Page 37 - RLI February 2019

SHOPPING CENTRE PROFILE | FESTIVAL PLAZA

A DESTINATION

FOR EVERYONE

Designed around the convenience of every customer with ACE, a new concept, will feature a 43,056sq ft store on site
that Dubai has never seen before, with thousands of products
a bold mix of retail, F&B and entertainment, the upcoming including exclusive ranges such as Homeworks power tools,
Broil King barbeques and more. The new ACE location
Festival Plaza development is the community mall that will feature a wide selection of outdoor lifestyle, gardening,
people in the south of Dubai have been waiting for. Here, homeware, paint & décor, DIY, automotive and pet care
products. It will also have an in-store café for the convenience
RLI sits down with Timothy Earnest, Group Director of of customers with a garden centre with plants and accessories.
Grocery shopping will be easily accessible for all customers
Al-Futtaim Malls to discuss the exciting new project. on site when Dubai favourite hypermarket chain, Lulu arrives
with a new location. The Lulu Hypermarket at Festival Plaza
will also be a new concept store, one not seen before in the
emirate. The new concept will include high end finishings and
fixtures, a cafe, fishmarket, gourmet deli and other offerings
never before seen in a ‘typical’ Lulu Hypermarket.
Upon completion, the Festival Plaza development in
Jebel Ali will host a total of 2,310 parking spaces, feature
120 stores, along with 40 cafes and restaurants to suit the
entire family and a 500-seat foodcourt.
“This project will see the inclusion of the newest format
of IKEA which will be completely integrated into the mall.
IKEA café as a separate F&B option will also be introduced
at this new destination. On top of this, being a lifestyle mall,
we will have a world-class cinema, entertainment, a kids
play area and family-orientated events,” explains Earnest.
The new project in Jebel Ali will bring to its local population
a second IKEA to better serve IKEA customers in South
Dubai, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, and the mall will be easily
accessible, convenient and offer a well-rounded mixture of
services and lifestyle oriented tenants.
Categories including fashion, jewellery, financial and
other services will be part of the dynamic mix aimed at
meeting the everyday needs of shoppers will be supported
by the dining and strong anchors.
So how will you ensure that Festival Plaza remains
innovative and relevant upon opening and from where do
you draw inspiration?
“No stone has been left unturned in our design of
Festival Plaza, the mall will feature digital screens for ease
cheduled to open in the last quarter of this year, “Dubai is an ever-expanding city, taking great strides of navigation and high ceilings. The project is being created
Festival Plaza, Al-Futtaim’s latest community in development. We are proud to be a part of this as the ideal environment for meeting friends, shopping,
shopping project, is on track to cover 64,000sq m growth story,” says Timothy Earnest, Group Director snacking or to enjoy a complete food and entertainment
Sand has been designed to serve as the centre of of Al-Futtaim Malls. “We are excited to broaden our experience,” Earnest explains.
the upcoming Wasl Gate community and beyond, bringing footprint to a key residential area and look forward to Earnest believes that the complimenting retail offering at
to life a new and exciting growth corridor in South Dubai. bringing our lifestyle expertise and successful retail mix Ibn Battuta, the simple and easy access for customers and
Located at the heart of this
“DUBAI IS AN EVER-EXPANDING CITY, growing Dubai South community, to an even wider audience.” the promotion of convenience shopping for customers with a
With the substructure work now complete and ongoing
busy lifestyle will be the key drivers behind this mall’s success.
TAKING GREAT STRIDES IN Festival Plaza will be built on superstructure progress well underway, leasing has well and As the build up to opening later this year begins to gain
DEVELOPMENT. WE ARE PROUD TO the surrounds of the Wasl Gate truly begun, as almost 85 per cent of the scheme has been traction, the project is now active online, and its social
which
development,
media channels and website are already live. Alongside this,
residential
leased many months before opening. The new destination
BE A PART OF THIS GROWTH STORY” includes apartments, townhouses will be anchored by the second IKEA in the market, Marks to promote the project there will be a Retailer Breakfast
and international curriculum schools. & Spencer, ACE, Lulu Hypermarket and a cinema. series designed to engage SMEs and home-grown concepts.
Festival Plaza will serve as a community and lifestyle mall Spread over 30,000sq m, the second IKEA store in “With a multitude of planned retail, dining and
for some of the most established residential communities Dubai will embrace digital integration and allow for a more entertainment options available, Festival Plaza will become
in Dubai, including those in Jebel Ali, Al Furjan, Dubai intuitive shopping experience for its customers. The store the family lifestyle mall of choice for some of the key
Marina, Palm Jumeirah and Barsha as well as commuters will also focus on sustainability and serve as an international residential communities in Dubai,” concludes Earnest.
travelling from neighbouring Abu Dhabi. training centre for IKEA employees in the MENA region. www.dubaifestivalplaza.com
32 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL FEBRUARY 2019