The Al Maryah Central mall is being developed in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with an estimated investment of $1bn.
The ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the mall was held in November 2014, with opening scheduled for August 2019.
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The mall will be spread across 2.8 million square feet (MMSF) with a gross leasable area of 1.6MMSF. It is set to offer 400 retail speciality stores, including international brands and 100 dining options.
The project is being developed by Gulf Related, a joint venture between Gulf Capital, which is an asset management firm based in the Middle East, and Related Companies, a US-based real estate development and investment firm.
Al Maryah Central location details
Al Maryah Central will be located on the Al Maryah Island, which is located between Al Reem Island and Abu Dhabi Island.
Al Maryah Island is a 114ha mixed-use development described as the new Financial Free Zone and central business district (CBD) for Abu Dhabi. The Al Maryah Central mall is part of the Al Maryah Island Retail District being developed on the island.
The district includes a number of other developments such as the Galleria Mall, four Grade-A commercial towers, Rosewood Abu Dhabi hotel, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, and few other commercial properties.
The properties will be interlinked through air-conditioned passageways and 13 bridges complemented by more than 15,000 parking spaces.
Shopping and entertainment facilities at Al Maryah Central
The Al Maryah Central will offer a 909,106ft² area for retail and in-line stores, while 319,949ft² will be dedicated for leisure and entertainment.
The developers have partnered with franchise operator Alshaya Group to bring in international brands such as Debenhams, Victoria’s Secret, Charlotte Tilbury, MAC, and NYX, to the mall.
A dedicated area of 35,000ft² will also be occupied by Zara, Massimo Dutti, All Saints, and Lululemon. The mall will also host the first Macy’s outside of the US spread across 205,000ft², and Bloomingdale’s spread across 230,000ft².
Apart from fashion and beauty brands, contemporary homeware brands such as Mothercare, Pottery Barn, and West Elm, will also be available at the mall.
The entertainment area of the mall will include 21 vox screen cinemas with IMAX. It will also host family and teen entertainment centres, children’s activity zones, and a public library. A health centre and three rooftop parks with an open amphitheatre are also part of the mall.
Dining facilities
The mall will host a dining destination named Central Kitchens in the central atrium, which showcases five-themed dining areas, including The Living Room, The Study, The Garden Kitchen, The Courtyard, and The Patio.
The dining areas will feature 26 food and beverage choices offering 40 different types of cuisines. The Central Kitchens is expected to attract 24 million visitors a year.
Al Maryah Central will also feature more than 90 food and beverage options such as al fresco cafés, bistros, and open fine dining restaurants, which provide a view of the waterfront promenade.
Other popular restaurants will include Bouchon Bakery, Blaze Pizza, The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s, and Texas Roadhouse.
Contractors involved
Brookfield Multiplex is the main contractor for the project, while WSP Middle East is the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) consultant.
Brookfield subcontracted NSCC International for piling works.
The mall is designed by US-based architecture firm Elkus Manfredi, while cost management consultancy services were provided by Faithful+Gould.
The contract for operating 20 inline retail stores was awarded to Al Tayer Group, while JLW was appointed as the MEP contractor for the project.
UBRIS and CISTRI conducted independent market research for the mall.
