Dh1.5 billion projects planned for Al Gharbia

Aldar Properties has announced two mixed-use projects worth a total of Dh1.5 billion in Al Gharbia – formerly known as the Western Region.

The schemes will be developed at Ruwais, 240km west of Abu Dhabi city. The first is Ruwais Mall, a Dh500m shopping complex that will be built and managed by the developer and is due to open its doors in 2010. "Reclamation work on the 40,000 sq m retail destination has already started," said Chairman Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh.

"There will be further expansion work on the mall as part of the second Ruwais project that includes the construction of residential complexes, apartments, villas and a hotel. The second project is still at an initial stage and details will be announced soon. Ruwais is ideally located on the Abu Dhabi-Saudi border highway. It is surrounded by cities such as Jebel Dhana, Ghiyathi, Mirfa, Sila‚ Ghuwaifat and a number of islands.

"It is also close to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. For me Al Gharbia is a very promising and spectacular area for business and tourism."

Director of Retail Development Philip Vaughan said: "We are responding to customers' needs and have designed a mall that will provide the residents of Ruwais with some desirable amenities that are lacking at the moment."

"The complex is principally retail but there will a number of other entertainment facilities including cinemas and restaurants," he said.

"There will be 99 shops in the complex. Initial discussions with retailers have been extremely well received and we are delighted with the response," added Vaughan.

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