Al Hamra to unveil first phase of Manar Mall expansion

RAS AL-KHAIMAH, 23rd May, 2017 (WAM) -- Leading real estate company, Al Hamra Group, is close to completion of the first phase of its AED390 million expansion of the Manar Mall in Ras al-Khaimah.

Once fully completed, the gross leasable area will increase from just over 300,000sq.ft. to nearly 600,000sq.ft., over two levels, and will add another 80 retail destinations to increase the total number of retail outlets to 164, providing a wide range of international and local retailers for residents and visitors alike.

The first phase of the expansion project is due to be handed over before the end of second quarter this year, and complements the ambitions of the RAK Tourism Development Authority, which recorded 800,000 tourists in 2016, a 10.9 percent increase over the previous year, with a target of one million visitors by the end of 2019.

"The expansion of Manar Mall, is in line with the growing trend for community retail and leisure-based destinations that focus on customer experience and convenience of location and access, as opposed to the mega-malls that have defined the UAEs retail landscape over the last decade," said Benoy Kurien, General Manager of Al Hamra Real Estate Development.

He added, "Retail developments with integrated leisure and entertainment facilities positioned alongside restaurants and cafes are key to driving footfall, as more people demand local, indoor, family-oriented destinations for leisure, entertainment, dining and, of course, shopping." The Manar Mall expansion is being undertaken by Al Hamra Real Estate Development, a fully owned subsidiary of Al Hamra Group.