Qatar's Newest Shopping Destination

Overlooking the Persian Gulf, Place Vendôme is an upcoming $ 1,25 billion mixed-use development set to be the new home of luxury and fashion in Qatar and slated for opening in 2018. Over 400 stores and an area for top designer labels will be housed in neo

Luxury, Lifestyle and Leisure are the keywords! Once Place Vendôme will open its doors to the public, it is sure to leave everyone breathless. Place Vendôme – monitored by drones that track its progress step by step – has already started catalysing the attention and interest of the fashion industry. The project has been presented first to international luxury brands’ executives in a roadshow from Paris to Milan, Cannes, Dubai, and London. It was an opportunity to illustrate the immense potential offered by the continually expanding market of Qatar, which not only has one of the highest per capita GDPs in the world, but also an extremely high development capacity. Stretching along the seafront of Lusail – Qatar’s emerging city – the 800,000 square metres development is inspired by the architecture of Paris and its trendiest streets. In neoclassical style mixed with Arab charm, this citadel of luxury develops architecturally with symmetrical arches, domes, columns and skylights, which illuminate vast spaces spread over four floors, treating visitors to an opulent and relaxing atmosphere. Place Vendôme will house over 400 boutiques, with an exclusively luxurious wing reserved to top luxury brands labels, and others dedicated to prêt-àporter brands and accessories. In addition, fine and casual dining restaurants, as well as a food court will offer shop- pers a variety of cuisines, from Arab delicacies to European and Asian dishes. A range of attractions, meanwhile, will guarantee plenty of family fun, including the enormous phantasmagorical family entertainment center. The exteriors are also spectacular, with a canal that winds around the shopping mall before flowing into the sea, creating an elongated waterfront square with coffee shops, restaurants and facilities for landing with motor-boats and water taxis. In the evening, visitors will be able to relax while enjoying the stunning fountains with their dazzling display of lights, lasers and music. Easily reached by sea, metro or car (Place Vendôme lies just 25 km from Hamad International Airport), it will also be connected via the new Lusail Expressway to the centre of the capital, where the Exhibition Center and Katara Cultural Village are located. Until the 1940s, this emirate on the Persian Gulf was just a village of fishermen and pearl hunters. However, Qatar’s incredible growth has seen it become a modern country. Indeed, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and now of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the current Emir of the State of Qatar, this nation has achieved ambitious goals without ever forgetting its traditions, cultural heritage and profound sense of hospitality.