Negotiations are currently under way for a construction contract that is expected to be awarded shortly for the estimated SR48 million ($12.79 million) Millennium Centre, a prestigious commercial building with a post-modern architectural design set to take shape in Dammam.

Being developed by the Saudi Investment Group, the project – which is expected to occupy on a 12,600 sq m plot in Dammam’s commercial district – is envisioned to be one of the outstanding landmarks in the Eastern Province.
Leading Saudi Arabia-based designer Alawami Planners and Consultants has undertaken the designs of this two-level building, which will have a total built-up area of 14,210 sq m – the ground floor accounting for 5,500 sq m, the mezzanine being 3,475 sq m and the first floor being 5,235 sq m.
“While most of the recent malls built in the Eastern Province have opted for a traditional design, we have tried to influence the client to go in for an ultra-modern design to make it unique,” says Hussain Al Jumaa, vice president of Alawami Planner and Consultants.
In line with this design concept, the building will have aluminium cladding with structural glazing. Another innovative concept to be introduced in the mall is two spiral escalators on either side of a fountain under a 40-m-diameter dome in the centre of the mall.
Construction work on the centre is expected to start by the end of summer for completion within 18 months.
A highlight of the external features of this mall is a drive-through ATM bank service, a coffee-buffet island, fountains and a 167-car parking lot.
The main entrance of the commercial centre will open on to two panoramic elevators, spiral escalators, kiosks and a food court with six fast-food outlets.
The left wing will comprise a structural-glazed cylindrical building, housing a 490 sq m furniture showroom, behind which will be a 230 sq m departmental store along with prayer halls for men and women. This wing will also have six commercial shops (each with a floor area of 110 sq m), two gift shops, a coffee shop, and a food court with a comfortable seating area.
The right wing that is symmetrical in design to the left wing, will accommodate a car showroom with a floor area of 385 sq m, behind which will be a supermarket spread over 470 sq m. To maintain a congruous design, there will be the same number of functional commercial spaces in this wing as the left one.
The ground floor will also include washrooms and toilets for men and women.
The 3,475 sq m mezzanine floor will have 12 commercial outlets, two wide department stores on either side, two gift shops and six fast-food stalls in the centre.
The first level with a floor area of 5,235 sq m is designed to accommodate 28 business offices along with a central food-court featuring six fast food stalls for the building’s commercial tenants.