Swedish home furnishings conglomerate Ikea is gearing up for the launch of its largest store in the region, spread over 37,000 sq m in the Salmabad area of Bahrain, which is expected to be held in the third quarter of this year, reported Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Currently the finishing touches are being put on the structure and fit-outs of of the 6,200-sq-m showroom, which will feature more than 7,500 products, including iconic brands like Billy bookcases, Poang chairs and Bang mugs.

The BD47-million complex ($124 million) will also incorporate a 6,000-sq-m market hall for accessories, 5,000 sq m of self-service area and 4,000 sq m of full-service in a warehouse-like space.

Ikea Bahrain – being opened in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ghassan Ahmed Alsulaiman Furniture Company – will also be home to a 700-seat restaurant spread over 2,500 sq m, the biggest in Bahrain.

Ikea is expecting the store’s 220-sq-m play facility, called Smaland (named after the small town in Sweden where it all started), to be a big attraction with families. The store will also have more than 1,200 parking spaces spread over two levels. Upon completion, over 1.2 million people are expected to visit Ikea Bahrain every year.