Al Maryah Central rolls up shutters ready for 2019
The opening of Abu Dhabi’s long-awaited Al Maryah Central shopping mall is now scheduled for August next year.
The Dh5 billion, 26-hectare mall is expected to house the first Macy’s store outside the United States and a branch of Bloomingdale’s.
After several delays, an opening date of August 27 has now been set.
Developer Gulf Related broke ground on the project in late 2014 and initially set the opening date for March 1 this year.
In September 2016, it said 50 per cent of the space had been let to 60 brands, and announced that the opening was delayed until August 2018.
Yesterday, Gulf Related, a partnership between the Abu Dhabi private equity house Gulf Capital and the US real estate investment company Related Companies, said construction was now complete and tenants could start fitting out their premises. “As we conclude construction, Al Maryah Central has now moved into the pre-opening phase,” said Daniel Parry, managing director and general counsel of Gulf Related.
“This important certification now enables our tenants to start the fit-out of their stores, ensuring we are ready to open to the public next August.
“In the coming weeks, we will announce many additional brands, which together will create an incredibly exciting retail, entertainment and dining mix for Abu Dhabi’s residents and visitors.”
The mall is expected to include a Macy’s store of up to 20,000 square metres, over four floors, and a Bloomingdale’s, as part of a commitment by the Al Tayer Group, which represents both brands.
The Bloomingdale’s store is scheduled to be even larger than its Dubai Mall outlet, which is the brand’s most successful branch after its flagship Manhattan store.
Al Maryah Central will also include a flagship Zara shop, an All Saints, Lululemon and Alice and Olivia stores.
Away from the shops, people can unwind in a public library, five urban parks, entertainment outlets, cafes and restaurants.
The project also includes two integrated towers that will house a hotel and serviced apartments in one, and luxury residences in the other.