New Centre to Feature Over 400 Stores, Fine Dining, World Class Entertainment
Provide Visitors With an Exciting New Experience On Every Visit
Anticipated 20 Million Visitors in First Year Of Opening
Construction Underway and Scheduled to open in 2015
Doha, Qatar: May 21st, 2013: The plan to create one of the region's leading shopping and leisure destinations - the Mall of Qatar - was revealed today with developer UrbaCon Trading & Contracting [UCC] promising it will become "The Place To Be" for local residents and visitors alike.
Construction on the project has been underway since 2012 and is proceeding on schedule. The opening is planned for the third quarter of 2015, with an estimated 20 million customers anticipated annually.
Conveniently located at the intersection of Al Rayyan Highway and Celebration Road, the project is adjacent to the popular Al Rayyan Sports Club and a future FIFA 2022 World Cup Stadium. Celebration of Qatar's FIFA World Cup theme is planned to be a significant part of the design element throughout the Mall of Qatar as a lasting legacy
A dedicated Metro Station integrated into the mall, as part of Doha's new transportation system, will give all of Doha and surrounding regions unrivalled access to the Mall of Qatar.
Over 162,000 square meters of retail leasable space on three levels will make it one of Qatar's largest shopping and entertainment destinations. In addition to the Metro, the project will provide spacious parking for over 7,000 cars in its brightly lit underground and lushly landscaped surface and preferred valet parking lots.
One of the major distinguishing architectural features of the Mall of Qatar is a three storey high sophisticated urban-lifestyle market place running the full length of the center spine. The area which is three football fields long, with vaulted glass ceiling, opens out into a breathtaking four storey high, central amphitheatre with a massive domed roof, called the Oasis.
The Oasis will feature themed restaurants, fine dining and fun food experiences on all sides, family entertainment and multiplex cinemas, and is the area designated as the heart of the project. Unique water features, natural landscaping, sidewalk cafes and live entertainment programmed here nightly and in multiple other venues throughout the mall will make this the place to be and be seen.
When completed the Mall will be a world-class retail, sports and entertainment destination promising a new experience at every visit that is conveniently located and easily accessed and set to become "The-Place-To-Be for the best Shopping and Leisure Time Experience in Qatar".
Announcing the project, Mr. Shem Krey, Deputy Managing Director, Mall of Qatar said: "We are launching the Mall of Qatar at a time when there is clearly enormous untapped demand for quality integrated shopping, dining and entertainment facilities in the country. Our research has shown there is a significant amount of capacity that has to be met in the retail area and our Mall will be a major step in fulfilling demand. The Mall of Qatar is also geared towards helping the broader economic growth and prosperity of the country."
Spread over a building area which is the equivalent size of 50 FIFA football pitches, the Mall will have a major hypermarket, five department stores, 20 international restaurants and an indoor streetscape with double height flagship stores from across the globe. In addition, unique children's wear, popular price and young urban lifestyle brands will be clustered into districts creating synergy between retailers and providing the maximum in customer convenience.
The Mall of Qatar has also been designed to provide the ultimate luxury shopping experience. A two level luxury court at the south end of the complex will have individually articulated shop fronts interspersed with indoor/ outdoor cafes and patios and a premium concierge lounge. A major luxury brand hotel is planned, as well as a signature restaurant on the outside surrounded by terraces overlooking the luxury court. The exterior of the whole mall will be animated with storefronts, cafes and extensive landscaping to connect to customers as soon as they drive in.
Mr. Shem Krey added: "At the Mall of Qatar we are creating what we believe is a world class shopping, leisure and entertainment experience that will prove a huge success. In the first year, we are anticipating over 20 million visitors to enjoy what will be a superior international destination for retail, leisure and entertainment with something to offer every member of the family. It will be a new lifestyle destination that will energise tourism and engage the consumer."
The developers of the mall are working with officials on a master planned community integrating the project into its surroundings and establishing a strong connection with Al Rayyan Sports Club and the future FIFA World Cup Stadium. A light rapid rail link to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are already planned and the potential of a sports village, a vibrant mixed used residential/entertainment district and biosphere attraction are being considered.
UrbaCon Trading and Contracting is developing , managing the design and construction of the complex and will operate the Mall for the Owner.
The total project cost is in excess of QR 3 billion and has been secured with funding from Qatar National Bank. This is a substantial project that has secured major funding to ensure it is built to the very highest standards that will provide the very best facilities for local residents and visitors.
The Mall of Qatar has been designed by internationally acclaimed architects Chapman Taylor and KEO. McARTHUR + COMPANY, the world renowned retail specialists, have been selected to market and lease the mall.
The Mall of Qatar is being introduced for the first time to the public at Cityscape Qatar, May 27th, 28th and 29th at the Doha Exhibition Centre and an Official Retailer Launch Event is planned for October 2013 at the Museum of Islamic Art.
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For further information, please contact:
Samar Derhalli
BPG | Cohn & Wolfe
Tel: +974 55785747
Email: samar@batespangulf.com
© Press Release 2013
