Al Futtaim breaks ground on 78,000sqm site in Dubai
New mall will be part of the Jebel Ali Development, a mixed-use master-planned community
The Dubai-based Al Futtaim has broken ground on a new 78,000sqm development site that will form part of the Jebel Ali Development mixed-use master planned community, it has announced.
A new mall is to be built in Jebel Ali, in the southern part of Dubai, along the main Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway, the company said, adding that it the project is a crucial part of its plans to expand its retail offerings.
The project will be a mixed-use development that combines living, working and entertainment with popular retail brands, it added in a statement. The first phase of development, which also includes a strategic partnership with Wasl Properties (a subsidiary of Wasl Asset Management Group), will include 55,000sqm of leasable space, with a variety of retail concepts.
Furthermore, the development will also contain Dubai’s second IKEA showroom, which will be the brand’s newest concept store globally when opened. Special focus will be given to developing a high-level sustainable store, which will also be home to an international training centre for IKEA staff.
There will be 30,000sqm of store space for the IKEA facility, along with additional retail concepts and coffee shops. Al Futtaim added that the popularity of IKEA’s restaurant concept has prompted the inclusion of an in-store bakery. The store will also embrace digital integration, where customers can use a mobile app to make purchases by scanning products at the store and having them delivered to their homes.
“We always take a long-term view of the market by planning ahead, and this project firmly positions our retail footprint in a high growth potential area of Dubai slated to witness a population growth spurt during the build up to Expo 2020 and well beyond,” said Omar Al Futtaim, vice-chairman of Al Futtaim.
“Al-Futtaim is a keen contributor to the government’s development plans and will remain a committed partner in progress for Dubai and the UAE by investing in strategic projects to spread our diverse portfolio’s assets and meet consumer demand.”
Alongside the flagship IKEA store, Al Futtaim said that 100 additional retail outlets would be leased, alongside a food court and dining outlets. An entertainment venue, hypermarket and Al-Futtaim ACE hardware store are also part of the plans for the project.
All of this is expected to be completed by Q1 2019.
The mall will also have more than 2,000 parking spaces, which will service the growing Jebel Ali catchment area, while also appealing to residential communities nearby.
Phase two of the project will include Wasl Gate, a residential precinct that is being developed by Wasl Properties. It will include 1,457 homes, along with hospitality and entertainment offerings. Schools, sports facilities and a central park that connects the commercial and residential neighbourhoods, will also be a part of the overall community.
The mall is also strategically located, with easy access to Sheikh Zayed Road available, while the Energy Metro Station is situated 450 metres from the site.
“The primary focus for the first phase of wasl Gate is modern, attractive residences designed for young professionals and families, so we are delighted to be working in partnership with Al-Futtaim,” said Marc Hewitt, chief development officer of Wasl Asset Management Group.
“The second phase will see the expansion of the development to include more living and leisure spaces, including landscaped parks, a sports centre, showroom spaces, and park-side residential offerings.”
