Leading contractor Alghanim International is pressing ahead with work on Phase II of the Avenues shopping mall, having recently seen the successful opening of its first phase.

Inspired by its motto “We make it happen”, the Grade One Kuwaiti contracting major took all the challenges involved in this fast-track project in its stride, as it allocated a huge workforce – which rose to 3,500 workers at peak time – to ensure the timely completion of the landmark mall.
Commenting on the project, a spokesman for Alghanim International says: “We accepted the challenge of this fast-tract project in October 2004, when we concluded an agreement with Mabanee, the project’s highly-reputed developer. The Avenues is now a reality and home to one of the largest multi-use developments in the region.”
Phase One of the development covers an area of 145,000 sq m encompassing a built-up area of 300,000 sq m, while phase two covers 205,000 sq m of land located along one of the busiest highways in Kuwait, the Fifth Ring Road.
“Phase II is currently proceeding at a very ambitious rate and is due to be completed in January 2008,” he adds.
Al Ghanim commenced excavation work on the project on November 1, 2004, determined to start foundation work soon.
“We achieved our target when we cast the raft foundation – involving 1,200 cu m of concrete – by December 1, 2004. In fact, by early May 2005, the premises assigned for Ikea – which covers in excess of 13,000 sq m – was already handed over to the tenant for fit-out and by December of that year we completed the 14,000 sq m premises allocated to the renowned international retail chain Carrefour for fit out,” the spokesman says.
Last July, Al Ghanim completed work on the shell of the 10-cinema complex, when it was called upon to tackle the challenge of introducing composite structural steel/concrete construction in Kuwait, for the seating areas and projection levels of the theatres, he says. Six of these theatres were handed over to the client for fit-out last November and the remaining by the end of the same year.
Construction work on all the other components of the project was completed last December, although more than 70 tenants were allowed to start their fit-out activities last July.
While the initial two-year contract was worth KD54.5 million ($188.5 million), halfway through the construction the client decided to expand the project and three major buildings involving pile foundations were introduced in the northern and southeastern areas of the project, increasing the contract value by approximately KD12 million.
“These new structures have added further shopping and leisure areas to The Avenues and augmented the car parking capacity to 4,000 vehicles on the basement level as well as within the three-storey car-park. In addition, visitors will also be able to use the open air car-parking areas located within the landscaped areas to the west and north of the project,” he says.
Commenting on some of the highlights of the development, the spokesman says: “The architectural features of the mall are accentuated by the natural light that bathes the interiors from the glass roof above the boulevard in the mall. At more than 20 m high, the 7,000-plus-sq-m glass roof enhances the grandeur of the mall and contributes to its pleasant and friendly atmosphere. A floating Barrisol (stretched fabric ceiling) extending over an area of 13,000 sq m – believed to be the largest installation worldwide – renders a highly impressive ceiling for The Avenues.
The project also features glass windows and large floor-to-roof glass walls at the main entrances, which enable the mall to maximize on natural light.
The project is serviced by a multitude of entrances and exits. The approach to the project is from either the Fifth Ring Motorway or from Mohamed bin Kassem Street at the northern end, where visitors are welcomed into more than 60,000 sq m of landscaped areas featuring green lawns, planted trees, sculpture features and paved areas, all designed to give this colossal mall an attractive outdoor ambiance.
Given the expanse of the Avenues mall, the project has drawn up some interesting statistics: More than 1,250 doors and roller shutters are used on the project and over 18,000 sq m of aluminium panels of various sizes and colours clad the external facades of the project. In addition, 12,500 sq m of imported ceramic tiles were used alongside the aluminium cladding, covering parts of the façade. Imported ceramic tiles – in excess of 45,000 sq m – were also used to clad the main passageways as well as service corridors leading to the back-of-the-house facilities.
“The diversity of ceramic colours and patterns has enhanced the overall aesthetics of the facades and the floors,” the spokesman says.
In view of the high demand set for concrete required for the project, a special batching plant was established within the site to supply more than 300,000 cu m of concrete. Some 40,000 tonnes of reinforcing steel have been used in the construction of the project.
Pedestrian traffic within the mall will be facilitated by 37 elevators, escalators and travelators evenly and strategically located within the facility.
Alghanim International, a fully-owned entity of Fouad Alghanim and Sons Group of Companies, is a leading civil and electromechanical engineering and contracting company that has accumulated more than four decades of experience in its field.
A certified and approved ISO 9001:2000 company, Alghanim International is equipped with its own manpower, carpentry workshop, garage and other infrastructure to execute projects larger than KD50 million.
The company has carried out a number of major civil construction projects including the 1,000 MW power station at Al Zour South; the Oil Sector Complex for Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and Ministry of Oil; the extension for the Technological Studies College for Public Authority for Applied Education and Training; Health Science Centre at Kuwait University, Jabriya Campus for Ministry of Public Works; Public Authority for Industry headquarters; four underground water reservoirs, of 37 million gallon capacity each, at Wafra for the Ministry of Energy; facilities for Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Company; and the Four Points Sheraton Hotel for Oriental Hotels Company.
It has also implemented a number of road and infrastructure projects, and various projects in the oil and gas, as well as in the water, power and sewage sectors.
Elsewhere in the region, it has carried out civil and electro-mechanical works and coolers installation at Khor Zubai power plant, Iraq and provided integrity assessment services for structural facilities at Al Khafji Joint Operations, Saudi Arabia.