NAKHEEL has signed a Dh27.5-million ($7.48 million) contract for the construction of a 10,600-sq-m community centre in Jumeirah, Dubai, as part of the company’s growing retail portfolio.

The company has appointed Parkway International Contracting as the main contractor for the Jumeirah Park Community Centre, which will primarily serve 4,200 homes in Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Village Triangle and Jumeirah Park.

It will include a Geant supermarket, cafes, a pharmacy, dry cleaner, salons and other convenience stores.

Construction of Jumeirah Park Community Centre – one of several developments in Nakheel’s retail expansion pipeline – will begin immediately, and is expected to be completed in 12 months. The company has already leased most of retail outlets at the centre, with anchor tenant Geant taking 2,400 sq m – almost a quarter of the available space.

Sanjay Manchanda, acting CEO of Nakheel, said: “Neighbourhood malls are a key part of our business plan. So we are enhancing our community living with accessible local facilities that people need.”