Majid Al Futtaim Forges ahead with Construction of Mall of Oman

Muscat, Oman: Majid Al Futtaim Properties—the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa—kick-started the construction works of Mall of Oman, set to be the Sultanate’s flagship destination for retail, leisure and entertainment.

Sarooj Construction, along with their specialist subcontractors, have been appointed to undertake the enabling and highways works of the super-regional mall, as part of phase one. The appointed contractor is starting construction works imminently having set a number of key milestones which will enable the commencement of the mall’s construction works in early 2017.  The initial works include: bulk excavations, retaining walls, utility diversions followed by major road and bridge construction around interchange number 6 of the Muscat Expressway.

When it opens in 2020, Mall of Oman will be the largest integrated retail, leisure and entertainment destination in the Sultanate. The super-regional mall will feature 350 outlets in a 137,000 sqm retail space. It will feature 'firsts' including Oman's largest snow-park, with an 8,000 sqm play area, and a Little Explorers edu-tainment centre. It will also include the Sultanate's first Abercrombie & Fitch and largest VOX Cinemas and Magic Planet, the leading family entertainment centre in the region.

"For the last 15 years, Majid Al Futtaim has been a pioneer committed to delivering premium retail and lifestyle experiences in Oman. Today, we are proud to announce the imminent construction of Mall of Oman, which will be Oman’s largest mall and set unprecedented standards for the emerging retail and entertainment landscape in the Sultanate," said Ghaith Shocair, Chief Executive Officer - Shopping Malls at Majid Al Futtaim – Properties.

"With a long-term vision for Oman’s retail sector which aligns with the government's tourism and economic aims, we are launching a new platform for premium brands and experiences in the Sultanate, and a trusted partner and thought leader, Majid Al Futtaim will continue to innovate in customer experience to create great moments for everyone, everyday," He added.

"It is truly an honour to collaborate with the region's retail pioneer on what is set to become an iconic project for the Sultanate. Sarooj Construction values integrity, quality, health and safety environment, and human development, and through our projects we demonstrate how we care for our clients vision as well as for the stakeholders and communities they serve," said Simon Karam, Sarooj Construction.

Mall of Oman was designed in line with Majid Al Futtaim's best sustainable practices, aiming to achieve a Gold Certification in Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, such as City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Fujairah and City Centre Beirut that count as the region’s most measurably eco-friendly structures.

The Mall of Oman investment is part of a wider OMR 515 million investment in Oman by Majid Al Futtaim, which has also announced the construction of City Centre Sohar and My City Centre Sur in the Sultanate. The continued investment in Oman's retail and leisure infrastructure by Majid Al Futtaim supports the country's National Strategy for Tourism 2040, which targets a 6 per cent rise in the contribution of the tourism sector to the GDP and a near doubling of visitor numbers to five million annually.