Dubai-based shopping mall developer Majid Al Futtaim said it has completed the the final phase of its RO35 million ($91 million) expansion project at City Centre Muscat adding 60 new retail stores including 12 fashion lifestyle and food and beverages brands making their debut in Oman.

A team of almost 1,000 people contributed 1.7 million man hours of work on City Centre Muscat’s expansion, even as the mall remained fully operational for existing retailers and visitors. Through its expansion, City Centre Muscat has created up to 1,350 new jobs for the community, said a statement from Majid Al Futtaim.

The mall celebrated the completion of the expansion project under the patronage of Oman's Minister of Tourism Ahmed Bin Nasser Bin Hamed Al Mahrizi.

City Centre Muscat’s redevelopment - known as #CCMTatweer - has added 10,000 sqm to the Sultanate’s largest and most successful retail and family entertainment destination.  

It now features 60 new shopping stores, including international brands Virgin Megastore, Bershka, American Eagle Outfitters, Koton, F&F fashion accessories, New Look, Guess Accessories, Lovisa, and handmade cosmetics Lush, all coming to Oman for the first time, said the statement.

Food and beverage outlets making their debut in the Sultanate include Köşebaşı Turkish restaurant, Ahwak Arabic restaurant, and Shake Shack, New York’s burger specialist.

Today’s official opening completes a 12-month journey for City Centre Muscat, which earlier saw the launch of a 10-screen Vox Cinemas alongside the renovation of Magic Planet, and the mall’s food court dining area.

To enhance City Centre Muscat’s accessibility, the mall added 700 parking spaces and modified its car park for easier traffic flow, said a statement from Majid Al Futtaim.

In addition to creating an entirely new retail extension to broaden the mall’s range of fashion and lifestyle options, City Centre Muscat invested significantly in infrastructure and design elements to create a seamless look and feel between the existing and new parts of its facility.

Contemporary flooring, more natural lighting (complemented by an ecologically sustainable LED lighting system), and updated ceiling structures have created a premium look and feel.  The mall’s architecture pays tribute to the traditions of Oman combined with a modern, fresh aesthetic, including enhanced facilities such as prayer rooms and restrooms throughout, it added.

To celebrate the mall’s expansion, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the City Centre brand from Majid Al Futtaim in the region, a range of compelling activities for all audiences will take place throughout the month.

Family-friendly entertainers will bring colour and motion to the mall every evening until November 14, before City Centre Muscat reveals a striking mall-wide display to commemorate the 45th Oman National Day on November 18.

Aspiring Omani Singer Nasr Al Sulaimi, accompanied by musicians, will perform the country’s national anthem as well as both original and well-loved hits at City Centre Muscat on November 20.

The ‘Art of C’ – a cultural programme developed in association with The Omani Society for Fine Arts (OSFA), will unveil artworks from some of Oman’s most respected artists, celebrating the country’s 11 governates, also as part of City Centre Muscat’s national day programme.

Finally, the last week of November will attract Oman’s most fashionable and beauty-centric shoppers as the mall hosts catwalk shows and make-up workshops to present new collections and industry trends, from Novemebr 26 to 28.-TradeArabia News Service