Mall of the Emirates, the Middle East's first shopping and leisure resort, has won the coveted 'Best Design and Innovation' award at the ICSC International Design and Development Awards 2007.

Judged by its peers, Mall of the Emirates was amongst the world's best-designed centres including Plenilunio Madrid, Spain and The Shops at La Cantera San Antonio, Texas, US, to be recognised as one of the elite in terms of design and innovation.

Mall of the Emirates, owned by MAF Properties - a division of the Majid Al Futtaim Group - now ranks among the top in the world across multiple disciplines having earned honours over the past two years in construction, leasing, marketing and now architectural design and operations.

This unique mixed-use destination, which has become world renowned for bringing 'snow to the desert', has impressed judges across all categories with its aesthetic and commercial triumphs, said an official spokesman.
 
'Global recognition of outstanding projects is the basis of ICSC's highly acclaimed International Design and Development Awards and Mall of the Emirates was honoured to accept this accreditation. This award was a challenge to win due to the extremely strict criteria across all categories. Not only was the project judged on in its architectural and design aesthetics, but also on construction and operational efficiencies against international standards along with its ability to fulfill environmental safety and conservation criteria,' said executive vice-president, business development, Majid Al Futtaim Group, Jeffrey Rossely.

Established almost two decades ago, ICSC's International Design and Development Awards Programme recognises outstanding retail projects and sets the standards for the development of retail projects across the globe. The programme, designed to honour the industry's best and brightest, offers industry insight on what it takes to achieve the highest level of accomplishment and success.

'This award is a fantastic example of what can be achieved with a lot of hard work, courage and creativity and congratulations must be extended to all who were involved with the project from the early stages right through to today - Mall of the Emirates has truly secured its position as a landmark shopping centre on a global platform across all disciplines,' added Rossely. - TradeArabia News Service