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UPC okays detailed planning for Dh4.1b Reem Mall project

Abu Dhabi - For the time being, the building has the basic one Pearl, the minimum required sustainable features by the UPC's Estidama, but it aims to reach two Pearls by the time of opening.

The Dh 4.1 billion Reem Mall has been granted detailed planning approval by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC), just six months after the mall's concept plans were approved.
Set to become Abu Dhabi's second largest shopping centre after Yas Mall when ready, in 2018, Reem Mall will spread across 2.8 million square feet and it will feature 450 shops, two food courts and 85 cafes and restaurants.
For the time being, the building has the basic one Pearl, the minimum required sustainable features by the UPC's Estidama, but it aims to reach two Pearls by the time of opening.
According to Mohamed Al Khadar, executive director of Urban Development and Estidama Department at UPC, 2 Pearl Rating would ensure that the facility is of the highest quality in every aspect of design, sustainability and functionality.
"For the ongoing development of Abu Dhabi, and for a project of this magnitude, it was essential that the UPC and the Reem Mall developers collaborate closely to ensure that every recommended enhancement put forward during the UPC's planning review process was successfully adopted, while still meeting the target deadline for detailed approval and breaking ground," he added.
The UPC and the Reem Mall development team met regularly over the second half of 2015 to incorporate design enhancements put forward by the UPC's Urban Development and Estidama Sector.
In order to achieve the minimum required one Pearl, the development had to achieve sustainable water end energy consumptions.
"Our Pearl rating system is based on key building typology, following international standards for energy and water usage," explained Yasmeen Al Rashedi, senior manager of the Estidama Department at UPC. One of the major sustainability challenges for the future Reem Mall is its included theme park, including the world's largest indoor snow-play park, covering 125,000 square feet of the mall area, which will be a heavy consumer of both water and energy.
"We have actually looked very closely into this. If the developers are up for the challenge to create a sustainable theme park, we grant building permission," mentioned Al Rashedi.
In fact, since the snow-play park is part of the building, UPC is looking at the water and energy usage of the development as a whole.
Developed by The National Real Estate Company and United Projects for Aviation Services Company, Reem Mall will be the major shopping and entertainment facility for the 210,000 residents that will eventually live on the 650 hectares Reem Island by 2030.
According to the developers, 67 per cent of Abu Dhabi's retail potential falls within Reem Mall's trading area. Shane Eldstrom, chief operating officer for Reem Mall, pointed out that the mall will be a major attraction not just for Reem Island residents, but everyone living or visiting Abu Dhabi.
"By 2030 Abu Dhabi will have 2.4 million residents and by 2018 there will be sis million tourists," he stressed.
The mall's design incorporates 6,800 car parking spaces and it will be connected to the Light Rail Tramway for public transport.
- silvia@khaleejtimes.com