MALL OF QATAR CONFIRMS PARTICIPATION IN @CityscapeMENA CITYSCAPE GLOBAL

Qatar’s exciting new shopping destination to leverage region’s most popular real estate exhibition to promote its world class offering

The Mall of Qatar, set to be the most exciting  shopping centre in Qatar and due to open in the third quarter 2015, has confirmed its participation in Cityscape Global, which will take place from the 8^th – 10^th October at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Construction work on the new mall is now well underway, and the Mall of Qatar management is using the region’s leading annual property event to showcase the wide ranging retail, entertainment and leisure facilities of the new complex. Their ambition is to create a destination that the people of Qatar will consider to be “The Nation’s Mall.”

Since the Mall of Qatar launched at Cityscape Qatar in May of this year, it has already attracted major interest from regional and international retailers and leisure, dining and entertainment companies. Qatar is an increasingly attractive location for retailers looking for new commercial opportunities.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, it is estimated that by 2021, international tourist arrivals are forecast to reach over 2 million, and they are expected to spend an additional QR 3.7 billion (just over $1 Billion) in Qatar during their stay. Qatar has the fastest population growth over the past four years and also the highest GDP per capita in the world.

The new mall, which is being built in the Al Rayyan area of Qatar, and  close  to the Al Rayyan FIFA 2022 World Cup stadium, will cover over 195,000 square metres of leasable space. It is expected to attract significant attention at Cityscape Global from regional and international brands looking to expand their retail portfolio within the region.

Donald Weir is General Manager of the Mall of Qatar and brings over 35 years of international experience in retailing and marketing to the Mall of Qatar’s senior management team. He said; “Cityscape Global is the ideal platform for us to further promote the Mall of Qatar at a regional level and retailers will have plenty to be excited about.

“The 3-D model that will be showcased at our Cityscape stand will highlight in detail the Mall’s 400 plus shops, including 50 luxury brands and four major department stores. Our food and beverage offering anchored by a major hypermarket will have an exciting array of 82 international restaurants, cafes and speciality food shops. Visitors to the mall will also be able to enjoy their stay at a luxury 5 star hotel, and take in the excitement of vast entertainment area, state of the art multiplex cinemas and captivating live performances in multiple venues throughout the mall.”

“We are looking forward to showing visitors to our stand the Mall of Qatar 3-D model in October, which demonstrates how we plan to satisfy significant unmet demand for high quality retail space, entertainment and leisure facilities in Qatar.”

The Mall of Qatar W.L.L. has focused on creating a design that has as much impact on visitors when they approach the mall as when they step inside. A large proportion of the mall’s façade has been devoted to shop fronts and animated signage, along with engaging cafes and lush landscaping and water features helping to create a true destination in its own right. Mall of Qatar W.L.L is also working closely with senior officials to ensure the mall fits into a wider master-planned community for the area.

Shem Krey, Deputy Managing Director, Mall of Qatar, has an impressive track record in the real estate industry on retail projects in the USA, Europe and the Gulf Region. Explaining the strategy behind the mall design he said; “We have put a lot of thought into the design of the mall internally and externally. We are determined to make the Mall of Qatar different from any other mall that currently exists in Qatar.”

“Our team  has thought of everything, from what people see when they approach the mall, to easy and efficient parking, signage,  washrooms and prayer rooms. We know that in addition to having world class brands, we need to create the right environment for shoppers and visitors to enjoy and spend time in.”

Also representing the Mall of Qatar at Cityscape Global will be Phil McArthur the Managing Director of McARTHUR + COMPANY and his team. These shopping centre specialists, who have over 30 years of experience in the industry including development of many projects in the Middle East, have been selected to manage the leasing and merchandising of the mall. Mr. McArthur said; “We have already seen an incredible reaction from retailers interested in taking space in the Mall of Qatar. The vision for the new mall provides opportunities for different precincts, and retailers have been particularly interested in the development’s unique plans to promote their brands. It is going to look spectacular and is certainly expected to become one of the most exciting shopping malls in Qatar.”

The mall is located only a short drive from downtown Doha, with easy road access through a modern highway interchange that is currently under construction, as well as a station on Doha’s new Metro line that will be integrated into the mall. On arrival, drivers will have access to over 7,000 parking spaces with one level being situated under the shopping centre.

The mall is on schedule to open in the third quarter of 2015. To ensure the construction continues without delays, UrbaCon Trading & Contracting (UCC), who are managing the delivery and operation of the mall, have developed warehouse facilities close to the construction site. Altogether, UCC’s five factories have been turning raw materials into manufactured resources ready to be used on the project. UCC is prepared to augment its subcontractors with staff and equipment assuring work on the 430,000 square metres of total building area is completed to the highest standard and the schedule is met.

The Mall of Qatar invites all visitors to Cityscape Global to their exhibition stand (4B20) where they will be encouraged to browse the detailed 3-D model of the mall and view the fly-through video to grasp a better understanding of the size and scale of this massive new project.