Expanding RAK’s oldest mall

Manar Mall, one of Ras Al Khaimah’s oldest malls, situated in Al Hamra Village has announced to expand to double its size because of excessive demand. Lorraine Bangera analyses the growth of Al Hamra Village as an integrated community and the reason behind its excessive popularity

Al Hamra Village in Ras Al Khaimah recently announced expansion plans for its oldest retail outlet, Manar Mall. The expansion will add many new international stores, an enlarged entertainment area, along with a complete overhaul of existing facilities.

Barry Ebrahimy, Head of Commercial at Al Hamra Real Estate Development, says, “Manar Mall was the first international style shopping mall that opened in Ras Al Khaimah 15 years ago. It has become one the most popular malls in the Northern Emirates.”

The mall already consists of major international chains, including Carrefour, Marks & Spencer, H&M, Paris Gallery, Novo Cinemas, and Funcity. The expansion will see major international fashion brands enter the market in Ras Al Khaimah. Popular restaurant brands that have made strong expressions of interest to take prime locations within the new extension.

Ebrahimy says, “The mall is very popular and busy at the moment. There are many retailers who have been looking for space. Hence we have decided to expand the mall, adding another 20,000 square metre to the gross leasable space which will almost double the mall. It will expand from 30,000 to 58,000 sqaure metre. The existing area is about 30,000 square metre and about 300,000 square feet will be the gross leasable area.”

He says, “We plan to expand the mall in a single level, which would be ideal. The expansion will be done towards the water overlooking the mangroves. There will soon be a lot of anchor restaurants that will have a splendid view of the water.”

Ebrahimy emphasises how top retailers have formally expressed an interest in renting space. According to him, most retailers choose Ras Al Khaimah while considering expansion in the Northern Emirates. He adds, “Because of Manar Mall’s history, footfall and recent retail activities, retailers choose this space.”

To deal with the increasing traffic towards the mall Ebrahimy says, they have included an added multiplex parking space to expansion plans.

Cadiz International, experts in shopping mall design, have been the architects in the project. While Shankland Cox Ltd., who previously worked on Yas Island, Zayed University, and the Al Ain Convention Centre, are appointed as lead consultants.

Sun Engineering & Contractors won the construction contract worth AED 230 million. The contractors have previously been appointed for the Signature Tower and Burjside Boulevard Tower in Downtown Dubai, as well as the Sahara Mall expansion in Sharjah.

Ebrahimy says, “Based on our tendering process we chose Sun Engineering & Contractors. The criteria is based on qualification, good track record, and the ability to deliver the project as requested and within the given timelines. Sun Engineering met all those criteria and after careful consideration we selected them for completion of the project.”

Ebrahimy says, “The actual work on ground is scheduled to start on March 16 this year, and the expected date will be completed on September 16, 2016.”

Other notable assets of Al Hamra Real Estate Development include Al Hamra Mall and five luxury hotels, including the flagship Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah. Al Hamra Real Estate is also developer of Al Hamra Village, a gated waterfront community with 1,000 villas and nearly 2,500 apartments.

Ebrahimy says, “We are already one of the luxurious properties in the region. Al Hamra Village is home to 3500 properties. It is a serene beachfront community with a majestic golf course.”

Al Hamra Village is a luxurious integrated community offering an oceanfront living approximately 45 minutes from Dubai. Al Hamra Village offers investors a unique opportunity to purchase freehold property in the emirate.

Al Hamra Village have two upcoming projects in the pipeline, one is Bayti which is a collection of 162 villas which ranges from 3 bedroom to 4 bedroom houses. “Even though construction on the project just started in June 2014, majority of the project has been sold out,” says Ebrahimy. “Construction is going very well and we expect a handover by December 2015.”

The other project that is upcoming is Falcon Island, a natural island located in the Hamra lagoon. It is centrally located in Al Hamra Village and is around two million square feet. The project is a US$272 million project with villas and mansions, which will range from AED 5 to 25 million. The island will be the first platinum LEED certified project in the region to have the most sustainable design and construction.

Ebrahimy says, “The island will be powered by solar energy, and will include a hybrid district cooling plant which will provide majority of the cooling from solar. It will also include water desalination and sewage treatment plant.”

He adds, “Falcon Island is an exclusive project in the UAE. It is going to be an ultra-luxurious residential area, with the smallest mansion of about 5 bedroom starting from 5000 square feet.

“The 150 villas on the island will be furnished by Fendi Casa and Bentley Home among others, some of the biggest names in home furnishing and Italian design.”

In December last year, Al Hamra announced that two of its developments have been named in an exclusive list of winners for the International Property Awards that recognise excellence in the global property industry. It landed awards in the ‘Residential Development’ category after Al Hamra Village and Falcon Island were both selected as winners.

Al Hamra General Manager Benoy Kurien says the fact that Falcon Island has won one of the biggest accolades in the industry so early on bears testament to its world-leading sustainability credentials.

He says, “The homes will be smart too, able to monitor the usage of solar energy and allow residents to monitor consumption. The project will also have a solar bridge, providing 100% of solar needs and all water will be processed and used for irrigation.”

One of the main attractions towards the island, the GM explains is the tranquil, low-key setting that is enjoyed by residents living in Ras al Khaimah. He says, “Our close proximity to business centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and connections to Dubai International Airport were also part of the appeal.”

“We have been completely astonished by just how popular our properties proved among audiences. Interest was especially high in the 11 mansions on Falcon Island,” adds Kurien.

Al Hamra Village has been doing well according to Ebrahimy. He says, “Last year was an excellent year for us, both in terms of residential, retail and hospitality. Sales is robust and demand is very strong.”

He explains how Al Hamra is going to be an integrated community with an international school and an upcoming clinic in the surrounding area. He says, “Our aim is to provide everything and bring a community together.”

When asked about further expansions in Al Hamra Ebrahimy responded, “We do things in a very sustainable manner and we won’t keep building beyond the market needs.

“Of course we have decided to expand Al Hamra Mall which is another mall located in the Village about a year ago and now we are expanding Manar mall. But that is only because of the extensive demand for expansion.”