Abu Dhabi’s new $1bn Reem Mall gets detailed planning approval

The upcoming new $1bn Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi has received the final go-ahead from authorities, developers announced.

The project has been granted detailed planning approval by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, a statement said.

The approval comes six months after the mall’s concept plans were ratified by the UPC.

Reem Mall is being developed by Kuwait-based National Real Estate Company and United Projects for Aviation Services Company.

The retail project will deliver two million square feet of retail, leisure, and dining and entertainment choices with some 450 stores including 85 food and beverage outlets. It will also include the world’s biggest indoor snow play centre.

Work on the project began 18 months ago and it is scheduled to open in 2018.

Reem Mall’s chief operating officer Shane Eldstrom stated: “We have made incredible progress over the past 18 months, and the detailed planning approval marks the final go-ahead required from the UPC.

“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.”

The UPC said it had to ensure that the project fit within the Al Reem Island Integrated Concept Master Plan, which was approved in April 2015.

According to the new Al Reem Island masterplan, the development will have 11 new private schools, six kindergarten centres, a Paris Sorbonne University, three new private hospitals, a number of clinics, nine mosques, civil defence and police facilities, a major transit hub and nearly 500,000 square metres of park and open space.

Executive director of Urban Development and Estidama Sector at UPC Mohamed Al Khadar said: “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.”