Dubai: Majid Al Futtaim, the Dubai-based retail and leisure developer, announced on Sunday that it intends to grow its existing portfolio of malls in Oman with City Centre Sohar.
The Dh429 million mall, located in the Northern Governorate’s capital Sohar, is due to open in late 2018, according to a statement released by the company.
“By introducing our renowned City Centre brand to Sohar, we will be enhancing the city’s retail landscape with more than 130 diverse stores, a 8,400 square metre Carrefour Hypermarket, a nine-screen VOX Cinemas [movie house], in addition to an array of dining and entertainment options,” Gaith Shocair, chief executive officer for Shopping Malls at Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said in a statement.
City Centre Sohar, located on Batinah Highway, will add 40,000sqm of gross leasable area to Oman’s retail offering.
Sohar, a port city and major industrial hub, has seen substantial economic growth in recent years.
City Centre Sohar has set a target to achieve LEED Gold status — the coveted energy-efficient design certification — within three months of opening. This will include the implementation of sustainable building best practice with enhanced insulation, LED lighting and solar panels that will contribute to the centre’s energy requirements.
Furthermore, condensation from air-conditioning and ventilation systems will be used for irrigation.
In addition to City Centre Sohar, Majid Al Futtaim Properties owns and operates the newly upgraded City Centre Qurum, as well as City Centre Muscat, which recently underwent an Dh257 million expansion.
Community-centred mall My City Centre Sur is also in the pipeline, as is Mall of Oman, set to be the Sultanate’s biggest shopping centre, representing an investment of Dh2.6 billion.
