Dewan Architects & Engineers, a highly-ranked architecture firm in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), said it has started work on the design of Reem Mall, the new entertainment, dining and shopping destination coming up in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The $1-billion project is being developed by leading Kuwait-based companies National Real Estate Company (NREC) and United Projects for Aviation Services Company (UPAC).

It 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 mainland, which will eventually be home to more than 200,000 people.  

As per the contract, Dewan will work in close collaboration with design consultants from RTKL, a global architecture, planning and design firm based in the US, and offer a range of services including engineering, master-planning, architectural design, sustainability design and post contract services.

Dewan’s appointment marks another significant step forward for the project, said a senior official.

"Dewan Architects & Engineers is very proud to be associated with Reem Mall and we look forward to developing a highly successful project," stated Mohamed Al Assam, the executive chairman.

Dewan has offices in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, the Philippines, and India. The firm employs more than 350 architects and engineers, working on a portfolio of world-class developments that extends across 10 countries.

Since its inception in 1984, Dewan has established itself as a major player on the regional architectural scene, he noted.

According to Assam, the company has played a key role in designing a range of retail, residential and mixed-use projects in the UAE including Yas Viceroy Hotel, CityWalk in Dubai as well as Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai.

"As the lead consultancy and technical architects throughout the design, construction and delivery of the project, Dewan will work in close collaboration with design consultants from RTKL to ensure the original design intent is preserved and fully developed into an effective end product," remarked Yann Pennes, the director of projects.

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

Shane Eldstrom, the vice president (development) NREC, said: "Dewan is a highly creative company, which focuses on creating distinctive and charismatic buildings."

"This is exactly what Reem Mall will be. With Dewan as our partner, we look forward to delivering a truly unique and much-needed addition to Reem Island and the wider Abu Dhabi communities," he stated.

Established in Kuwait in 1973, NREC has grown into one of the largest real estate companies in the region with ventures across the Mena, while UPAC is one of Kuwait’s leading real estate management companies.

Under the agreement, UPAC will invest up to $224 million in the project through its real estate subsidiary, Al Arfaj Real Estate Company.-TradeArabia News Service