City Centre Sharjah, one of the emirate’s largest and leading shopping destinations, will undergo Dh 260 million redevelopment initiative set for completion in the last quarter of 2017, with hundreds of direct and indirect jobs being created.
The announcement was made by Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa as part of its recent commitment to invest a further Dh 30 billion in the UAE by 2026.
The announcement comes as a result of the company’s analysis into the changing needs of both residents and tourists in the UAE’s third-largest emirate. While increasing the mall’s fashion and lifestyle brands by 25 new storefronts, boosting the total number of retailers to 150 and adding 13,700 sqm of retail space, City Centre Sharjah’s expansion will also include a 12-screen VOX Cinemas with the latest cinematic technologies, a City Centre Clinic for the healthcare needs of the surrounding communities, and four new dining options.
“Underscoring Majid Al Futtaim’s commitment to create great moments for everyone, every day, our Dh 260 Million investment in expanding and repositioning. City Centre Sharjah will complement the company’s new super-regional mall being developed in Al Zahia as well as the expansion of City Centre Ajman – reflecting the growth opportunities that we see in the UAE’s Northern Emirates throughout the next decade,” said Ghaith Shocair, Chief Executive Officer – Shopping Malls at Majid Al Futtaim – Properties.
City Centre Sharjah’s enhancement will include an interior design refresh for a more contemporary look and feel, including significant natural light throughout the expanded mall. Upgraded public areas and facilities such as prayer rooms, as well as improved entry points via welcome courts and 700 new covered parking spots, are set to increase the mall’s aesthetics and accessibility. As the mall expands its retail, leisure, and health offering, it becomes an even more vital member of the community, hosting a range of compelling events and promotions for families, students from nearby universities, and tourists.
The redevelopment of existing assets such as City Centre Sharjah is a key element of Majid Al Futtaim’s overall UAE strategy announced in June 2016: to open 10 new City Centre destinations, 28 cinemas, 40 Carrefour supermarkets and a 740,000 sqm community also located in Sharjah, by the end of 2020.
Mall operations will continue as normal for all tenants that are not going under redevelopment. Majid Al Futtaim’s priority is to deliver an enhanced visitors’ experience at City Centre Sharjah, and has planned for minimal disruption during this period.