UAE-based Majid Al Futtaim Properties, the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, kick-started the construction works of Mall of Oman, set to be the sultanate’s flagship destination for retail, leisure and entertainment.

On completion in 2020, the super-regional mall will feature 350 outlets in a 137,000-sq-m retail space. It will also feature several ‘firsts’ including Oman’s largest snow-park, with a 8,000-sq-m play area, and a Little Explorers edu-tainment centre, said a statement from the company.

Mall of Oman will also include the sultanate’s first Abercrombie & Fitch and largest VOX Cinemas and Magic Planet, the leading family entertainment centre in the region.

The super-regional mall project is part of a wider RO515 million ($1.33 billion) investment in Oman by Majid Al Futtaim, which has also announced the construction of City Centre Sohar and My City Centre Sur.

The regional retail pioneer has appointed Sarooj Construction, along with its specialist subcontractors, to undertake the enabling and highways works of the super-regional mall, as part of Phase One.

The contractor will start construction works imminently having set a number of key milestones which will enable the commencement of the mall’s construction works in early 2017, said a statement from the company.

The initial works include: bulk excavations, retaining walls, utility diversions followed by major road and bridge construction around interchange No 6 of the Muscat Expressway, it added.

On the contract win, Simon Karam of Sarooj Construction, said: "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," he added.

Ghaith Shocair, the chief executive (shopping malls) at Majid Al Futtaim – Properties, said: "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 become the country’s largest retail and entertainment landscape."

“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 as 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.

Majid Al Futtaim said the super-regional mall has been designed in line with its best sustainable practices, aiming to achieve a Gold Certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed), such as City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Fujairah and City Centre Beirut that count as the region’s most measurably eco-friendly structures.-TradeArabia News Service