UAE-based mall developer Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) is investing $175m in expansion and renovation works at its City Centre Ajman property as part of its plan to increase investment in the UAE.

A statement from MAF said the aim behind the expansion is to transform the venue into a “regional mall” with the addition of more facilities and 14 new brands. In the first phase of the expansion, which concluded recently, a new wing has been added to the mall boasting a central galleria with a skylight roof allowing natural light to stream in to create an inviting ambiance for shoppers. It took six million man hours to construct the new wing, which also added more parking spaces to the venue, enabling to now accommodate 1,800 cars, the statement added.

The first phase of the expansion was carried out in line with green building protocols and MAF’s sustainability strategy. Energy-efficient design and procedures were employed to help reduce the mall’s carbon footprint, including installing LED lighting and water-saving, low-flow faucets and fixtures, the developer said.

The next development phase will involve the renovation of the existing mall, which will see City Centre Ajman grow from 29,000sqm to 55,300sqm in size upon completion in 2019. As part of the upgrades, the public areas and facilities, including the toilets, baby changing areas and prayer rooms, will be enhanced for a seamless transition between the old and new section of the mall, said the statement.

“The new wing at City Centre Ajman, which features more than 50 international brands and dining concepts, is set to revolutionise the emirate’s retail landscape,” said Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, managing director for Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Shopping Malls (UAE, Bahrain & Oman).

“We are proud to bring 14 world-class brands (to) make their debut in Ajman, underscoring our continued leadership in the retail sector. We’ve listened carefully to our fashion-conscious customers who want the convenience of shopping for their favourite brands closer to home and have addressed that demand with our diverse range of new stores and restaurants. As City Centre Ajman transforms into a regional shopping mall, our focus on contemporary design with convenience and accessibility at the centre of our services, a tailored retail mix with dynamic new brands and unique dining and entertainment concepts, continue to make it a destination of choice for both residents and tourists.”

Among the new brands that the expansion has brought to the mall are beauty products specialists Inglot and Lush, apparel houses such as Garage and US Polo, and food and dining outlets like Nando’s, Pizza Express, as well as international café chains. MAF’s family entertainment centre, Magic Planet, has also increased in size and now covers 1,466sqm in size, the statement added.  

According to MAF, the expansion is in line with its announcement made in June 2016 to increase its total investment in the UAE by $8.1bn by 2026, taking its total investment in the country to $13bn billion. The expansion is also a part of MAF’s additional investment in the UAE’s Northern Emirates, which includes the recent opening of My City Centre Al Dhait in Ras Al Khaimah and the expansion of City Centre Sharjah this year.