the insider
The Galleria opens its gilded gates to Abu Dhabi’s elite
T Three years in the making, The Galleria on Al Maryah Island opened, amid much fanfare, on August 27. Home to more than 130 shops and 13 dining venues, the 350,000-squarefoot shopping, dining and lifestyle destination is being touted by its developers as a “new and exciting addition to the urban fabric of Abu Dhabi” and “a flagship destination for all residents, visitors and guests”.
It’s certainly inviting. The ceiling is low and intimate, the space plan simple; walkways curve gently between beautifully-put-together shop windows. There is none of the dwarfing inaccessibility of some of the UAE’s other supermalls. This is an altogether more exclusive affair. Part of a wider plan to transform Al Maryah Island into Abu Dhabi’s central business district – some 16,000 tenants are already ensconced in the island’s towering office blocks – The Galleria was developed by Mubadala Real Estate & Infrastructure, in partnership with Gulf Related, a collaboration between he shopfronts shimmer enticingly: Louis Vuitton’s double-height behemoth; Gucci, resplendent in black and gold; pops of pink at Dior; Prada’s luminescent glow; Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Burberry, Balenciaga ... they’re all here. the alternative asset management firm, Gulf Capital, and Related Companies, a privately owned US-based real estate firm that has created celebrated retaildriven mixed-use developments such as the Time Warner Center in New York and CityPlace in West Palm Beach.
The Galleria has been very carefully positioned at the very highest end of the retail spectrum, offering one of the largest concentrations of luxury retailers in the Middle East. Much is also being made of its dining offerings – some 36 per cent of the mall’s gross leasable area is dedicated to food and beverage, with time-tested brands such as Almaz by Momo, Emporio Armani Caffe and the soon-to-open Zuma all making their Abu Dhabi debuts here.
“The Galleria entered the market with a new concept both in terms of branding and positioning,” says Kevin Ryan, managing director, development, Gulf Related. “The 100-plus brands that are housed under our roof were aligned from the very beginning with our vision of becoming a new urban hub for best-in- class brands for luxury, contemporary fashion and dining.
“With an unrivalled collection of designer labels, as well as some of the world’s most acclaimed dining concepts, The Galleria is set to attract fashionforward local and regional socialites, global luxury seekers and, generally, an audience with a taste for fashion. But it really does have something for everyone.”
Indicators suggest that the capital is more than ready for a project of this kind and calibre, says Ryan. Launchday saw a mall that was fully leased, with every unit occupied (a rare enough occurrence globally, let alone in this part of the world).
“The Galleria has been an outstanding success for Gulf Related. It achieved 100 per cent rental occupancy from retailers six months prior to opening, which illustrates the strong and unique platform The Galleria offers retailers looking to enter or expand their presence in Abu Dhabi.”
Fi y of these brands are completely new to the UAE capital, highlighting the fact that, as Ryan points out, “Abu Dhabi is still significantly underserved in terms of high- end retail and dining options. The Galleria aims to occupy this niche”.
Newcomers to the Abu Dhabi market include Aspinal of London, Diane von Furstenberg, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs, Mulberry, Paul Smith, Tory Burch, Moschino, Thomas Pink, Pucci and Alexander McQueen. Incidentally, The Galleria is home to the region’s first stand-alone McQueen store carrying the brand’s new decor concept. Expect knuckle- duster clutches by the dozen, an extensive scarf and accessories collection and a large selection of the pre-fall womenswear collection.
An overwhelmingly positive response to The Galleria has already led to plans for a new project, Sowwah Central. “The Galleria is the initial part of a two-phase project that will also encompass Sowwah Central. This will consist of 1.6 million square feet of retail, restaurants, cafes and entertainment space, along with two 400,000- square-foot towers – one highend residential and one luxury hotel with serviced apartments. Combined, The Galleria and Sowwah Central will seamlessly link to create over two million square feet of retail and leisure space and play a vital role in the expansion of Al Maryah Island.”
Whether you are appealing to luxury lovers in Manhattan, Palm Beach or Abu Dhabi, the key, says Ryan, is creating tailored, customer-focused experiences. “Successful shopping developers and retailers are beginning to achieve customer- centricity by replacing the product focus of the past with tailored shopping experiences. This is even more important when it comes to discerning luxury shoppers.”