The Al Jimi Shopping Mall, which is scheduled to open by the end of January 2001, has already leased 85 percent of its 36,000 square meters of retail space and will bring many of the world’s leading retail chains to Al Ain.
Among the companies to have signed lease agreements are J.C. Penny, Body Shop, Costa Coffee and educational entertainment operator Foton. Gulf News adds that the French hypermarket Carrefour will be the new mall’s anchor store. Fast food chains McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Subway have also signed leases.
The mall’s promoters expect to allure roughly 7,000 visitors per day following its opening. The mall offers 1,300 parking bays, which should be an added convenience in attracting shoppers. It will also feature a four-screen, 1,000-seat multiplex cinema, a family entertainment center and a food court.
KEO International Consultants designed the mall, while Pivot Engineering and General Contracting acted as the main contractor. CRSSI is the mall’s project manager, and Colliers International is responsible for marketing and leasing.
Addar Real Estate Services LLC, owned by the government of Abu Dhabi, continues to serve as the mall’s developer and operator. Addar was formed by the UAE Offsets Group, the Abu Dhabi Investment Co. and the National Investor to develop real estate projects through public-private partnerships. –(Albawaba-MEBG)
