The Romans has opened its first dedicated headquarters for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, setting up operations in Warehouse 89, a custom-designed space in Dubai’s Al Quoz district. The move signals a shift for the agency, which has operated remotely in the region until now, and represents a broader investment in the MENA market as it enters the second year of its relaunch.
Located in one of Dubai’s emerging creative hubs, the new space has been designed to accommodate evolving work styles, offering a flexible, collaborative environment alongside a private events area. Unlike traditional office setups, Warehouse 89 is positioned as a co-working hub for the agency’s growing team, its clients, and the wider creative and communications community.
“Though we continue to embrace remote work, we’ve designed Warehouse 89 to boost the expression and quality of our young PR talent. It’s a co-working creative hub that encourages proper collaboration, wellness, and play — three things we see as crucial to developing the best earned campaigns in the region. We invite clients, creatives, artists and journalists to come, work, have a drink, chat and enjoy the space. It’s dog-friendly, and you won’t wait 12 minutes for an elevator,” said Joe Lipscombe, Partner, The Romans MENA.
The decision to establish a permanent regional base follows a period of expansion for the agency, which was recently recognised as one of the top 10 agencies in the region. The headquarters also marks the first standalone Romans headquarters in its global network, further reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Middle East.
Designed with a raw, industrial aesthetic, Warehouse 89 draws inspiration from The Romans’ London base in Shoreditch. The space is also intended to serve as a resource for the creative community, providing an alternative to conventional co-working spaces for professionals in the industry.
With Dubai’s Al Quoz district increasingly attracting agencies, studios and independent creatives, The Romans’ decision to establish its headquarters in the area aligns with the district’s transformation into a hub for design and media businesses. The move underscores a wider trend of international agencies deepening their investment in the region, responding to the growing demand for creative and communications expertise across MENA.
