Union Coop, the consumer co-operative in the emirate of Dubai, has invited tenders for the construction of two commercial centres Warqa’a Mall and Jumeirah First - Al Bada’a area and two new Union Coop branches in Nad Al Sheba and Palm Jumeirah later this year, reported state news agency Wam.

The announcement falls in line with Union Coop’s strategic objectives of rapid expansion to establish modern shopping centres by adopting global standards that will offer a unique shopping experience, it stated.

"With respect to the Al Warqa’a project, only the companies qualified enough to manage projects of this size, type and cost have been invited as this is a very high-calibre project," remarked Madiya Al Marri, the director of the Properties and Project Division at Union Coop.

The bids must be submitted by the end of this month, she added.

On the Al Warqa’a project, Al Marri said: "The project located at Al Warqa’a -3 will be covering an area of 160,000 sq ft with an estimated budget of Dh250 million ($68 million). This strategically located commercial centre overlooks the main street that is connected to the Emirates Road as per the roads plan announced by the concerned authorities."

"The soil excavation and reinforcement work has been completed. This commercial centre will include two underground parking lots, whereas the ground floor will have the shops and additional parking spaces for mall visitors," noted Al Marri.

According to her, the mall will have a Union Coop Hypermarket on the first floor, covering a 120,000 sq ft area. The second floor will be the head office of Union Coop. The project is expected to be completed by December 2019, she stated.

The commercial centre will serve Al Warqa’a and areas in proximity such as Mirdif, Rashidiya and Nad Al Hammar among others.

On the Jumeirah First Project, Al Marri said the tender documentation process has been completed for the project, which will include a new Union Coop branch with a direct view on Al Wasl Road.

On completion, the project will cater to the areas of Al Bad’a, Jumeirah First, Jumeirah Second and rest of the surrounding areas as well. With a total building area of 100,000 sq ft, the structure will include basement, ground and first floor. The approximate cost of this project is Dh45 million ($12.2 million).

Revealing two new additions to their already long list of Union Coop branches, Al Marri said: "Union Coop is proud to announce the opening of a new supermarket in Nad Al Sheba, with a total area of 30,000 sq. ft., which is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of this year."

"This branch will have a direct view on Nad Al Hammer street that goes between Nad Al Sheba areas 1, 2 and 3, connecting them directly to the Al Ain-Dubai Road. It will be the first branch ever in the region," she stated.

"The second project is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2018 as well and will be a new branch of the Coop chain located at The Point area. This will be the first Union Coop existence at Jumeirah Palm centre (The Point) with an area of 9,000 sq ft," she added.