Bloomingdale’s and First International Macy’s To Open in Abu Dhabi in 2018

by Nate Hunter

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Each multi-level flagship will occupy more than 200,000 square feet of retail.

Gulf Related, a regional development company and joint venture between Gulf Capital and Related Companies, and Al Tayer Group, a diversified regional business, have signed an agreement to open a Macy’s and a Bloomingdale’s store at Al Maryah Central, a 2.3-million-square-foot shopping center being developed on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi.

The signing of the 205,000-square-foot Macy’s to open at Al Maryah Central marks the first time that Macy’s will open a store outside of the United States. The opening of the 230,000-square-foot Bloomingdale’s marks the first store to open in Abu Dhabi and the second store in the UAE.

Al Maryah Central will directly connect to the recently opened luxury shopping and dining destination, The Galleria on Al Maryah Island. Together, Al Maryah Central and The Galleria create a 2.9-million-square-foot waterfront-retail shopping destination that anchors the 8.6 million square foot mixed-use district comprised of Sowwah Square and Al Maryah Central. 

Scheduled to open in Spring 2018, the 3.1 million square foot mixed-use development will include 2.3 million square foot of retail. Al Maryah Central will also feature a comprehensive merchandise mix of both luxury and contemporary brands, food and beverage tenants, family entertainment options, a cinema and a health club.

The development is a collaboration among multiple stakeholders. Marvin Traub Associates acts as Gulf Related’s leasing advisor and co-led the overall retail merchandising strategy. Traub was also responsible for arranging the partnership between Al Tayer Group and Macy’s Inc. Leading the Abu Dhabi based development efforts for Gulf Related at Al Maryah Central is Kevin Ryan, Managing Director of Development and Emile Habib, Managing Director of Investments and Business Development. The project cost is reported at $1 billion.

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