Dubai-headquartered Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) has signed an agreement with world-renowned Laservision Mega Media for the creation of a unique mega-media spectacular at Dubai Festival City Mall as part of its Dh1.5-billion ($408 million) expansion programme.

The mall, a landmark two million sq ft urban retail resort, forms the epicentre of Dubai Festival City (DFC) now acknowledged to be one of UAE's most exciting retail, dining and leisure attractions.

DFC is an established creek-side, mixed-use destination and premier waterfront community interconnecting finest residential, shopping, dining, leisure and entertainment, international hotels, schools, golf course, automotive park and offices.

The mall is currently going through a major redevelopment scheme that will further reinforce its position as a key shopping and entertainment destination in Dubai and throughout the UAE.

The work has started on the new attraction which is due to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2016, said a senior official.

"We are bringing to Dubai a first-to-market, must-see, world-class waterfront experience that will excite and engage our visitors," remarked Chris O’Donnell, the group director at Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate.

Laservision is a world leader in award-winning entertainment communications with over 30 years of active industry experience.

They have set world records and their original creations are enjoyed by tens of thousands of people around the globe each night. Their mastery of light and sound shows, permanent multimedia tourist attractions, architectural lighting and special events, meet the demands of today’s modern audiences.

Laservision has delivered globally-renowned spectaculars such as Hong Kong’s ‘A Symphony of Lights’ - awarded the 'World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show' by Guinness World Records - and Southeast Asia’s largest light and water show, ‘Wonder Full’ at Marina Bay in Singapore, an amazing convergence of light, music and sound.

“Our current expansion firmly positions Dubai Festival City Mall amongst the emirate’s top shopping and leisure destinations with an additional 27,000 sq m in retail space to accommodate key new anchors, more diverse retail brands and over 75 food and beverage (F&B) outlets,” said O’Donnell.
 
“Once our expansion programme is complete, we will have created a shopping, dining and entertainment creek-side destination like no other. It will be a place where modern Dubai living embraces the rich heritage of the emirate’s proud past fusing memories of yesteryear with aspirations for an even brighter future," he added.

An Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate development project, the mall covers 5.2 million sq m of area and stretches 3 km along the historic Dubai Creek that optimises the thriving and visionary spirit of Dubai.
            
The retail destination will soon offer more than 400 top-class retailers, 75 restaurants, cafés and bistros, a 12-screen Novo Cinemas complex and parking for 6,500 cars. It also boasts a stunning waterfront and some of the emirate’s most photographed sunset vistas.-TradeArabia News Service