More than 100 senior Abu Dhabi government and business leaders come together to mark project progression.
Developers for Reem Mall, the UAE capital’s up and coming leisure, shopping, entertainment and dining destination, today announced that the $1 billion project has been granted detailed planning approval by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC), marking the final go-ahead required to take the project to the next stage.
The UPC’s granting of detailed planning approval comes only six months after the mall’s concept plans were approved – a rapid turnaround for a project of this scale.
More than 100 senior Abu Dhabi government and business leaders gathered today for a special event to mark this significant milestone, pledge their ongoing support for Reem Mall, and mark the continued momentum that the project has built over the past 18 months.
Shane Eldstrom, Chief Operating Officer for Reem Mall, stated: “Reem Mall is an extraordinary project that will bring world-class shopping, leisure and entertainment to the heart of Abu Dhabi. We have made incredible progress over the past 18 months, and the detailed planning approval marks the final go-ahead required from the UPC.
“None of this progress would have been possible without the tremendous support we have received from the Government of Abu Dhabi, and many other partner organizations in the UAE capital and beyond.
“The UPC has been working closely with us throughout the planning process, to ensure that the project responds to the needs of local communities, that it is safe, and that it meets the highest standards of energy and environmental design. We are proud to have worked so closely and harmoniously with the UPC since the very early days of the project.”.
The UPC and the Reem Mall development team met regularly over the course of 2015 to incorporate design enhancements put forward by the UPC’s Urban Development and Estidama Sector. The UPC also had to ensure the project fit within other relevant master plans, including the Al Reem Island Integrated Concept Master Plan, which was approved in April 2015, and the mixed-use Najmat Abu Dhabi community on the south of the island in which the mall is situated.
Mohamed Al Khadar, Executive Director of Urban Development and Estidama Sector, UPC, said: “For the ongoing development of Abu Dhabi, and for a project of this magnitude, it was essential that the UPC and the Reem Mall developers collaborate closely to ensure that every recommended enhancement put forward during the UPC’s planning review process was successfully adopted, while still meeting the target deadline for detailed approval and breaking ground.
“Reem Mall forms an integral part of the Al Reem Island Integrated Concept Master Plan, meets the UPC’s range of planning regulations and guidelines as part of the Complete Sustainable Communities suite of documents, and has achieved an Estidama 2 Pearl Rating, ensuring that the facility is of the highest quality in every aspect of design, sustainability and functionality.
“With a projected population of 210,000 residents, Al Reem Island is a core component of Plan Capital 2030 – the framework plan for Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Area. The provision of community facilities, including retail and leisure amenities, to meet the needs of Al Reem Island’s residents and those in neighbouring areas is paramount to the island’s successful evolution, in line with the goals of Vision 2030.”.
Reem Mall is strategically positioned within the new master-developed residential and commercial zone of the island. It will bring an extensive range of exceptional family-focused retail, leisure and entertainment offerings to residents and visitors of the UAE capital. It is expected to open in 2018. The mall will be home to the world’s biggest indoor snow play centre and is set to include some 450 stores including 85 food and beverage outlets.
Established in Kuwait in 1973, NREC has grown into one of the largest real estate companies in the region with ventures across the Middle East and North Africa.
UPAC is one of Kuwait’s leading real estate management companies. Under the agreement, UPAC will invest up to US $224 million in the project through its real estate subsidiary, Al Arfaj Real Estate Company.
