Abu Dhabi’s US$1 billion (Dh3.67bn) Reem Mall looks likely to be built by Al Futtaim Carillion after it was named as preferred bidder for the project.
The developer behind Reem Mall said that it will now enter into detailed contract negotiations with Al Futtaim Carillion “with the objective of finalising an agreement to promptly execute the remaining works”.
Reem Mall is being developed by Al Farwaniya Property Development – a partnership between Kuwaiti firms National Real Estate Company (NREC) and United Projects for Aviation Services Company (UPAC), which agreed a $224m investment into the project last year.
Concept designs for the mall were approved by Abu Dhabi's Urban Planning Council in January this year, and final approval for the project was granted earlier this month. Enabling works are already being completed by Abu Dhabi-based engineering firm Dutch Foundation, and the mall is due to complete in 2018.
Shane Eldstrom, the chief operating officer for Reem Mall, said that Al Futtaim Carillion had been chosen because of its track record in delivering quality projects in the region. It has worked on both the Dubai Mall for Emaar Properties and the Deira City Centre Mall for Majid Al Futtaim Group.
“We look forward to successfully completing the tendering process,” said Mr Eldstrom.
Andrew Ridley-Barker, the managing director of Al Futtaim Carillion, added: “We hope to have the process concluded shortly and deliver this important retail project to the people of Abu Dhabi.”
Dutch Foundation has already removed more than 7 million cubic feet of material from the site, and is removing 84,000 cubic feet of water per day as part of the site’s dewatering process.
“Dutch Foundation’s works are paving the way for a quick and efficient start of the next stage of construction,” said Mr Eldstrom.
Once complete, Reem Mall will house 2 million square feet of leasable space and have about 450 stores, including 85 food and beverage outlets. It will also house the world's biggest indoor snow play park. It will open within months after Gulf Related completes its $1bn Al Maryah Central shopping mall on the neighbouring Al Maryah Island. That is being built by Brookfield Multiplex under a $425m construction contract.
mfahy@thenational.ae
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
