City of Arabia announces deals with Landmark and Azadea groups ahead of major retail conference

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: 9th June, 2008: City of Arabia, the spectacular $5 billion retail, residential, commercial and entertainment destination taking shape in Dubai, announced today that phase one of its huge Mall of Arabia component is now 89% contracted and reserved.

Anchoring the four million square feet gross leasable area (GLA) spread across the twin level first phase will be many of the leading brand names managed by two of the Middle East's biggest retail organisations, Landmark Group and Azadea Group.

The announcement was made by Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group, owners of City of Arabia, ahead of the RLI Global Opportunities Conference: Embracing Global Retail, taking place on Wednesday and Thursday (11-12 June) at Wembley Stadium, London.

City of Arabia is the platinum sponsor of the retail industry event which will provide Mall of Arabia with valuable exposure to retail industry leaders and decision-makers.

With a six million square feet second phase giving it a total GLA of ten million square

feet, it will be one of the world's largest malls and a unique retail resort, with more than 1,400 diverse retail outlets, a rooftop hotel, and a unique theme park and edutainment centre, 'Restless Planet', featuring the world's largest collection of animatronic dinosaurs.  

Between them, Landmark Group and Azadea Group have signed up for a total of more than 800,000 square feet of retail space in Mall of Arabia's first phase.

Currently operating over 600 stores across the Middle East and India, Landmark Group has signed a lease agreement for 500,000 square feet that will feature retail brands like Centrepoint, Home Centre, as well as a range of line shops including name like kappa, Reiss, Bata, Lee Cooper, Koton, aftershock, New look, Ecco, Max, Emax, Pablosky, Theme, Lewre, Valenica, Shelleys and Orchestra. Landmark Group also has plans to develop a family entertainment centre concept at Mall of Arabia.

Azadea Group, which operates over 250 stores across the Middle East and plans over 500 additional shops through the next three years, has taken in excess of 300,000 square feet.

Set to open 95 new stores in 2008 alone, the group has an expanding portfolio of high profile brands, including Piazza Italia, Sunglass Hut, Salsa Jeans, Cool Cat, Virgin Megastore, Massimo Dutti, Zara, and Zara Home.

In announcing the deals, the Mall of Arabia management said with the Restless Planet theme park, earth science museum, and planetarium serving as a star attraction, its strategic targeted leasing campaign, added to the mall's unique location and its customer experience proposition, will help drive tenant occupancy.

"We're right on track," said Myra Searle, Senior Vice-President for Retail, Mall of Arabia. "To have secured commitment to such a considerable amount of GLA at this stage with such notable players as Landmark and Azadea shows how much confidence exists in Mall of Arabia as one of the most significant shopping and leisure destinations in the region."

Integral infrastructure works have been completed on the 20 million square foot City of Arabia site, which is at the gateway to Dubailand, the world's most ambitious tourism, leisure and entertainment project, catering to the needs of the entire family.

According to Jocelyn McBride, Head of Group Marketing, Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group, super-structure work will start soon on the project's main components, which are Mall of Arabia, the Restless Planet, 34 commercial and residential towers and Wadi Walk, a water front community consisting of stylish apartments, outdoor cafes and attractive retail outlets.

Planned to link with the Dubai Metro, the City of Arabia monorail will provide a comfortable and convenient link to all the major theme parks and shopping areas. City of Arabia will have a phased opening starting towards the end of 2010.

-Ends- 

About Mall of Arabia
With more than 1,400 retail outlets, each offering diversity and variety, two rooftop hotels, point of entry and departure for the Restless Planet dinosaur theme park, and waterfront al fresco dining and entertainment experiences for the entire family, Mall of Arabia is a unique retail resort and one of the four main elements of City of Arabia. 

About City of Arabia
City of Arabia is a 20 million square foot development lying at the gateway to Dubailand and serves as its main residential and retail centre. With business and administrative offices, schools and clinics, supported by luxury apartments, shops, galleries, restaurants and unique attractions, City of Arabia will become a key destination and urban community within the new Dubai.  The project will have a phased opening starting towards the end of 2010.

About Dubailand
Launched under the umbrella of Tatweer, a member of Dubai Holding, Dubailand is the world's most ambitious tourism, leisure and entertainment project, catering to the needs of the entire family. The unique 3 billion sq. ft. development is projected to attract millions of tourists annually from around the world once fully operational.

A number of Dubailand projects are currently up and running, including Al Sahra Resort, Dubai Sports City and the Dubai Autodrome. The diverse projects under Dubailand include theme parks, eco-tourism projects, shopping malls, restaurants and residential units. Projects are being developed by a variety of dynamic investors from the UAE, GCC and overseas.

About IM Galadari Group
The Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group is a highly regarded, multi-faceted organisation based in Dubai. Its diversified business portfolio includes real estate development, agencies for overseas companies, hospitality, food storage, gems and jewellery, luxury yachts, automobiles and transport.

For further press information please contact:
Lindsay Johnston / Tony Lewis
Total Communications
Tel: + 971 4 336 9909
Fax: + 971 4 336 9905
Email: lindsay@totalcompr.ae / tony@totalcompr.ae 

© Press Release 2008