Nearly every store at Abu Dhabi's newest mall will be fully operational by December, according to Aldar Properties, the mall's developer.
The World Trade Centre Mall, which opened its doors on Wednesday, will eventually be home to 160 boutiques, 20 dining outlets and an eight-screen cinema.
Shoppers entering the 60,000 square metre centre, located at the site of the old Central Market, bordered by Khalifa Road and Liwa Street, found many of the shops either closed or open and staffed but with no electricity.
However, Talal Al Dhiyebi, executive director of asset management at Aldar Properties, said most stores should be fully operational by National Day – December 2 – when the mall plans to hold its official grand opening.
“Every day we’re going to have new stores open up,” he said, noting many shops are just in the final stages of acquiring trade licences, power and water.
“Basically, by area, close to 50 per cent are open right now and we’re building up to 85 per cent by December.”
Wednesday’s partial opening was part of the company’s plan to whet the public’s appetite for what executives say will be a unique shopping experience in Abu Dhabi that marries both traditional culture and exclusive modern retail.
“We were anxious to give the community a taste,” said Mr Al Dhiyebi.
rpennington@thenational.ae
