Aldar awards $86m contract for Al Jimi Mall expansion
Pivot Construction Company to manage Al Jimi Mall expansion works
Aldar Properties, the Abu Dhabi-listed property developer, has announced the signing of a $86.5 million contract for the refurbishment and expansion of the Al Jimi Mall in Al Ain.
Pivot Construction Company has been appointed as the contractor for the project, which is the latest component of Aldar’s recently announced $816 million investment strategy. As a key retail asset in Al Ain, the Al Jimi Mall is currently fully occupied with a footfall of 8 million visitors a year.
“With the renewal programme, we aim to catch up to with the very strong consumer demand Al Jimi Mall is enjoying. This initiative demonstrates our commitment to offering visitors a memorable shopping and entertainment experience, one that perfectly resonates the 15 years heritage of the mall and sets a new benchmark in both design and retail mix,” said Talal Al Dhiyebi, chief development officer at Aldar Properties.
The investment will see new retailers enter the Al Ain market, while also upgrading the mall experience for shoppers, Aldar said in a statement. An additional leased space of 33,000sqm (GLA) will be added to the project, bringing the total leased area to 76,000sqm of retail space. Aldar said that more than 50% of this new space has already been committed to new tenants.
Expansion plans for the project include an expansion to the west side of the mall, which will see the addition of 51 new units across three levels. This will include retail space, as well as dining and entertainment outlets.
In addition, there will be expansion work conducted on the north side of the mall; ‘The Retail Park’ will consist of three Retail Boxes, which will range in size from 1,500sqm to 6,500sqm. These will be designed in a ‘flexible way’ to accommodate the needs of different retailers, Aldar said. This will provide visitors with family dining and coffee shops, an event plaza and parking for more than a thousand additional cars.
The project will also include a refurbishment for the existing mall, including entrances, public spaces, canopies, flooring, toilets, food court and sightlines, with work expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2018.
