Vladislav Doronin

Vladislav Doronin
Born	(1962-11-07) November 7, 1962 Leningrad, Russian SFSR (now Saint Petersburg, Russia)
Occupation(s)	Businessman, real estate developer, art collector
Known for	Owner and chairman of Aman Resorts; chairman and CEO of OKO Group; co-founder of Capital Group

Vladislav Yurievich Doronin (; born 7 November 1962) is a businessman originally from Russia, recognized for his roles in real estate development and art collection. He serves as the owner and chairman of Aman Resorts, holds the positions of chairman and CEO at OKO Group, and is a co-founder of the Moscow-based firm Capital Group.

Early life and education

Born on 7 November 1962 in Leningrad, within the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (currently Saint Petersburg, Russia), Vladislav Doronin is the son of Yuri Grigoryevich Doronin and Zinaida Mikhailovna Doronina. He completed his higher education at Moscow Lomonosov State University.

Marc Rich + Co

In 1985, Doronin relocated to Geneva and subsequently to Zug, Switzerland, where he worked under the mentorship of commodities trader Marc Rich. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, while still in his twenties, he was involved in commodities trading in Hong Kong.

Capital Group

In 1991, Doronin established Capital Group in Moscow, initially concentrating on trading metals and oil alongside Marc Rich. The company later diversified into Moscow’s commercial real estate sector, developing premium residential buildings, retail spaces, and Class A office projects. Among his early collaborators were Pavel Tio and Eduard Berman, whom he connected with through business networks in Uzbekistan. Up until 2004, Marc Rich remained an investor supporting Capital Group’s acquisition and development activities. The firm’s portfolio currently encompasses 71 upscale residential and commercial developments covering approximately .

In 2009, Capital Group completed the mixed-use complex known as City of Capitals within the Moscow City. This project featured two skyscrapers that held the title of Russia’s tallest buildings until 2011. Designed by architect Erick van Egeraat, it exemplified Doronin’s commitment to iconic developments. By 2011, the company had also finished the Legend of Tsvetnoy complex in Moscow, which includes residential, office, and retail components designed by NBBJ.

In 2013, Capital Group partnered with Russian businessman Gavril Yushvaev to create a joint venture aimed at developing the OKO mixed-use skyscraper in Moscow City. By 2016, a significant portion of OKO’s office space had been acquired by the Government of Moscow.

In March 2022, Doronin initiated a $20 million defamation suit against The Real Deal after it published articles associating him with pro-Ukrainian demonstrations near his Manhattan hotel and insinuating allegiance to the Putin administration. The following month, he filed another lawsuit against Swift Communications, publisher of The Aspen Times, contesting opinion pieces that alleged his investments in Aspen were connected to Russian money laundering. He pursued punitive damages, insisting these accusations were unfounded and motivated by prejudice related to his Russian heritage.

Up until April 2022, Doronin held a one-third ownership stake in Capital Group valued at US$74.5 million; notably, he transferred this stake to his mother just one day after commencing litigation against The Aspen Times. Court documents emphasize that his wealth was acquired through legitimate means and that he does not fit the definition of a Russian oligarch—those who amass fortunes through exploitation of Russian assets or close affiliations with Vladimir Putin. Media coverage about Doronin was paused during these legal proceedings; internal conflicts led to the dismissal of editor Andrew Travers. The lawsuits were ultimately settled confidentially and dismissed on 27 May 2022.

Aman Resorts

In 2014, Doronin orchestrated a consortium of investors to acquire the upscale hospitality brand Aman Resorts, which led to a contentious ownership conflict involving Omar Amanat and founder Adrian Zecha. Initially, Amanat had joined forces with Zecha and Doronin, committing to provide $10 million as a deposit; however, the actual funds originated from Zecha. This partnership soon unraveled: Zecha stepped down as CEO and chairman in April, with Doronin taking over the CEO position. Subsequently, Zecha was denied access to both his office and his residence owned by Aman, sparking rival claims over ownership. By July, legal disputes escalated, including a temporary reinstatement of Zecha by the London High Court and Doronin filing fraud allegations against Amanat in New York courts.

Investor Johan Eliasch, who serves as president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), extended a $25 million loan to Aman and invested an additional $25 million from 2014 to 2018. Holding a 14% ownership stake and chairing the board, Eliasch’s tenure coincided with FIS selecting Aspen for the 2022 Men's World Cup skiing events shortly after Doronin acquired key Aspen real estate and Eliasch assumed the FIS presidency.

In 2015, Doronin joined forces with Michael Shvo to acquire floors 4 through 24 of New York City's Crown Building for approximately $500 million, earmarked for an Aman-branded development. The renovation plan encompassed 83 hotel rooms, 22 luxury residences, a 2,000-square-meter spa, as well as amenities such as a jazz club, cigar lounge, and multiple dining venues.

By March 2016, London’s High Court ratified Doronin’s complete ownership of Aman Resorts following a settlement with liquidators of a company founded by Amanat. Subsequently, Amanat was convicted on wire fraud charges and sentenced to five years imprisonment.

In 2019, investor Nader Tavakoli filed a lawsuit against Doronin concerning the Aman purchase, alleging that he was promised equity participation but was ultimately excluded. A motion to dismiss the case on grounds of lack of personal jurisdiction was rejected.

Aman New York officially opened in August 2022 within the Crown Building; entry-level suites command rates starting at $3,200 per night, complemented by a private club membership initiation fee set at $200,000. In 2024, Doronin acquired the penthouse unit for $135 million.

