Krey flanked by Weir and Athar at the launch event of the Mall of Qatar yesterday. PICTURE: Thajudheen
By Bonnie James/Deputy News Editor
The QR3bn Mall of Qatar, announced yesterday, will have a dedicated Metro Station integrated into the project, giving unrivalled access from Doha and surrounding regions through the country’s proposed transport system.
“In addition to the Metro, the project will provide parking for over 7,000 cars in its brightly lit underground and lushly landscaped surface and valet parking lots,” said Shem Krey, deputy managing director, Mall of Qatar.
More than 162,000sq m of retail leasable space on three levels will make Mall of Qatar one of the largest shopping and entertainment destinations in the country.
“This is a pioneering development for Qatar and we are looking forward to using our longstanding experience as shopping centre specialists to deliver a mix of world-class brands and concepts to this unique project,” said Furqan Athar, who represents McArthur Company, which will market and lease the mall.
“A number of major retailing groups have already provided us with written expressions of interest, and we anticipate being in a position to provide details of our first major tenants later this year.”
“Our expertise will ensure that the Mall of Qatar will be a winner with its retail mix in an increasingly competitive retail landscape both here in Qatar and the region,” he claimed while pointing out that McArthur Company has nearly 20 years’ experience in the region.
“Next week we plan to officially launch our leasing campaign at the Cityscape 2013 exhibition at Doha Exhibition Centre, where a scale model of the Mall of Qatar will be unveiled. We are looking forward to meeting retailers at the event and briefing prospective tenants on how they can take up the fantastic opportunity the Mall of Qatar represents.
“It is our intention to ensure that the 400-plus shops and entertainment venues in the mall include a number of brands and concepts that will be unique to the GCC region and are new to market entrants.
“Our collective ambition as a team is to ensure that the Mall of Qatar becomes a game-changing event – a tipping point that can make Qatar a leader in the Mena retail environment of the future,” he added.
Work on the project being developed by UrbaCon Trading and Contracting, and underway since 2012, is proceeding on schedule for a September 2015 opening at the intersection of Al Rayyan Highway and Celebration Road.
“Given the proximity of the Mall of Qatar to Qatar Foundation’s Education City and Qatar National Convention Centre, we intend to target the customer group of teenagers up to 40 years, who constitute up to 60% of the client base for such a project,” added Krey.
“When complete, the Mall of Qatar will cover over 4mn sq ft and will be one of the biggest shopping malls in the country,” said Donald Weir, general manager.
The Mall of Qatar has been designed by globally acclaimed architects Chapman Taylor and KEO. McArthur Company, the world renowned retail specialists, which will market and lease the project, was represented at yesterday’s announcement by Furqan Athar.
1 An artist’s impression of the Mall of Qatar, as seen from outside.
2 A rendition of the Oasis, inside the Mall of Qatar.
