Middle East's First Eco-Friendly Mall to Open in Oman

by Shrutee K/DNS

Mumbai, 10th May 2017:  Middle East’s first eco-friendly £127 million luxury mall ‘Al Araimi Boulevard’ is set to open in 2018 in Oman. The mall being developed by Al Raid Group, will be located in Al Khoud, will be spread over 147,000 sqm, set over two floors and will house the largest food court as well as glass atrium in Oman. With a strong commitment to using sustainable energy sources, Al Araimi Boulevard’s large glass ceiling makes use of photovoltaic technology, which will generate clean, and free solar power, making it Oman’s first shopping centre to integrate solar panel energy supply.

Speaking about the recent development, Lubaina Sheerazi, India Representative, Ministry of Tourism, Oman said, “The Sultanate of Oman makes conscious effort to balance the ever growing economic development whilst protecting the environment for future generations. With the launch of this world-class eco-friendly shopping & entertainment park, we are anticipating a new trend in eco-tourism that will revolutionize the shopping and leisure experience not only for the locals but for the tourists as well.” Visitors will be able to choose from a combination of high end boutique brands on offer, as well as anchor stores which are located throughout the mall. A 6,000 sqm entertainment area will be dedicated to family visitors, as there will be a large interactive learning area, alongside space for live shows and performances. Younger children will enjoy Kid’s Planet, which will be a dedicated children’s play area, and a 10-screen cinema complex will offer the latest releases for the community, complete with 4DX cinema screens.

Al Araimi Boulevard will additionally feature Oman’s largest food court, a 1,200-seat dining hall with 20 food and beverage outlets, as well as 14 outdoor restaurants overlooking the landscaped gardens. A 10,000 sqm hypermarket is also planned for the site. There will also be a designated food market with stalls selling Omani produce, a first for shopping malls in Oman. The market will provide a platform to showcase and support local food entrepreneurs, inviting them to present, promote and sell their unique food ideas. 

There will also be a gallery space in the premise, which will host community works, including young upcoming Omani artists. The destination will be equipped with 3,000 parking spaces, and will make use of a new smartphone app that would allow visitors to secure parking spaces in advance of their trip. The carpark will also include car drop off and valet parking, as well as car wash services.

Construction has begun on the site, and the project has been slated for completion by September 2018.