EXCLUSIVE STRIP

Amwaj Islands Lagoon is continuing to push forward with its plans to open Bahrain's first Mediterranean-style outdoor mall with new retail outlets yet to be seen in the kingdom, writes Mai Al Khatib.

Management is hoping to open with a 'soft launch' by the end of this year. The $90 million Lagoon Bahrain is located in the heart of the seaside community and is being developed by Abu Dhabi Investment House with the idea of creating a mixed-use commercial attraction comprising of retail, restaurant and business spaces.

Fahad A Rafea, general manager of The Lagoon Bahrain, said: "This is a unique Mediterranean-styled outdoor shopping strip that will offer new and innovative retail and restaurant outlets for people to enjoy.

"You find a lot of people spend tons of money a year to travel to a sunny destination for either the weather or the shopping experience. Why go so far when you can simply drive to Amwaj to experience sun and fun in a breath-taking shopping strip."

The developers of the Lagoon Bahrain want to establish the shopping attraction as a prime location for families and friends to enjoy throughout the year.

It covers a total area of 130,000sqm and is divided into eight low-rise seafront blocks with each housing 129 outlets. The development also features a one kilometre walkway stretching around the perimeter; a total of 1,800 covered car parking spaces, a floating restaurant, cooling water features, landscaping and shaded canopies for visitors.

General manager Fahad A Rafea said: "Our aim is to make sure that our customers are happy and comfortable throughout the year no matter what the weather is like. We want them to keep coming back for more.

"Currently we have sold 60 per cent of the outlets and have leased 23 per cent of the remaining 40. The market is picking up in terms of the retail sector and we are at a better stage than most, which is what gave us that push to sit down with not just regular retailers but also lifestyle concepts to bring to the kingdom.

"People are sick and tired of seeing the same retailers so we are supplying new flavours to the market keeping it interesting for shoppers and making it worth their while to make that drive over to Amwaj.

"At the moment we have high-end restaurants including Sarai, offering Lebanese cuisine, and the Italian Al Forno, as well as a Portuguese bakery called Tuga. As for retailers, we are in the final negotiating stages and we will be offering new brands from locations such as Lebanon and the UK.

"We want customers to enjoy a day out with the kids and families, perhaps have a nice meal or read a book under a shaded umbrella."

Since a lot of people are used to air-conditioned malls, the Lagoon will feature a number of facilities to keep the customers feeling at ease. Mr Rafea explained: "Shaded umbrellas, vapour fans and piping will be added to the landscape to keep shoppers and visitors feeling cool. We will also have air-conditioned shuttle buses for tourists staying at the four and five star hotels as well as a welcome booth in the airport.

"We will also be liaising with a lot of tourist agencies and cruise ships. All these factors are important to us, not just for increasing footfall but for awareness of our establishment.

"The word-of-mouth effect also plays a role. Also, in the future our restaurants will have a concierge service. Events are already taking place at the Lagoon - the sky is the limit here. If it is logical and doable then we have no problem building it or throwing it."

Asked whether distance would be an issue with local shoppers living in Hamad Town, Saar, Isa Town or Riffa, Mr Rafea said: "I don't think it will be an issue as some people already drive to Saudi Arabia to do their grocery shopping and before Louis Vuitton came to Bahrain women would travel to Dubai to buy a bag!"