Pictures: Qatar’s largest mall opens in Doha

Qatar’s largest mall – the QAR5.4bn ($1.48bn) Mall of Qatar – has opened its doors in Doha, following delays.

The 500,000 sqm mall, over a year behind schedule, features more than 500 shops including 100 food and beverage outlets. Among them are 40 brands set to make their Qatar debut such as restaurant chain Cheesecake Factory, Pottery Barn and Texas Roadhouse.

A signature Carrefour supermarket built to resemble a village market and a miniature children’s city – Kidzmondo – are among the other features.

Ahmed Al Mulla, CEO, Mall of Qatar, said: “We are pleased to announce that the mall is 99 per cent leased- and 92 per cent are currently in the fit-out phase. We are opening over 220 stores on our first day, which is 60 per cent of the gross leasable area.”

Located next to the Al Rayyan FIFA 2022 World Cup stadium, the venue also includes a 19-screen NOVO cinema megaplex with an IMAX screen, an eight-lane bowling alley, and XtremeLand – which features rides and video gaming machines.

Mall of Qatar also features what it claims is the world’s first resident troupe offering 52 weeks of shows on a 360-degree custom developed revolving stage. The stage is located at Oasis, a 5,000 sqm landscaped entertainment arena featuring dancing fountains and waterfalls and hosting all year long shows.

Alongside the mall is the five-star AlRayyan hotel operated by Curio, a collection by Hilton.

Al Mulla added: “Mall culture plays a large role in Middle Eastern, and especially GCC society. We are pushing the boundaries and elevating the mall experience with our brand new, and innovative offering. We are setting super-regional standards for shopping malls.”