National Real Estate Company (NREC), one of the leading developers in the region, has signed up international consultancy Mace as the project manager for its new entertainment, dining and shopping venture in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Reem Mall is a two million sq ft retail, leisure, dining and entertainment destination, located on Reem Island, the new master-developed residential and commercial zone adjacent to Abu Dhabi, which will eventually be home to more than 200,000 people.  

It is being developed in partnership with United Projects for Aviation Services Company (UPAC), one of Kuwait’s leading real estate management companies. As per the agreement, UPAC will invest up to $224 million in the project through its real estate subsidiary, Al Arfaj Real Estate Company.

Currently at concept design stage, the $1 billion Reem Mall project will start construction in 2015 and is expected to open in 2018.  
Once completed, it will bring a wide range of family-focused retail, leisure and entertainment offerings to Abu Dhabi including some 450 stores and 85 food and beverage outlets.

Shane Eldstrom, the vice president – development (NREC) said: "Working with a renowned delivery partner such as Mace will bring a new level of international expertise to our professional consultant team, and ensure that the delivery of the Reem Mall project adheres to the highest industry standards.”

"Once completed, Reem Mall will become  Abu Dhabi’s most exciting new retail, leisure, dining and entertainment destination," he added.

Nic Alford, Mace Operations Director, said: “Reem Mall is NREC’s largest and most ambitious project to date. We are delighted to be trusted by NREC to deliver Reem Mall, which will make a significant contribution to the development of Reem Island, a vital component in Abu Dhabi’s 2030 urban structure framework plan.”

Mace has an extensive track record of delivering large scale retail-led mixed-use developments across the UAE including Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Centre, Deira City Centre and, more recently, picking up the major regeneration scheme Khor Dubai.

Established in Kuwait in 1973, NREC has grown into one of the largest real estate companies in the region with ventures across the Middle East and North Africa.  More announcements on the Mall’s progress are to be made over the coming period.-TradeArabia News Service