A critical pillar supporting Carrefour's decision was research indicating Dubai Sports City at the centre of a significant retail catchment area, including the project's 70,000 residents and a projected 1.2 million residents within a 20-minute drive from the Arena Mall.
Frank Witek, CEO, MAF Hypermarkets said the expected high visitor traffic combined with more than 7000 parking spaces, were the key draws.
"We are very pleased with the partnership and anticipate this venture to be a great success due to Dubai Sports City's impressive residential and commercial offerings, sports facilities, and progress on site," he added.
Ideally located on the UAE's main highway, Emirates Road, Arena Mall is positioned to service the growing needs of the surrounding population, representing one of the most intensively developed regions in the Middle East.
"Signing one of the world's largest retail brands as our first official tenant is a wonderful start for Arena Mall and is testimony of the market's confidence in the potential of our retail destinations," said Khalid Al Zarooni, president of Dubai Sports City.
"Carrefour's participation is an important step in Dubai Sports City's strategy to provide residents with everything they need to maintain an active lifestyle as well as ensure the development lives up to the promise of being a ‘city within a city'," added Al Zarooni.
With plans already approved by Dubai's Road and Transport Authority, dedicated flyovers will link Arena Mall to the surrounding road network, while Dubai Sports City's residential and commercial population will benefit from the city's own internal shuttle services to take them directly to the Arena Mall.
Arena Mall will also include an interactive and educational family entertainment centre, a cinemaplex, two food courts and an array of over 300 fashion, convenience, family, and leisure destination stores.
Dubai Sports City recently awarded the contract for shoring and excavation works for Arena Mall to NCSS, which began at the end of July, expecting to take approximately seven months.
Dubai Sports City (DSC), the cornerstone project of Dubailand, is a $4 billion, 50 million ft² mixed-use development, which will be the world's first integrated purpose-built sports city.
The development will be built around five major sports venues: a multi-purpose outdoor stadium, multi-purpose indoor arena, cricket stadium, field hockey stadium, and a 72-par, 18-hole championship golf course designed by South African star Ernie Els.
As the primary shopping destination at Dubai Sports City, Arena Mall will have a leasing capacity of 1.4 million ft². This will be complemented by the North Point and South Point retail hubs and a waterfront promenade featuring boutiques, restaurants and cafes.
Designed as a lifestyle development, Dubai Sports City will also feature comprehensive community facilities including: Next Generation Country Club and spa facility, shopping precincts, a range of schools including The Bradenton Academy, medical facilities, community centres and hotels. Dubai Sports City is set for completion in 2010.
Source: Arabian Business
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