15 February 2015
• Manar Mall, RAK's most popular mall, to grow leasable area to 60,000sq/m

• Waterfront retail space overlooking local mangroves a key feature of project

• Quarter billion AED expansion contract awarded to Sun Engineering & Contractors

• Work to begin in March 2015 and completion due by late 2016

Ras Al Khaimah - Many new international stores, an enlarged entertainment area, and other new facilities are all part of exciting plans unveiled today for the expansion of Manar Mall in Ras Al Khaimah, along with a complete overhaul of existing facilities.

Already home to major international chains, including Carrefour, Marks & Spencer, H&M, Paris Gallery, Novo Cinemas, and Funcity, Manar Mall is scheduled to grow to 60,000 square meters by 2016. 

The expansion will see major international fashion brands enter the market in Ras Al Khaimah and some of the most exciting restaurant brands have made strong expressions of interest to take prime locations within the new extension.

Work is scheduled to start in less than four weeks and is earmarked for completion by the third quarter of 2016. Cadiz International, one of the world's foremost shopping mall architects, has designed the expansion of Manar Mall along with refurbishment of the existing mall.

Shankland Cox Ltd., the company responsible for aspects of Yas Island, Zayed University, and the Al Ain Convention Centre, are appointed as lead consultants for this project.

Al Hamra Real Estate Development has awarded the construction contract for the expansion of Manar Mall to Sun Engineering & Contractors. The contract, worth around AED 230 million, will see the total leasable area double at Ras Al Khaimah's first and still most popular mall.

Sun Engineering & Contractors are one of the leading construction companies in the UAE, and have previously been appointed contractors for the Signature Tower and Burjside Boulevard Tower in Downtown Dubai, as well as the Sahara Mall expansion in Sharjah.

Neil Elton, CEO of Sun Engineering & Contracting said: "It is our sincere honour and privilege to be selected by our esteemed client Al Hamra Real Estate Development to construct the expansion of Manar Mall, one of the landmark retail shopping venues in the United Arab Emirates."

He continued: "We are currently celebrating our fortieth year of main contracting in the UAE and consider that there is no better way to mark this milestone than having this opportunity to deliver a development, which sets new standards in retail destinations."

Following the expansion, the net leasable area at Manar Mall will increase from 30,000 to 60,000 square metres. The Chairman of Manar Mall said the outlet has had very strong interest from the UAE's biggest retailers with formal expressions of interest already received for majority of the new leasable area.

"Manar Mall is the first and foremost mall in Ras Al Khaimah and enjoys a reputation as the most popular shopping location in the emirate." Speaking to the media on Saturday he added: "The single-level expansion will provide excellent waterfront exposure and views over the local mangroves, creating immense interest from F&B and fashion retailers, among others."

Al Hamra Real Estate Development owns and operates Manar Mall, the largest shopping centre in Ras Al Khaimah. Other notable assets of Al Hamra Real Estate include Al Hamra Mall and five luxury hotels, including the flagship Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah. Al Hamra Real Estate is also developer of Al Hamra Village, a gated waterfront community with 1,000 villas and nearly 2,500 apartments.

Al Hamra Real Estate Development 

Al Hamra Village is the flagship master planned development of Al Hamra Real Estate Development, which is fast becoming one of the UAEs most significant real estate developers. Al Hamra Village is a luxurious integrated community, located in Ras Al Khaimah on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, offering laidback oceanfront living approximately 45 minutes from Dubai the world's busiest airport. The development covers an area of 77 million square feet and includes 1.5 kilometers of pristine beach, over 1,000 villas and townhomes, nearly 2,500 residential apartments, 5 hotels including the legendary Waldorf Astoria, an 18-hole golf course, a marina, and a shopping mall. Al Hamra Village offers investors a unique opportunity to purchase freehold property in the emirate.

For more information, please contact:
Adam Pitt
Senior PR Manager
Zed Communications Dubai LLC
Tel: +971 4 250 0336
Mobile: +971 50 708 6790
Email: adam@zed-communications.com

Joshua Jireh
PR Manager
Zed Communications Dubai LLC
Tel: +971 4 250 0336
Mobile: +971 56 768 1943
Email: joshua@zed-communications.com

© Press Release 2015