RAK’s Al Hamra Awards Dhs230m Contract To Double Retail Space In Manar Mall

Ras Al Khaimah-based Al Hamra Real Estate Development announced that it has awarded a Dhs230 million construction contract to double the retail space in its popular Manar Mall.

The contract has been awarded to Sun Engineering & Contractors, and will see the total leasable area double at Ras Al Khaimah’s first and largest mall double from 30,000 to 60,000 sqm.

As part of the expansion, Manar Mall will see new international stores, an enlarged entertainment area, other new facilities and a complete overhaul of existing amenities.

A waterfront retail space overlooking local mangroves will be a key feature, a statement said.

Shankland Cox has been appointed as the lead consultant, while mall architect Cadiz International has designed the expansion and refurbishment of the project.

Work is scheduled to start within four weeks and is slated for completion by the third quarter of 2016.

Manar Mall officials said the expansion has seen “strong interest from the UAE’s biggest retailers” with formal expressions of interest already received for majority of the new leasable area.

Opened in 2000, Manar Mall currently houses brands such as Carrefour, Marks & Spencer, H&M, Paris Gallery, Novo Cinemas, and Funcity.

The expansion of the mall is in line with the growth in the wider retail sector across the UAE, expected to reach Dhs151 billion this year, according to a report by Dubai FDI.

The country’s retail sector is aided by high disposable incomes, retail real estate expansion, a steady inflow of international retailers, population growth and rising fashion consciousness, the report found.

Mall across Dubai including Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Burjuman have undertaken major expansion programmes in recent months, while Abu Dhabi has seen a surge of new malls.