KUWAIT CITY, June 1: Leading Kuwaiti developer, National Real Estate Company (NREC), has recently announced plans to enter the United Arab Emirate’s retail market. Set to open in late 2013, The Reem Mall will boast a total floor area of 360,000 square metres (sqm), combining a unique retailer mix, broad entertainment facilities for the entire family, and an array of high quality food and beverage outlets.
The Mall marks NREC’s first foray into the United Arab Emirate’s retail sector. Located in the emerging urban destination of Najmat Abu Dhabi on Al Reem Island, the Mall is an exceptional retail concept which capitalizes on its strategic island location of natural beauty and direct access to main land Abu Dhabi. It will occupy the front portion of the Island on the waterfront, providing views of both the city and the sea.
The three-storey Mall is set to offer a diverse blend of up-market fashion and convenience retail shopping, four-star hotel accommodation, as well as 35,000 sqm of boutique offices. This will make The Reem Mall one of the largest malls in Abu Dhabi.
The interior design of the Mall incorporates nature’s four elements: water, fire, wind and earth- a never before seen concept in the UAE. The exterior’s architectural design encompasses contoured, undulating shapes of natural land forms, like sand dunes and waves- designed to reflect its Island-front location.
Every aspect of The Reem Mall has been designed with the family in mind, and is to cater to the mid to high end of the market, providing visitors with an unrivalled experience amid world-class shopping, leisure and entertainment opportunities. The Reem Mall is set to become one the most attractive retail destinations in the Gulf, comprising of over 550 stores, a 9 screen cinema and numerous food and beverage outlets catering to the shoppers’ discerning palate.
The Reem Mall will be home to more than 400 exciting retail outlets, with a unique mix of internationally recognised brands and one-of-a-kind merchants previously unknown in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Stores will be grouped in themed nodes within the three extensive levels of the Mall, and will be interconnected by a lacework of escalators, elevators and lifts, ensuring the shopping experience is easy and pleasurable.
Upon completion, The Reel Mall will contribute to Abu Dhabi’s desirability as an emerging world-class capital city. This expansive mixed-use project is being completed with the Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 in mind, which aims to satisfy the needs of the Emirate’s growing population by implementing measures to promote its natural environment, economic development and heritage. Abu Dhabi has a core commitment to build a sustainable and diversified, high value-added economy by 2030, and the introduction of the Reem Mall to the city’s retail scene is a robust sign of this economic transformation.
“Development of The Reem Mall is a significant milestone in the history of NREC so far, and an inspiring testament to the vision and dedication of our company,” said Jamil Sultan Al Eissa, Chairman, NREC. “Announcing this Kuwaiti-owned and managed mega-development in yet another new market is further realisation of NREC’s international capability, one which also offers prime retail opportunities for Kuwaiti brands to expand internationally, such as The Sultan Centre. We’re delighted also to be working with world-class partners such as KEO International for design and project management.
“We’ve established ourselves in a number of countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa region, so entering the UAE’s development sector was the next obvious move for us to make in the GCC, and plays an integral part in the company’s growth plans. We’re proud to be able to contribute to the UAE government’s ambitious strategic vision of Abu Dhabi, and look forward to adding value to its urban environment and retail landscape.”
Another attraction of the Mall will be a suite of luxurious office units offering modern commercial elegance in an exclusive environment, befitting regional headquarters. These boutique office units will be situated at Rooftop level with each suite enjoying exclusive courtyard amenities as well as magnificent vistas from the rooftop gardens.