A rendering of the night-time aerial view of Doha Festival City, depicting how the project would look when completed. Right:  A rendering of the Centre Court Atrium of Doha Festival City’s mall.

By Bonnie James/Deputy News Editor

At least 200 stores, out of as many as 550 retail outlets in Doha Festival City’s second phase which is set to open in Q1 2016, will be new to Qatar, the promoters claimed yesterday.

“On offer will be a carefully balanced mix of international and local brands,” said Kareem M Shamma, CEO, Bawabat Al Shamal Real Estate Company (Basrec), the joint venture representing the project’s Qatari and Emirati shareholders.

When asked how can they be sure if these “exclusive stores” will not have a presence in any of the upcoming malls set to open before Q1 2016, the official said Doha Festival City in all probability will have a large number of such stores.

“Even if any of these stores open at other malls, Doha Festival City will still have larger outlets,” asserted Shamma while maintaining that competition is healthy and the “iconic mixed-use retail, leisure and entertainment destination will be considered one of the most attractive options.”

Doha Festival City has already leased 180 stores, explained Greg Douglas, development director. It was announced the other day that Alshaya, the franchise operator for some of the world’s best known retail brands, plans to open up to 50 different stores, cafes and restaurants within the mall including H&M, Debenhams, Mothercare, Topshop, Starbucks, Bath & Body Works, Shake Shack, Pinkberry and Pottery Barn. In total Alshaya stores will cover a combined area of approximately 25,000sq m.

“The third phase of Doha Festival City, which will be a five-star hotel from an ‘immediately recognisable group,’ is set to open shortly after the second phase,” Shamma said. The hypermarket operator within the mall has not been decided yet.

Doha Festival City, which will also be home to automotive showrooms, has a total site area of 433,847sq m, including 8,500 parking spaces with an efficient vehicle management system. The gross leasable area is more than 260,000sq m.

In order to meet the substantial power requirements of the project, Kahramaa will build a 133kv sub station on site. A chilled water plant is also being built to fulfil the air-conditioning needs.

“The location of Doha Festival City is also strategic, as it is away from the congested areas of the city,” Douglas added.

 

 

 

BELOW: A rendering of Doha Festival City’s mall interior.