Mall of Oman on track for opening in March 2021
MUSCAT: Mall of Oman is on track for a 2021 opening, following the completion of two major infrastructure milestones.
Set to open in March 2021, Mall of Oman has confirmed the completion of new roads and flyovers, connecting it to Interchange No 6 on the Muscat Expressway, as well as the completion of the Muscat Electricity Distribution Company (MEDC) Primary Substation. The shopping mall is Majid Al Futtaim’s fifth and largest lifestyle destination in the Sultanate of Oman. Considered to be the biggest project of its kind in the Sultanate, Mall of Oman will boast 145,000 square metres of retail space, a variety of dining outlets and a range of exciting lifestyle experiences. The mall will also include Oman’s largest VOX Cinemas, a Magic Planet family entertainment centre, a 12,200 square metre Carrefour Hypermarket and the largest indoor snow park in the Sultanate.
Economic diversification
The development of Mall of Oman is expected to contribute to the Sultanate’s Vision 2040 for economic diversification by creating meaningful job opportunities and raising the living standard of citizens and residents. >
“The tourism and retail sectors are integral to Oman’s economy and are poised to drive economic growth and contribute to diversification in the country. These objectives are aligned with Vision 2040 and we are privileged to be able to contribute to this vision as long-term partners and investors. By developing Mall of Oman, we continue to contribute to the growth of the local tourism industry and enable job creation for residents both during and postconstruction. A development project of this size and scope is beneficial to Oman’s citizens and residents and will positively contribute to economic and social development in the Sultanate,” said Ghaith Shocair, Chief Executive Officer Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls.
To ease access to the mall, an extensive road upgrade to Interchange No 6 on the Muscat Expressway has been completed, along with the construction of four new bridges and an underpass to the mall. In addition, extensive retaining walls and utility divisions have been completed to facilitate the work. The new access will make visiting the mall more convenient, as it will directly link to the 5,200-car car park. More than a kilometre’s worth of the 12-metre-high retaining walls are now in place, as well as the initial road signage. Furthermore, the recently completed and energised MEDC Primary Substation will allow the nine distribution substations in the mall to be progressively energised, which will allow the completion of the Central Cooling Plant, as well as for fresh air to enter the mall.