behind The Heart of Europe. My partner and I never gave up on the vision, even during the most challenging moments.
Today, there are 1,600 pairs of hands building this project on the islands, and that is something I am quietly proud of. It reflects not only our perseverance, but also the dedication of the many people whose craftsmanship and commitment are bringing this vision to life.
Everyone talks about luxury but that word is exhausted. What is the one thing the Heart of Europe offers other than luxury?
Everyone talks about luxury, but for me luxury is really about the experience you have when visiting The Heart of Europe.
From the moment guests leave the mainland, the journey begins. Arriving here is about slowing down, disconnecting from the everyday, and stepping into a different world. Whether it’s walking down our famous Raining Street next to the voco Dubai Monaco Hotel on our Europe island, discovering marine life beneath the Floating Villas, or experiencing European culture through architecture, cuisine, and festivals – every moment here is designed to create a memory.
At The Heart of Europe, the goal has always been to create a destination where people they feel something, remember it, and want to come back again.
How do you see resort-style living in the region evolving over the next decade?
Resort-style living in the region is becoming more experience-driven. People no longer just want a beautiful home; they want a lifestyle that feels like a permanent holiday.
Over the next decade, we will see more integrated island destinations, branded residences, and communities where hospitality, wellness, and everyday living come together. I believe that Dubai is already leading this shift.
You oversee businesses across very different sectors. What’s the one skill that’s helped you most across all of them?
The skill that has helped me most is trust, trusting myself and my business partner, having trust in my team, as well as trusting the process. I lead by example, stay hands-on, and focus on making things happen. When people know you’re genuine and consistent, everything else falls into place.
What keeps you interested and motivated at this stage of your career?
What keeps me motivated is seeing the excitement and joy people experience when they visit the islands. The memories they create, the moments they share and the stories they take home. Their reactions, laughter and sense of wonder remind me why we do this.
Equally inspiring are the opportunities we create through the work itself. The jobs, the careers and the teams that bring the vision to life. Knowing that we are building experiences for guests while also helping people grow professionally keeps me passionate and drives me every day.
