Construction

Construction begins on $1bn Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi

By Ben Flanagan

Posted on December 29, 2015

Developers break ground on 6.1m sq ft project

PHOTO: Developers National Real Estate Company (NREC) and UPAC broke ground on the 6.1m sq ft project. Credit: Supplied

Construction work has started on the $1 billion Reem Mall project in Abu Dhabi, according to a statement issued on behalf of the developers.

Kuwait’s National Real Estate Company (NREC) and UPAC broke ground on the 6.1m sq ft project, which will include retail, entertainment, leisure and dining facilities.

The site is on Reem Island, which will eventually house more than 210,000 people.

Reem Mall, expected to open in 2018, will be home to the world’s biggest indoor snow play, along with 450 stores and 85 food and beverage outlets, the developers say.

“Reem Mall is one of the biggest and most significant leisure and retail developments ever undertaken in Abu Dhabi, and it is a very proud day for all involved in this remarkable project,” said Faisal Sultan, chairman of NREC, at the ground-breaking.

The developers also announced a new corporate structure, including six new board appointments, for the mall management. Reem Mall’s senior executive team now consists of Samuel Sidiqi as Chief Executive Officer, Deepak Jain as Chief Financial Officer, Shane Eldstrom as Chief Operating Officer and Stuart Ingram, Director of Development.

Other key milestones include appointing organisations such as mSquared, RTKL, Dewan and Mace to provide consultancy on key areas including retail advisory services, design, architecture, engineering and project management.