Fujairah City Centre, a shopping mall currently under development by Majid Al Futtaim Properties, has surpassed several key construction, leasing and safety milestones confirming an ‘on-target’ schedule for opening in early 2012.

The Dh400 million ($109 million) project is being developed in partnership with the government-owned Fujairah Investment Establishment. Khansaheb Civil Engineering is the contractor for the project.

The mall is strategically located on the intersection of the new Fujairah-Dubai highway and the existing Masafi Highway at the entrance to Fujairah City.

Fujairah City Centre has achieved a near-100 per cent fully leased status, with 100 of total 105 retail outlets confirmed to-date, said Majid Al Futtaim Properties.

With a gross leasable area (GLA) of 34,000 sq m, the mall’s varied retail mix will cater to the immediate needs and projected growth of the Fujairah community and includes the emirate’s largest Carrefour hypermarket and several new brands to the region, it stated.

This represents a major milestone for the still-emerging retail landscape in Fujairah, said a senior official.

“Fujairah City Centre will provide a boost to the underserviced retail landscape in Fujairah by providing a high quality and unique shopping and entertainment experience for the growing community,” said Yousif Al Ali, asset director.

Since the official groundbreaking in April by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, works have progressed ahead of programme, he stated.

Key construction milestones achieved include the completion of the mall’s roof and external concrete, the official said.

'Mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works are progressing with underground drainage systems installed, and the dedicated electrical substation on programme to enable Federal Electricity & Water Association (Fewa) to energize the mall electrical systems in December as planned.'

To-date, with over one million hours logged across a workforce of 1,100, Fujairah City Centre continues to operate as an accident-free site, said Al Ali.

“We are proud of the advancements to the mall’s leasing, construction and overall progress to-date. It’s a positive reflection of MAF Properties’ commitment to best practices and the industry’s interest in Fujairah as an emerging retail market,' he added.

Following best-in-class practices, Fujairah City Centre is targeting a Gold Leed rating according to the USGBC Green Building Guidelines. The building will be the first in the emirate to achieve a Leed rating.

Looking forward to 2012, Fujairah City Centre will redefine the shopping and entertainment experience in the Emirate, said Al Ali.-TradeArabia News Service