Majid Al Futtaim, a leading shopping mall and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, has broken ground on its new Dh2.6-billion ($707 million) super-regional mall – City Centre Al Zahia in Sharjah.

When it opens in 2020, it will be the company’s largest mall within the UAE’s third-largest emirate.

Strategically located at the intersection of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and University Road, City Centre Al Zahia will have a gross leasable area of 136,200 sq m.

The mall will address the shopping and leisure needs of the residents of Sharjah, Northern Emirates and Al Zahia, an award-winning residential destination with six themed parks, leisure facilities and featuring 2,270 homes ranging from three-, four- and five-bedroom villas and townhouses to apartments of various sizes.

City Centre Al Zahia will serve a trade area of more than 1.9 million people, and also attract residents of the neighbouring Northern Emirates.

Offering a diverse mix of over 360 retail brands over two levels City Centre Al Zahia is anchored by a 15,100-sq-m Carrefour Hypermarket, complemented by leisure options including Vox Cinemas, with 16 screens incorporating the latest theatre technology, and a 2,350-sq-m Magic Planet family entertainment destination. 

With a distinctive lantern-like design, City Centre Al Zahia’s architectural detailing echoes the annual Sharjah Light Festival. In addition, the external food and beverage precinct, located at the mall’s entrance with covered al fresco seating, will enhance Sharjah’s dining options for residents and tourists. 

Meanwhile, City Centre Sharjah, one of the emirate’s largest and leading shopping destinations, is currently undergoing a Dh260-million ($70.8 million) redevelopment set for completion in the last quarter of 2017.