Damascus-10 October 2010: Majid Al Futtaim Properties, MENA's leading developer and operator of shopping malls, hotels and mixed-use projects, revealed that a major component of its mega tourism project 'Khams Shamat' will be the largest shopping and leisure mall in the Levant region.
With more than 200,000sqm gross leasable area and over 400 shops, this shopping mall will be the most unique shopping, leisure and tourism attraction for Syrians and tourists. The mall will have the largest Carrefour hypermarket in the region, international fashion brands, 20 screen cinema, a unique family oriented entertainment centre, over 100 restaurants under one roof, five star hotels linked directly to the mall and surroundings and several more entertainment and cultural events.
"At Majid Al Futtaim Properties, we are constantly innovating the concept of what we call a shopping resort destination which appeals to local residents as well as tourists. With its easily accessible location in the "Khams Shamat" project on the Beirut-Damascus highway, and the extensive offerings that will be in it, we will be anchoring this touristic project with one of the most advanced retail concepts in the region and a great attraction to this location for people from both within and from the outside of Syria as well." said Mr. Peter Walichnowski, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Properties.
The mall derives its inspiration from the interwoven street patterns of Damascus' souks, interpreting the ancient alleys and covered walkways into a contemporary retail space of designer shops, and an extensive international food courts.
The Khams Khamat will be located in Sabboura/Yafour area occupying a total land space of 1 million square meters to become Syria's most vibrant shopping and leisure destination.
Mr. Walichnowski added: "We have a renowned reputation for building destinations for local communities and tourists alike to gather, socialize, eat, relax and be entertained with family and friends. The mall at Khams Shamat is set to redefine the 21st century shopping in Syria by also introducing the largest number of retailers and numerous entertainment venues."
"It has been our experience that such a big mall is one of the attractions that will bring foreign tourists to visit a city or country" added Mr. Walichnowski
The shopping mall at Khams Shamat will be the latest landmark addition to the company's portfolio of world renowned shopping malls, since MAFP occupies an outstanding position on the region's map as pioneer and leader in shopping mall development and management. The Company's shopping malls portfolio started in 1995 with Dubai's Deira City Centre to consist today of 10 operating malls, across the region with more than 900,000 square meters of gross leasable area and an annual footfall of over 120 million customers a year.
The shopping malls under the Majid Al Futtaim Properties portfolio have revolutionised the retail industry with breakthrough developments such as the iconic Mall of the Emirates, the first shopping resort in the Middle East, which is also home to Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski resort in the region.
Khams Shamat will take advantage of innovative new ideas in planning and architecture to create a unique, vibrant commercial and cultural destination. The first phase of the project will be completed in 2014.
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About Majid Al Futtaim Properties
Majid Al Futtaim Properties is a leading developer of shopping malls, hotels and mixed-use community projects across the Middle East and North Africa region. An ambitious growth and marketing strategy has enabled the Company to develop and manage the best shopping and leisure destinations that dominate their respective trade areas across the region.
The Company's shopping malls portfolio consists of 10 operating malls totaling over 900,000 square metres of GLA including 5 malls in UAE, 2 in Egypt, 2 in Oman and 1 in Bahrain. By 2015, the Company plans to add to its portfolio of malls 12 new developments covering over 1.2 million square meters of additional GLA in Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and UAE.
Welcoming over 120 million customers a year, the shopping malls under the Majid Al Futtaim Properties portfolio have revolutionised the retail industry with breakthrough developments such as the iconic Mall of the Emirates (the first shopping resort in the Middle East) which is also home to Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski resort in the region. In addition, the Company owns and operates the popular City Centre shopping malls brand across the region.
The hospitality business focuses on the development and asset management of hotels attached to shopping malls or within master-planned communities and stand-alone mid-scale and budget hotels.
Mixed-use Communities under the company is an asset management unit that focuses primarily on developing a mix of residential and commercial properties throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
About Khams Shamat Project:
Khams Shamat project is Majid Al Futtaim Properties latest and largest mixed- use project in the Levant region located strategically on the Damascus - Beirut Highway to become a touristic landmark in Syria and to present new perception of shopping, leisure and lifestyle.
Khams Shamat project is an inspiration of the golden era of the Levant Region thousand years ago, where it used to be called Belad Al Sham. Composed of five regions or Sham, each is centered on one of the influential cities that are Damascus, Tiberias, Antioch, Aleppo and Jerusalem.
Each Sham points to a modern realization for those who will visit Khams Shamat, as Damascus Symbolizes the pleasure of shopping, Tiberias symbolizes the project's entertainment section, Antioch is translated into the welcoming square and hospitality, Aleppo symbolizes the business distracts in the project and Jerusalem symbolizes the peaceful residential community.
The project occupies 1 million square meter and will include international hotels, a shopping mall, a town square, business districts and modern civic amenities.
For more information, please contact:
Salma Hakki
Weber Shandwick Syria
Mobile: 0947 777 489
Email: salma.hakki@promoseven.com
© Press Release 2010
