Abu Dhabi Yas Mall is expecting record footfall when it opens to the public in November.
Developer Aldar predicts the numbers of visitors in the first year could reach 20 million.
At 2.5 million square feet, Yas Mall will be the second biggest mall in the UAE after Dubai Mall which sprawls over 12 million square feet.
While official confirmation is still awaited, it is believed Yas Mall will open during the Formula One Weekend. Besides 370 retail stores including the Middle East’s biggest Zara, Nike and Adidas, it will have a 20-screen state-of-the-art cinema by VOX featuring Abu Dhabi’s biggest MAX screen, the region’s biggest family entertainment zone by Fun Works, around 60 food and beverage outlets including Abu Dhabi’s first Cheesecake Factory and Angelina Café and covered parking for 10,000 cars.
The mall will also house the largest Debenhams store outside the UK where a personal stylist will assist shoppers. At the heart of Yas Mall is Town Centre, a naturally-lit gathering space surrounded by greenery and water features.
Other attractions include three distinctive sculptures by acclaimed artist Marco Cianfanelli and spectacular hanging paper fibre art by famous Dutch artist Peter Gentenaar.
Talal Al Dhiyebi, executive director of asset management at Aldar, said they are expecting 20 million visitors during the first year of operation.
“You don’t get a better location than this. You have the only Ferrari themed park and Yas Waterworld. There is the Yas Marina Circuit and Yas Links Golf Course. Some of the best hotels are also here,” he said. The mall will target shoppers from the UAE, GCC and other countries.
“Areas like Shahama, Al Bahia, and Mohammed Bin Zayed City have all been under-serviced in terms of quality retail. Dubai is 45 minutes away. It’s a location that’s in the middle of an amazing island.”
List of stores to open at Yas mall
• Hamleys store in Abu Dhabi
• The Cheese Cake Factory in Abu Dhabi
• Hollister in Abu Dhabi
• Abu Dhabi’s first Brook’s Brothers and the largest in the region
• 4Dx cinema in Abu Dhabi
• Angelina Café in Abu Dhabi
• Lego store and Joe Fresh in the UAE
• Géant Hypermarket in Abu Dhabi
• Standalone Under Armour store in the UAE
• Two-level Go Sports store in the UAE
• Guylian in UAE
• Jamba Juice in the Middle East
• Pie Face in the Middle East
• Penny Black in the Middle East
• Kazar in the Middle East
• Champions League Café in the Middle East
