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The Galleria on Al Maryah Island
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Last week in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates capital, the retail environment for luxury shoppers was fundamentally altered with the opening of The Galleria on Al Maryah Island.
Developed as a joint venture between New York’s Related Companies, run by Stephen Ross, and Mubadala Real Estate the Galleria Al Maryah Island is a luxury shopping and dining destination with a stunning waterfront promenade located in the heart of Abu Dhabi.
With more than 130 shops under one roof and over 370, 000 square feet of gross leasable area, The Galleria features a mix of high-end retailers and licensed and unlicensed chef-driven restaurants and cafes. The new upscale centre will be home to the world’s most iconic luxury fashion and fine jewelry brands, as well as an array of first to Abu Dhabi brands.
Situated on Al Maryah Island, home to the capital’s new Central Business District, The Galleria boasts spectacular waterfront views across the Abu Dhabi cityscape and has one of the highest concentrations of luxury brands in the Middle East.
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The Galleria on Al Maria Island / Related Company’s website
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Ali Eid AlMheiri, Executive Director of Mubadala Real Estate and Infrastructure said: “Al Maryah Island was created to be the center of business and commerce for the evolving Abu Dhabi.”….”The Galleria is a best-in-class showcase which will raise the standards in retail across the region, and have a positive impact on life in Abu Dhabi.”
Fifty international brands have already chosen this new luxury destination to open their first stores in Abu Dhabi. These include the best international labels such as Aspinal of London, Berluti, Boucheron, Celine, Diane von Furstenberg, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs, Mulberry, Paul Smith, Tory Burch, Alexander McQueen, Moschino, Thomas Pink, Pucci, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Pomellato, Emporio Armani Caffe, Almaz by Momo and Magnolia Bakery.
The retail precinct connects to its neighboring leisure and commercial developments through a unique network of climate-controlled corridors including The Rosewood Abu Dhabi ultra-luxury hotel, which opened in May 2013 and offers five-star accommodation just a minute’s stroll away.
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The Related Companies operate in the Gulf through a joint venture called Gulf Related in which their partners are Gulf Capital, a Leading Middle East alternative asset management company. Gulf Related leverages Related’s own core competencies in real estate planning, development and management. Gulf Capital brings strong regional relationships, access to deal flow and fund raising capabilities to the joint venture.
“The opening of The Galleria marks a key milestone in the expansion of both Gulf Capital and Gulf Related, ” said Dr. Karim El Solh, CEO of Gulf Capital and a Co-Managing Partner of Gulf Related. “As it raises the bar for destination dining and luxury shopping in Abu Dhabi, The Galleria is a precursor for Sowwah Square’s unparalleled impact on business and leisure in the capital and paves the way for an ambitious portfolio of upcoming projects.”
Clearly there is more to come in this ambitious Gulf capital, and The Galleria forms part of Phase 1 of Al Maryah Island’s phased development on Sowwah Square. The development is made up of four commercial towers, along with the iconic Exchange Building and the Rosewood Abu Dhabi Hotel.
Altogether Sowwah Square provides 5 million square feet in a mixed use project built by by Mubadala Real Estate. The architect for The Galleria was Elkus-Manfredi, who has also built into the waterfront a shopping component including just 50 luxury retailers.
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Al Mariyah Island / Source Al Mariyah Island web page
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Gulf Related is also developing Sowwah Central, a dynamic mixed use development featuring a super-regional shopping center with1.6 million square feet of gross leasable area, and adjoining luxury hotel and residential towers which will linking seamlessly to The Galleria and are set to open in 2017.
Kenneth A. Himmel, a Co-Managing Partner of Gulf Related, and also President and CEO of Related Companies Urban Development Group, said “We are delighted to add this outstanding project to our portfolio of internationally celebrated developments”…”We look forward to building on the success of The Galleria with Sowwah Central which will open in 2017 and when combined, will offer over 500 retail, leisure, dining and entertainment options”.
