21 August 2016
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Lulu Group, the Abu Dhabi-based international retailer, is developing its second LuLu shopping mall, hotel and international convention center in Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram.

Spread over 19 acres of land located at the National Highway in Akkulam, this will be the second biggest shopping mall in the country after the LuLu mall in Kochi.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan laid the foundation stone for the mixed use project at a function presided over by Ramesh Chennithala, leader of the opposition in the state legislative assembly, and other prominent personalities, including ministers, MPs, MLAs, said Yusuffali M.A., MD of LuLu Group.

Slated to open by early 2019, it will house LuLu hypermarket as anchor store and will include some of the best brands in fashion, cosmetics, home furnishing, jewelry, and will also feature an amusement center, multiplex, and the biggest food court.

Being built at an estimated cost of 2,000 crore Indian rupees ($300 million), LuLu Mall has built up area of more than 2 million square feet in four floors along with hotel and Convention center. The project is claimed as the largest private investment in Kerala in recent times.

In his speech, the Kerala chief minister assured all his support in making this project a grand success; the project can provide jobs to the educated youth of Kerala.

Other attractions include a family amusement center, a food court with a capacity of 3,500 guests, restaurants, coffee shops and a nine-screen multiplex.

The mall, designed by UK-based Design International consultants, will have parking for 3,000 cars with easy access from all main roads and will adopt the latest traffic management system. The shopping mall will be environmental friendly and will adopt LEED certificate specification for echo friendly.

The project also includes a 150-room luxury hotel, which will be adjacent to the mall and an international convention center.

© Arab News 2016