The gross leasable area (GLA) of Ras Al Khaimah’s Manar Mall will soon double to 600,000sqft per a statement by the Al Hamra Group.
The group is nearing completion of phase one of its AED309 million ($84m) expansion plans, and says the increase in GLA is spread across two floors, and will add 80 new retail spaces. The expansion project is due to be handed over before the end of the second quarter of this year.
The expansion is said to complement the ambitions of the RAK Tourism Development Authority, which recorded 800,000 tourists in 2016, a 10.9% increase over the previous year, with a target of one million visitors by the end of 2019.
The expansion project is being handled by Al Hamra Real Estate Development, a fully owned subsidiary of Al Hamra Group. The Al Hamra Group owns hospitality, retail and leisure assets such as the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah.
“The expansion of Manar Mall is in line with the growing trend for community retail and leisure-based destinations that focus on the customer experience, and convenience of location and access, as opposed to the mega-malls that have defined the UAE’s retail landscape over the last decade,” said Benoy Kurien, general manager, Al Hamra Real Estate Development.
Manar Mall first opened for business in September 2000, and partly overlooks Ras Al Khaimah’s corniche.
“Retail developments with integrated leisure and entertainment facilities, positioned alongside restaurants and cafes are key to driving footfall, as more people demand local, indoor, family-oriented destinations for leisure, entertainment, dining and of course shopping,” added Kurien.