Roger Gary
Malls while offering luxury shopping experiences in Abu Dhabi also fulfill important social functions by providing safe and comfortable spaces where family and friends can socialize and have fun.
With 86,000 sq ft of well designed air conditioned space housing 160 shops, a hyper market, banks, pharmacies, a food court, cafes and restaurants, an amusement area with an ice skating rink, arcade games, 3D and 4D cinemas, a bowling alley, entertainment for kids and parking for 2,500 vehicles Khalidiyah Mall ensure exciting shopping and leisure experiences. It is open for 10 hours on weekdays and more on weekends.
On the breakwater it has more than 400 high end retail outlets spread over its 122,000 sq meters that houses some world famous luxury brands. The mall also has a series of life style and entertainment venues for the whole family among which is a revolving restaurant on top of a 30 storey observation tower.
One of the older city malls remains popular with shoppers as it offers over 200 shops with the latest products, restaurants on every floor, a children's play area, a Cineplex and a 20 lane bowling alley.
On Al Maryah Island Galleria is designed to provide not only a luxurious retail experience but a unique lifestyle experience for the whole family. Once inside there is no need to go anywhere else for customer needs.
In the heart of Al Kuwaitat district in Al Ain, this renovated mall now boast 2,500,000 sq ft of space that accommodates 350 retail outlets and 50 restaurants. The mall's entertainment facilities include a full sized ice skating rink, bowling and billiard centres and a Cineplex. 12 million shoppers come through its doors annually.
Dalma Mall among the newer additions to Abu Dhabi's malls is a mega mall. It boasts a built up area of 250,000 sq meters that accommodates over 480 stores, Fun City a children's entertainment area, a Cineplex with 14 screens and seating for 2,200 people, VIP halls and 3D screening facilities, a food court, cafes and restaurants and parking for 7,500 cars. It aims to fulfill the life style and entertainment needs of the growing population in Abu Dhabi's suburbs.
Spread over 235,000 sq meters this mega mall, yet to open is set to be the biggest in Abu Dhabi and the second biggest in the UAE. In addition to hundreds of retail outlets it is to house innumerable food and beverage and entertainment venues that will include a 20 screen cinema. The mall is projected to attract 20 million shoppers annually. Guests at Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort a luxurious beach resort Abu Dhabi will have easy access to shopping and entertainment venues developing in Sir Bani Yas.
Al Raha, Al Whda, Maushrif and Capital Malls and a host of shopping centres specializing in various items compete with the mega malls for customers.
