

WORK on one of the largest shopping malls of the Middle East has taken a step forward with the appointment of a contractor to start the foundation works.
Doha Festival City, Qatar’s largest retail and entertainment destination, has appointed a joint venture of Gulf Contracting Company (GCC) and ALEC Qatar as contractor to commence foundation work for the QR6-billion ($1.64 billion) mall.
The mall is the Phase Two development of Doha Festival City project scheduled for opening in the third quarter of 2016. Phase One comprised Qatar’s first Ikea store that was launched in March last year.
“We are delighted to be laying the foundations for the Phase Two building works of this magnificent development that will bring new standards of shopping and leisure to all of Qatar’s residents and visitors,” said Kareem Shamma, chief executive officer, Basrec, the joint venture of Dubai-based Al Futtaim Real Estate Services, Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), Aqar Real Estate Investment Company and a private Qatari investor.
“Some of the most sought-after names in retail have committed to the project and we are glad to be on track for a timely delivery of this retail, leisure, hospitality and entertainment destination,” he added.
Darrell Bergesen, board member of the joint venture of GCC and ALEC Qatar, said: “It is an honour to lead as the contractor for the construction of a shopping mall that is set to be one of the largest and most prominent in the Middle East. We are currently focused on achieving Basrec’s requirements to ensure a quick and effective mobilisation for the foundation works up to and including ground floor slabs, which will pave the way for the main contract works, to ensure timely delivery of the shopping mall.”
The contract was awarded following the completion and approval of the project’s masterplan and traffic impact study. The entry and exit roads into and out of Doha Festival City have been designed to provide maximum ease of access from and to all major areas of Doha.
Leading regional retail groups Azadea, Landmark, Alshaya, Apparel, Al Futtaim Retail and others have committed to bringing their fashion and food and beverage outlets to Doha Festival City.
“Some of the world’s most prestigious retail and dining outlets will be showcased in the mall, supported by their parent retail groups that are considered some of the region’s largest and most successful,” concluded Shamma.
Offering a gross leasable area (GLA) of some 250,000 sq m, Doha Festival City will feature more than 550 shops and stores through a carefully balanced selection of international and local brands including more than 85 restaurants and cafes.
It will also be home to automotive showrooms, and a hotel and convention centre, all located on a total site area of over 430,000 sq m that will also include some 8,500 parking spaces with an efficient vehicle management system.
Its state-of-the-art indoor-outdoor entertainment park will boast a number of attractions for children and adults.