Retail plan revealed in $5.5bn Doha Downtown project

Msheireb Downtown Doha, the flagship project of Msheireb Properties, will feature extensive retail outlets including a mall, its CEO said on Sunday.

The Galleria will comprise approximately 100 stores set across four levels of shopping and entertainment space.

Spanning approximately 48,000 square metres of gross leasable space, the Galleria will comprise an anchor supermarket on the lower ground floor, and a six screen cinema.

Sikkat Al Wadi, the development's largest pedestrian street, running the entire length of Downtown Doha will also provide a wide range of shopping options, including flagship stores in addition to fashion boutiques, restaurants, and cafes, a statement said.

Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi, CEO at Msheireb Properties, said: "What sets the project's retail offering apart from traditional malls is that it will integrate well-known international brands with smaller local brands or boutiques which will provide an authentic town centre atmosphere whilst keeping alive unique Qatari characteristics, traditions and heritage.

"In this way we hope to offer a more personal and appealing shopping experience than the massive shopping malls that are everywhere across the Gulf."

The development will also host the region's largest shaded open-air square, Al Baraha - a family destination with restaurants and cafes featuring events and large scale shows, he added.

Msheireb broke ground on the $5.5bn Downtown Doha project in 2010, with development set to be completed in four phases. Phase two of the project was awarded last year to Dubai builder Arabtec, while phase one went to Brookfield Multiplex Medgulf.

When complete in 2016, the 31-hectare site will include more than 100 buildings offering housing, workspace, cultural and community facilities, while preserving key heritage buildings.