DOHA: With more than 75 percent of the work already completed, Wathnan, the only family-oriented mall being built in Doha, is set to open its doors in the first quarter of next year.
Work is on in full swing on the site with workers busy cleaning up the building to make room for decoration work to start.
The mall's project manager said: "We will be the first family-oriented mall where families will be able to shop for the whole year and not just on dedicated days. There was demand for such a mall."
The three-floor mall coming up in the Muaither area, just behind the Horse Race Track, will feature 110 stores and a number of food outlets, cafes and a large food court. Built over 41,000 square-metres, Wathnan will have three main entrances and three service doorways as well as 16 elevators and six escalators.
According to Site Manager Abdul Samad Azad, there will also be more daylight in the mall, giving parts of it a bit of an outdoor feel. Besides, the corridors will be wide and a two-level basement has been built for car parking which can accommodate more than 680 cars.
The developers are putting in a lot of effort into making the mall a pleasant shopping experience for families. For instance, a large playground for children equipped with the latest games has been set up.
International Works Development Group is the main contractor of the project and Shaheen Company is the supervisor, while the company Aliya undertook the steel structure and concrete works.
Dozens of retailers like Qatar Optics, Tasmeem, Al Jaber Watches, Versailles and Quatro have all confirmed they will open outlets in the mall.
The concept seems to have appealed to many retailers, especially those that specialise in luxury items like jewellery, perfumes and watches.
Yousuf Al Jaber, owner of Versailles, told The Peninsula: "It is a good idea. Many families would go to malls only on dedicated family days. But, here they will be able to go shopping any day. For us, who specialise in family oriented businesses, it is a plus."
Qatar Optics' Branches Manager, Samer Al Tamim, said the concept was good and the new mall would make many families feel comfortable and provide them with some privacy..
By Nasser Al Harthy
© The Peninsula 2008