In January 2022, Doronin announced a collaborative venture with Italy’s T.Mariotti shipyard and Cruise Saudi aimed at constructing a luxury yacht and cruise vessel named Amangati, with a projected launch date in 2027.

August 2022 marked the launch of Aman’s leather goods collection titled Aman Essentials, featuring products priced between $250 and $4,000; design leadership was provided by CEO Kristina Romanova. By March 2023, Aman expanded its offerings with private jet tours encompassing properties across Japan, India, Thailand, Bhutan, Turkey, Greece, Morocco, alongside Japan-exclusive itineraries utilizing high-speed rail and helicopters.

In 2023, a Bombardier business jet owned jointly by Aman Resorts and Doronin was grounded due to U.S. sanctions targeting Malta- and Russia-based Emperor Aviation Ltd., which coordinated luxury travel for relatives of Russian parliamentarian Suleyman Kerimov. Neither Doronin nor Aman Resorts were subject to sanctions. On May 3, 2024, U.S. Treasury lifted restrictions on this aircraft along with other jets operated by Emperor Aviation.

OKO Group

Doronin’s real estate enterprise OKO Group announced in March 2016 the development of Missoni Baia—a luxury residential tower rising 649 feet with 57 stories—created in partnership with Italian fashion label Missoni. As of April 2016, OKO Tower in central Moscow stood at 1,160 feet tall and was recognized as Europe’s tallest completed skyscraper.

By 2020, under Doronin’s leadership as chairman and CEO, OKO Group collaborated with Cain International to initiate construction on an office skyscraper at 830 Brickell in Miami—a 57-story building representing the first new office tower in that area in over ten years. Another joint venture between OKO and Cain resulted in Una—a residential tower comprising 47 floors along the Brickell Waterfront.

In March 2022, OKO acquired nearly one acre on Aspen Mountain’s less-developed west side for $76 million from Norway Island LLC. This transaction generated controversy because Aspen Skiing Company had sold the same land eight months prior for $10 million. Doronin disclosed intentions to build a luxury hotel on this site.

Later that year, OKO Group and Cain International purchased Edgewater House along with The Ambassador Palm Beach Hotel & Residences for $147 million. The acquisition was partially financed through a $105 million loan from MSD Partners—the investment firm led by Michael Dell—continuing their collaborative efforts following the Miami Brickell project.

In July 2022, OKO secured financing amounting to $97 million for constructing a new tower in downtown Fort Lauderdale featuring 34 stories and containing 251 residential units. The architectural design was undertaken by Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill—renowned for their work on Central Park Tower and Jeddah Tower—with the building covering roughly 2,600 square meters.

Throughout 2023, OKO Group emerged as a significant donor supporting Republican presidential primary candidate Francis Suarez’s campaign efforts.

Janu

In March 2020, under Doronin's leadership as CEO, Aman introduced Janu, a complementary brand aimed at delivering a vibrant and dynamic experience distinct from Aman's typically tranquil settings. Doronin revealed intentions to develop three Janu hotels currently underway in Montenegro, Saudi Arabia, and Tokyo, with the Tokyo property slated for a 2023 debut.

Other ventures

Doronin possessed the publishing rights for Interview magazine in both Germany and Russia. In March 2022, bankruptcy proceedings were initiated by the Moscow Arbitration Court against OOO Ballini, a real estate management company established by Doronin.

Art collection

The scope of Doronin’s art collection includes pioneering avant-garde creators such as Kazimir Malevich and El Lissitzky, alongside modern artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Anish Kapoor, Ed Ruscha, Richard Prince, Urs Fisher, Frank Stella, and Julian Schnabel. In 2009, he founded the Capital Group Art Foundation to provide support to emerging artists.

He maintains strong ties within the art world, counting among his acquaintances New York gallery owner Tony Shafrazi and the late actor-photographer Dennis Hopper.

Personal life

Doronin was married to Ekaterina Moulari for more than two decades; however, by 2012 they had been separated for at least ten years. From 2008 until 2013, he was romantically involved with English supermodel Naomi Campbell, and since 2015, he has been partnered with Kristina Romanova.

Originally born in the Soviet Union, Doronin relinquished his Soviet citizenship in 1986 before acquiring Swedish citizenship. He currently lives in Switzerland and owns residences in Miami, Florida as well as an apartment in One Hyde Park, London, UK. In October 2021, the High Court of Justice of the Balearic Islands rejected his appeal against a 2019 decision mandating the demolition of unauthorized structures at his Ibiza estate, imposing a €1 million penalty along with additional legal sanctions.

During a 2016 interview with Forbes, Doronin mentioned frequent trips to Moscow for both business engagements and social activities. In 2018, he completed construction of the Capital Hill Residence in Barvikha near Moscow—a Zaha Hadid-designed estate valued at $140 million—which he subsequently sold in 2022.

Awards and recognition

Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow recognized Vladislav Doronin for his contributions to the Russian Orthodox Church.

On December 31, 2010, Vladimir Putin presented Doronin with a Certificate of Merit from the Russian Government in acknowledgment of his role organizing a prominent charity event focused on protecting endangered tiger populations, attended by Putin and Leonardo DiCaprio.

That same year, Doronin was honored as Russia’s "Businessman of the Year" during an award ceremony held at the Moscow Kremlin.

In June 2022, he was included among the International Hospitality Institute’s Global 100 list of the 100 Most Powerful People in Global Hospitality.

External links

• Vladislav Doronin's Personal Website