Reem Mall, Abu Dhabi’s upcoming fashion, entertainment and dining destination, has named Al Futtaim Carillion as the preferred bidder for the construction of the $1-billion project.

Reem Mall will enter into detailed contract negotiations with Al Futtaim Carillion exclusively, with the objective of finalising an agreement to promptly execute the remaining works, it said.

Al Futtaim Carillion has a long history of successfully working in the UAE and the Middle East, having been behind some of the country’s most notable development projects including Deira City Centre, the Dubai Mall and Dubai Festival City expansions, and New York University in Abu Dhabi.

“The announcement marks yet another milestone for Reem Mall and comes on the back of final permission to construct received from Abu Dhabi Municipality earlier this month. Al Futtaim Carillion was selected as the preferred tenderer due to its strong track record of delivering significant high quality projects in the region, and its team of construction experts,” said Shane Eldstrom, chief operating officer for Reem Mall. “We look forward to successfully completing the tendering process.”

Dutch Foundation, a full-service engineering foundation company based in Abu Dhabi, is currently on site carrying out the enabling works contract involving excavation, lateral restraint systems, and dewatering.  More than 7 million cu ft of material has been removed to date, with dewatering progressing at a rate of 84,000 cu ft per day.  

“Dutch Foundation’s works are paving the way for a quick and efficient start of the next stage of construction,” said Eldstrom.

Reem Mall is expected to be operational in 2018.

Andrew Ridley-Barker, managing director of Al Futtaim Carillion, said: “Al Futtaim Carillion prides itself on delivering some of the most notable projects in the region. We hope to have the process concluded shortly and deliver this important retail project to the people of Abu Dhabi.”

Reem Mall, developed by National Real Estate Company (NREC) in partnership with the Kuwait-based UPAC, will deliver 2 million sq ft of leasable area (2.8 million sq ft of floor area) of retail, leisure, dining and entertainment choices. It will comprise around 450 stores, including 85 food and beverage outlets and a range of family-focused entertainment offerings.

Reem Mall will also house the world’s largest indoor snow-play park.

Established in Kuwait in 1973, NREC has grown into one of the largest real estate companies in the region with ventures across the Middle East and North Africa. UPAC is one of Kuwait’s leading real estate management companies.  - TradeArabia News Service