Relief as Abu Dhabi's Mina Zayed shops allowed to remain open

Ambitious plans include new fish, vegetable, plant, wholesale and carpet souqs

Construction is under way to transform Mina Zayed into a top tourist and commercial destination. This shows the fisherman's wharf with the new fish market. Courtesy: Department of Municipalities and Transport / Modon

The entrance to Mina Zayed's new fish market. Courtesy: Department of Municipalities and Transport / Modon

The new fish market is being built beside the old one. Courtesy: Department of Municipalities and Transport / Modon

Mina Plaza will be demolished on November 27, heralding the start of the redevelopment. Victor Besa / The National

Existing markets will be retained. Victor Besa / The National

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The shops and markets in Abu Dhabi's historic Mina Zayed area will stay open during the area's landmark redevelopment.

It will bring relief to traders in the historic area known for its colourful souqs, who were worried about the future of their businesses.

Abu Dhabi Media Office on Thursday said the shops will move only when construction is complete.

Major rejuvenation works will begin in the area on November 27 when the abandoned tower block, Mina Plaza, is demolished.

The area will be temporarily closed from 7pm on Thursday, November 26 to 4pm on Friday to facilitate the demolition.

Works are being undertaken by Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport and Modon Properties.

"I would like to take this opportunity to reassure retail and business owners in all the markets that fall within the redevelopment areas of the project that their shops will not be closed," said Ahmed Al Zaabi, director of delivery at Modon.

"Businesses will remain operational throughout the redevelopment process.

“The main objective of this redevelopment is to consolidate all the significant markets and souqs into one destination within the retail hub of Abu Dhabi. The strategic enhancements will focus on remaining true to the culture of the historic area ... to build community pride and maintain Mina Zayed’s decades-long legacy of importance in the capital.”

Traders in Mina Zayed are braced for change as a major regeneration project of Mina Zayed gathers momentum. All pictures by Victor Besa / The National

Mohammad Riyas, from Kerala, has worked at the Mina Plant Market for ten years

Mina Plaza Towers which will be demolished on November 27 as part of an ambitious redevelopment scheme

Abdulla Hussein, from Pakistan, delivers pillows to the Dar Al Ain shop.

Many shop owners have operated in Mina Zayed for several years

Hassan Mohammad Ali at the pillow sales section of Dar Al Ain

A rich array of goods are sold by the many market traders in Mina Zayed

The Jaberkhoory Household Appliances shop in the vast port area

The pillows and mats section of the Dar Al Ain shop

The Mina Zayed market area will be transformed as part of plans to turn the port into a tourist attraction

Mounir A.K. has worked at the Mina plant market for four years

Anna Varghese, from Kerala has owned her plant stall with her husband for 15 years

Prominent in the new development is a new seafood market beside the original one. New seasonal markets are also being built beside it.

Opened in 1972, Mina Zayed has served as the main port in Abu Dhabi for more than 40 years.

“We are very proud to embark upon this new milestone for the redevelopment of Mina Zayed," said Hamad Al Mutawa, executive director of operations affairs at the DMT. Following the successful demolition of Mina Plaza, scheduled to take place on Friday November 27, we look forward to advancing our plans in revitalising the historic area."

A date for the completion of the development has not been revealed.

Construction on the three-tower Mina Plaza block, meanwhile, began in 2007 but was halted several times.

Plans were being considered, however, for a wider regeneration of the area.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, approved these plans in 2018.

Now that vision is coming to life.