MAJID Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa, announced Tuesday a comprehensive redevelopment of City Centre Ajman that will see the mall almost double in size, from 29,000 to 52,000 sqm. With an estimated cost of AED600 million, the expanded City Centre Ajman will feature 150 retail and dining outlets, as well as an expanded VOX Cinemas with innovative 4DX screens as well as specially-designed children's theatres. The mall's expansion is anticipated to conclude in the third quarter of 2017, followed by an additional refurbishment and redemising of the existing mall. Creating several hundred new jobs, City Centre Ajman's redevelopment is a significant component of Majid Al Futtaim's recent commitment to invest a further AED30 billion in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by the end of 2026, bringing the company's total UAE investment to AED48 billion. Complementing the mall's expansion is the creation of 500 new jobs, the Al Zahia master-planned community and super-regional mall in nearby Sharjah, as well as the redevelopment of City Centre Sharjah – highlighting the depth of Majid Al Futtaim's commitment to the UAE's Northern Emirates. Since its opening in 1998, City Centre Ajman has matured into the emirate's primary shopping and entertainment destination, and to address customers' increased interest in family dining, the mall's expansion will include ten diverse new food and beverage outlets with both al fresco and indoor seating. A number of F&B as well as retail brands will be making their debut in Ajman as part of the redevelopment. "The UAE's Northern Emirates are a key growth area for Majid Al Futtaim, enabling us to deliver an entirely new set of retail, dining, leisure, and entertainment experiences to both residents and overseas visitors," said Kim McInnes, Chief Executive Officer - Shopping Malls at Majid Al Futtaim - Properties. "As Ajman's population increases and a growing number of tourists visit this part of the country, the redevelopment of City Centre Ajman will deliver the highest standard of design and diversity of choice while contributing significantly to the emirate's economic and employment landscapes." City Centre Ajman's expanded design will be contemporary, spacious, and able to accommodate the growth in residents and tourists anticipated by the government's 2021 vision, which focuses on infrastructure development. In line with Majid Al Futtaim's sustainability strategy, the mall's public facilities will be significantly enhanced, with additional prayer rooms and restrooms incorporating water-saving fittings, and LED lights installed throughout the mall.
